IDW Publishing Forums

[Erik Burnham]

http://burnhamania.com/blog/archives/1077

Spread that image to anyone who says the shorts are permanent and the writer was lying. (;
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[Fritz Baugh]

[rbdaviesTB3]

Does that nametag say 'Spengler'?

Interesting...guess she's using one of Egon's spares.

Anyhoo - as ever beautiful art, and I eagerly look forward to getting into the meat of this arc!

[mrmichaelt]

The 'decapitated' head takes the cake. The cover looks great! Thanks for the sneak peek, Erik.
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Ghostbusters Volume 2 #3 Notes

[mrmichaelt]

The synopsis is out and it spoils the appearance of a certain character from one of the movies. But one could have pieced it together with some of the hints Erik gave us. Hurry up January, I want to read #1 already!
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Ghostbusters Volume 2 #3 Notes

[mrmichaelt]

Just a remainder, this issue comes out next Wednesday, the 17th!
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Ghostbusters Volume 2 #3 Notes

[mrmichaelt]

Issue #3 preview from Spook Central.
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Ghostbusters Volume 2 #3 Notes

[rbdaviesTB3]

As ever, looking good - I man, this is easily the prettiest comic series I have have followed - the touches of detail here and there always zing, and the characters are never off-model.

And the writing never fails to impress either - it's just a shame that we're already halfway through the New Ghostbusters arc - however from the teasers for issues 5 and 6 I can see that the concept and characters are hardly over and done with - bring it on!

*

On a more serious note, while I know Erik is not given the nitty-gritty details on sales figures, how is the series holding up? Because so far we've had an exemplary run and I do not want to see it come to a premature end - while I know that at some point the series will either end or be retooled with new staff, I really want to see the current creative team continue to put out quality content.

[Erik Burnham]

I'm glad no spoilers leaked from Spook Central's early panels. (:
_________________
Follow me on Twitter. Be my Facebook fan. Wade in the pool that is my ego. (;

www.burnhamania.com
www.facebook.com/erikburnhamfanpage
www.twitter.com/erikburnham

[rbdaviesTB3]

Another month, another solidly entertaining issue. Erik Burnham's writing never fails to impress and the art, as ever, is crisp, detailed and dynamic.

So, now we not only working towards the resolution of who abducted the Ghostbusters (and to what ends), but a new set-up delving into Janine's unexpected Viking ancestry...colour me very intrigued.

The new team have very comfortably settled into place, with Ron producing a decidedly nifty-looking micro-pack that, against all expectations, actually works. Kylie, as promised, stole the show with her constant irritated shifts-of-attention between Janine and 'Dr. Poha'. Ortiz is the straight-guy to rival all straight-guys, and Janine is blatantly swimming out of her depth but still pushing on regardless.

In supporting roles, Jack Hardemeyer is also strangely apropos as the sleazy PR-guy/pseudo-receptionist - it's my great regret that the arc is quickly hurtling towards conclusion, thought its evident that the consequences of this will be felt for some time, which I certainly hope will keep things on an interesting footing and the status quo nicely at bay.

My only major complaint is how brief a read each issue feels, though I think that is more due to the massive previews we now get every month. My own fault for reading them and spoiling myself I guess.

So yeah; very much looking forward to the conclusion of this arc and seeing where else the team can take the comic; we've some interesting new characters and story twists coming into their own, and continuing that development cannot do anything but help the ongoing story.

Awesome work guys, keep it up!

Addendum: I'll leave the Easter-egg hunting to greater minds than I, but I was glad to recognize the piece of equipment off to one side of the HQ (while Ortiz is on the phone) as Roland's doo-dad from the EGB opening credits - did that thing even appear in the actual show?

[mrmichaelt]

Yep, it did, rb. See below.

Main Story

Kylie and cell phone etiquette when dealing with Idulnas, lol.

Mel had some pretty good lines in this one - the one about Mark and her Swedish Chef joke.

I was half-expecting Ron's improved Arm Mounted Proton Pack to overload and Janine would ditch it and blow away the Grendel but it actually worked.

"This is so not a cakewalk!" was my favorite quote I think. But I think we all know which will be the favorite panel... in your face, Roger. Oh, and Janine's "Who gives a rip?!" lol that was a great one.

#4 - I'm guessing there's going to be some major remodeling at Parkview next issue.

And... speaking of those consequences Beowulf/Geat ghost said... Grendel's Mother coming after Janine in the next arc?

In The Box Part 3

That last page. Didn't expect that.

Easter eggs so far
Page 2
*Behind Melanie is Ivo Shandor's Skull from Ghostbusters: The Video Game, Realistic Versions
*Behind the skull is a Stacy's bag from The Real Ghostbusters' episode "Killerwatt"
*On top of the side cabinet is the Ectoplasmic Frequency Monitor from Extreme Ghostbusters'episode "Grundelesque"
*Ghost Vacuum from Extreme Ghostbusters episode "Sonic Youth"
*Part of the Vigo painting
*The Geat ghost says "I am looking for Janine Melnitz."
*Geat ghost appears to be Beowulf

Page 3
*The ghost warns of Grendel, a monster killed by Beowulf in lore
*Ron dons the Boson pack from the first arc of the ongoing series
*The box behind Janine and the ghost contains Pagan Rituals & Ceremonies from Extreme Ghostbusters episode "Casting the Runes" and Book of Annoying Beings from The Real Ghostbusters episode "Short Stuff"

Page 4
*Still on Peter's shelf is the Barometric Analyzer from The Real Ghostbusters episode "Flip Side"

Page 5
*Kylie uses the EGB-era P.K.E. Meter
*Kylie uses the Ecto-Visor from The Real Ghostbusters episode "Cry Uncle"
*Still on the walls are Gozerian letters and sketches of the Gozerian dimension seen in "Making Ghostbusters"

Page 6
*Ron introduces an improved Arm Mounted Proton Pack, last seen two issues ago
*Golf clubs from Caddyshack
*The second floor ladder and cloth seen in Ghostbusters: The Video Game, Realistic Versions is to the left of Janine.
*The Real Ghostbusters Firehouse alarm rings
*Below Ron on the table is the Quasitronic Nuclear Inverter from The Real Ghostbusters episode "Captain Steel Saves the Day"

Page 7
*The Makeshift Proton Pack from The Real Ghostbusters episode "Play Them Ragtime Boos"

Page 8
*One of the male orderlies from the opening cut scene of Ghostbusters: Sanctum of Slime is present

Page 9
*First panel, far left is the George M. Cohan statue
*Stay Puft Marshmallows ad
*Granny's Yum Yum Candy from The Real Ghostbusters episode "Egon's Ghost"
*Granny Candy appears on billboard, too
*Blody and Caste ads are from Times Square in The Real Ghostbusters episode "The Halloween Door"
*Give Someone Time ad is from The Real Ghostbusters episode "Three Men and an Egon"
*Molta ad is from Extreme Ghostbusters episode "Darkness at Noon" Part 1
*Manhattan City Bank from first movie in ad
*The Father Duffy statue
*Behind Duffy is an ad for the Scepter of Donar from Extreme Ghostbusters episode "Bird of Prey"
*The Donar is on display at the Natural History Museum
*Al Czervik, portrayed by Rodney Dangerfield, from Caddyshack passes by Ron
*Ron argues with Judge Smails character from Caddyshack

Page 10
*Sol's Tanning Salon from The Real Ghostbusters episode "A Ghost Grows in Brooklyn"
*Kildarby Kilts and Bird of Kildarby from The Real Ghostbusters episode "The Bird of Kildarby"
*TV World from The Real Ghostbusters episode "Future Tense"
*Dears from The Real Ghostbusters episode "Lost and Foundry"
*Larry's Uniform Shop from The Real Ghostbusters episode "Guess What's Coming to Dinner"
*Do or Diner from The Real Ghostbusters episode "Afterlife in the Fast Lane"

Page 11
*Near Janine is Bright Wave High Tech and LB-7 from Extreme Ghostbusters episode "Heart of Darkness"

Page 13
*Bijou Theater from Slimer! episode "Movie Madness"
*The movie advertised "Pirate of Zundia" and Douglass Flynn is from The Real Ghostbusters episode "Lights! Camera! Haunting!"
*The Hotel Uptown is from the Slimer! episode "Out with Grout"
*A banner advertises the Der Ring des Nibelungen opera by Robert Wagner and loosely based on Norse myth

Page 14
*On vacuum ad is Donkey ghost from Extreme Ghostbusters episode "Sonic Youth"

Page 15
*Clocks Galore from The Real Ghostbusters episode "Three Men and an Egon"
*Conrads from The Real Ghostbusters episode "Ghosts R Us"

Page 16
*Melanie refers to the Swedish Chef from Sesame Street
*Stay Puft the Musical ad from Ghostbusters: The Video Game

Page 17
*Ron mentions Valhalla from Norse myth
*Ads for Dib Devlin and his trip to Tahiti prize from The Real Ghostbusters episode "The Devil to Pay"
*ABS Studios ad from The Real Ghostbusters episode "Egon on the Rampage"

Page 18
*in panel 4, above Janine's head is an orange sign advertising Madame LaFarge's Wondrous and Amazing Traveling Sideshow from The Real Ghostbusters episode "Drool the Dog Faced Goblin"

Page 20
*Favish Shoes from The Real Ghostbusters episode "Look Homeward, Ray"

Page 21
*On Conrad's store front (far right) is Hoppy the Easter Bunny from The Real Ghostbusters episode "Mr. Sandman, Dream Me a Dream"
*Toy Tower from The Real Ghostbusters episode "Busters in Toyland"
*Ads fro Brain Buster and Karate Chameleon also from The Real Ghostbusters episode "Busters in Toyland"
*Janosz' assorted gear from Ghostbusters II are in the room
*Gozerian letters translate to the original Ghostbusters' names - Egon Spengler (upper left corner), Peter Venkman (above Kylie), Ray Stantz (left of Kylie), and Winston Zeddemore (right of Kylie)
*Luis' 15 easter egg is hidden in a flame just above Kylie's second word balloon
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Ghostbusters Volume 2 #3 Notes

[oldmanwinters]

mrmichaelt, thanks so much for making these lists up!

For as many Real GB episodes I've seen, I don't even catch half of those references while I'm reading. It's all just so amazing and overwhelming. That type of detail is the reason I believe Ghostbusters is arguably the best comic on the shelves every month.

[mrmichaelt]

You're welcome! Also, just to note, I don't find all of them either. Especially, the NY geography trivia. That's mostly Kingpin. But I would be lying if I hadn't once wondered if Dan Schoening hasn't lost his mind yet while planning these easter eggs. He's got to have a check list or black board in his office at least.
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Ghostbusters Volume 2 #3 Notes

[Fritz Baugh]

Fritz Babbles About Ghostbusters #3 (or #19 if you've really been paying attention)

I guess the joke I'm surprised I haven't made yet, inspired by this month's cover: Whelp, I guess we can say Janine finally got into Egon's pants, right?

Not the way she (or a bunch of us fans) wanted her too, but still...

So, you know the old saying about "When it rains it pours"? Yeah, that's kinda happening at GBCentral right now. Bad enough it's been raining (the real Ghostbusters are missing, Jack Hardemeyer is making the New Ghostbusters' lives difficult, Ron "And You're Not" Alexander...just being Ron Alexander, ect) then it just has to pour a seven foot glowy Viking who wants to talk with Janine.

I like to think if Egon was there, Mr. Glowy Viking's initial stern cryptic non-English statements would have been met with a reply in a similarly Gothic font, but Egon isn't there and of course that's part of the aforementioned rain above.

So, after switching to English Mr. Glowy Viking says Janine is of his bloodline, and has to pass a test that will involve her being attacked at midnight by Grendel, which as we all know is a 1980's independent comic created by Matt Wagner. Oh, and it was also the monster in the epic poem (and movie) Beowulf, too, which is probably what the Glowy Viking meant.

Hardemeyer is told part of the story, and of course wants to use it as an event to sell Yummynummy Snack Cakes ("You all eat them you know" he says. Of course, the guy who ate most of them has been missing for the last few months, but hey, can't have everything). Janine wisely lies and tells Hardemeyer they have no idea when Grendel is coming, which means she doesn't get to have a camera crew follow her around; Hardemeyer tells Ron to whip up some fancy new gadgets, no doubt so the toy company (being the Nineties, it would still be Kenner) would have new product to sell.

Kylie, meanwhile, is at Parkview, dealing with Dr. Cleese and Dr. Poha, one of which is a sexist jerk and the other is, of course, possessed. She's actually waving around the EGB version of the PKE Meter (Also seen on her cover of #1) and wearing the helmet Ray and Egon devised to see invisible poltergeists in "Cry Uncle". She gets called by Janine as she's dealing with Poha, who's floating and also speaking in photonegative Gothic font--turns out Janine did have like a Swedish great uncle or something. Kylie says it should be a piece of cake, and hangs up because she's got a situation of her own right now.

(Fan speculation suggests Janine is of Jewish extraction, which just happens to also give her common ground with Egon, who's also suggested to have come from a Jewish background--the latter being derived from Harold Ramis's background. Suffice it to say, it's easy to stick some Swedes in there somewhere.)

Ron has whipped up a couple of arm-mounted proton throwers, one the "normal" version, the other an enhanced "Boson dart"; Janine isn't real happy about it, but the bell rings and 3/4 of the New Ghostbusters team is off and running...well, actually, they're probably driving in the ECTO-1, but you know what I mean.

They arrive at Times Square and...well, what do you know, it's Grendel, and he's early...except as Ortiz points out it IS midnight in Sweden. Ooops.

Just to make Janine's already bad day worse, Grendel seems to be proton proof--Ron and Ortiz blast it, but it ignores it and knocks them around like they were puny humans and it was a ten foot tall glowing green monkey...which is of course exactly what it is, so that works. All Janine can do is run.

Finally, tired of running, she follows Kylie's advice and stands up to Grendel. That turns out to work--the monster just stands there dumbstruck, and she traps it easily. The Glowy Viking shows up and congratulates her on her victory, and expresses pride in her bravery, right?

No, actually, Mr. Glowy Viking is pissed. She broke the rules that he didn't even tell her about by getting help from others! "There will be consequences for this!" he says.

Another monster coming, maybe? Maybe it'll be Grendel's Mom. Oooh yeah...Angelina Jolie wearing nothing but some gold body paint...I could go for that idea...

But then Mr. Glowy Viking seems to blow up, and out of the chaos comes four shadowy shapes and voices that sound (in my head at least) like Arsenio Hall, Lorenzo Music, and Maurice LaMarche...

The universe isn't gone! The real Ghostbusters are back! (Ray's there too, but Frank Welker didn't get any lines before the big reveal)

And then Janine grabs Egon and kisses him, which as we all know is an infuriating turn of events as Harold Ramis has declared that Louis Tully is her true love and how dare...

(phg)

(glrgl)



...Gah...even writing that sarcastically makes me want to barf all over my keyboard...

Considering that Egon's been gone for months and might have been dead for all they knew, and Janine's had plenty of time to consider the implications of the argument they had in #14, I foresee a sticky situation about to get a lot stickier.

The other Ghostbusters get lesser shocks, as they discover that they've been gone for months instead of hours; Venkman is (understandably) not pleased to see Ron out of jail; Ron, for his part, is the only New Ghostbuster not happy the originals are back--because he knows his gravy train is now in jeopardy. Winston, of course, is freaking out about how Tiyah's been holding up. Janine had tried to give Winston her phone, but Venkman intercepts--according to him, it'd be better to wait and tell Tiyah in person. Yeah, we all know Venkman has a sterling track record on long-term romantic relationships to draw upon here. Anyway, the phone rings, and it's Kylie--the situation with Poha is betting a LOT worse. "Could you maybe put Professor Spengler on the line now, mkay?"

Like I said, it rains, it pours...

In our backup feature, Sam and Ralph are still in the Containment Unit, and Sam talks about all the fear floating around...so much fear...and then he starts to change...

See everybody next month.
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"Sometimes I think the universe just waits for me to get cocky"--Dr. Egon Spengler