After, they reference the Gozer museum exhibit as being in the past and reinstating PCOC which means it was all ready established and disbanded.

GB Freak;172825
Did your comic book shop not order issue two Ben?

As has been the case with a number of IDW's books (irritatingly), Ghostbusters hasn't been officially greenlit for the UK, and so it seems few stores have been successful in getting the latest series in.

Just now got issue one of this. It is absolutely brilliant! Finally the comic Ghostbusters deserves!

Having finally had a chance to read Ghostbusters Monthly #2 today, it's time I dropped in a Double Feature review.

I'm going to be biased, I've always been a fan of Dan's work, and with each successive series IDW has gotten better with their Ghostbusters property, it's a stark contrast to Ghostbusters: The Other Side whose art was flat, and story both weak, and relied on a rediculous plot device to get the author out of having painted himself into a corner by killing off three of the Ghostbusters.

Issues 1 and 2 of Ghostbusters Monthly are definitely some, if not the strongest to date, and it's extremely satisfying to know this story won't be over in another two issues.

Issue 1 presents us with a lot of standards established in What in Samhain just happened?, Dan's trademark art style, said artwork chock full of visual references, a witty and well-written story and very importantly, good group dynamic.

Dan's redesign of Janine completes the vibe of his characters being a mix of the movies and The Real Ghostbusters, and I do feel this design compliments Janine more than the Ghostbusters II inspired one, but being a fan of the cartoon, there's more bias from me.

The artistic references are also a fun thing to watch out for with each issue. Not just limited to the animated series, a good few of them provided laugh-out-loud moments in their own right.

Erik Burnham has also set us up with another good story, having previously penned Ghostbusters: Infestation, considered to be one of the most successful arcs from the Infestation event, he's brought back a perfect grasp of the character dynamics between the Ghostbusters and Janine, and thanks to the larger nature of an ongoing series, he'll be able to develop the characters and let them grow. This issue is notable for giving Winston and Janine, often the characters most likely put on the sidelines equal time as the original three Ghostbusters.

Issue 1 has gotten the series off to a solid and colourful start, and it's up to issue 2 to not only carry on that success, but to also live up to the quality the first one has set.

Issue 2

And I'm pleased to say that issue 2 does indeed carry on strongly from where issue 1 left off. The arcing plot is advanced with some of the machinations of Ildulnas, as well as a bust not connected with the main plot, something that had to be sadly sacrificed due to the limited nature of the previous miniseries. I look forward to seeing more of the random busts that New York will have to offer, especially the range of ghost and monster designs that we'll see as the series develops.

Of additional note are Luis Antonio Delgado's colours, which are very similar to Dan's own style, but also strong and vivvid, especially so when rendering the ghosts. The moody atmosphere rendered in several of the haunted locals (the Crendells' apartment building, Wander Hill Orphanage) help to not only present an appropriately creepy tone but also successfully convey the supernatural glow that often accompanies the ghosts the guys are busting.

This is another good issue for Winston, where he reveals that he's not content to lay back on his existing laurels, and has decided to improve his position in the company by undertaking futher learning, some of which he's already made good use of in this issue, and I'm sure we'll see more of in the future.

Once again, like issue 1, issue 2 is chock full of amusing visual references, and at this rate we're going to need a spotter's guide.

Finally, it's in this issue where we get to see what the PCOC files will be bringing us, as mentioned previously this section is quite similar to the old Spengler's Spirit Guide from the old Real Ghostbusters comic, but has the added benefit of tying into the story of this particular issue. Extra credit is to be awarded for managing to reference Doctor Who. I look forward to seeing what's still to come from the desk of Walter Peck and PCOC.


Having finished the first two issues, I feel the series is off to a great start, and I hope the eventual conclusion of the Ildulnas storyline is as well written as the introduction has been. This comic is definitely going to be on my pull list for as long as it's published.

And as for that spotter's guide:

Issue 1
The cover design is a visual reference to the original Real Ghostbusters promotional image.
On the cover, Winston sports his Proton Pistol, last seen in the Infestation storyline.
The varient cover for this issue references the album art for “Destroyer”, by Kiss.
Dib Devlin is present as a stage Manager in Ray's dream.
Buster the Ghost and Shanna O' Callaghan are amongst the members of the audience.
The Blues Brothers car is parked in front of Ray Puft's foot.
2 Columbus Circle, featuring it's modified appearance from 2008 is visible behind Ray Puft.
Stay Puft Marshmallows and a Ghostbusters Monthly rendition of the “Ghost hunter of the year” edition of Spooks Illustrated are visible on the two bedside tables.
Ildulnas is also visible in the mirror beside Ray's bed.
Winston's Proton Gun with sniper scope from Take Two is present on the shelf behind Ray.
Jim Silver resides in 55 Central Park West (Specifically stated that it's the real building, not the Shandor building).
Present in Jim Silver's bathroom are:
Fearsome Flush, Ray's grand marshall crown from Look Homeward Ray.
Slimer's “monster” costume from the same episode
A portrait of Sir Bruce Sans Pitie

I believe the eyes in the squares are a reference to the thing from The thing in Mrs Favisham's Attic, but I can't be sure. I'm not certain the mask is a reference to Deadcon 1, as it appears different in design.

The lamp from Janine's Genie, previously seen in the Halloween one-shot is still present on the filing cabinets behind Janine's desk.
A young Alen Crendall from Ghostbusters: Sanctum of Slime is introduced, along with a few references to Janosz Poha from Ghostbusters II.
The design of Winston's shirt mimmics the uniform shirt Winston wore for the “good team” in Night Game.
An imp from Janine's Day Off is hiding on her desk by her computer.
The U.S. Custom House, more well known in our circle as the Manhattan Museum of Art makes a cameo appearance on Park Avenue as Winston and Peter drive to the Crendalls' apartment.
A Taxi that Ecto-1A drives past advertises a production of Ride of the Valkyries at the Metropolitan Opera, referencing A Fright at the Opera. The dates are one of many references that place the events of the comic after the events of Ghostbusters: The Video Game.
Venkman chastises Winston for taking on charity cases because they involve kids, referecing specifically the Carter children from The Boogieman Cometh, but also could reference Lee Meredith and his brother Alec from The Grundle.
Peter is carrying and using his Bacharach “Ghost Sniffer”, last seen Dana's apartment in Ghostbusters, and on the movie set in Take Two amongst the props on the table.
The slum landlord has a passing resemblence to Slug (in his human form) from Ghosts ‘R’ Us.
The PKE Meter (already a reference to it's counterpart in The Real Ghostbusters in it's design) features the screen graphic sticker from the Kenner PKE Meter toy.
Part of the apartment Peter enters appears to borrow from Dana's, the upright piano with a prominent globe wall light above it can be seen in Dana's living room.

The tank device near the bookcase is familiar, but I can't peg where from.

The Megazord from Take Two is sent flying when Peter is thrown through the apartment wall by Slimer.

The mirror design is also maddenly familiar.

Ildulnas makes his third and final appearance in this issue in the mirror on the wall.
The Firehouse seen in the photo in the file is interpretted from it's appearance in Extreme Ghostbusters.
The schematics of Ecto-1 seen in the file are from Making Ghostbusters by Don Shay.
Walter Peck and his organisation “PCOC” is the second substantial reference to Ghostbusters: The Video Game.

Issue 2
The varient cover references the “Abbey Road” album, by The Beatles.
An apartment in the complex bears the number “1221”, this was the number of the suite the Spider-Witch used, and murdered her victims in during the 1920s in Ghostbusters: The Video Game.
The Ecto Containment Chamber from Ghostbusters: The Video Game returns to resume it's role of containing Slimer.
The paperwork on Egon's clipboard references Leon Zundiger and his text Magicians, Martyrs and Madmen, as well as the Undines from The Devil in the Deep.

The device beside the staircase is familiar, but I can't place where.

Vigo the Carpathian's portrait is situated in it's location in the Firehouse engine bay, where it was previously seen in Ghostbusters: The Video Game.
Jim Silver is wearing a Stay Puft tie pin.
The job notice Janine holds for the job in Queens has the customer name “W. Von Homberg” written on it, a reference to Wilhem Von Hofberg, who played Vigo in Ghostbusters II.
The photographs on the wall appear to be of Firestation 23, mimmicing the real set dressing from the first Ghostbusters movie.
Ecto-1 nearly has a car accident with someone who appears to be Axel Foley.
Ecto-1 is about to pass Highway Haunter on the Queensboro Bridge.
A headless spirit is present on the Observation Deck of the Empire State Building.
The large bronze bear is a parody of the bronze bull of Wall Street.
“W. Von Homberg” is wearing a T-shirt bearing the words “Malachi and the Ragtime Boos”, a reference to Play Them Ragtime Boos.
The house suffering the time-warp haunting is located on 69th Road, Forest Hill, Queens. Next-door to the haunted house is May Parker's home from the Sam Raimi Spider-Man movies.
The head of the Irish Bog Hound from The Scaring of the Green is on the wall above the window.
The various portraits feature the differing concept designs for Ellen Gold.
The spectral cake created by Chef Sargassi from the Wii version of Ghostbusters: The Video Game is present on the table, glowing away.
Ray is scanning the area with his Globuscope from Ghostbusters II.
The chalkboard features references to Sargassi, the hotel he formerly worked at, and the recipe for Chicken Bane soup.
A werechicken is hidden behind Egon.
The headless motorcyclist from the episode of the same name is present in the scene near the “Bear of Wall Street” (curious, it seems that the paranormal activity of New York is being represented, but not being noticed by the citizens of New York).
Baby Egon (later with Giga Meter) can be seen in a stroller near the statue.
Zac's backpack bears the name of Miskatonic University, which played a large role in the events of The Collect Call of Cthulhu, as well as a setting reference in The Hole in the Wall Gang.
The two ghosts that haunted Elaine Furman's mansion from Look Homeward Ray can be seen crossing the street in the background.
Cyrus Spengler from Cry Uncle is present in the foreground.
Egon refers to the “TARDIS” effect in his report on the Wander Hills Orphanage haunting in the PCOC files, referencing Doctor Who.

I haven't seen this discussed elsewhere, so I'll put this to you guys. When do you think the monthly series takes place in the overall Ghostbusters timeline? The fact that they seem to put Slimer in that special containment unit in issue 2 suggests that it's between GB2 and the Video Game. On the other hand, the last page of that issue has a modern digital camera… What are your thoughts?

If I remember correctly, something actually had the year 1992 on it. I think Erik commented on the IDW website that it's supposed to take place a little while after the video game. (The digital camera notwithstanding.)

An invoice in issue 2 appears to have 1993 on it, and I believe Erik commented on there being a type concerning the “1992” date in the first issue.

It's probably safe to say it's set in 1993, even though the camera is an anachronism.

Ah - thanks Kingpin.

I'm chatting with Tristan later tonight. I'll be sure to sort out this 1992/1993 confussion then!