Ghostbusters IDW Publishing Comics (2024)

IDW Publishing Comics (also known as Idea & Design Works LLC and IDW Media Holdings) is a fully integrated media company, which includes publishing, games, entertainment, and the San Diego Comic Art Gallery. IDW started printing Ghostbusters comics in October 2008. The Ghostbusters license was previously held by 88MPH Studios. The last new issue to be released was Ghostbusters: Year One #4 on July 1, 2020 and on June 8, 2022, it was announced a limited series was in the works from Dark Horse Comics.^[1]

The Ghostbusters monthly comic book series started September 28, 2011.^[2] The monthly series' second volume ended on September 24, 2014. The series was succeeded by two cross over mini series with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and with The Real Ghostbusters respectively. An annual followed Get Real on November 25, 2015 then a third volume of the monthly series began on January 27, 2016. ^{[3] [4] [5]} A second annual released on February 1, 2017, followed by a six issue mini-series Ghostbusters 101 featuring a crossover with the Ghostbusters (2016 Movie) team that started on March 22, 2017. A sequel to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Ghostbusters ran from November 1 to November 29, 2017. A third annual released on March 7, 2018. An eight issue maxi-event titled Ghostbusters Crossing Over started on March 14, 2018 and ended on November 14. A weekly four issue series titled Ghostbusters 35th Anniversary is started on April 3, 2019 and ended on April 24. A five issue mini-series titled Transformers/Ghostbusters: Ghosts of Cybertron started on June 26, 2019 and ended on October 2. A four issue mini-series titled Ghostbusters Year One started on January 22, 2020 and ended on July 1 after delays due to the covid-19 pandemic.

In terms of continuity, what is considered canon in the IDW universe are the two original movies, aspects of Ghostbusters: The Video Game, The Other Side mini series, the "Displaced Aggression" mini series, the "Past, Present and Future" one shot, the "Tainted Love" one shot, the "Con-Volution" one shot, the "What in Samhain Just Happened?!" one shot, "the Guess What's Coming to Dinner?" short story in the Haunted Holidays trade paperback, the "Ghostbusters: Infestation" mini series, Volume 1 of the ongoing series, Volume 2 of the ongoing series, the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Ghostbusters" mini series, the "Ghostbusters: Get Real" mini series, Ghostbusters Annual 2015, Volume 3 of the ongoing series or "Ghostbusters International," Ghostbusters Annual 2017, the "Ghostbusters 101" mini-series, the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Ghostbusters 2" mini series, Ghostbusters Annual 2018, the "Ghostbusters Crossing Over" maxi-series, the "Ghostbusters 35th Anniversary: Ghostbusters" issue, "Transformers/Ghostbusters: Ghosts of Cybertron" mini-series, and "Ghostbusters Year One" mini-series.

A five issue mini-series, separate from the current continuity, titled "Ghostbusters: Answer The Call" started in October 2017 and starred the 2016 movie's cast (known as Dimension 80-C).^[6] A one-shot starring the Ghostbusters of 50-S from the Sanctum of Slime video game (known as Dimension 50-S) released in January 2019.^[7] The second, third, and fourth issue of "Ghostbusters 35th Anniversary" stars The Real Ghostbusters in Dimension 68-R, Answer The Call Ghostbusters in Dimension 80-C, and Extreme Ghostbusters in Dimension 68-E respectively released in April 2019. For more information on the parallel dimensions explored in the IDW publishing continuity, see here.

List of Comics[]

This is a list of the Ghostbusters comics that IDW has published containing original material.

• IDW Publishing Comics- The Other Side 1
• IDW Publishing Comics- The Other Side 2
• IDW Publishing Comics- The Other Side 3
• IDW Publishing Comics- The Other Side 4

• IDW Publishing Comics- Displaced Aggression 1
• IDW Publishing Comics- Displaced Aggression 2
• IDW Publishing Comics- Displaced Aggression 3
• IDW Publishing Comics- Displaced Aggression 4

• IDW Publishing Comics- Past, Present, and Future

• IDW Publishing Comics- Tainted Love

• IDW Publishing Comics- Con-Volution

• IDW Publishing- What in Samhain Just Happened?!

• IDW Publishing Comics- Classified Secrets of Infestation
  • This mini-book was released for free prior to the first issue of Infestation and was intended to preview/solicit sales for the mini-series.

• IDW Publishing Comics- Infestation 1
  • This explains the overall story arc, but doesn't directly include the Ghostbusters in it
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters: Infestation 1
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters: Infestation 2
• IDW Publishing Comics- Infestation 2
  • This concludes the overall story arc, but doesn't directly include the Ghostbusters in it

• IDW Publishing Comics- Infestation Sketchbook
  • This mini-book was a Retailer Incentive and contained zombified sketches of characters from Ghostbusters, Star Trek, Transformers, and G.I. Joe - the four licensed properties used in the Infestation mini-series.

• IDW Publishing Comics- Ongoing Series
  • Volume One has 16 issues total.
  • Volume Two has 20 issues total.
    • It started titled as "New Ghostbusters" then reverted back to "Ghostbusters" in Issue #5.
  • Volume Three is ongoing.
    • It is titled "Ghostbusters International" ^{[8] [9]}

• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters: Times Scare!
  • Note: Not canon to other Ghostbusters comics in list

• IDW Publishing Comics- Mars Attacks The Real Ghostbusters
  • Note: Not canon to other Ghostbusters comics in list

• IDW Publishing Comics- The X-Files: Conspiracy 1
  • This explain the overall story arc, but doesn't directly include the Ghostbusters in it
• IDW Publishing Comics- The X-Files: Conspiracy: Ghostbusters
• IDW Publishing Comics- The X-Files: Conspiracy 2
  • This concludes the overall story arc, but doesn't directly include the Ghostbusters in it
  • Note: Not canon to other Ghostbusters comics in list

• IDW Publishing Comics- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Ghostbusters 1
• IDW Publishing Comics- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Ghostbusters 2
• IDW Publishing Comics- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Ghostbusters 3
• IDW Publishing Comics- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Ghostbusters 4
• IDW Publishing Comics- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Ghostbusters Director's Cut
  • This is a behind the scenes look at the mini-series

• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters Get Real 1
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters Get Real 2
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters Get Real 3
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters Get Real 4

• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters Annual 2015

• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters: Deviations
  • Note: Not canon to other Ghostbusters comics in list

• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters New Ghostbusters 1 IDW Greatest Hits Edition

• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters Annual 2017

• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters 101 1
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters 101 2
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters 101 3
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters 101 4
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters 101 5
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters 101 6

• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters: Funko Universe
  • Note: Not canon to other Ghostbusters comics in list

• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters: Dia de Los Muertos

• Ghostbusters Answer The Call IDW Comic Series
  • IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters Answer The Call 1
  • IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters Answer The Call 2
  • IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters Answer The Call 3
  • IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters Answer The Call 4
  • IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters Answer The Call 5
    • Note: Tangentially canon to other Ghostbusters comics in list. Set in Dimension 80-C.

• IDW Publishing Comics- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Ghostbusters 2-1
• IDW Publishing Comics- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Ghostbusters 2-2
• IDW Publishing Comics- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Ghostbusters 2-3
• IDW Publishing Comics- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Ghostbusters 2-4
• IDW Publishing Comics- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Ghostbusters 2-5

• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters Annual 2018

• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters Crossing Over 1
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters Crossing Over 2
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters Crossing Over 3
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters Crossing Over 4
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters Crossing Over 5
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters Crossing Over 6
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters Crossing Over 7
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters Crossing Over 8

• Ghostbusters: IDW 20/20
  • Note: Tangentially canon to other Ghostbusters comics in list. Set in Dimension 50-S.

• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters 35th Anniversary: Ghostbusters
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters 35th Anniversary: The Real Ghostbusters
  • Note: Tangentially to other Ghostbusters comics in list. Set in Dimension 68-R.
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters 35th Anniversary: Answer The Call Ghostbusters
  • Note: Tangentially to other Ghostbusters comics in list. Set in Dimension 80-C.
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters 35th Anniversary: Extreme Ghostbusters
  • Note: Tangentially to other Ghostbusters comics in list. Set in Dimension 68-E.

• IDW Publishing Comics- Transformers/Ghostbusters: Ghosts of Cybertron 1
• IDW Publishing Comics- Transformers/Ghostbusters: Ghosts of Cybertron 2
• IDW Publishing Comics- Transformers/Ghostbusters: Ghosts of Cybertron 3
• IDW Publishing Comics- Transformers/Ghostbusters: Ghosts of Cybertron 4
• IDW Publishing Comics- Transformers/Ghostbusters: Ghosts of Cybertron 5

• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters Year One 1
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters Year One 2
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters Year One 3
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters Year One 4

Collections[]

• IDW Publishing Comics- The Other Side TPB
• IDW Publishing Comics- Displaced Aggression TPB
• IDW Publishing Comics- Haunted Holidays TPB
  • Includes one exclusive story Guess What's Coming to Dinner?.
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters Volume 1 TPB
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters Volume 2 TPB
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters Volume 3 TPB
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters Volume 4 TPB
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters Volume 5 TPB
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters Volume 6 TPB
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters Volume 7 TPB
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters Volume 8 TPB
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters Volume 9 TPB
• IDW Publishing Comics- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Ghostbusters TPB
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters: Get Real TPB
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters International TPB
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters International Volume 2 TPB
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters 101: Everyone Answers The Call TPB
• IDW Publishing Comics- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Ghostbusters Volume 2 TPB
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters: Answer The Call TPB
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters: Spectral Shenanigans Volume 1
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters Crossing Over TPB
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters 35th Anniversary Collection TPB
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters: Spectral Shenanigans Volume 2
• IDW Publishing Comics- Transformers/Ghostbusters: Ghosts of Cybertron TPB
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters Year One TPB
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters: Spectral Shenanigans Volume 3
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters Omnibus Volume 1
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters 100-Page Spooktacular!
• IDW Publishing Comics- Real Ghostbusters Omnibus Volume 1
• IDW Publishing Comics- Real Ghostbusters Omnibus Volume 2
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters: Total Containment
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters: Mass Hysteria
• IDW Publishing Comics- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Ghostbusters Deluxe Edition
• IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters: Interdimensional Cross-Rip

Reprinting by other Publishers[]

This list is of Publishers that are reprinting and translating contents previously released by IDW.

• Ghostbusters library binding books by Spotlight
• Ghostbusters related library binding books by Turtleback Books
• SOS Fantômes related trade paperbacks by Delcourt (French Translation Series)
• Охотники за привидениями related trade paperbacks by AST (Russian Translation Series)
• Ghostbusters - Acchiappafantasmi related trade paperbacks by Ed.Flamival (Italian Translation Series)
• Cazafantasmas related trade paperbacks by Fandogamia Editorial (Spanish Translation Series)

Key[]

Cover Abbreviations[]

• A
  • The Regular Cover
    • The most common cover.
• B
  • The second most common, usually a 1:4 ratio with Cover A
  • Cover B was also used as part of an interlocking image for Covers A to D of Ghostbusters Volume Two Issue #1.
• C
  • Cover C was used as part of an interlocking image for Covers A to D of Ghostbusters Volume Two Issue #1.
• D
  • Cover D was used as part of an interlocking image for Covers A to D of Ghostbusters Volume Two Issue #1.
• RI
  • The Retailer Incentive or Incentive Cover usually a 1:10 ratio with Cover A
  • There can be more types such as RI A and RI B, with RI A in a 1:10 ratio with Cover A and RI B in a 1:25 ratio with Cover A
  • RI B can sometimes be multiple one of a kind versions and as rare as RE covers. For example, Ghostbusters: Infestation Issue One had 250 copies printed of the RI B Cover but each is one of a kind with a different character on each cover.
• RE
  • The Retailer Exclusive Cover
    • The second to most rare of covers. There are 500 to 1000 printed total but several different versions limited to one comic book store franchise each. For example, Ghostbusters Issue One had nine different RE Covers with 500 of each restricted to their respective comic book retailer.
• Con
  • The Convention Cover
    • The Con Cover is limited to 1000 copies total and can only be found at a specific convention. For example, Ghostbusters Volume One Issue #13 was the first Convention Cover variant of the IDW run so far and was done for a guest appearance by Ernie Hudson. The gold foil variant of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Ghostbusters #1 for the Virginia Con was limited to 250 copies and the red foil variant to 1000 copies.
• Sub Var
  • Subscription Variant Cover
    • The Sub Var Cover is a cover only for loyal subscription box customers at local comic book shops. For example, Ghostbusters Volume Two Issue #1 was the first issue in the ongoing series to have a Subscription Variant Cover and has become a staple variant cover since.

List of Games[]

• Ghostbusters: Blackout
• Men In Black/Ghostbusters Invasion Premium Puzzle
• Ghostbusters x Men In Black: Ecto-Terrestrial Invasion

Trivia[]

• Erik Burnham revealed adaptations of Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II have come up in conversations. ^[10]
• An adaptation of Ghostbusters: The Video Game has also been discussed. ^[11]
• On page 26 of Ghostbusters Volume 2 Issue #20, IDW's logo is on a canvas right of Winston Zeddemore.
• On page 14 of Ghostbusters 101 #6, in panel 5, below the Hasty Pastry Bakery sign is one for IDW Publishing.

Also See[]

• Ghostbusters Print

References[]

Gallery[]