Category: Ectocontainment

Kenner: First Series Card Backs

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US Original Card
US Original Card

Before I expanded what was The Real Ghostbusters sub site into Ectocontainment and began collecting M.O.C Kenner The Real Ghostbusters figures in 2011 I’d search on-line for detailed The Real Ghostbusters packaging. Which included the figures card backs. With running a The Real Ghostbusters site that has Kenner figure write ups my intention was to include detail card backs, straight from the toys.

It took longer then I originally anticipated, using my own collection I’ve scanned the back of my first series hero and ghost figures. Unfortunately they’re not all first run or even all American. Frequent visitors to Ectocontainment know my Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man was originally sold in Germany.

Each scan is high res and comes in at about 6MB per picture. I may provide more scans from other Kenner The Real Ghostbusters card backs in a future update.

The Real Ghostbusters Coming To Fearnet

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rgbtitle

In the mid to late 2000s (at least in the United States, can’t speak for other countries) The Real Ghostbusters aired on cartoon networks (not THE Cartoon Network, I always thought it should have) and on demand. I was practically thirty and knew it wouldn’t be aired as it was in 1986. I also have the complete Time Life set and had little reason to sit through kid promos and commercials.

Between then and now life altering events occurred in my life and as I was getting older anyhow I gave zero thought into 80s cartoons re-airing or re-re airing. However as things have settled down I do like to see that today’s kids and “children of the ‘80s” can turn a TV on and watch their favorite Saturday morning cartoons without a box set.

Which brings us to this Summer. TV Network, FEARnet is going to air The Real Ghostbusters as part of their Funhouse lineup. No word yet if episodes will air in season order. Hopefully they’ll air complete and not be edited as episodes were during the Fox Kids run years ago.

The Real Ghostbusters begins airing on Saturday, August 18, 2012 at 10:00 AM on FEARnet and their On Demand channel.

Photo Credit: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

IDW To Publish The Real Ghostbusters Comics Omnibus

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I’ve been meaning to post about this, prior to a mid week Independence Day I’ve been putting a lot of time into a new site I’m developing.

I’d like to thank Paul Rudoff from Spook Central for contacting me in regards to IDW Publishing announcing an upcoming The Real Ghostbusters omnibus. Which threw me as like most fans I would have never thought that NOW’s The Real Ghostbusters comics would ever see a new printing. I originally had mixed emotions about it as I’ve invested petty cash and my time into preserving each issue.

It’s only half of Volume I’s run and most likely won’t contain letters to the editor and the additional content which today makes NOW comics great. Which is why I’ve concluded (I think) if the comics find new fans (again) or somehow brings people to Ectocontainment™ to find the original run complete with letters, games, and advertising I’m ok with it.

The Real Ghostbusters Omnibus, Volume 1

James Van Hise, La Morris Richmond, John Tobias, Phil Hester, Evan Dorkin, Howard Bender (w)

Forget Egon’s rules – the streams have been crossed, the dead have risen, and a free-roaming apparition is part of the gang! It’s The Real Ghostbusters, ladies and gentlemen, and in this first volume omnibus collection you can score issues #1-14 of the classic NOW comics series. Be there as Ray, Peter, Egon, and Winston keep doing what they do. After all, they ain’t afraid of no ghosts!

TPB * FC * $24.99 * 354 pages * ISBN 978-1-61377-493-9

IDW’s The Real Ghostbusters Omnibus, Volume 1 is scheduled for November 2012.

Can You Tell Me How To Get To Kenner St?

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kennerst

Dan Flarida at Kenner Collector has a great post looking at the origins of Kenner, the toy company. As part of their Kenner Collector’s Kenner Tour of Cincinnati feature.

Without toy history knowledge or some “internet encyclopedia site” most of us wouldn’t know that Kenner came about because the Steiner brothers, (not Rick and Scott) worked on Kenner St. prior to selling toys. There’s more to it that isn’t common knowledge.

If you’re into collecting, toy history, and/or a fan of Kenner I’d definitely give it a read.

Photo Credit: Dan Flarida/Kenner Collector

The Real Ghostbusters Comics: Volume 2: Issue 2

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rgbcomicvol2issue2cover

From NOW™ – December 1991

Story: Shannon McCutcheon & Barry Petersen (first story), Jonathan Bernstein (second story),

Pencils: Neil Grahame (first story), Phil Elliott (second story)

Inks: Jim Brozman (first story), Paul Marshall (second story)

Colors:  Suzanne Dechnik, Kelly Kinsey & Holly Sanfelippo (first story), Stuart Place (second story)

Letters: Joseph Allen (first story), Paul Marshall (second story)

Editor: Katherine Llewellyn & Barry Petersen

Editor-in-Chief: Tony Caputo

Cover: Anthony Williams & Bambos

Scanned and restored in May 2012 by Richard Roy

“Tobin and the Maze of Time” Part III

“The Ghostbusters find themselves split up and face-to-face with beings and creatures out of mythology and legend; Winston runs for his life from the Minotaur with Daedalus and Egon is faced with the riddle of the Sphinx. If both men can’t keep their wits about them, they may not live long enough to find the others and save Tobin.”

“Little Devil”

”Janine is surprised when she finds a baby with a note on her doorstep. She brings Little Hank (as the note calls him) to the firehouse where the guys are instantly smitten. However, Janine’s good fortune turns into a serious misadventure in babysitting when the guys learn the hard way there may be more to Hank than they all thought.”

Volume 2, Issue 2 information. (from NYGB Comic Guide)

The Real Ghostbusters Volume 2: Issue 2. (Ghostbusters Firehouse)

Spiff’s Custom Gozer Figure

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Closer to finish.
Closer to finish.

With word coming down the line that Mattel is going to stop making 6” Ghostbusters figures after this year the chances of getting a Matty Collector Gozer is growing smaller. I don’t even want to think about “Van Horne” Station Winston…

While we’ll always have N.E.C.A’s Gozer, ghosthead and toy sculptor who goes by the handle Spiff still wanted to do one better. I’ll let him explain:

“I’ve been working on this for the past couple of weeks. With a few holes left in both the RGB line from Kenner back in the day and the Matty line now that it’s coming to a close, I decided to do some work myself and thought it was a good time to show something to the community now that I had something presentable. Here’s what I’ve got so far and I’m curious as to what you guys think.

My goal for the look is between an animated style and realism like Don Bluth or Dan Schoening, who I love for making GB’s in what is essentially my favorite animated style. This nimble ‘lil minx should be sized well with the Matty GB’s and the Kenner figs (though slightly larger for them). She also has some arm movement for positioning.”

I’m really liking it myself and will follow Spiff’s progress. Perhaps another toy company, Diamond Select will take notice as well.

Photo Credit: Spiff

The Real Ghostbusters Comics: Volume 2: Issue 1

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rgbcomicvol2issue1cover

From NOW™ – November 1991

Story: Shannon McCutcheon & Barry Petersen (first story), John Carnell (Second story)

Pencils: Neil Grahame (first story), Brian Williamson (second story)

Inks: Jim Brozman (first story), Cam Smith (second story)

Colors: Suzanne Dechnik, Kelly Kinsey and Holly Sanfelippo (first story), Stuart Place (second story)

Letters: Caren Skibell (first story), Hel (second story)

Editor: Katherine Llewellyn and Barry Petersen (first story)

Editor-in-Chief: Tony Caputo

Cover: Andy Lanning & Dave Hine

Scanned and restored in May 2012 by Richard Roy

“Tobin and the Maze of Time Part II”

The Ghostbusters are trapped in dreamspace, and they must find their way in order to help Tobin. However, things get hairy when the boys are separated and confronted with creatures straight out of mythology!

“Full Haunted House”

The boys are playing a mean game of poker and Peter’s cleaning house. The others go to bed, but Peter’s still raring to play. That’s when he’s visited by Satan, Death and the See-Through Kid, willing to give him the game of his life. And the stakes? His very soul!

Volume 2, Issue 1 information. (from NYGB Comic Guide)

The Real Ghostbusters Volume 2: Issue 1. (Ghostbusters Firehouse)

The Real Ghostbusters Comics: Spectacular 3-D Issue!

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rgbcomicissue0cover

From NOW™ – October 1991

Story: Barry Petersen (Story 1), Andrew Brenner (Story 2), Shannon McCutcheon & Barry Petersen (Story 3)

Pencils: Norm Dwyer (Story 1), Brian Williamson (Story 2), Neil Grahame (Story 3)

Inks: John Strangeland (Story 1), Dave Elliott (Story 2), Jim Brozman (Story 3)

Colors: Stuart Place (Story 2), Suzanne Dechnik, Kelly Kinsey & Holly Sanfellipo (Story 3)

Letters: Patrick Williams (Story 1), Nick Abadzis (Story 2), Caren Skibell (third story)

3-D Conversion: Bob Staake of Apartment 3-D (Story 1)

Editor: Katherine Llewellyn & Barry Petersen (Story 3)

Editor-in-Chief: Tony Caputo

Cover: John Strangeland

Scanned and restored in May 2012 by Richard Roy

“The Rise and Fall of Ghostbusting” (3-D)

There’s a ghost at the local amusement park on one of its most profitable rides, and its up to the Ghostbusters to get rid of it.  Except the roller coaster they ride takes them by too fast to effectively trap it, leaving the ghost free and the owner questioning their abilities!

“Nobody’s Slimer!”

Slimer has slimed once too often. The Ghostbusters are all agitated at their slimy houseguest, causing him to run off believing nobody loves him. Now all alone, he seeks residence with other people thoroughly unprepared for him as a resident!

“Tobin and the Maze of Time Part 1”

Tobin was chosen from his time in 1 AD to be the new chronicler of spirits, creating Tobin’s Spirit Guide, the Ghostbusters’ ultimate resource tool. Speaking of the Ghostbusters, in the midst of an experiment Tobin projected his image into Egon’s lab calling for their help. Now the Ghostbusters must go to the astral plane to rescue Tobin and save the world from the Evil that imprisoned him.

  1. Info: This issue is referred to The Real Ghostbusters Vol. 2 Issue 0 since it begins the story arc that carries across The Real Ghostbusters Vol 2 comics.

The Real Ghostbusters Spectacular 3-D. (Ghostbusters Firehouse)

Stay-Puft Returns, Marshmallows That Is

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newstaypuftmarshs

The weekend before Free Comic Book Day I was contacted by Mr. David Garth from the Parallax Corporation. He was telling me in a sentence most likely along with every major Ghostbusters fan site that the company has a new license to make and sell Stay-Puft marshmallows. And they already are!

Previously Omni Consumer Products had a license to make and sell Stay-Puft marshmallows. Their product contained squarish caffeinated marshmallows in a collectible rectangular box for $20. Unfortunately one of my boxes already past its expiration date when I received it.

New company, new ideas. Parallax Corporation’s box is probably more in line with how The Stay-Puft Corporation, if it really existed would be selling their delicious marshmallow treat in today’s snack world. It’s very competitive I’m sure. Only difference is they would never show an angry Mr. Stay Puft. Since this is for Ghostbusters fans, makes sense. If a fan didn’t want to display it that way all they would need to do is turn the box around.

Like O.C.P, Parallax Corporation is selling Stay-Puft marshmallows through Think Geek for a less costly price of $7.99. Which is feasible considering the new marshmallows are mini. Each box contains approx. 45 of them!

There is one caveat though. While I didn’t see this on the site, Chris from Proton Charging reported that Think Geek can’t ship the new Stay-Puft marshmallows outside the United States.

Equipment: Belt Gizmo

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beltgizmoanimated

Last month around April 13, 2012 a Ghostbusters fan, (HandSolo) shared his discovery of the animated version of the “Belt Gizmo.” A piece of Ghostbusting equipment that’s always been part of the uniform, we’ve never known its function. That wasn’t good enough for the creative behind The Real Ghostbusters. When a story or script called for it, they gave a couple of functions to the Belt Gizmo.

beltgizmoanimatedradio

In the season 1 episode Mr. Sandman, Dream Me A Dream we see for the first time what the Belt Gizmo can do, used as a communications device. Kind of like emergency personnel’s “walkie talkies.” It’s a professional term I first learned when I was a kid. Peter pulled the belt gizmo up from his belt in a hallway before the Sandman temporarily got to him.

In fact three out of four times the Belt Gizmo was used, it was as a “walkie talkie.”

beltgizmoradio

In the season 3 episode Baby Spookums Ray’s Belt Gizmo has a button that lights up. Which he answers. In the season 3 episode The Headless Motorcyclist Winston pulled his Belt Gizmo up from his belt in a client’s apartment to speak to the other The Real Ghostbusters.

ecto2beltgizmo

What I and others find more interesting for the Belt Gizmo’s function is it being used an alert/pager system. We did see that briefly in Baby Spookums. The full range of what the Belt Gizmo can do was seen in the season 3 episode Once Upon A Slime. In the episode Peter and Winston were in trouble with Ecto-2. About the same time Ray and Egon were at the library. This is when Egon’s Belt Gizmo “goes off.” He receives the text message “Ecto 2.” When a The Real Ghostbusters is out of range he (or Janine. maybe Louis) can use their Belt Gizmo to alert another The Real Ghostbusters.

Disclaimer: Screenshots are used for reference and no ownership is implied.

 

Free Comic Books Everyday

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rgbcomicad

Yesterday was the annual Free Comic Book Day around the US and abroad. Something I was able to participate in two years in a row if you can believe that. While Free Comic Book Day is an excellent day for publishers, store owners, comic book fans and their families I wanted to “gently” remind everyone that at Ectocontainment™ every day is (cheap plug) FREE The Real Ghostbusters comic book days, brought to you by NOW and myself.

I have scanned, cleaned, and where needed restored Volume 1, Issues 1-28 of The Real Ghostbusters comics from Now Comics. (Ghostbusters Firehouse) I also scanned, cleaned, and where needed restored, albeit in 2007 The Real Ghostbusters Starring in Ghostbusters II three parter. Originally I only had the limited to 1,000 copies trade paperback. Also this year I scanned, cleaned, and again where needed restored Issue 1 of Slimer!

Going forward I will be working on and putting up the special, the 4 issues from Volume 2, and annuals from The Real Ghostbusters comics. I will also be putting up Issue 2 of Slimer! As I’ve previously talked about I don’t have every issue of Slimer! and don’t know if I will add the comics I do have to Ectocontainment.