This past week IDW Publishing made quite a few announcements including a new Star Trek series (which we covered here), a new mini-series titled GHOST TREE, four different Ghostbusters one-shots in April, and a new Dick Tracy series.
On Thursday, IDW Publishing announced a new mini-series titled Ghost Tree from the team of writer Bobby Curnow, artist Simon Gane, and colorist Ian Herring.
The four-issue series tales the story of Brandt who returns to Japan, where he discovers a tree that is haunted by various souls, including the one of his grandfather.
Look for the first part this April at your local comic book shop.
Also on Thursday, to commemorate the 35th anniversary of Ghostbusters, IDW will be releasing four new one-shots with stories from different ghostbusting teams.
The original team from the 80s movie, the team from the cartoon, the all female team from 2016’s movie, and the new Extreme Ghostbusters will each be featured in one of the issues.
Lastly for this week’s news comes the announcement of a new Dick Tracy series from Eisner award winning artist and writer Michael Avon Oeming.
DICK TRACY FOREVER will be a four-part miniseries that will see Oeming handle the artwork and writing duties with Taki Soma in charge of coloring the miniseries.
Look for the first issue in April with two covers by Oeming, the main cover and a noir-inspired spot color variant and a special incentive cover variant from Kyle Baker.
All press releases for the news from this week are below. All artwork courtesy of IDW Publishing.
The Past Never Stays Dead in GHOST TREE, A Haunting Comic Book Series of Love and Loss
SAN DIEGO, CA (January 24, 2019) – In April 2019, IDW Publishing will proudly debut the first chapter of Ghost Tree, a four-issue miniseries that takes readers on a journey from the dark forests of Japan to the ethereal realm beyond. Written by Bobby Curnow (Ward’s Valley, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Ghost Tree is illustrated by Simon Gane (They’re Not Like Us, Godzilla) and colored by Ian Herring (Ms. Marvel).
In Ghost Tree, a young man named Brandt returns to his ancestral home in Japan, seeking a refuge from his unhappy life. There, he discovers a haunted tree and the departed souls that are drawn to it – including his grandfather. Brandt attempts to heal some of history’s wounds, but will he be able to find any measure of peace for himself when someone special from his past returns?
Writer Bobby Curnow says, “A lot of our headspace is trapped in the past: things from childhood, old relationships, how family upbringing made us into who we are today. This creates an opportunity to reflect and learn, but also a chance to become fixated on that past, unable to move forward. Ghost Tree is an opportunity to explore the conflict between past and present… and see some cool and creepy ghosts!”
“I always hoped to work with Bobby again, but when I first read this script I knew I absolutely had to,” says artist Simon Gane. “Not only was it a beautifully written story that I felt a real connection with, but there were a terrific variety of characters to bring to life – the elderly couple, the lead as both an adult and a child, and (of course) a few ghosts, monsters, and headless samurai thrown in for good measure.”
Colorist Ian Herring says, “Looking to capture the sound of walking in the woods with color, I jumped at the chance to collaborate with Bobby and Simon on this surreal story.”
For information on how to secure copies of Ghost Tree, please contact your local comic shop or visit www.comicshoplocator.com to find a store near you.
IDW Celebrates the Ghostbusters 35th Anniversary with Weekly Comic Book Event in April Four One-Shot Spooktaculars, Guaranteed to Cause Mass Hysteria!
SAN DIEGO, CA (January 24, 2019) – Are you troubled by strange noises in the night? Do you experience feelings of dread in your basement or attic? Have you or your family actually seen a spook, specter, or ghost? If the answer is yes, then four fearless Ghostbuster teams are here to serve your supernatural elimination needs, courtesy of IDW!
In celebration of the 35th anniversary of Ghostbusters, IDW Publishing will release a different Ghostbusters comic weekly in April, each focusing on a different team, including the original “Prime” team from the classic film, the Real Ghostbusters of 1980s cartoon fame, the all-female team that “Answered the Call” in 2016, and the next generation of Extreme Ghostbusters!
“Since 2008, IDW has published an amazing library of ‘Busters from multiple dimensions and times, written and illustrated by a diverse crew of mega-talented creators… so what better way is there to celebrate this special anniversary than by showing off the eclectic cast from Ghostbusters projects far and wide?” says Senior Editor Tom Waltz. “Fans, old and new, can again expect the best of the best in full four-color, SLIMERRIFIC glory!”
IDW Editor-in-Chief John Barber says, “Ghostbusters has been an important part of IDW Publishing for more than a decade, and thanks to everybody at Sony and Ghost Corps, it’s been an amazing eleven years. With Ghostbusters hitting such a milestone anniversary, it’s time to celebrate every facet of the team’s history… and to get ready for everything that’s coming next!”
April 2019’s Ghostbusters one-shot specials include:
Ghostbusters 35th Anniversary: Ghostbusters
by Erik Burnham (writer) and Dan Schoening (artist)
First out of the Firehouse are the original ‘busting team of Peter, Winston, Egon and Ray, who have seen a lot of things during their time as paranormal investigators, but the latest case might just turn history on its head! Could it be that they’ve found proof of… Atlantis?
Ghostbusters 35th Anniversary: Real Ghostbusters
by Cavan Scott (writer) and Marcelo Ferreira (artist)
The Real Ghostbusters keep losing business to a flashy new rival ghost-catching company: SPOOKS AWAY! But there’s something sinister in the neighborhood, and it’s up to Ray Stantz to go undercover to find out who—or what is behind these new supernatural elimination superstars!
Ghostbusters 35th Anniversary: Answer The Call Ghostbusters
by Devin Grayson (writer) and S.L. Gallant (artist)
Do demons get visitation rights? A harried young mother tries to accommodate a stream of otherworldly visitors, intent on paying their respects to her half-demon toddler, and Erin, Abby, Patty, and Holtzman find themselves mediating the custody battle from hell!
Ghostbusters 35th Anniversary: Extreme Ghostbusters
by Jim Beard and Keith Dallas (writers), and Tim Lattie (artist)
Ever wish you could talk to animals? Well, when the furry, feathered, and finny inhabitants of the Central Park Zoo star demanding their release, the people of New York just wish they’d shut up! It’s up to Egon and his Extreme Ghostbusters to free the beasts from their fiendish possession!
The announcement of IDW’s Ghostbusters 35th Anniversary comic book event follows news of a planned Ghostbusters film sequel slated for 2020, set within the continuity of the original two films. Fans of IDW’s “prime” Ghostbusters line should take heart that the original team will return in new adventures leading up to the motion picture.
For information on how to secure copies celebrating the Ghostbusters 35th Anniversary, please contact your local comic shop or visit www.comicshoplocator.com to find a store near you.
Michael Avon Oeming Leaves His Mark on Dick Tracy Forever
Eisner Award-Winning Comics Auteur Writes and Illustrates
All-New Dick Tracy Miniseries Debuting in April
SAN DIEGO, CA (January 24, 2019) – IDW Publishing is proud to announce the perfect pairing of acclaimed writer/artist Michael Avon Oeming and pop culture’s enduring icon of law and order in Dick Tracy Forever, a four-issue miniseries debuting in April.
In the Forever series, Dick Tracy is the proverbial Sisyphus, pushing the law boulder up the hill as he struggles for reason and order in a world with none. His attempts at delivering justice are met with crime and chaos in the form of unpredictable and absurd villains. But Dick Tracy will never give up trying, no matter the era or incarnation… even when his startling new case defies all notions of time and space!
Oeming says, “I’ve gotten to write and draw most of my bucket list characters, from The Spirit to Batman and more, but I never dreamed that Dick Tracy would even be a possibility. It feels completely natural and I cannot wait to show why he’s such a relevant character for all times.”
“Michael Avon Oeming’s award-winning work in crime comics makes him the perfect creator to tackle one of the greatest crime-busters of all time,” says Denton Tipton, Group Editor at IDW. “I promise you’ll never see Dick Tracy the same after reading this series… and I mean that in a good way, wisenheimer!”
Oeming will be joined on the Dick Tracy Forever series by colorist Taki Soma. For the debut issue, Oeming will provide the main cover and a noir-inspired spot color variant, with renowned illustrator Kyle Baker (Marvel Action: Black Panther) contributing a special incentive cover variant, as well.
“Mike Oeming is one of the greatest comic creators working today,” says Brian Michael Bendis, writer of Superman, Powers, and Young Justice. “Oeming on Dick Tracy? I’ll take ten!”
For information on how to secure copies of Dick Tracy Forever, please contact your local comic shop or visit www.comicshoplocator.com to find a store near you.
Creator Bio:
Michael Avon Oeming is an artist, writer, and a producer for several of his optioned TV shows. Best known as the co-creator of the crime noir-meets-superhero series Powers with Brian Michael Bendis, Oeming is known for his love of mythology, fantasy, and crime comics. He’s also written and drawn The Spirit, Thor, Batman, Avengers, and many other renowned characters.
