Ghostbusters: Answer the Call #1 review: They ain’t afraid of no ghosts
By Alex Widen
The ladies are back! Yet can the Ghostbusters for a new generation handle the Boogieman?
Ghostbusters: Answer The Call #1
Writer: Kelly Thompson
Artist: Corin Howell
Colorist: Valentina Pinto
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It’s been 33 years since the original Ghostbusters film graced theaters. It sparked not only a new genre, but an entire franchise unto itself. Those included a sequel, two animated series, and several video games. In the 1980s, the Ghostbusters were on par with franchises like He-Man, TMNT, and Transformers. While a canonical third film never happened, the film franchise was rebooted last year, featuring a foursome consisting of ladies instead. To say it sparked controversy would be an understatement.
Image by IDW Publishing
While the new film franchise may not be healthy, there’s life in these ladies yet! IDW Publishing has never let a franchise go to waste, especially this one! Erik Burnham has been writing a standard Ghostbusters series based on the classics like Egon and Venkman for years. Yet last year saw a cross-dimensional convergence where every incarnation of ‘Busters got to meet and team up. This includes the newest incarnation, who return in their very own mini series right here!
Image by IDW Publishing
Meet the New Ghostbusters!
Doctors in physics Erin Gilbert and Abigail Yates literally wrote the book on ghosts. They’ve teamed up with the rough-and-tumble Patricia Tolan and manic Dr. Jillian Holtzmann in the New York of a dimension only slightly different from ours. Or is it the same and the others are different? Regardless, they’ve formally united as the Ghostbusters and are investigating a Brownstone in NYC for the presence of their 83rd documented spectral encounter. They actually find a ghost-kid.
Image by IDW Publishing
Yet he is neither friendly nor named Casper! As Patty quickly points out, plenty of kids in the horror genre turn out to be monsters. She turns out to be right again as the ghost-kid goes on a rampage. Erin does her best to lead the team in between Abby’s analysis and Holtzmann’s steady stream of banter and nonsequitur statements. The four blast it with their proton packs and avoid crossing the streams. Yet it all ends too easily, as Abby appears unusually quiet at the firehouse.
Image by IDW Publishing
As Erin tries to deal with their dimwit secretary Kevin Beckman and Holtzmann continues on an experiment, Patty does research. It turns out that Brownstone was home not only to a dead kid, but a mad scientist back in the 1900s. His name of Doctor Kruger is creepy enough, yet his alias of “the Boogieman” is even worse. It quickly turns out that he’s a much more powerful ghost who lured the ladies into a trap. Even worse, he’s taken spectral possession of Abby and begins his rampage!
Image by IDW Publishing
Seems Like Another Great Fit for Kelly Thompson!
Fortunately, what Holtzmann lacks in boundaries, she makes up for in inventive gadgets! While she may want to turn her peers into lab rats, she also knows when to bust out miracle gear! This includes a “proton whip” which would make Simon Belmont blush! Although Abby is freed (and slimed), the ghost of Doctor Kruger has been unleashed. Not even the fearless Ghostbusters are immune to his phobia-inducing powers. Can the quartet stop the Boogieman from ruling NYC?
Image by IDW Publishing
After writing Jem & the Holograms for IDW for years, Kelly Thompson takes on another franchise for them. Between them and A-Force, Thompson has proven adept at juggling an entire team of capable and/or sassy heroines. This incarnation of the Ghostbusters proves no exception. The banter and one-liners between Patty, Erin, Abby, and Holtzmann are fast and furious. The Boogieman is also a classic villain for the franchise, so establishing this world’s version is smart.
Image by IDW Publishing
While the dialogue is strong throughout, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that Holtzmann easily steals the show. She’s the Egon of the group, the semi-mad scientist with all of the gadgets. Yet she brings it to another level with an energetic zeal which even occasionally bugs her pals. From “proton-whips” to a literal “Ghost Zamboni” machine, Holtzmann proves to be a muse for Thompson’s imagination. Part of the reason why I tune in for Kelly’s comics is seeing crazy stuff like this.
Image by IDW Publishing
An Almost Perfect Cast!
The issue also serves as a proper introduction for those who didn’t see the film nor read Ghostbusters 101. Thompson introduces all of the characters and clearly establishes their personalities. Erin is the leader and is clearly trying to keep everyone on the path. Abby is the overeager one who occasionally needs a confidence boost. Patty is the only one without a PhD yet also the most grounded one. And Holtzmann is a kooky force of nature, nuttier than some ghosts.
Image by IDW Publishing
In fact the only one of them who is a load is Kevin Beckman. In the 2016 film, part of the joke was a satire on the longstanding character trope of the “sexy gal Friday.” He was played by Chris Hemsworth (Thor himself) and part of the fun was seeing him play “brainless beefcake” in an industry where “sexy cheesecake” is still a thing. On that level it is a capable spoof. However, beyond that, especially comparing him to Janine Malnitz of Ghostbusters game, gets unfair.
Image by IDW Publishing
He Makes Tuxedo Mask Look Capable!
Having Kevin be a useless airhead risks the idea that Janine’s role in Ghostbusters is similar. It is a fair point that having the only lady in the main cast be a secretary is a bit outdated. Yet Janine was far from useless in the main canon. In the two films, it’s established that she’s the one who mostly holds the business side of the operation together via handling legalities, paperwork, and so on. She personally interviews Winston. In the original 1980s cartoon she even becomes a Ghostbuster.
Image by IDW Publishing
Beyond that, Kevin risks saying something unintentionally backward about the Ghostbusters gals. The joke is that while Kevin is dumb and useless, the ladies hired him because he’s “hot.” It risks suggesting that women in positions of authority are still slaves to their sex drives. It specifically suggests that a team made up of three doctorates would employ a guy who is a drag on their operation just because he looks cute in glasses and vests. It borders on being insulting to them.
Image by IDW Publishing
None of this is Kelly Thompson’s fault. Kevin Beckman was part of the film and introduced with the rest of the gals in Ghostbusters 101. It would have been improper or at least inaccurate to not include him. And in fairness, Thompson does her best to work around him, only using him for two bits. After all, the Ghostbusters don’t need a comic relief; they are their own comic relief! Thompson may be able to redeem Kevin, but using him sporadically at best works fine as well.
Image by IDW Publishing
If You Want Good Art, Who Ya Gonna Call?
Corin Howell does the art here, and she does a fantastic job. She was spotlighted by Comics Alliance in 2014 and is fresh off a run on DC Comics’ Bat-Mite. She captures the designs of all of the Ghostbusters from the film well without being too “realistic.” This is key because there is a ton of visual humor and outrageous expressions and poses which Howell nails well. From rampaging ghosts to Holtzmann riding piggy-back on Patty, it enhances the tone and dialogue of the script perfectly.
Image by IDW Publishing
Valentina Pinto handles the colors, which are crucial to a Ghostbusters comic. The ghosts often have to work visually, and colors help sell that. From the kid to the Boogieman, Pinto enhances them terrifically. Furthermore, she also does a great job filling in the uniforms for the Ghostbusters. Holtzmann’s “proton-whip” also wouldn’t have looked as cool without Pinto’s efforts! Not to mention a variety of proton zaps and Abby getting possessed!
Image by IDW Publishing
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Finally, IDW’s treatment of the Ghostbusters, old and new, has been amazing. Rather than stow the flames of the “controversy” for shock value as some publishers may have, they took the high road. At their first chance, they allowed everyone’s favorite Ghostbusters to team up and showed that through equality and diversity, we all win. This first issue is a ton of fun for fans of the film or newcomers to this incarnation. It “answers the call” for good licensed comic books extremely well!