Wednesday
Jan182012
Review: Ghostbusters #5
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 3:30AM 
Ducks quack. Dogs bark. Porn starsfuck. Ghostbusters bust ghosts.
But not in this issue.
This is the first Ghostbusters book that I get the chance toreview. I have a soft spot in myheart for this franchise because the 1984 film got me hooked on movies andghosts. I looked forward to lovingthis comic.
But I didn’t.
Okay, instead of blasting this comic book the way I hecklekindergarten plays for sucking like they always do, I want to offer suggestionsas to how to make this comic great.
Don’t have the Ghostbusters meandering all issue. Set up a spooky scenario and have theguys interact with the ghost in the issue. This book is nothing more than a set-upto the next issue. And that’s acheat to fans.
A Pennywise from Itlooking clown at an amusement park goes nuts and spews spectral bats from hismouth. What. The. fuck. Meanwhile, Egon and Peter babble abouthow terrible it is to be under the direction of EPA dickless wonder, WalterPeck. And Ray tries to find alegal way around Peck’s control.
I understand the plot point of having the Ghostbustersanswer to Peck; it has the potential to lead to a build-up when the guystriumph over him. It’s a basic plot device to put the heroes under the sway ofthe enemy. But it seems soillogical that in the movie Peck wanted to shut the Ghostbusters down, and nowhe keeps them running. I’ll givethat one more time to play itself out and see if this is going somewhere.
Nevertheless, the guys only gear up at the end of the comicwith a ‘to be continued’ fuck you to the readers conclusion just when the bookgets some momentum. Please,creative team, if the title is Ghostbusters, bust one ghost some where in theissue. The comedy falls flat, andthe dialogue is excessive.
The artwork takes some time to get used to, but I will giveit a pass. The styling issomething akin to Japanimation cartoons. No biggie—it is what it is.
But in the closing pages of the book there’s something funand exciting. Some of the designsketches are batshit scary, and the bio page on “Sam” Hain was creepycool. I usually ignore these pagesin other books, but the concept sketches mesmerized me. I hope these drafts will workthemselves into future issues.
This is a great licensed product, and the potential to be ahybrid horror/comedy product is there. This filler issue just fails to deliver. I will give this book a few more issues to find its place. But if it keeps up this way, I’mjumping ship for some other 80s license like Caddyshack.
Score: 2/5
Writer: Erik Burnham
Art: Dan Schoening
Colors: Luis Antonio DelgadoIDW Comics
$3.99
Release Date: 1/18/12
Reader Comments (6)
This review is just ridiculous. You didn't bother to read any of the prior issues and then complained about things that were either ongoing storyline points, or explained in the prior issues.
I read the review twice and I have to say your comment is off point. Every issue is someone's first with a book and that's the reality of comics. Also he didn't say he was confused about Peck controlling the GB's just that it was a terrible plot point... which it is! Also he comments about it being a set up for the next story line as well. Perhaps you should take off your fan boy blinders before you make comments that make you look the fool
Dustin Cabeal : please stop barking and go read the first issue (or check the video game).
"Peck's being portrayed as a little more open minded after the experiences he's had over the years, what with being slimed by Gozer and the whole Shandor/Selwyn/Mandala/Black Slime business he no longer thinks the Ghostbusters are frauds. He just thinks they're incompetent jerks, and knowing what they do is real doesn't make him hate Venkman any less." (from Fritz's review on GBfans).
Anonymous: Post under your real name and I'll consider it.
Also while on the subject, you should really read the name of the reviewer before directing a comment towards someone.
Carl & Dustin Cabeal : you are invited to take a good look at the first issue (or to play at the last ghostbusters video game...)
Sorry man, I can be so rude sometimes...please tell me you're not a Stalker or something...
No Matt, we're not stalkers lol. It's all good, differences in opinion happen especially when it comes to comics.