- August 2nd, 2008, 2:40 pm#59350
So I managed to catch up with Keith Champagne, the author of the upcoming comic from IDW, Ghostbusters: The Other Side. He was nice enough to answer a few questions for Ghostbusters Fans.
Q: Have you always been a fan of the Ghostbusters Franchise?
Yeah, definitely. I've never been what I could honestly call a hardcore fan but I've seen the first movie more times than I can count, it's one of those flicks I always stop and watch when I find it on TV. I sort of missed out on the Real Ghostbusters cartoon but I picked up a lot of the Now comics series when it was being published. I'm looking forward to the upcoming video game!
Q: What kind of research did you and your artist(s) go through to get down the "spirit" of the characters, and the look and feel of the equipment?
Mainly referencing the two movies. Pretty much everything one needs in terms of matching the tone of the characters or the nuts and bolts of the equipment is in there. Plus, the Internet is a vast well of reference, especially for visual stuff.
Q: What time period are these stories going to be set in?
After the second movie, around 89 or 90 at the latest.
Q: How many issues have you guys planned on releasing? We heard a rumor of only four, and most of us agree that we'll probably want more!
We're starting out with a four-issue series. As long as it does well, I'm pretty sure there will be more. Personally, I have two more Ghostbusters stories I'm bursting to tell, both about four issues each.
Q: What type of story line will be going on in the comic? Will we see one continuous story moving on from issue to issue? Or will we see a different idea and battle in each issue?
The Other Side encompasses all four issues of the series. It's very character oriented and I'm especially excited about the plans I have for Winston, who I feel is the least developed of the four ghostbusters, at least at the point in time this series is taking place.
Q: When will the issues be available?
Beginning in October, running monthly after that. Assuming there's a second series, there will probably be a short break between the two.
Q: How will these comics be handled in comparision to the debacle that 88MPH put us through regarding their Ghostbusters comic series?
I'm not familiar with whatever debacle seems to have occured with the 88mph series but I keep seeing references to how the fans got screwed. All I can say is IDW is an established, reputable company. I've been working in the comics field for 15 years. Tom Nguyen has been working for over 10. Moose Baumann, our color artist, has been around the block a few dozen times. Andy Schmidt, our editor, comes straight from Marvel.
The point I'm making is, from top on down, we're all battle tested, tried and true professionals. There's no chance the fans are getting screwed this time.
Q: Was it hard to secure the rights to the likenesses of the characters?
There's been a lot of back and forth over the likeness rights to the Ghostbusters. I think what you're going to see are the characters but not necessarily the actors themselves. Although I have to say, Tom's designs are very reminiscent of the four main ghostbusters without crossing any legal boundaries. You'll definitely know who is who in this book.
Q: Have any thing else you'd like to pass along to the fans?
In closing, I want to say that I hope this is the beginning of a real revival for the Ghostbusters. Between the video game and the comic, it seems like there's some momentum building for the property. I know I'm having a great time writing the group, it's hard to believe I'm getting paid to do it!
Don't be shy about letting me know what you think of the series, guys!
If you have any questions for Keith, feel free to post them here and we will forward them to him.
Q: Have you always been a fan of the Ghostbusters Franchise?
Yeah, definitely. I've never been what I could honestly call a hardcore fan but I've seen the first movie more times than I can count, it's one of those flicks I always stop and watch when I find it on TV. I sort of missed out on the Real Ghostbusters cartoon but I picked up a lot of the Now comics series when it was being published. I'm looking forward to the upcoming video game!
Q: What kind of research did you and your artist(s) go through to get down the "spirit" of the characters, and the look and feel of the equipment?
Mainly referencing the two movies. Pretty much everything one needs in terms of matching the tone of the characters or the nuts and bolts of the equipment is in there. Plus, the Internet is a vast well of reference, especially for visual stuff.
Q: What time period are these stories going to be set in?
After the second movie, around 89 or 90 at the latest.
Q: How many issues have you guys planned on releasing? We heard a rumor of only four, and most of us agree that we'll probably want more!
We're starting out with a four-issue series. As long as it does well, I'm pretty sure there will be more. Personally, I have two more Ghostbusters stories I'm bursting to tell, both about four issues each.
Q: What type of story line will be going on in the comic? Will we see one continuous story moving on from issue to issue? Or will we see a different idea and battle in each issue?
The Other Side encompasses all four issues of the series. It's very character oriented and I'm especially excited about the plans I have for Winston, who I feel is the least developed of the four ghostbusters, at least at the point in time this series is taking place.
Q: When will the issues be available?
Beginning in October, running monthly after that. Assuming there's a second series, there will probably be a short break between the two.
Q: How will these comics be handled in comparision to the debacle that 88MPH put us through regarding their Ghostbusters comic series?
I'm not familiar with whatever debacle seems to have occured with the 88mph series but I keep seeing references to how the fans got screwed. All I can say is IDW is an established, reputable company. I've been working in the comics field for 15 years. Tom Nguyen has been working for over 10. Moose Baumann, our color artist, has been around the block a few dozen times. Andy Schmidt, our editor, comes straight from Marvel.
The point I'm making is, from top on down, we're all battle tested, tried and true professionals. There's no chance the fans are getting screwed this time.
Q: Was it hard to secure the rights to the likenesses of the characters?
There's been a lot of back and forth over the likeness rights to the Ghostbusters. I think what you're going to see are the characters but not necessarily the actors themselves. Although I have to say, Tom's designs are very reminiscent of the four main ghostbusters without crossing any legal boundaries. You'll definitely know who is who in this book.
Q: Have any thing else you'd like to pass along to the fans?
In closing, I want to say that I hope this is the beginning of a real revival for the Ghostbusters. Between the video game and the comic, it seems like there's some momentum building for the property. I know I'm having a great time writing the group, it's hard to believe I'm getting paid to do it!
Don't be shy about letting me know what you think of the series, guys!
If you have any questions for Keith, feel free to post them here and we will forward them to him.
Like Ghostbusters Fans on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ghostbustersfans
Follow Ghostbusters Fans on Twitter: @gbfans
"GODDAMN NERDS WITH POWER!!!!! ARRAUGUGUUGGHHGHG!"
Follow Ghostbusters Fans on Twitter: @gbfans
"GODDAMN NERDS WITH POWER!!!!! ARRAUGUGUUGGHHGHG!"
) I hope it works out I'd definately like a lasting GB revival.
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Love it!
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