I was going to review the new Ghostbusters, but Tom beat me… to it. He beat me to it, he didn’t beat me… I fell down some stairs. What I will say about it is YAAAAAAY! IT DIDN’T SUCK!
Instead, I’m going to briefly review a five issue stint known as “Ghostbuster: The Other Side.”
I’ll just give you the premise of this dealy and I’m sure you’ll be on board (assuming you’re into Ghosbusters)…
The story begins with the ghosts of mobsters convening with the ghosts of Japanese gang members to discuss matters relating to “The Bosses.” Before anything major is revealed- “SHA-KOW!”- The Ghosbusters burst in to trap these malevolent mobsters. In an attempt to avoid getting busted, the representative sent by the Bosses [Fred] leaps into Venkman’s body, possessing him. This causes Venkman’s soul to be be cast out of his own body! His spirit disappears while Fred controls Venkman’s mortal form.
After Winston resorts to decking Fred/Venkman in the face, they take him back to Ghosbusters HQ to begin researching the apparent possession. It’s at this point Fred leaves the body to consult The Bosses [Bugsy Siegel, Meyer Lansky, Charles "Lucky" Luciano], in which they discuss “whacking” the Ghostbusters!
Soon after this takes place, Venkman gets up and walks out of HQ. Not wanting Venkman’s seemingly vacant body to get lost in the streets of New York, the Ghostbusters follow. As soon as they exit the old fire house, they’re greeted by Fred/Venkman and his gang of ghostly thugs. Not only is this a less-than-desirable scenario, but they’re all holding Tommy guns… Things aren’t looking good for the old gang, they begin to look worse when the GHOSTBUSTER ARE GUNNED THE FUCK DOWN!
When I read the first issue, that part gave me chills. My heroes, the ones I used to worship as a kid, riddled with bullets. That’s how the first issue ends, the Ghostbusters dead on the ground with Fred/Venkman declaring “This is what happens when you mess with the other side“
If you’re into additional tales within the Ghostbusters mythology, “The Other Side” is fuckin’ must. They travel through Purgatory in a venture to make it back to the land of the living. So you know crazy shit will be taking place. Enjoy.
