The Good
The opening chapter of TMNT/GHOSTBUSTERS was pretty much TMNT and Ghostbusters 101. It was immensely entertaining and looked great, but it was there to introduce these characters to potential new readers (but it was done in a way that didn't alienate preexisting fans!) and only teased the team-up between these two classic groups. Now that the basics -- you know, plot and addressing material for new readers -- is out of the way, it's time to see what everyone is paying $3.99 to see: Ninja Turtles and Ghostbusters interacting!
You can tell Erik Burnham and Tom Waltz really had a good time with the script. Seeing the characters interact with one another was consistently amusing and oh-so-enjoyable. There's a number of lighthearted remarks that had me smiling, but one thing I really like is how the script swiftly addresses questions the reader may have. For example, I think it's odd that Donatello -- a boy who was reincarnated as a turtle and is now a mutant ninja -- has difficulty believing in ghosts. However, it's obviously there to illustrate the difference in mentality between these two dimensions ("aliens don't exist") and the resulting conversation was very interesting and gets to highlight a dynamic. The "wait, we'll explain!" approach also happened when I immediately wondered why Chi-You didn't use one of his abilities with Casey Jones. All in all, it's an excellent script that's oozing with lighthearted fun. Oh, and that last page? Pure fan service that's pretty much guaranteed to make you buy the next issue.
Seeing artist Dan Schoening and colorist Luis Antonio Delgado's pages again makes me so, so sad that GHOSTBUSTERS came to an end. These panels really are such a delight. The characters are so animated and expressive, the variety of locations are presented with so much attention to detail (blatant Bebop and Rocksteady easter egg!), and the coloring gives every character, setting and effect so much energy and depth. The script for this comic has such a lighthearted tone and that's something these two are perfect at handling. If the TMNT ongoing goes past issue #50 -- and it would be such a bummer if it didn't -- I'd love to see IDW give this team a story arc to work on. They're a great fit for these characters.
The Bad
This story is totally entertaining, but, as of right now, Chi-You is executing a very familiar plot. It's being handled in an amusing way, but there aren't really any compelling developments or big surprises just yet. It's good fun, but I feel like there isn't any significant weight or emotion behind these developments. Hopefully that'll begin to change as the story moves forward .
The Verdict
"What would it be like if the Ninja Turtles hung out with the Ghostbusters?" TMNT/GHOSTBUTERS #2 finally answers that question and the experience is well worth the wait. Aside from Chi-You's agenda feeling very standard, this is a consistently charming, funny and very enjoyable chapter. I loved all of the interactions between heroes and the script really never lost sight of my interest. Even if the immortal villain's mission isn't anything out of the ordinary, everything is still be handled so well (gathering an army of hockey players is hilarious). On top of that, Schoening and Delgado's panels are amazingly animated and really let these characters' distinct personalities step front and center. This team-up is something I've been looking forward to for quite some time and it makes me so happy to see it's in such good hands. The creative team loves both of these franchises and that clearly shows. Seriously, I wish I had a time machine so I could give this comic to 6 year-old me; I think he'd freak out and love every single page.