Ghostbusters: Dead Man's Chest
Issue: Issue #2
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: July 2, 2025
After a small delay, Ghostbusters: Dead Man's Chest continues with its second issue and it's well worth the wait as the action and mystery escalate as the recurring family dysfunction theme begins to expand and get complicated. Issue #2 opens with Trevor and Lucky's "friendiversary" being disrupted by a giant ghost kraken at a popular tourist destination. David Booher's writing and pacing continues to excel in this second mini-series. Trevor and Lucky get a much needed focus and spotlight. It was amusing to see how they're opposites of each other. Lucky tends to be spontaneous and ad hoc but Trevor is detail-oriented and likes having a plan. It's nice to see the banter between the two more akin to Ghostbusters: Afterlife than Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire where Lucky has a bit of fun poking at Trevor. And to boot, a funny New Yorker weighs in. Gary and Callie's through line from last issue continues but they get a third player in the form of a new character this review won't spoil but has an important relation for this story that will no doubt play a crucial role in the second half of the mini-series plus he's a great and fun foil to Gary. Meanwhile, Ray in a similar role as Back in Town, provides exposition about the big bad. However, it's not a dry info dump on readers as it also reveals a very intriguing connection. It certainly reminded me a little of Nadeem Razmaadi and his arc in Frozen Empire but in a general sense. All in all, it becomes clear the theme of familial dysfunction will apply to three groups of characters in this story and no doubt converges into Issues #3 and #4. But the threat of Captain Kidd escalates and leaves you wondering how the Ghostbusters are going to save New York this time.
Thankfully, this issue fixes a concern I had with Phoebe potentially getting too much spotlight at the cost of Callie, Gary, and Trevor. And to boot, Lucky gets a very much needed feature. But we still have two issues to go. I'm cautiously optimistic. I am still wondering when the local law enforcement and government will intercede especially with what goes down in this issue. One aspect I am on the fence about is the theme of family. I understand that is the theme set forth in Ghostbusters: Afterlife and continues into Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire so it stands to reason it would be picked up on and expanded in the comic... but the comic is relying on it a bit too much. When The Fast & The Furious got too entrenched in family, it became a meme. We don't need to keep seeing Phoebe forgetting then remembering she's part of a family and a team and "reuniting" with them in the finale to save the day over and over again ad nauseam. Should there be a third mini-series after the conclusion of Dead Man's Chest, it should focus on something else and break from the formula.
Dead Man's Chest #2 was another solid read. David Booher continues to nail writing for Phoebe, Trevor, Callie, and Gary, Ray, and the new characters. The pacing was well done, there is no slow down even during the required exposition, and you feel a little miffed when you realize you're on the last page. Art and colors by Aviv Or and Cris Peter also continue to be breathe of fresh air. New connections introduced in this issue start to make the puzzle picture a bit more clear and we're in for a more interesting showdown because of it.
Rating: 8/10
Please note that while Dark Horse Comics provided Ghostbusters Wiki with an advance copy of Ghostbusters: Dead Man's Chest #2 to review, that had no bearing on the product's final assessment.