Erik Burnham and Dan Schoening On How "Anyone Can be a Ghostbuster"

Who're you going to call? The Ghostbusters, obviously, when things go bump in the night. And on the Day of the Dead in New York City, the dead's doing more than bumping as Special Agent Melanie Ortiz comes across a ghost trying to drive their family out of the city. We chatted with Erik Burnham and Dan Schoening--the creative team--to find out whether or not crossing the streams is actually a good idea.

HCF 2017 Ghostbusters: Dia de Los Muertos
JUL170027

IDW PUBLISHING
(W) Erik Burnham
(A/CA) Dan Schoening

It's the day after Halloween, better known as... the Day of The Dead! Melanie Ortiz returns to NYC just in time to help the Ghostbusters track down a ghost that is going to extremes to drive its family away from New York! [TEEN]

Halloween ComicFest: What kinds of ghosts can we expect the Ghostbusters to encounter? What personalities will they have?

Erik Burnham: Well since Danny got the thoughtful, eloquent answers out of the way... but he's right. The fun of setting it during Dia de Los Muertos is that there are going to be a lot of ghosts around -- people expect them! -- and there's bound to be some bad ones lurking around. 

Dan Schoening: The Ghosts featured in this issue take inspiration from La Calavera Catrina, a print illustrated by the famous Mexican printmaker, José Guadalupe Posada and the traditional holiday celebrated in Mexico, Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead). You may also find La Llorona, a legendary ghost prominent in South American folklore, hiding under the beds.... Without giving much away, they are looking for something in particular.

Why do you think Ghostbusters has become so iconic? What do you think the comic book medium brings to the story that the films don’t?

Burnham: The fear of what goes bump in the night, being laughed off and dealt with. That's comforting on a deep level. (It's also funny.) That film is the right combination of concept and execution... and also, I mean, no one has to hear the title and ask what it could possibly be about, so, y'know, big plus there.

Schoening: Aside from the amazing films, cartoons and video games, I feel that anyone can be a Ghostbuster. Imagining yourself fighting ghosts and goblins sounds scary, but also a lot of fun. With comic books, we are free from the restraints of budgets. We can go over the top with effects with the talents of the colorist, Luis Delgado, making the ghosts as big and scary as we'd like. Our imaginations are free to create some spooky and fun environments and creatures.

Why should fans pick your comic first on Halloween ComicFest 2017?

Burnham: Also: it allows us to use these characters in their prime for as long as there are stories to tell with them.

Schoening: I feel the Halloween and Ghostbusters go hand in hand! Halloween wouldn't be nearly as cool without ghosts, monsters and things that go bump in the night. And who better to help keep the ghouls at bay than the Ghostsbusters? Just be sure to hide the Twinkies, those are Egon's favorite.

What got you reading comics? What are some series you're reading today?

Burnham: My grandpa got me into reading the books -- he had a library of comics for the grandkids -- and as soon as I was hooked, they became a standard gift. I might have outgrown them if my family hadn't lost everything in a fire, though.  Grandpa gifted me one of the books from his little library. It was my first possession after losing everything, and they took on a different meaning for me.

And geez, I fall so far behind on my reading because I have so many pals putting out great books and I live so far from a shop--! But I've just binged the new Doctor Strange and the miniseries Lake of Fire and God Country. Great stuff all around. Dig what my pal and editor Tom Waltz is doing on TMNT. And I'm looking forward to the upcoming Mister Miracle book -- my friend Mitch Gerads has leveled up again drawing that one.

Schoening: Superman and Spider-Man were comics I remember reading when I was younger. Today, I really enjoy creator owned comics, from Andy Suriano's Cosmic Scoundrels to Andrew MacLean's Head Lopper.  

What spooky Halloween titles would you recommend to new readers?

Burnham: Hellboy: The Chained Coffin and Other Tales is a good go-to; it contains my favorite HB story (I don't care if the Wolves of St. August is a cliche favorite, either!)  I can also recommend the new book Redneck.  Outside the box choice -- Domu: A Child's Dream. Don't spoil the plot, just buy and dive in. (It's by Katsuhiro Otomo if that helps!)

Schoening: I am very excited for the new Mister Jinx's Halloween Hootenanny Special, created by Drew Rausch, out this July. It's the purr-fect blend of vintage Halloween and Drew's wonderful art style and sensibilities.

Why do you think events like Halloween ComicFest are great for the comic book community?

Burnham: It piques curiosity and welcomes new folks into a shop they may not have thought to go to otherwise; from there, good customer service and a welcoming environment can win a new reader, and then we all win.

Schoening: Does the Wolfman like full moons? Of course! Halloween is my favorite holiday, and combining it with comics is a fun and fresh way to encourage reading and creative thinking. Candy is good, but I have more of a comic book tooth.

What do you think comic shops bring to the comic book community?

Burnham: The best shops are the bedrock of just that -- community. They're a hub for people to meet, connect, and discover new interests by way of the medium. That may sound like a highfalutin' answer, but I believe it to be true anyway.

Schoening: An opportunity to go on adventures, fight robots, slay dragons and save planets, all from the comfort of your home. Comic books are a way for everyone to experience something new and exciting with characters they can grow with and follow.

Where do you plan to spend Halloween ComicFest 2017?

Burnham: I live in the middle of nowhere, so it's a little trickier for me than it is for Dan -- I don't have a local haunt! But if I can swing the trip, Ill darken the doors of both The Source in Roseville, MN and Hot Comics over in Richfield! (A couple of solid stops for anyone in the Twin Cities area!)

Schoening: I'll definitely be visiting my local haunts, Curious Comics, Cherry Bomb Toys and Legends Comics for the special Halloween comics/toys.

You can find Ghostbusters: Dia de Los Muertos on Saturday, October 28th on Halloween ComicFest at participating local comic shops. To find a participating shop near you, use the official Halloween ComicFest 2017 Store Locator.