[mrmichaelt]

Issue #4 releases on June 26.
https://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/3011-0 ... -in-Town-4

The Ghostbusters face a dire situation when roach infested ooze floods the firehouse and malevolent apparitions swarm freely. Phoebe, Callie, Trevor, and Gary clash with Madame Malveaux as she looms over Times Square, unleashing chaos upon New York City. Will our heroes survive this spectral crisis?

It’s a ghost showdown in the Big Apple for the final installment of Ghostbusters: Back in Town! Featuring script by David M. Booher, art by Blue Delliquanti, and colors by Cris Peter.

Writer: David M. Booher
Artist: Blue Delliquanti
Colorist: Cris Peter
Letterer: Jimmy Betancourt
Cover Artist: Claudia Balboni

Publication Date: June 26, 2024
Format: FC, 32 pages; Miniseries
Price: 3.99
Age range: 12+
UPC: 7 61568 01197 5 00411

Order codes are MAR241076 and MAR241077. Cover B not posted yet.
https://previewsworld.com/Catalog/MAR241076
https://previewsworld.com/Catalog/MAR241077

[mrmichaelt]

David M. Booher will be at We Can be Heroes Comics in Chatsworth Comics on March 27, 3 -8 pm. Robin Shelby, Mark Bryan Wilson, Bill Bryan and the LA Ghsotbusters.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C3-pL2YRk6Q/

[mrmichaelt]

Ghostheads Radio/Countdown City Geekcast posted a 45 min. interview with David M. Booher and Blue Deliquanti. (will post notes later)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlGug9irxhA



2:21: Blue talks about how they got contacted to work on BIT. They got a call from their editor on a prior project. Booher heard DH got the license and was relentless with asking his editor from a prior project about it.

6:15 What it means to expand on the lore. Booher mentions Library ghost terrified him (he was 5), he is a big fan of GB2, remembers watching RGB after school, eating the cereal, Ecto Cooler was about 10 then

10:24 How Blue figured out the artwork style, drew the NY landmarks, redesigning the actors/characters, they had to sign off on their likenesses, Rudd was the hardest to draw

13:58 Jason and Gil were involved with scripting and gave notes. Booher recalls funny dialogue notes from them and scrapping what he wrote. Blue delivered art in stages e.g. thumbnail stage in a page as a rough pass to show staging of angles etc.. Blue got notes to like add more slime here, change angle, great love it.

17:10 development process. a collaboration. Knew it was between movies and what arcs were but got to pitch ideas for storylines too. Blue notes having to get details right like the Proton Pack, at one point had to get really acquainted with the details of the pack but so easy because of all the reference photos online. Ecto-1 was easier than the pack. Got descriptions of the entities, make them look practical like they would be made as puppets on a movie set.

22:42 does the film reference it? How they got to where they are in the movie. Story is stand alone but in continuity to give you a full picture of what's going on with the Spenglers. Got lot of reference photos and schematics like for the Firehouse. Blue was told to keep an eye on "this" so it feels cohesive later on. Planting easter eggs for FE. Explored scale of Firehouse in the first issue. Booher threw something in the story that he didn't know was part of the movie but able to keep it in that hints at being further explained in the movie.

30 Their hobbies

38 more comics after this series? They pause and say "you never know"

Blue works digitally with clip studio paint

[ShandorMiningCo]

I'm definitely excited for this, although I'll admit the fact that they've not released any interior art or 5-page preview like most new comics is making me nervous. I'm always down for more Grooberson though. Fingers crossed it surprises us all!

[UncannyGirl]

I personally have mixed feelings about the release of "Back in Town".

On the one hand, its fabulous that we will be receiving additional in-cannon lore/stories to the Movie Dimension's timeline. However, on the other hand, the switch of Publishers to Dark Horse Comics from IDW comes with the underline implication that IDW might not have lost rights (or at very least rights to use the Movie Timeline.)

The IDW Comics timeline has become very special to me and I absoluely love Dan Schoening's artist vision for the Ghostbusters over the past decade. If you have not read the comics, you may have seen Dan's art style elsewhere as it has been used by several gaming companies for Board Game releases.

Furthermore, after the Spider-Verse like event "Crossing Over", I, like many fans, have been hoping for another big Ghostbusters Multiversal event for a chance to meet the new Movie Cannon's Ghostbusters.

[ShandorMiningCo]

IDW (even before they had the Ghostbusters license) had a massive focus on storytelling rather than commercialisation, and putting creative teams who were also fans behind the wheel of these projects allowed these big franchise titles to flourish. They had been consistently knocking it out the park with their reinvigorated old-school names (Transformers, Star Trek, etc) and I was pretty bummed to learn they wouldn't be producing anything new for GB (and TF).
I hope I'm wrong, but I think the Ghostbusters license is firmly in the hands of Dark Horse for the foreseeable for them to weave their own canon.

But to be fair, they have had a pretty decent track record of movie tie-ins, so hope for the best!

[UncannyGirl]

to weave their own canon.

At the moment, we will have to wait and see if Dark Horse after "Back in Town" produces anything original. The Ghost Corps team made it very clear this series is the equivalent of tie-in novels/shows that were way more common years ago (akin to how animated Clone Wars series was not neccessary to follow the Star Wars movies but was in-cannon.) It was stated similarly that the events of "Back in Town" are 100% in-universe cannon.

We will have to wait until after "Back in Town" finishes to see if Dark Horse continues with any series after this current tale. In many ways, it makes sense switching from IDW since as mentioned they are known for crafting amazing original tales. Meanwhile, I imagine no less than 50% of the story for "Back in Town" was handed to Dark Horse directly from Ghost Corps and told to "MAKE THIS EXACT STORY HAPPEN".

[Bison256]

to weave their own canon.

At the moment, we will have to wait and see if Dark Horse after "Back in Town" produces anything original. The Ghost Corps team made it very clear this series is the equivalent of tie-in novels/shows that were way more common years ago (akin to how animated Clone Wars series was not neccessary to follow the Star Wars movies but was in-cannon.) It was stated similarly that the events of "Back in Town" are 100% in-universe cannon.

We will have to wait until after "Back in Town" finishes to see if Dark Horse continues with any series after this current tale. In many ways, it makes sense switching from IDW since as mentioned they are known for crafting amazing original tales. Meanwhile, I imagine no less than 50% of the story for "Back in Town" was handed to Dark Horse directly from Ghost Corps and told to "MAKE THIS EXACT STORY HAPPEN".

I'd be real careful about claiming that. It's only cannon while it's on sale. Free to be discarded later, like the countdown comic that tied into start trek 2009 or Aliens Colonial Marines. Saying it's cannon is a marketing ploy.

[UncannyGirl]

I'd be real careful about claiming that. It's only cannon while it's on sale.

"Our friends at Dark Horse have picked up the Spengler family and hand delivered them to Manhattan where they will begin their journey back into Ghostbusting! It has been a personal thrill to collaborate with this incredible group of artists and storytellers on new chapters in the proton jungle." ~ Jason Reitman

While it was Reitman who made the statement, I still like many will hold my breath for the series conclusion.

[One time]

Does anyone have a link ti where we can buy a digital copy of Back in Toen? I live in the EU and I don’t think a paper copy is available here

[mrmichaelt]

Does anyone have a link ti where we can buy a digital copy of Back in Toen? I live in the EU and I don’t think a paper copy is available here

Ever tried digital.darkhorse.com? That's likely the best bet.

Or Google Books, Apple Books, or Barnes & Noble if they work internationally. Amazon merging comixology in and being Kindle only really screwing things up. I assume it did internationally, too.

[One time]

Nothing on digital darkhorse.

Found it on Kindle though. Can buy now and will release on March 27th.

Wonder if there will be any spoilers for FE

[mrmichaelt]

Variant cover for #4 revealed.
https://previewsworld.com/Catalog/MAR241077

[ShandorMiningCo]

Variant cover for #4 revealed.
https://previewsworld.com/Catalog/MAR241077

Okay, this one is actually pretty cool. Probably the best cover they've revealed for the series so far.

I remember when 88mph first printed their Legion mini series and I went absolutely feral trying to snap up every single variant cover. Good times.

[UncannyGirl]

Issue #1's street date is next week!

[ShandorMiningCo]

Ghostbustersnews.com released a preview earlier:
https://ghostbustersnews.com/2024/03/22 ... se-comics/

The art is pretty cutesy, maybe a bit too much for my taste, but I'm hoping the story is strong enough to overcome that.

[LouisZeddemore]

That preview doesn't look good at all, in my opinion. It's the same style as previewed with that sketch last year, which I hoped wouldn't reflect the actual product being released. Really shows what Dan Schoening brought to the table with his super detailed artworks and pages riddled with easter eggs that I loved to pick up. Would have loved for him to be a part of this.

But yeah, I also hope the story will be good enough.

[Kingpin]

It's a strong contrast to Dan Schoening's artwork, but I think it can work... The real proof of the pudding will be how Blue depicts the busting sequences. Winston, Callie, Phoebe and Trevor all look recognisable enough, the Firehouse looks pretty close to the source materials, as does the glimpse of Ecto-1. It's got a sort of "streamlined Salgood Sam" feel about it so far.

As for the script, some of the banter in the car as it's crossing the Brooklyn Bridge got a chuckle out of me (though you wouldn't be able to see the George Washington Bridge from the Brooklyn Bridge).

[ShandorMiningCo]

It's a strong contrast to Dan Schoening's artwork, but I think it can work... The real proof of the pudding will be how Blue depicts the busting sequences.

Agreed on both counts, I'm curious to see how Blue Delliquanti handles the packs and proton streams.

[Rookie99]

I like the character designs and the writing seems fun. Overall I'm just happy to see more of this team. As much as I love the OGs and want new stories with them, I also want a lot more stories with the new team. I hope Back In Town is good, but if its good, I hope it sells well enough for a series of minis or (dare I hope) an ongoing with the Spenglers.

[One time]

I bought back in town Part 1 for like 4$. It will be delivered digitally to my Kindle app on iPad tomorrow.

Can someone who has seen Frozen Empire and read the comic say whether Back in Town spoils any part of FE?

Us EU people haven’t seen the movie yet.

[Rookie99]

Now that Back In Town is out, I enjoyed it. Art looked better on paper, and the set up is interesting. Kind of wish they elebaborated on what the agreement is for the Spenglers to be there, but maybe future issues will explain that.

[mrmichaelt]

Interesting Trevor and Phoebe ended up in different schools. Funny Winston mistakes Trevor's interests. And Phoebe's sent to a private school but gets ragged on right away. Plus it's named after Winston, heh.

I appreciate they establish there is back-up power for the Containment Unit in case the power trips. GB2 easter eggs. Phoebe had some great lines (e.g. "We have an uneasy truce"). Loved Janine's brief appearance, "Investments usually have returns."

The last page and strong implication it feeds on negativity e.g. fear, resentment, discord was the only thing that really irked me. Like 'here we go again.' Even though clearly the big arc will be about how the Spengler team learns to work as team. It's the nature of the villain that immediately feels like a Vigo-repeat. But we'll see.

I bought back in town Part 1 for like 4$. It will be delivered digitally to my Kindle app on iPad tomorrow.

Can someone who has seen Frozen Empire and read the comic say whether Back in Town spoils any part of FE?

Us EU people haven’t seen the movie yet.

No, it doesn't spoil anything. But there are about 3 little tidbits that foreshadow stuff that happens in the movie in this issue. 2 are kinda like you read it after seeing the movie and going "oh, that's why" and gives more context. 1 straight up adds to something in the movie and is funnier if you know what it is.

[One time]

I read Back in Town #1.

Spoilers:

Hate to be pessimistic but it was very underwhelming. I’ve read every single GB comic from 2004 Legion to 2020 Year One.

Yes every single one.

Back in Town (for me) was probably in the bottom 5% of all those comics in terms of excitement, or story.

There is none of the “spark” of the previous comics.

Literally nothing interesting happens in it, and there is no background exposition or explanation of anything. Winston shows them the fire house, they go to school, a ghost shows up and they bust it, the end.

I’m getting a feeling that the creators of the comic were distinctly tasked to make this comic appeal to young children. The art style seems to support that idea.

It’s also very short (21 pages). It feels like one of those mini “comics” you get when you buy a videogame.

What am I not seeing? I can’t think of any 88mph or IDW Ghostbusters issue that was as uneventful.

This Post Contains Spoilers

[ShandorMiningCo]

Finally got my copy today - It's not the worst I've ever read, and I certainly agree the artwork is much better on paper. I would even say the art actually gets better as it goes on throughout the first issue. It's definitely geared to draw in a younger audience, which isn't necessarily a bad thing i guess, but off the back of the serious tone of Frozen Empire I was hoping for something a bit more gritty and adult. Overall I'm excited to see how the story progresses, it's still more GB media to consume so I've got no major complaints!

Also - if you'll forgive the shameless plug - I had been writing a similar sort of story about the beginnings of the Spengler family's ghostbusting careers that I just posted over here: viewtopic.php?t=51678 I thought it might be a more grown-up alternative to Back in Town for those who would be interested.

[mrmichaelt]

Trivia, callbacks etc I noticed so far

*Cover A
**Gary was on the tentative version of the cover but was removed for the final version.
*Cover B
**Trevor is wearing a Spinners Roller Hop shirt.
**The Spenglers towing Ecto-1 back to New York was a discarded ending for Ghostbusters: Afterlife
*Credits
**The synopsis states this story takes place one and a half years after Ghostbusters: Afterlife.
*Page One
**The woman alludes to the Ghostbusters saving the world in Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II.
*Page Two
**Phoebe is wearing a shirt and overalls she wears in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.
*Page Three
**Callie's talk with Phoebe about a new start in a new place echoes a similar conversation in Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Chapter 03.
**Phoebe mentions Albuquerque, the largest city in New Mexico.
**Gary and The Spenglers are in Callie's Subaru Outback from Ghostbusters: Afterlife.
*Page Four
**Winston mentions how they saved the world in Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Chapter 16.
**Winston alludes to Egon.
**Trevor asks if Ecto-1 arrived okay. Ecto-1's return to the Firehouse was seen in the Ghostbusters: Afterlife end credits tag.
*Page Five
**Gary asks if the fire pole still works, similar to what Ray asked in Ghostbusters, Chapter 05: Fixer-Upper.
*Trevor inquires about WiFi like when he tried to find any connection in Summerville in Ghostbusters: Afterlife.
*Page Six
**In the display are:
***The Animated Toaster from Ghostbusters II.
***The name plate and hammer belonging to Stephen Wexler from Ghostbusters II.
***The NES Advantage Controller used to steer the Statue of Liberty in Ghostbusters II.
***A Twinkie
*Page Seven
**Winston alludes to when the Containment Unit was shut down in Ghostbusters, Chapter 21: Out of Biz.
*Page Eight
**Phoebe says a joke and winks like she did with Gary in Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Chapter 04.
*Page Ten
**It is revealed there is a school named after Winston, the Zeddemore Academy.
**One of the mean girls refers to Oshkosh B'Gosh, a children's clothing store.
*Page Thirteen
**Callie makes quesadillas. In Ghostbusters: Afterlife,Chapter 02, Phoebe complimented Callie on her quesadilla-making skills.
*Page Fourteen
**The drip from the ceiling sets up Slimer's appearance in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.
*Page Sixteen
**Gary is wearing a shirt he wears in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.
**Phoebe wears a shirt and overall from Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Chapter 2.

[joezlo]

Just read issue 1.

I've read every GB comic since Legion as well.

While I don't take issue with the writing, thus far, the art is sub par for previous GB comics.

If you can't draw the gear, that's pretty depressing for a GB comic. The traps and neutrona wands need some love.

Dan & Erik set a pretty high bar, and this is a very rocky start for Dark Horse.

[RiverofSlime]

Just read issue 1.

I've read every GB comic since Legion as well.

While I don't take issue with the writing, thus far, the art is sub par for previous GB comics.

If you can't draw the gear, that's pretty depressing for a GB comic. The traps and neutrona wands need some love.

Dan & Erik set a pretty high bar, and this is a very rocky start for Dark Horse.

I just read the first issue as well. SPOILERS BELOW.

I was really disappointed with the art when I opened it up. In classic comics industry form, the inside art looks nothing like the cover art.

That said, a couple pages in, I stopped caring at all about the art because it's so well written. The dialogue was straight out of Afterlife. They covered a lot of ground in just one issue. I was impressed when they got to school and started having interactions with other kids, and we learned Winston funds a school? And it seems like there will be some kind of big bad we'll learn about.

Hot take alert: I think the dialogue in this comic was funnier and more organic than in Frozen Empire.

Looking forward to the next issue.

[Chicken, He Clucked]

I quite liked the writing.

But the art style is a massive step down from Dan Schoening. Not that it’s bad art - it’s just… Scott Pilgrim style, when we had super detailed Hanna Barbera.

[ShandorMiningCo]

I've never heard anyone call it 'super detailed Hannah Barbera' before but it really is the most accurate description haha

I'm looking forward to seeing Ray in this style, Dan Aykroyd has a pretty cartoony face anyway. Curious to see if Venkman will make an appearance too.