It’s no mystery that Ghostbusters: Answer the Call is widely hated. The 2016 reboot also underperformed at the box office, grossing $229.1M worldwide against its $144M budget.
Before long, Sony Pictures decided to reinstate the timeline established in the beloved original 1984 film with the sequel Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021), a continuity that also includes Ghostbusters II (1989), the multiplayer video game “Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed” (2022), the sequel Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024), and the Dark Horse comic book series “Ghostbusters: Back in Town” (2024).
Together, these installments form the new Ghostbusters cinematic universe that’s set to continue with future movies, animated movies, animated shows, and comic books.
However, no other installments in the franchise are considered “primary canon.” Even the two animated shows, The Real Ghostbusters (1986 — 1991) and Extreme Ghostbusters (1997) exist together in their own continuity.
Related: The 2016 Reboot Wasn’t the First Female-Led ‘Ghostbusters’
IDW’s comic book series, which ran from 2011 until 2019, is considered “secondary canon.” While it follows on from the events of the first two movies and the 2009 video game (“Ghostbusters: The Video Game”), it exists in its own timeline (in the same way the 1986 cartoon series follows the first two movies but not the other way around).
And just as well, because it “crosses the streams” with several other franchises like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Transformers (thanks to the Ghostbusters Multiverse).
However, unbeknownst to many fans, it also acknowledges Answer the Call with three follow-ups. With the chances of a theatrical sequel ever happening highly unlikely, these comic books are probably the only follow-ups to the 2016 reboot we’ll ever get.
The most direct sequel of the three shares its name with the 2016 film. It reunites Erin Gilbert, Abby Yates, Patty Tolan, Jillian Holtzmann, and Kevin Beckman, who are played in the film by Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Leslie Jones, Kate McKinnon, and Chris Hemsworth, respectively.
“The brilliant ladies of the 2016 film — Abby, Erin, Holtz, and Patty — are back, now in their own series and ready to kick ghost butt!” the official synopsis from IDW reads. “On a routine house call to dispose of a simple Class III spook, the team encounters a truly terrifying Class VII that appears to be feeding on terror. Able to conjure illusions to prey on their greatest fears, it can divide and conquer, and with designs on turning the world into its own nightmare dimension, our ladies may have finally met their match!”
Written by Kelly Thompson, “Answer the Call” follows on directly from the film.
Related: The 2016 ‘Ghostbusters’ Reboot May Be 100% Canon, After All
If you’re a fan of the reboot, you’ll probably find plenty to enjoy here. Corin Howell’s artwork might pale in comparison to that of the main IDW series, but it’s still great to see Abby, Erin, Patty, and Jillian get the animated treatment. ATC fans will also be thrilled to know that there’s life for the reboot beyond the silver screen in what is a far more palatable outing.
The other two comic books in the IDW series that feature the female team are “Ghostbusters: Crossing Over” and “Ghostbusters 101: Everyone Answers the Call”, both of which see Abby, Erin, Patty, and Jillian meet the original crew, Peter Venkman, Egon Spengler, Ray Stantz, and Winston Zeddemore (played by Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, Dan Aykroyd, and Ernie Hudson, respectively, in the films), as the result of “an interdimensional cross-rip.”
The Future of Ghostbusters
There’s more to look forward to from the Ghostbusters franchise. With a brand-new comic book series from Dark Horse Comics on the horizon, and an animated show and an animated film, we wouldn’t advise turning off your proton packs just yet.
There are also plenty of current Ghostbusters video games to enjoy, including the multiplayer game “Spirits Unleashed” and the virtual reality (VR) experience “Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord” (2023). The fan-favorite 2009 game also remains incredibly popular.
Have you read “Answer the Call,” the follow-up to the 2016 reboot? Let us know in the comments down below!
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