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Tag: rte-source
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Tag: rte-source
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| Character=Special Agent Melanie Ortiz
 
| Character=Special Agent Melanie Ortiz
 
| occupation=FBI Agent, Liaison, Ghostbuster
 
| occupation=FBI Agent, Liaison, Ghostbuster
| image=MelanieOrtiz10.jpg
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| image=SpecialAgentMelanieOrtiz28.jpg
 
| image_size=225px
 
| image_size=225px
| appeared=[[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters 11|Ghostbusters Vol. 1 #11]]<br>[[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters 2-1|Ghostbusters Vol. 2 #1]] to [[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters 2-5|#5]]<br>[[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters 2-9|Ghostbusters Vol. 2 #9]] to [[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters 2-18|#18]]<br>[[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters International 1|International #1]] to [[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters International 7|#7]]<br>[[Ghostbusters: The Board Game (Cryptozoic Entertainment)|Ghostbusters: The Board Game]]
+
| appeared=[[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters 11|Ghostbusters Vol. 1 #11]]<br>[[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters 2-1|Ghostbusters Vol. 2 #1]] to [[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters 2-5|#5]]<br>[[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters 2-9|Ghostbusters Vol. 2 #9]] to [[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters 2-18|#18]]<br>[[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters International 1|International #1]] to [[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters International 8|#8]]<br>[[Ghostbusters: The Board Game (Cryptozoic Entertainment)|Ghostbusters: The Board Game]]
 
}}
 
}}
   
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On May 12, Melanie, Egon, and Kylie drove to a hospital in [[Cayey]], Puerto Rico to interview [[Miguel Castillo]], the latest victim of [[Esme Torres]]. Melanie checked in at the nurse's station. They directed her to [[Dr. Quienes]]. He warned her Miguel suffered head trauma and was saying ridiculous things about ghosts. Melanie clarified the FBI requested the Ghostbusters' help in her investigation and they just wanted to see if Miguel could point them in the right direction. Quienes allowed them up to 10 minutes. Melanie decided to speak with him alone. Miguel retold his story. Melanie assured him his friends were okay and the ghost wouldn't go after them. She caught Egon and Melanie up. They posited the Ghost Dog was from a burned down cigar factory but the woman in white sounded similar to La Llorona. Melanie was concerned with the logged encounters. They suited up and searched all the known locations where the ghost manifested. A few hours later, give or take, they investigated about 99% of the places and came up empty. Suddenly, the ghost appeared and tried to drown Kylie. Egon and Melanie watched as a Proton Stream and the ghost shot up from the surface. Kylie soon surfaced and caught her bearings. They pursued the ghost but Kylie was attacked again, this time by possessed earth. Melanie realized the ghost only attacked young people of a college-level age. Kylie opened her [[Trap]] to trick the ghost. As it vacated the earth, Melanie and Egon trapped it.
 
On May 12, Melanie, Egon, and Kylie drove to a hospital in [[Cayey]], Puerto Rico to interview [[Miguel Castillo]], the latest victim of [[Esme Torres]]. Melanie checked in at the nurse's station. They directed her to [[Dr. Quienes]]. He warned her Miguel suffered head trauma and was saying ridiculous things about ghosts. Melanie clarified the FBI requested the Ghostbusters' help in her investigation and they just wanted to see if Miguel could point them in the right direction. Quienes allowed them up to 10 minutes. Melanie decided to speak with him alone. Miguel retold his story. Melanie assured him his friends were okay and the ghost wouldn't go after them. She caught Egon and Melanie up. They posited the Ghost Dog was from a burned down cigar factory but the woman in white sounded similar to La Llorona. Melanie was concerned with the logged encounters. They suited up and searched all the known locations where the ghost manifested. A few hours later, give or take, they investigated about 99% of the places and came up empty. Suddenly, the ghost appeared and tried to drown Kylie. Egon and Melanie watched as a Proton Stream and the ghost shot up from the surface. Kylie soon surfaced and caught her bearings. They pursued the ghost but Kylie was attacked again, this time by possessed earth. Melanie realized the ghost only attacked young people of a college-level age. Kylie opened her [[Trap]] to trick the ghost. As it vacated the earth, Melanie and Egon trapped it.
   
Before Egon and Kylie left, they sought out the Ghost Dog. Melanie decided to file a general exemption (form SL-1) on its behalf and she remained in Puerto Rico to verify that psychokinetic levels returned to normal. Two days later, Melanie went to the [[San Juan]] field office and briefed the agent in charge, [[Special Agent Santos]], on her findings. She confirmed they trapped the right ghost and the Ghost Dog was a helpful entity. Melanie left for New York to help out with Janine's short term staffing issues.
+
Before Egon and Kylie left, they sought out the Ghost Dog. Melanie decided to file a general exemption (form SL-1) on its behalf and she remained in Puerto Rico to verify that psychokinetic levels returned to normal. Two days later, Melanie went to the [[San Juan]] field office and briefed the agent in charge, [[Special Agent Santos]], on her findings. She confirmed they trapped the right ghost and the Ghost Dog was a helpful entity. Melanie left for New York to help out with Janine's short term staffing issues. Melanie jinxed herself and was volunteered by Peter to investigate [[Egon's Apartment]] with Kylie. Melanie found Egon's recorder and played it. It mentioned the [[Rauoskinna]] research was in a logbook 2714. Kylie found it but couldn't understand much of it. She came up with an idea to ask the parallel Egon for help. She, Melanie, and Jenny waited in the basement while Peter, Winston, and Janine used the teleporter. A [[Granny Gross (IDW)|Granny Gross]] ghost was attracted to the energy put out by the portal and crossed ever. At first, Melanie mistook the ghost for an elderly old woman but it quickly revealed its true nature. Melanie elected to distract the ghost while Kylie and Jenny made a run upstairs for equipment. Melanie tackled the ghost so hard she severed its head but she was slimed. As it reattached its head, Melanie taunted it. Just as it prepared to rush her, the ghost was blasted by Winston. Melanie found the proton stream too close for comfort. Peter later tasked Melanie and Winston with working out of the logistics of the search for the key and map to the [[Rauoskinna]].
   
On August 14, Melanie was called to [[Las Vegas]] to investigate the manifestation of [[Ethan Kaine]]. Upon witnessing transformed buildings becoming nightmarish and legions of ghosts surging into the city, Melanie contracted Ray, Ron, Lou, and Dani to put the situation down as quickly as possible. While the Chicago Ghostbusters drew the ghosts away, Melanie and Ray searched for Kaine. On Ray's hunch, they went underground and found a [[River of Slime]]. It was neutralized with a [[Proton Grenade]] wired to a [[Slime Spritzer]] canister of positively charged [[Psychomagnotheric Slime]]. Lou and Dani found Kaine and trapped him.
+
On August 14, Melanie was called to [[Las Vegas]] to investigate the manifestation of [[Ethan Kaine]]. Upon witnessing transformed buildings becoming nightmarish and legions of ghosts surging into the city, Melanie contracted Ray, Ron, Lou, and Dani to put the situation down as quickly as possible. While the Chicago Ghostbusters drew the ghosts away, Melanie and Ray searched for Kaine. On Ray's hunch, they went underground and found a [[River of Slime]]. It was neutralized with a [[Proton Grenade]] wired to a [[Slime Spritzer]] canister of positively charged [[Psychomagnotheric Slime]]. Lou and Dani found Kaine and trapped him. On Halloween, Special Agent Holtzmann notified Melanie of an incident at the [[Salem Witch Museum]] involving a [[Witch Museum Ghost]] holding trials. Melanie, Peter, and Kylie arrived in a little over an hour later at 6 pm. As they approached the museum, the ghost manifested again. Peter tried to distract her by talking while Melanie got into position to throw a Trap but she put both of them on trial. Wooden stakes came out of the ground and grabbed them. They kept talking to the ghost while Kylie approached. The ghost got irritated and found them guilty. The stakes lit on fire. Kylie trapped the ghost and shot them down. Peter and Melanie suffered first and minor second degree burns below the knee.
   
 
==Trivia==
 
==Trivia==
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*Melanie has a pet cat. <ref>[[Special Agent Melanie Ortiz]] (2014). [[Ghostbusters IDW Publishing Comics|IDW Comics]]- "[[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters 2-18|Ghostbusters Volume 2 Issue #18]]" (2014) (Comic p.14). ''Melanie says: "I haven't seen my cat in days."''</ref>
 
*Melanie has a pet cat. <ref>[[Special Agent Melanie Ortiz]] (2014). [[Ghostbusters IDW Publishing Comics|IDW Comics]]- "[[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters 2-18|Ghostbusters Volume 2 Issue #18]]" (2014) (Comic p.14). ''Melanie says: "I haven't seen my cat in days."''</ref>
 
*On page 19 of [[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters International 6|Ghostbusters International #6]], Melanie mentions she has a niece. <ref>[[Special Agent Melanie Ortiz]] (2016). [[Ghostbusters IDW Publishing Comics|IDW Comics]]- "[[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters International 6|Ghostbusters International #6]]" (2016) (Comic p.19). ''Special Agent Melanie Ortiz says: "I don't care what this thing is - I am absolutely telling my niece I caught La Llorona."''</ref>
 
*On page 19 of [[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters International 6|Ghostbusters International #6]], Melanie mentions she has a niece. <ref>[[Special Agent Melanie Ortiz]] (2016). [[Ghostbusters IDW Publishing Comics|IDW Comics]]- "[[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters International 6|Ghostbusters International #6]]" (2016) (Comic p.19). ''Special Agent Melanie Ortiz says: "I don't care what this thing is - I am absolutely telling my niece I caught La Llorona."''</ref>
  +
*Melanie is only one of two Ghostbusters who have been inside Egon's apartment.
  +
*On page 14 of [[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters International 8|Ghostbusters International #8]], panel 1, Melanie quotes "Little Ride Riding Hood," saying, "My, what sharp teeth you got."
  +
*On page 20 of Ghostbusters International #8, Melanie mentions her "Fed sense" didn't tingle. This was a nod to Spider-Man's Spider-Sense, which alerted him of trouble.
 
*On March 3, 2015, the 16th stretch goal of [[Ghostbusters: The Board Game (Cryptozoic Entertainment)|Ghostbusters: The Board Game]], $880,000, was introduced: Melanie Ortiz. Her player card was previewed. <ref>[https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cze/ghostbusters-the-board-game/posts/1154224 Ghostbusters: The Board Game Update #30 3/3/15 "Tobin's Spirit Guide is unlocked!"]</ref>
 
*On March 3, 2015, the 16th stretch goal of [[Ghostbusters: The Board Game (Cryptozoic Entertainment)|Ghostbusters: The Board Game]], $880,000, was introduced: Melanie Ortiz. Her player card was previewed. <ref>[https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cze/ghostbusters-the-board-game/posts/1154224 Ghostbusters: The Board Game Update #30 3/3/15 "Tobin's Spirit Guide is unlocked!"]</ref>
 
*On March 5, 2015, Melanie Ortiz was unlocked. <ref>[https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cze/ghostbusters-the-board-game/posts/1155612 Ghostbusters: The Board Game Update #33 3/5/15 "Completing the "New" team..."]</ref> She could also have been bought in the New Ghostbusters add-on for $10.
 
*On March 5, 2015, Melanie Ortiz was unlocked. <ref>[https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cze/ghostbusters-the-board-game/posts/1155612 Ghostbusters: The Board Game Update #33 3/5/15 "Completing the "New" team..."]</ref> She could also have been bought in the New Ghostbusters add-on for $10.
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***[[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters International 7|Ghostbusters International #7]]
 
***[[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters International 7|Ghostbusters International #7]]
 
****Mentioned in What Came Before! Page
 
****Mentioned in What Came Before! Page
  +
****Haunted America Case File
  +
***[[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters International 8|Ghostbusters International #8]]
  +
****Part 8
 
****Haunted America Case File
 
****Haunted America Case File
 
*'''[[Cryptozoic Entertainment produced Ghostbusters Merchandise line|Cryptozoic Entertainment]]'''
 
*'''[[Cryptozoic Entertainment produced Ghostbusters Merchandise line|Cryptozoic Entertainment]]'''
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MelanieOrtiz08.jpg|As seen in [[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters 2-11|Ghostbusters Volume 2 Issue #11]]
 
MelanieOrtiz08.jpg|As seen in [[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters 2-11|Ghostbusters Volume 2 Issue #11]]
 
MelanieOrtiz09.jpg|As seen in [[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters 2-10|Ghostbusters Volume 2 Issue #12]]
 
MelanieOrtiz09.jpg|As seen in [[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters 2-10|Ghostbusters Volume 2 Issue #12]]
  +
MelanieOrtiz10.jpg|As seen in Volume 2 Issue #12
 
MelanieOrtiz11.jpg|As seen in Volume 2 Issue #12
 
MelanieOrtiz11.jpg|As seen in Volume 2 Issue #12
 
MelanieOrtiz12.jpg|As seen in [[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters 2-13|Volume 2 Issue #13]]
 
MelanieOrtiz12.jpg|As seen in [[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters 2-13|Volume 2 Issue #13]]
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SpecialAgentMelanieOrtiz26.jpg|As seen in Ghostbusters International #6
 
SpecialAgentMelanieOrtiz26.jpg|As seen in Ghostbusters International #6
 
SpecialAgentMelanieOrtiz27.jpg|As seen on [[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters International 7|Ghostbusters International #7]] Subscription Cover
 
SpecialAgentMelanieOrtiz27.jpg|As seen on [[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters International 7|Ghostbusters International #7]] Subscription Cover
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SpecialAgentMelanieOrtiz29.jpg|As seen in [[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters International 8|Ghostbusters International #8]]
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RGBDataEastIDWVol3Issue8.jpg|As seen in Ghostbusters International #8
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Trap2016IDWVol3Issue8-1.jpg|As seen in Ghostbusters International #8
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SpecialAgentMelanieOrtiz30.jpg|As seen in Ghostbusters International #8
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SpecialAgentMelanieOrtiz31.jpg|As seen in Ghostbusters International #8
 
GBBoardGameByCryptozoicEntertainmentStretchGoalsSc31.jpg|Ghostbusters: The Board Game locked Stretch Goal
 
GBBoardGameByCryptozoicEntertainmentStretchGoalsSc31.jpg|Ghostbusters: The Board Game locked Stretch Goal
 
GBBoardGameByCryptozoicEntertainmentStretchGoalsSc33.jpg|Ghostbusters: The Board Game unlocked Stretch Goal
 
GBBoardGameByCryptozoicEntertainmentStretchGoalsSc33.jpg|Ghostbusters: The Board Game unlocked Stretch Goal

Revision as of 05:36, 24 December 2016

Hot! Hot!
"Hold your fire til we see a moment of weakness"

This article is about content that is either unreleased or only out recently that may be seen as a spoiler. This means that there is no spoiler rule in effect. Read the Spoiler Policy.

Specifics: Ghostbusters International


Special Agent Melanie Ortiz [1] is a FBI agent and partner of Special Agent Jim Savage. She later joined Janine Melnitz's Ghostbusters team. Melanie currently serves as a liaison between the FBI and Ghostbusters.

History

During one summer, Special Agents Savage and Ortiz converged on the Ghostbusters in Roswell and attempted to dissuade them from investigating any further. Melanie became embarrassed over Savage's squabble with Egon Spengler and also managed to ignore Peter Venkman's advances. After Savage was assaulted by the Roswell Army Ghosts, Peter and Melanie went along with him to a local hospital. Melanie was worried Savage would end up institutionalized over his obsession but Peter assured her he would be alright.

The morning after, Peter met up with Melanie at Roswell's Belda'r Cafe to inform her the ghosts were captured and to warn her about the paperwork she would have to deal with because of the incident's relation to paranormal activity. Peter extended an invitation to Melanie for a date in Manhattan but without outright accepting, she gave him directions to Las Vegas.

Months later, in February, Ortiz made the trip to New York to visit Broadway and call in the dinner Peter owed her. She downplayed any romantic notions for coming. As they arrived at the Ritz Cafe in Central Park, a green demon manifested. Ortiz noted how it sort of looked like Peter. Before long, the demon grabbed Peter. Ortiz reached for her gun but Peter advised her to warn Egon. She watched as the demon and Peter vanished. Ortiz was placed on mandatory leave due to "psychological trauma" of Peter's "disappearance." She decided to stay in New York and help find the Ghostbusters. Ortiz stayed with a friend named Mark, whose hair grew back after an undisclosed incident with her.

Three months later, Ortiz donned the Compact Pack for a bust. She missed the target, the Jail Jaw Ghost and shorted out the pack. Ortiz ditched the pack and was slimed by the ghost. Oritz "borrowed" Kylie Griffin's Particle Thrower and wrangled the Jail Jaw Ghost, allowing Janine to trap it. After the bust, the three were arrested. Walter Peck justified leaving Ortiz on the team because she had advanced law enforcement training as a federal agent. She was skeptical of Peck's conditions to letting the team stay in business but Janine concluded they had no choice. A few days later, while out on a case, Ortiz decked Ron Alexander after he fired on the ghost of Gareth Dibello and barely missed his intended victim. Recalling the Dibello case from her stint at Quantico, Ortiz taunted the ghost and exclaimed how all his victims were found and laid to rest. Dibello became enraged and flew straight at her. Ortiz barely kept him away with one Proton Stream while Kylie trapped him. Ortiz wasn't too comfortable with Dibello not rotting in Hell for the grizzly murders he committed but Janine countered he'd have to stew in the Containment Unit knowing his victims were found.

After the Ghostbusters returned home and the Collectors were dealt with, Ortiz resumed active duty with the FBI and returned to New Mexico. Ortiz' partner Jim was also cleared. Despite being in a shoot out, Ortiz was surprisingly unexcited by the action. She began to realize her idea of excitement had changed. In late October, Peck made a deal with the FBI. In exchange for having Ortiz on loan as a Ghostbuster, she would serve as a liaison between the FBI and the Ghostbusters. On October 30, she was driven to the Firehouse by the Zombie Taxi Driver. They arrived just after a flash of Red Lightning manifested. While the Ghostbusters went out on more calls, Ortiz had to stay behind and work on a waist-high stack of paperwork.

On the night of the Day of the Dead, Ortiz accompanied Ray and Egon to Bushwick. Surprised by a celebration taking place at Central Avenue and Bleecker Street, she was less than pleased with the others' dispassionate response. When an irate man attempted to assault Egon for the capture of his cousin's ghost the year before, Ortiz intervened. She placed the man in an arm lock and tried to defuse the situation. When Egon made things worse, Ortiz showed her FBI badge and gave the man the option to be arrested for assault, booked, and have everything put on the record. The man declined and walked away. The trio was suddenly confronted with the appearance of a projection of Santa Muerte. While Peter, Winston and Kylie were on their way with equipment, Ortiz tried to create a diversion. It didn't go well and Ortiz ran for her life. Peter opened fire on the projection but it split into two. Ortiz took the last Proton Pack but was skeptical it was indeed the Santa Muerte. After Kylie trapped two of the three projections, the Ghostbusters split up and searched for the P.K.E. source.

15 minutes later, Melanie and Ray found a home drenched in slime. They ran upstairs and found Jasmine and Jasmine's Mother floating in stasis. Ray noticed the symbol on Jasmine's altar was the problem. Melanie shot the altar and destroyed it. Santa Muerte was no longer tethered and left the home. Jasmine and her mother were restored to normal but Rodefhiri made his move and tried to drag Jasmine into a portal under her bed. Melanie flipped the bed over and ordered Ray to help the mother hold onto her daughter. Thinking quickly, Melanie tossed a Trap down the portal and opened it. Rodefhiri was startled and the portal was closed, severing the Trap from its cord. A few weeks later, Melanie went with Egon and Peter to Rhinebeck to investigate the Sinterklaas Ghost. As Melanie and Peter chased after the ghost, she came up with a simple plan. Peter would enter the home through the front door and distract the ghost while Melanie would enter through the back and trap the ghost from behind. Melanie was delayed by the family dog but sneaked through the kitchen. She jammed a Trap in the ghost's chest and captured it.

In late December, Melanie's theory about the connection between the Red Lightning and Bogeymen was finally corroborated by Egon. She was amused to see Egon had Kylie hooked up to the Aura Video-Analyzer to collect data on the lightning's effect on young people. Once it was determined a powerful Bogeyman was going to make a move, Melanie immediately asked why New York was the epicenter and when it was going to happen considering the small time table to narrow down possible sites where the Bogeyman could strike. While Egon already figured out it would on New Year's Eve, they still had to figure out the where. Peter and Melanie went to the East Village to visit a friend of Peter's, a Gypsy Witch. Melanie wasn't convinced this was the proper venue but Peter insisted she was a legitimate psychic and he brought Melanie along just in case things got "weird." The psychic was possessed and revealed Rodefhiri was going to attack children at Times Square. The Ghostbusters went to the Times Tower roof and confronted Rodefhiri. Despite Egon's warning, only Winston and Melanie shielded their eyes from the Bogeyman. Winston came up with a plan. He let Rodefhiri take his fear and managed to overcome it. Winston blasted Rodefhiri in the face and ordered Melanie to throw out a Trap. Rodefhiri recognized Melanie and refused to be trapped. The Ghostbusters used five Traps to capture him.

In late January, Melanie reported to Agent Edward Norris' office at the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building to go over her report about the Rodefhiri incident during New Year's Eve. Much to her dismay, Melanie went over it with him 100 times reportedly. Norris ordered Melanie to go over it until he understood it and had no more questions to ask because it was her duty as a liaison between the Ghostbusters and FBI. At the end of the report review, Norris inquired about what came of Rodefhiri. Melanie embellished the truth and revealed the entity was left in individual Traps then sealed in crates filled with cement and stored in outside facilities. In reality, the Ghostbusters simply deposited the crates into a river. Norris was pleased with the review and dismissed Melanie. However, he informed her she was scheduled to return the next morning to answer questions about the report from the Deputy Director.

Melanie was part of the team that filled in for the Ghostbusters during the wedding of Winston Zeddemore and Tiyah Clarke. During the ceremony, the team responded to a call from Bates CPA, PC. After Kylie tricked the Five Points Killer into releasing its victims, Melanie assigned Kylie and Rookie to take the victims to safety while she and Ron searched for the ghost. Ron was injured by the ghost and suffered a minor concussion. Melanie decided to do one more sweep of the floor before leaving with Ron but the ghost appeared behind her. Melanie quickly ducked as Rookie fired on the ghost and Kylie trapped it. The next day, Melanie and Kylie were dispatched by Janine to investigate Dana's Apartment. Melanie asked Dana Barrett some questions to rule out intention and to go over the incident with Tiamat. Melanie met up with Kylie later that day at Ray's Occult Books to see what she found on Tiamat. In the evening, she suited up and gathered at the entrance to Dana's apartment building with the other Ghostbusters.

A couple weeks later, Melanie was among those who joined the Ghostbusters in confronting Vigo on Hart Island. Once she sighted the island on Marine Ecto-8, Melanie stopped Ray and advised everyone to nix the small talk and stay on point. She donned a prototype Proton Pistol for the case. At the potter's field, while the others debated how the Scoleri Brothers and Vigo could have escaped, Melanie took point and fired first. She blasted Vigo square in the face. Instead of retaliating against Melanie, Vigo shot at Peter whom he recognized as "the vandal" who drew on his painting. Back at the Firehouse, Vigo's painting was back to normal but with scorch marks where Melanie shot Vigo on Hart Island. Melanie brought up Ray's lapses on the field. Peter offered her some time with the Aura Video-Analyzer, too, but she declined. Melanie grabbed her bag and went home. After the Tiamat incident, the FBI expanded Melanie's duties. In addition to being the liaison between the FBI and the Ghostbusters, Melanie was tasked with the investigation of potentially dangerous supernatural situations in all U.S. territories on an as-needed basis, to determine whether direct intervention (via the Ghostbusters or otherwise) was required. Three months after the end of the Tiamat incident, Melanie went to Riverside, California to investigate a demonic child who allegedly destroyed a firehouse.

On August 29, Melanie Ortiz investigated the St. Augustine Lighthouse in Florida after Ghost Alligators started manifesting and attacking tourists. She brought Peter and Kylie into the investigation. They brought two Proton Packs, the Boson Pack, a Trap, two Proton Grenades, and a liter of positively-charged Psychomagnotheric Slime with them. It was determined the Ghost Alligators were hostile towards animals but in regard to humans, the entities only drove them away with swooping and biting when they came within 20 yards of the lighthouse. The Ghostbusters' initial confrontation did not go well. Minimal damage was done to the lighthouse, there was minor charring to outer walls from additional application of the Proton Streams and two trees were damaged (one was deemed salvageable and one was damaged to the point of death). Fire damage was done to one half acre of the grounds. The Fire Department was called to the scene. The Ghostbusters consulted with Ray Stantz over the phone and they were led to the nearby zoological park. The cursed statue they found was neutralized with positively-charged Psychomagnotheric Slime. Peter, Kylie, and Melanie were then able to trap the Ghost Alligators. P.K.E. levels stabilized and the benign resident ghosts returned to their standard manifestations. Melanie put in a recommendation for regular follow-ups to the zoological park over the next year to make sure the spectral threat doesn't reestablish itself.

On September 14, Melanie dealt with the threat posed by Hedylogos in St. Louis, Missouri at the Gateway Arch. She received back up from Egon, Janine, and Lou Kamaka but Hedylogos' range of influence had already tripled. Things got worse when Hedylogos' Compliment Sprites told the enthralled citizens the Ghostbusters were in love with them. A small riot broke out but Lou managed to lure them out of the influence zone by promising them as many Ghostbusters as they could get their hands on. The remaining Ghostbusters weakened Hedylogos with negatively charged Psychomagnotheric Slime and trapped it. Melanie suggested local law enforcement should be informed of the possibility that the leftover Psychomagnotheric Slime could contribute to a temporary spike in the violent crime rate. Melanie conducted an investigation at The Alamo on October 2 with Lou Kamaka and Dani Shpak. The Texas Board of Tourism asked her to use as little discretion as possible and "put on a show" for the tourists. The Alamo Ghost proved to be elusive and fled from Melanie, Lou, and Dani at every turn. Melanie finally heard it mutter Spanish and realized it was lost and scared. Verbal communication was attempted. The ghost regained its composure, apologized, and dispersed.

On October 14, Melanie was forced to "deputize" two FBI special agents, Johnson and Mitchell, with the Savannah Field Office upon learning both branches were too busy to lend personnel to deal with the increasing threat of a Caribbean Pirate Ship Manifestation on River Street. Untrained in the equipment, Johnson and Mitchell caused an excessive amount of damage to many buildings, utility poles, and vehicles. After seeing trapped pirate ghosts reappear for the third time, Melanie realized the primary manifestation was the ship itself. On her cue, three Traps were opened and the ship was contained. In the aftermath, Melanie resubmitted her request, along with recommendations and suggestions from Ray Stantz, for a paranormal training program connected to the FBI and strongly urged its consideration. The Denver FBI Field Office requested an investigation on behalf of Laramie, Wyoming after Ghost Buffalo began to regularly stampede across Highway 287 in pursuit of the ghost of Edward Quinn. Melanie contracted Ron, Lou, and Dani. On October 30, the search for Quinn proved difficult so they tried capturing the Ghost Buffalo. However, the herd came to the defense of any wrangled in Proton Streams. With help from the New York branch, they figured out the pattern to Quinn's manifestations and trapped him. The Ghost Buffalo did not dissipate as expected. A helicopter was requisitioned. A Megatrap and the Trap holding Quinn was lowered from the helicopter. Once Quinn was released, the buffalo charged. The Megatrap was used to recapture him and entrap the entirety of the Ghost Buffalo.

On the week Peter, Ray, and Winston departed New York for Italy, Jenny Moran spoke with Melanie on the phone. Melanie said she was willing to help out the New York branch in between out of state FBI investigations. [2] Janine brought Melanie up to speed on the Ghostbusters' new international contract with Erland Vinter. She was eager to take some cases off the back burner now that Melanie was in town. Melanie revealed she was only in town for the day, not a few as she previously said, because a new FBI case came up in Puerto Rico. And she wanted Egon and Kylie's help. Janine was not pleased then asked how bad it was. Melanie showed her the file. Making the best of things, Janine assigned Melanie to take care of two back burner cases with Egon and Kylie - one in the Bronx and one up in Harlem. Melanie could ask them for their help then. Melanie found it all rather convenient. Janine pointed out she could have put her down for the sewers. The three Olympia Restaurant Ghosts quickly got on Melanie's nerves repeatedly yelling "No fries!" and "Cheeps!" Egon attempted to back out of helping on the Puerto Rico case citing vital research on a Scandinavian spell book but Melanie stated he could get a lot of reading done on the four hour flight.

On May 12, Melanie, Egon, and Kylie drove to a hospital in Cayey, Puerto Rico to interview Miguel Castillo, the latest victim of Esme Torres. Melanie checked in at the nurse's station. They directed her to Dr. Quienes. He warned her Miguel suffered head trauma and was saying ridiculous things about ghosts. Melanie clarified the FBI requested the Ghostbusters' help in her investigation and they just wanted to see if Miguel could point them in the right direction. Quienes allowed them up to 10 minutes. Melanie decided to speak with him alone. Miguel retold his story. Melanie assured him his friends were okay and the ghost wouldn't go after them. She caught Egon and Melanie up. They posited the Ghost Dog was from a burned down cigar factory but the woman in white sounded similar to La Llorona. Melanie was concerned with the logged encounters. They suited up and searched all the known locations where the ghost manifested. A few hours later, give or take, they investigated about 99% of the places and came up empty. Suddenly, the ghost appeared and tried to drown Kylie. Egon and Melanie watched as a Proton Stream and the ghost shot up from the surface. Kylie soon surfaced and caught her bearings. They pursued the ghost but Kylie was attacked again, this time by possessed earth. Melanie realized the ghost only attacked young people of a college-level age. Kylie opened her Trap to trick the ghost. As it vacated the earth, Melanie and Egon trapped it.

Before Egon and Kylie left, they sought out the Ghost Dog. Melanie decided to file a general exemption (form SL-1) on its behalf and she remained in Puerto Rico to verify that psychokinetic levels returned to normal. Two days later, Melanie went to the San Juan field office and briefed the agent in charge, Special Agent Santos, on her findings. She confirmed they trapped the right ghost and the Ghost Dog was a helpful entity. Melanie left for New York to help out with Janine's short term staffing issues. Melanie jinxed herself and was volunteered by Peter to investigate Egon's Apartment with Kylie. Melanie found Egon's recorder and played it. It mentioned the Rauoskinna research was in a logbook 2714. Kylie found it but couldn't understand much of it. She came up with an idea to ask the parallel Egon for help. She, Melanie, and Jenny waited in the basement while Peter, Winston, and Janine used the teleporter. A Granny Gross ghost was attracted to the energy put out by the portal and crossed ever. At first, Melanie mistook the ghost for an elderly old woman but it quickly revealed its true nature. Melanie elected to distract the ghost while Kylie and Jenny made a run upstairs for equipment. Melanie tackled the ghost so hard she severed its head but she was slimed. As it reattached its head, Melanie taunted it. Just as it prepared to rush her, the ghost was blasted by Winston. Melanie found the proton stream too close for comfort. Peter later tasked Melanie and Winston with working out of the logistics of the search for the key and map to the Rauoskinna.

On August 14, Melanie was called to Las Vegas to investigate the manifestation of Ethan Kaine. Upon witnessing transformed buildings becoming nightmarish and legions of ghosts surging into the city, Melanie contracted Ray, Ron, Lou, and Dani to put the situation down as quickly as possible. While the Chicago Ghostbusters drew the ghosts away, Melanie and Ray searched for Kaine. On Ray's hunch, they went underground and found a River of Slime. It was neutralized with a Proton Grenade wired to a Slime Spritzer canister of positively charged Psychomagnotheric Slime. Lou and Dani found Kaine and trapped him. On Halloween, Special Agent Holtzmann notified Melanie of an incident at the Salem Witch Museum involving a Witch Museum Ghost holding trials. Melanie, Peter, and Kylie arrived in a little over an hour later at 6 pm. As they approached the museum, the ghost manifested again. Peter tried to distract her by talking while Melanie got into position to throw a Trap but she put both of them on trial. Wooden stakes came out of the ground and grabbed them. They kept talking to the ghost while Kylie approached. The ghost got irritated and found them guilty. The stakes lit on fire. Kylie trapped the ghost and shot them down. Peter and Melanie suffered first and minor second degree burns below the knee.

Trivia

  • Erik Burnham stated Melanie was never a stand-in for Dana Barrett nor a new love interest for Peter Venkman. [3]
  • Melanie Ortiz is visually based on a combination of Paz Vega and Sofia Vergara. [4]
  • On the Subscription Cover of Ghostbusters Volume 2 Issue #1, Melanie's photo is to the right of Janine.
  • Melanie is detail-oriented. [5]
  • Melanie has a pet cat. [6]
  • On page 19 of Ghostbusters International #6, Melanie mentions she has a niece. [7]
  • Melanie is only one of two Ghostbusters who have been inside Egon's apartment.
  • On page 14 of Ghostbusters International #8, panel 1, Melanie quotes "Little Ride Riding Hood," saying, "My, what sharp teeth you got."
  • On page 20 of Ghostbusters International #8, Melanie mentions her "Fed sense" didn't tingle. This was a nod to Spider-Man's Spider-Sense, which alerted him of trouble.
  • On March 3, 2015, the 16th stretch goal of Ghostbusters: The Board Game, $880,000, was introduced: Melanie Ortiz. Her player card was previewed. [8]
  • On March 5, 2015, Melanie Ortiz was unlocked. [9] She could also have been bought in the New Ghostbusters add-on for $10.
  • On her Ghostbusters: The Board Game character card
    • Melanie's employee ID # is listed as 222 75 0306.
    • Mentions she is an FBI Special Agent and liaison between the Bureau and the Ghostbusters. In the IDW Comics continuity, she became a liaison in Volume 2 Issue #9
    • Mentions Melanie first meeting the Ghostbusters on a case in New Mexico. In the IDW Comics continuity, this was in Volume 1 Issue #11.

Appearances

References

  1. Special Agent Jim Savage (2012).IDW Comics- "Ghostbusters Issue #11" (2012) (Comic p.4). Jim says: "This is my partner Melanie Ortiz."
  2. Jenny Moran (2016). IDW Comics- "Ghostbusters International #3" (2016) (Comic p.8). Jenny Moran says: "I talked to Mel Ortiz last week. She said she'd be willing put in a little time here while she's between out state investigations."
  3. The Outhousers Erik Burnham Interview 5/7/14
  4. Dan Schoening post Ghostbusters Fans 2/21/13
  5. Special Agent Melanie Ortiz (2014). IDW Comics- "Ghostbusters Volume 2 Issue #14" (2014) (Comic p.10). Melanie says: "She has the know-how, I watch for detail."
  6. Special Agent Melanie Ortiz (2014). IDW Comics- "Ghostbusters Volume 2 Issue #18" (2014) (Comic p.14). Melanie says: "I haven't seen my cat in days."
  7. Special Agent Melanie Ortiz (2016). IDW Comics- "Ghostbusters International #6" (2016) (Comic p.19). Special Agent Melanie Ortiz says: "I don't care what this thing is - I am absolutely telling my niece I caught La Llorona."
  8. Ghostbusters: The Board Game Update #30 3/3/15 "Tobin's Spirit Guide is unlocked!"
  9. Ghostbusters: The Board Game Update #33 3/5/15 "Completing the "New" team..."
  10. Peter Venkman (2014). IDW Comics- "Ghostbusters Volume 2 Issue #19" (2014) (Comic p.1). Peter says: "And bring Mel while you're at it. Her aim is better than Egon's."


Gallery