2016 Ghostbusters Make Their Comics Debut In IDW’s ‘Ghostbusters 101′

Four of 2016's biggest movie heroes are finally making their way to comics in 2017. I'm speaking, of course, about the Ghostbusters Abby Yates, Erin Gilbert, Jillian Holtzmann, and Patty Tolan. IDW's new series Ghostbusters 101 will feature that quartet teaming up with the original team of Peter, Ray, Egon, and Winston for the first time. The creative team is Erik Burnham, Dan Schoening, and Luis Antonio Delgado, who've already helmed a great many IDW comics about the original Ghostbusters.

In the movie of course, these four women are the first team of Ghostbusters that have existed, as far as we know. Meanwhile IDW has created a continuity built on the original movies, in which the 1980s Ghostbusters are still active and working to recruit and train new Ghostbusters. Ghostbusters 101 brings these conflicting realities together by making them two separate dimensions that are merged at the beginning of the story. Whether the dimensions will remain combined is up in the air, but if this leads to a spin-off for the 2016 team, I'd prefer to see them have their own Manhattan to bust ghosts in.

And since the movie was full of cameos, the other interesting question is whether Patty will notice that Winston Zeddemore looks just like her uncle, Erin will connect Ray Stantz to a cab driver she once met, and they'll all think that Peter Venkman looks a bit like a paranormal debunker who they accidentally killed.

Ghostbusters 101 comes out in March, and the first issue features variant covers by Tim Lattie and Erica Henderson.

Here's the official word from IDW:

Shortly after the classic Ghostbusters decide to get back to their roots of teaching the next generation of ‘busters, an inter-dimensional mishap merges together their universe with that of the new crew of paranormal police. Now, with the fate of two dimensions in the balance (maybe more?!), can these distinctly different teams come together to repel the greatest supernatural challenge any of them have ever faced? They’re going to have to find a way if there’s any hope for survival. Prepare for mass hysteria of the dogs and cats living together variety, because this time everyone… ANSWERS THE CALL!
"I’ve always wanted to meld the two worlds,” said Ivan Reitman, Co-founder, Ghost Corps. “It would be great fun to see them all together for the first time and I think it’s important for the future that we bring it back into a single universe.”
“When we found out Sony and Ghost Corps were ready to let IDW play in theGhostbusters: Answer the Call sandbox, we were beyond ecstatic,” said series editor Tom Waltz. “Abby, Erin, Patty, and Holtzmann are such fun characters, and to be able to have them join forces with the original ‘busting crew (as well as our expansive roster of fan-favorite supporting characters) is a wonderful creative opportunity for all involved. And in the undeniably capable hands of Erik Burnham, Dan Schoening, and Luis Delgado, I’m confident it will prove to be a proton blast of epic proportions -- for both old and new fans of this sensational franchise.”
“Ghostbusters continues to resonate with fans and maintaining a fresh narrative is critical to our long-term consumer products strategy,” said Jamie Stevens, EVP, Sony Pictures Entertainment Worldwide Consumer Products. “We are thrilled to have IDW as our partner. Aside from an incredible creative team, they have continued to bring big ideas that deliver on that promise.”