Ghostbusters #5
IDW
Written by: Erik Burnham
Art by: Dan Schoening
Colors by: Luis Antonio Delgado
Letters by: Gilberto Lazcano
Reviewer: Robert McClelland
Summary: The Original Ghostbusters are back in Manhattan, picking up the pieces of their interrupted lives. Ray and Egon are concerned about what effects their escape from another dimension may yet hold for the world, and throw themselves into their research, while a decision Janine made when she was busting ghosts comes back to haunt her... all this and more as Ghostbusters continues!
Review: If you're like me and have been following this title from IDW since the first issue. Then you know by now what a fantastic read its been. The fact I've been able to keep up with it has been something of a plus for me as well. And in my opinion, issue 3 was probably the most amusing issue of this run that we've seen so far. But if you've been missing out in favor of something else then well... I hear there's a trade coming out of the first 4 issues, so don't sit around doing something else when you could be reading that to know what's up! Issue 5 is something that to me allows both readers and characters to catch their breaths and relax a little after the events in the previous issues. Plus setting things up for the next arc, something that I think Erik does a great job with.
I love the idea of a possible romance for Ray, now I could be reading a bit more into things between him and Jenny. But still a fun idea to think of and see if it happens. Plus her being a former Ghost Smasher along with Ron is something I definitely want to track down and read about. Winston's comment about Dana Barrett is another reason I wouldn't mind doing a bit of back reading as well.
I honestly didn't even realize who the Ghostbusters liasison was until his name gets mentioned here. Unless this is a different Hardemeyer that we've seen in this run. But its nice to know that even if he is a different character, he still shares the trait that involves being something of a sleazeball. Probably why him and Peck became buddies in the first place! Now one issue I had is how in one scene there's some oddly placed wording. I don't know if Erik was doing that intentionally as a sort of tongue twister for Peck, or just something that happened with out him realizing it.
One thing that has me seriously curious though, is why in the world would Egon have a specially made Bazooka!? Possibly something I missed at an earlier point in the IDW run? Or something that was just recently thought of? Either way, at least it helps out some! And boy is Egon seriously testy during an interrupted experiment! But hey, the guy had a seriously good reason for interrupting him! I kind of had thought that things weren't exactly over for Janine after what went down in the 4th issue. And I can only imagine things aren't about to be too pleasant in the next issue! So if you've been missing out, get to reading!
4 out of 5 Stars
IDW
Written by: Erik Burnham
Art by: Dan Schoening
Colors by: Luis Antonio Delgado
Letters by: Gilberto Lazcano
Reviewer: Robert McClelland
Summary: The Original Ghostbusters are back in Manhattan, picking up the pieces of their interrupted lives. Ray and Egon are concerned about what effects their escape from another dimension may yet hold for the world, and throw themselves into their research, while a decision Janine made when she was busting ghosts comes back to haunt her... all this and more as Ghostbusters continues!
Review: If you're like me and have been following this title from IDW since the first issue. Then you know by now what a fantastic read its been. The fact I've been able to keep up with it has been something of a plus for me as well. And in my opinion, issue 3 was probably the most amusing issue of this run that we've seen so far. But if you've been missing out in favor of something else then well... I hear there's a trade coming out of the first 4 issues, so don't sit around doing something else when you could be reading that to know what's up! Issue 5 is something that to me allows both readers and characters to catch their breaths and relax a little after the events in the previous issues. Plus setting things up for the next arc, something that I think Erik does a great job with.
I love the idea of a possible romance for Ray, now I could be reading a bit more into things between him and Jenny. But still a fun idea to think of and see if it happens. Plus her being a former Ghost Smasher along with Ron is something I definitely want to track down and read about. Winston's comment about Dana Barrett is another reason I wouldn't mind doing a bit of back reading as well.
I honestly didn't even realize who the Ghostbusters liasison was until his name gets mentioned here. Unless this is a different Hardemeyer that we've seen in this run. But its nice to know that even if he is a different character, he still shares the trait that involves being something of a sleazeball. Probably why him and Peck became buddies in the first place! Now one issue I had is how in one scene there's some oddly placed wording. I don't know if Erik was doing that intentionally as a sort of tongue twister for Peck, or just something that happened with out him realizing it.
One thing that has me seriously curious though, is why in the world would Egon have a specially made Bazooka!? Possibly something I missed at an earlier point in the IDW run? Or something that was just recently thought of? Either way, at least it helps out some! And boy is Egon seriously testy during an interrupted experiment! But hey, the guy had a seriously good reason for interrupting him! I kind of had thought that things weren't exactly over for Janine after what went down in the 4th issue. And I can only imagine things aren't about to be too pleasant in the next issue! So if you've been missing out, get to reading!
4 out of 5 Stars
The Reason for Dragons
Archaia Entertainment, LLC
Created and Written by: Chris Northrop
Art: Jeff Stokely
Colors: Andrew Elder and Chris Northrop
Reviewer: Mark A. Lester
Summary: Wendell lives a lonely, suburban existence, losing himself in books in order to avoid his motorcycle-driving stepfather, Ted. When the school bullies convince Wendell to venture into the forest around their neighborhood and explore the long-abandoned Renaissance Fair grounds they all believe to be haunted, Wendell is surprised to find a man living in the barn—and even more surprised by the man himself. Believing himself to be a medieval knight named Sir Habaersham tasked with the duty of slaying the dragon he insists is wandering the woods, Wendell’s new acquaintance seems the definition of crackpot. But when Wendell starts hearing rumblings—and listening to Habaersham’s stories—he starts to wonder if perhaps it could all be true. In a heartfelt coming-of-age story, Wendell must defy logic in order to follow his heart…and face the dragon of the forest!
Review: Picking up a copy of "The Reason for Dragons" it is immediately obvious that this book was the end result of someone's great passion. The design of the book is nothing short of out-standing, both slick and professional. The art work by Jeff Stokely is fantastic. The perfect blend of cartoon surrealism and gritty realism. Stokely's character designs are fun and the overall style is loose, action-filled, and powerful. Stokely's ability to render comfortably a teenagers messy bedroom, a mechanics garage and an abandoned renaissance faire with the same detailed yet loose quality is perfect for moving the story along at a rapid pace, never leaving the reader to wonder where they are at or what is going on. The colors by Elder and creator Northrop are a perfect compliment to Stokely's inspired vision. The entire book is simply beautiful from cover to cover.
"The Reason for Dragons" reads more like a fable or storybook than it does your average comic. This is a good thing. The "Reason for Dragons" is not simply more of the same and tells the story of sixteen year old bullied outcast, Wendell and his well-meaning but ill equipped step father Ted. Over the course of a day Wendell has an argument with his step-father, finds himself bullied by his high school nemesis, and dared to visit the spooky old burnt out renaissance faire located way off beyond the woods. It is there Wendell meets a strange figure dressed as a knight-errant, calling himself, "Sir Habersham McGee," claiming himself to be the land's protector against an evil dragon.
Northrop does a wonderful job weaving seamlessly fantasy and reality, creating something just a bit different. The truth of it all is left up to the reader, whether "Sir Habersham McGee," is truly insane and pulling the young Wendell into his delusions or there actually is something extraordinary and other-worldly going on. At it's core "The Reason for Dragons" is a coming of age tale as Wendell learns what it means to grow up, and to move out of his father's shadow.
"The Reason for Dragons" is a pleasure to read, well-written with excellent pacing, an intriguing plot, beautifully executed, and illustrated yet still, I found myself wanting more. I felt as if I were brushing up against something far greater, far more intense, than what was actually on the page. I knew these characters but I did not "feel" for them as I wanted to. It wouldn't have taken much more to really make me feel Wendell's pain and isolation, his step-father Ted's frustration or Wendell's mother's confused compassion. Later in the story, when we learn Habersham's history, I felt myself on the very edge of sharing his horror and regret only to be rushed away and on to the next scene leaving me feeling as if I were witnessing great events through a glass darkly rather than actually being there with the characters and sharing in their adventure. This story, while excellent and far above most, missed the opportunity to becomes something truly extraordinary. A real, modern-day classic. My emotions weren't torn from me and I wanted them to be; Wendell's depression and longing and Habersham's regret and terror. I was teased with a story that rode the edge of amazing but never quite got there.
"The Reason for Dragons" could very well become a classic, modern day fairy tale. It could win awards. It deserves to. Just a little more though, and the books could have moved people to laughter, tears, and pain all with those same words and pictures. It could have taken us on a fantastic journey rather than just recounting the story of someone else's adventures. In the end I was left with the pleasant after-taste of something that almost was.
The rest of the books is filled with several stories where Northrop has allowed, and it seems encouraged, other creators to play with the characters, and the world he has created. The stories are pleasant and of varying quality. They fail as often as they succeed and offer nothing more to the character's stories beyond a little fun here and there. Pleasant filler but filler non-the-less.
Rounding out the graphic novel, we are treated to a fair bit of behind the scenes extras. All-in-all a very nice way to end what was obviously a labor of love created by some very talented people lead by the superbly able Northrop.
4.5 starts out of 5
Archaia Entertainment, LLC
Created and Written by: Chris Northrop
Art: Jeff Stokely
Colors: Andrew Elder and Chris Northrop
Reviewer: Mark A. Lester
Summary: Wendell lives a lonely, suburban existence, losing himself in books in order to avoid his motorcycle-driving stepfather, Ted. When the school bullies convince Wendell to venture into the forest around their neighborhood and explore the long-abandoned Renaissance Fair grounds they all believe to be haunted, Wendell is surprised to find a man living in the barn—and even more surprised by the man himself. Believing himself to be a medieval knight named Sir Habaersham tasked with the duty of slaying the dragon he insists is wandering the woods, Wendell’s new acquaintance seems the definition of crackpot. But when Wendell starts hearing rumblings—and listening to Habaersham’s stories—he starts to wonder if perhaps it could all be true. In a heartfelt coming-of-age story, Wendell must defy logic in order to follow his heart…and face the dragon of the forest!
Review: Picking up a copy of "The Reason for Dragons" it is immediately obvious that this book was the end result of someone's great passion. The design of the book is nothing short of out-standing, both slick and professional. The art work by Jeff Stokely is fantastic. The perfect blend of cartoon surrealism and gritty realism. Stokely's character designs are fun and the overall style is loose, action-filled, and powerful. Stokely's ability to render comfortably a teenagers messy bedroom, a mechanics garage and an abandoned renaissance faire with the same detailed yet loose quality is perfect for moving the story along at a rapid pace, never leaving the reader to wonder where they are at or what is going on. The colors by Elder and creator Northrop are a perfect compliment to Stokely's inspired vision. The entire book is simply beautiful from cover to cover.
"The Reason for Dragons" reads more like a fable or storybook than it does your average comic. This is a good thing. The "Reason for Dragons" is not simply more of the same and tells the story of sixteen year old bullied outcast, Wendell and his well-meaning but ill equipped step father Ted. Over the course of a day Wendell has an argument with his step-father, finds himself bullied by his high school nemesis, and dared to visit the spooky old burnt out renaissance faire located way off beyond the woods. It is there Wendell meets a strange figure dressed as a knight-errant, calling himself, "Sir Habersham McGee," claiming himself to be the land's protector against an evil dragon.
Northrop does a wonderful job weaving seamlessly fantasy and reality, creating something just a bit different. The truth of it all is left up to the reader, whether "Sir Habersham McGee," is truly insane and pulling the young Wendell into his delusions or there actually is something extraordinary and other-worldly going on. At it's core "The Reason for Dragons" is a coming of age tale as Wendell learns what it means to grow up, and to move out of his father's shadow.
"The Reason for Dragons" is a pleasure to read, well-written with excellent pacing, an intriguing plot, beautifully executed, and illustrated yet still, I found myself wanting more. I felt as if I were brushing up against something far greater, far more intense, than what was actually on the page. I knew these characters but I did not "feel" for them as I wanted to. It wouldn't have taken much more to really make me feel Wendell's pain and isolation, his step-father Ted's frustration or Wendell's mother's confused compassion. Later in the story, when we learn Habersham's history, I felt myself on the very edge of sharing his horror and regret only to be rushed away and on to the next scene leaving me feeling as if I were witnessing great events through a glass darkly rather than actually being there with the characters and sharing in their adventure. This story, while excellent and far above most, missed the opportunity to becomes something truly extraordinary. A real, modern-day classic. My emotions weren't torn from me and I wanted them to be; Wendell's depression and longing and Habersham's regret and terror. I was teased with a story that rode the edge of amazing but never quite got there.
"The Reason for Dragons" could very well become a classic, modern day fairy tale. It could win awards. It deserves to. Just a little more though, and the books could have moved people to laughter, tears, and pain all with those same words and pictures. It could have taken us on a fantastic journey rather than just recounting the story of someone else's adventures. In the end I was left with the pleasant after-taste of something that almost was.
The rest of the books is filled with several stories where Northrop has allowed, and it seems encouraged, other creators to play with the characters, and the world he has created. The stories are pleasant and of varying quality. They fail as often as they succeed and offer nothing more to the character's stories beyond a little fun here and there. Pleasant filler but filler non-the-less.
Rounding out the graphic novel, we are treated to a fair bit of behind the scenes extras. All-in-all a very nice way to end what was obviously a labor of love created by some very talented people lead by the superbly able Northrop.
4.5 starts out of 5