The original Ghostbusters have broken out of the Collectors' limbo, but the Collectors themselves are not willing to let the jailbreak stand. Both teams -- the returning originals and the replacement squad of Janine Melnitz, Kylie Griffin, Ron Alexander, and FBI Special Agent Melanie Ortiz -- must combine their resources to hold off the Collectors and keep Ray Stantz, Peter Venkman, Egon Spengler, and Winston Zeddemore anchored to the correct dimensional plane. The issue also involves Janosz Poha and the entity Idulnas, with action centered on Parkview Psychiatric Hospital, the institution from Ghostbusters II where Vigo's painting was stored. Equipment on hand includes the Ecto-1a, Proton Packs, Particle Throwers, a P.K.E. Meter, and the Compact Pack. The Gozerian Alphabet appears as an item of note. Page one opens with the Collectors revealing their true forms, which the issue had been building toward through the preceding three chapters. The Zombie Taxi Driver from the original film makes a brief appearance as Ron Alexander's driver.
The backup story concludes its four-part run set inside the Containment Unit. The Icon Ghost and Ralph are present, and Samhain and the Boogieman both appear alongside a Seven Eyed Ghost.
The issue was published with a regular Cover A by Dan Schoening and Luis Antonio Delgado and a retailer incentive Cover RI by Freddie E. Williams II.
Dan Schoening tweeted on March 3, 2013 that he had begun work on Issue #4. Around the same time, Erik Burnham confirmed in a Crossing the Streams roundtable (recorded in February 2013) that he was in the middle of writing the script. Schoening previewed the regular cover on March 15, 2013, and Burnham revealed the following day that the Collectors' true forms would be visible on page one of the issue.
Burnham confirmed on April 6, 2013 that the issue was finished. Cover RI artist Freddie E. Williams II posted three work-in-progress versions showing the progression of his cover on May 7, 2013. Schoening posted three thumbnail sketches of cover ideas on May 14, 2013.
On May 21, 2013, IDW's Chris Ryall posted black-and-white versions of pages one and four, along with a full seven-page preview that included the covers and credits. Luis Antonio Delgado posted unlettered versions of pages four and sixteen on May 24, 2013. On May 31, 2013, Schoening posted his initial character design art for the Collectors. On July 14, 2013, he posted rough versions of unused cover concepts for the issue.
An earlier preview of Cover RI had been posted by Proton Charging on January 18, 2013.
This issue closes out the "New Ghostbusters" arc and is dense with references to the films, the Ghostbusters game, and The Real Ghostbusters animated series.
