From NOW™ – March 1990

Zoned Out

Story: James Van Hise

Pencils: Phillip Hester

Inks: Jim Brozman

Colors: Suzanne Dechnik

Letters: Joseph Allen

Art Director: Michele Mach

Editor: Katherine Llewellyn

Editor-in-Chief: Tony Caputo

Cover: Martin Griffiths

Scanned and restored in March 2012 by Richard Roy

Four tales of the Ghostbusters!

Ray returns to Toad Island after 25 years to visit some old friends in the Freak Show, but ends up saving the day.

Peter and Irena have a romp in the park playing a game of cat and mouse.

Egon and Janine take a visiting Shannon to the circus, only to discover one of Samhain’s minions now works there. However, he’s far from happy and begs Egon for help.

Winston takes advantage of his night off by going out on a date. Unfortunately, a group of gargoyles aim to ensure he has an unpleasant evening. So, it’s up to his guardian Slimer to ensure the Ghostbuster isn’t busted!

1. Info: Marvel UK’s Real Ghostbusters #29 has the same cover as Issue 19.
2. Info: The beginning of Issue 19 begins like an episode of The Twilight Zone.

The Real Ghostbusters Issue 19. (Ghostbusters Firehouse)

From NOW™ – February 1990

Creeping Suburbia

Story: James Van Hise

Pencils: Phillip Hester

Inks: Jim Brozman

Colors: Suzanne Dechnik

Letters: Joseph Allen

Art Director: Michele Mach

Editor: Katherine Llewellyn

Editor-in-Chief: Tony Caputo

Cover: Phillip Hester

Scanned and restored in March 2012 by Richard Roy

“With everything that’s happened to the Ghostbusters lately, Winston feels its time for a vacation. He takes a trip down to a small town in Florida for some R&R, until he learns that trouble has once again followed him. It seems as if the entire town is populated by a race of aliens at war with another race of aliens bent on their destruction.  And, of course, Winston gets caught in the middle!”

1. Goof: Egon’s “no ghost” logo is missing on the cover.

TV Dinner (Page 8)

1. “Maybe they’ll run a Leave It To Woodchuck marathon.” – Winston

Leave It To Woodchuck is a play on the ‘50s TV series, “Leave It To Beaver.”

The Real Ghostbusters Issue 18. (Ghostbusters Firehouse)

From NOW™ – January 1990

Samhain Chanted Evening

Story: James Van Hise

Title Suggestion: Alex Newborn

Pencils: Phillip Hester

Inks: Rich Rankin

Colors: Now Comics Staff

Letters: Joseph Allen

Art Director: Michele Mach

Editor: Katherine Llewellyn

Editor-in-Chief: Tony Caputo

Cover: Phillip Hester

Scanned and restored in March 2012 by Richard Roy

“Samhain, the spirit of Halloween, finds a way to break out of the containment unit and begin his reign of Halloween terror on the world once again. But, this time, the Ghostbusters are nowhere nearby to oppose him as they return home from their adventure at the Earth’s core. Confronted by goblins in the air and hit with the realization that next week is Halloween, the Ghostbusters put the pedal to the medal to get home quickly. When they arrive, however, they’re in for a surprise to find the city mutated with an army of the undead, and their friends in the clutches of Samhain!”

1. Goof: (Cover) Winston’s “no ghost” logo has a missing ghost.
2. Goof: (Pin Up Poster) Cover art work is reversed. Winston’s “no ghost” logo is now on the opposite arm and backwards.

King of Halloween

1. Samhain first appeared in The Real Ghostbusters first season, episode 8. It’s titled “When Halloween Was Forever.”

The 5th Ghostbuster

1. Issue 17 is the only time Louis is in the regular comic series.

The Good Ship Enterprise

1. Pg. 4 “Aye, aye, Mr. Spock!”

For those that don’t know Mr. Spock is a character from Star Trek played by Leonard Nimoy. Mr. Spock is the half human, half Vulcan science officer (and second in command) from the original USS Enterprise, captained by James T. Kirk.

The Real Ghostbusters Issue 17. (Ghostbusters Firehouse)

From NOW™ – December 1989

The Land Unknown (Pt. 2 of a 2 part story)

Story: James Van Hise

Pencils: Jim Wisniewski

Inks: Rich Rankin

Colors: Staff

Letters: Dan Nakrosis

Art Director: Michele Mach

Editor: Katherine Llewellyn

Editor-in-Chief: Tony Caputo

Cover: Jim Wisniewski

Scanned and restored in March 2012 by Richard Roy

“The Ghostbusters travel through the arctic hole into Spike’s realm where they hope to face off against and defeat Nurtog. Unfortunately along the way, their disguised zeppelin is compromised and Nurtog snatches Spike from their protection. The Ghostbusters must now journey into the lair of the demon and defeat him for the life of Spike and the safety of his kingdom!”

1. Reference: (Page 3)

Egon: “…It’ll give you more time to spend with Louis…”

Janine: “Egon!  Can’t you see?  Louis is sweet, but he’s harmless! He just happened to be there while you were too wrapped up in saving the world to pay any attention to anything else!”

Egon brings up a scene in Ghostbusters II when Janine had an “interest” in Louis.

1. Reference: (Page 16)

Unknown: “Cause we be fast and he be slow!”

Most of that dialogue was quoted by the Ghostbusters after they trapped the Scoleri brothers in Ghostbusters II. It’s worth noting that Ghostbusters II had been re-released (pretty sure officially) in November 1989 and NOW’s Ghostbusters II adaptation was created earlier in the year and sold in three parts during October, November, and December 1989.

The Real Ghostbusters Issue 16. (Ghostbusters Firehouse)

From NOW™ – November 1989

Spike (Pt. 1 of a 2 part story)

Story: James Van Hise

Pencils: Jim Wisniewski

Inks: Jim Wisniewski

Colors: Suzanne Dechnik

Letters: Dan Nakrosis

Art Director: Michelle Mach

Editor: Katherine Llewellyn

Editor-in-Chief: Tony Caputo

Cover: Jim Wisniewski

Scanned and restored in March 2012 by Richard Roy

“Spikorouleus, or Spike for short, is on the run from a dangerous enemy to his realm at the center of the Earth, Nurtog. He retreats to the surface world for help, but Nurtog follows and nearly kills him. Meanwhile, the Ghostbusters are at a function by request of both the tourism committee and the city when they get a page.  Egon and Ray go to investigate and find Spike being held by immigration and the NYPD. Unfortunately for them, Nurtog has found him too, leaving Egon and Ray caught in the middle of their feud!”

1. Reference: Pg. 8.

Homeless 1: “I wish they’d quite makin’ movies where I’m tryin’ to walk!”

Homeless 2: “Could be worse.  ‘Member that ghost movie tied up traffic for miles?”

During the filming of Ghostbusters ( “Shandor Building” ) Central Park West was closed off. It created a massive traffic jam on the island of Manhattan. – Ghostbusters DVD audio commentary.

1. Previous Issues: Pg. 9

First police officer: “There’s just no rest for the wicked!”

Second police officer: “That’s what ya get for lettin’ that werewolf trash your car last year!”

The second cop is referring to the werewolf The Real Ghostbusters encountered in issue 5.

Everything isn’t uniform.

1. Goof: Peter and Ray are missing their “no ghost” logos on the cover and pin up.
2. Ray is also missing a “no ghost” logo on page 1.
3. Goof: Egon has a “defective” “no ghost” logo on page 6. The slash is angled the wrong way and the ghost is missing.
4. Goof: Peter also has a defective “no ghost” logo on page 7.
5. Goof: Missing “no ghost” logos on both Ray and Egon’s uniforms on page 11.
6. Goof: Ray’s “no ghost” logo has switched arms and is missing its ghost on page 12.
7. Goof: Egon’s “no ghost” logo has switched arms and is missing its ghost on pages 13 and 14.
8. Goof: Ray and Egon’s “no ghost” logos are missing on page 20.
9. Goof: Not to be left out of the new uniform code Peter’s “no ghost” logo switched arms and is missing its ghost on page 22.

Eye for an eye.

1. Egon and Boyett have the same eye color as a background on page 12.

The Real Ghostbusters Issue 15. (Ghostbusters Firehouse)

From NOW™ – October 1989

The Lost and the Lonely

Story: James Van Hise

Pencils: Howard Bender

Inks: David Mowry

Colors: Suzanne Dechnik

Letters: Dan Nakrosis

Art Director: Michele Mach

Editor: Katherine Llewellyn

Editor-in-chief: Tony Caputo

Cover: Howard Bender

Scanned and restored in March 2012 by Richard Roy

“A ghost named Laurie flees from a terror with her friend, Michael. Unfortunately, their fear catches up to them and recaptures Michael, but Laurie escapes, allowing her to find help for her friends underground. Meanwhile, Ray receives an invite to his Junior High School reunion. It’s not long after he leaves that Laurie appears at the firehouse and informs of the Ghostbusters of the creature she escaped from. And to make matters worse, this creature, the Soul Catcher, resides underneath the abandoned hallways of Ray’s school!”

1. Info: Janine wears a Ghostbusters uniform in this issue. It doesn’t match a color scheme she had in The Real Ghostbusters.
2. Goof: (I think) PKE Meter wings seems to work and look different on page 17.

The Real Ghostbusters Issue 14. (Ghostbusters Firehouse)

From NOW™ – August 1989

A Cat Named Tarantula

Story: James Van Hise

Pencils: Howard Bender

Inks: Brian Thomas

Colors: Suzanne Dechnik

Letters: Dan Nakrosis

Editor: Katherine Llewellyn

Editor-In-Chief: Tony Caputo

Cover: Howard Bender & Patrick Owsley

Scanned and restored in March 2012 by Richard Roy.

“Marlene Whately, a witch, has kidnapped the familiar of her enemy, Phineas Evantide, the prince of warlocks.  During a rant about the Ghostbusters stopping Astorath in the previous issues, the familiar, Tarantula, escapes and hitches a ride on a train. She knows the only way to get back to her master is to seek out the Ghostbusters Marlene mentioned. Unfortunately, the foes are not so quick to give up, and are ready to take the fight to New York!”

1. Goof: Pg. 18. The railing that separates the garage area and the office areas has moved! It’s in front of Janine’s desk instead of behind it.
2. Goof: Pg. 19. Ray is wearing a pair of ecto-goggles. When did he put them on?

The Real Ghostbusters Issue 12. (Ghostbusters Firehouse)

From NOW™ – May 1989

Issue 9, Part One: Rising Son

Written By James Van Hise

Penciled By John Tobias

Inked By Rich Rankin

Lettered By Dan McKinnon

Colored By Barry Petersen

Cover By Gary Fields

Scanned and restored in March 2012 by Richard Roy.

“The Ghostbusters rescue a young boy from a ritual sacrifice, only to find out they’re caught up in something bigger than they ever realized. The dark forces want the boy and they’ll stop at nothing to take him from their care…including taking over New York City!”

1. Goof: On the cover, a piece of Peter’s hair and his eyebrows aren’t colored in.
2.  Issue 9 is the first The Real Ghostbusters issue from NOW that is approved by the Comics Code Authority.
3. Peter references those other Ghost Busters on page 6.
4. Shannon eats a bowl of The Real Ghostbusters cereal on page 12.
5. A Stay-Puft billboard is part of a wall on page 24. Goof: Puft is spelled Puff.

The Real Ghostbusters Issue 9. (Ghostbusters Firehouse)

From NOW™ – June 1989

Issue 10, Part Two: The Empire of The Son

Writer: James Van Hise

Penciller: John Tobias

Inker: Rich Rankin

Letterer: Kurt Hathaway

Painter: Suzanne Dechnik

Editor: Katherine Llewellyn

Editor-In-Chief: Tony Caputo

Scanned and restored in March 2012 by Richard Roy.

“New York is under the thrall of Astorath, except for the Ghostbusters protected by Shannon’s powers. Their foe too powerful, the Ghostbusters take off to look for help while their adversary is momentarily stunned, learning the demon has a weakness towards nuclear energy. However, Astorath seeks to turn this weakness into a strength as he raids a military base and arms himself with two A-Bombs…both marked for an appointment with the Ghostbusters!”

1. Egon references Gozer on page 5.
2. Peter references Mr. Wizard, a once popular kids science show on page 15.

The Real Ghostbusters Issue 10. (Ghostbusters Firehouse)

From NOW™ – July 1989

Issue 11, Part Three

Writer: James Van Hise

Penciller: David Schwartz

Inker: Brian Thomas

Colorist: Suzanne Dechnik

Cover By: Ken Steacy

Letterer: Dan Nakrosis

Editor: Katherine Llewellyn

Editor-In-Chief: Tony Caputo

Scanned and restored in March 2012 by Richard Roy.

“The world has been saved, and the bad guy has fled. Time for the heroes to go home and relax, right? Wrong.  With Shannon in the clutches of his father Astorath, the Ghostbusters launch a full-scale rescue mission to bring him back where he truly belongs. It’s the Ghostbusters vs. a hell-dimension for the life of one boy, and this time they’ll have a little extra help!”

The Real Ghostbusters Issue 11. (Ghostbusters Firehouse)

From NOW™ – April 1989

Toad Island

Written By James Van Hise

Penciled By John Tobias

Inked By Rich Rankin

Lettered By Kurt Hathaway

Cover By John Tobias & Marc Hansen

Scanned and restored in March 2012 by Richard Roy.

“Something is amiss at Toad Island. Fish-like people are kidnapping patrons to appease something called the Deepest One. However, one of the Toad Islanders fights the calling of his people and goes to the Ghostbusters to help stop the evil at the amusement park. Unfortunately during the course of their investigation, Janine is kidnapped by the fish people, giving the Ghostbusters one more person to save!”

1. Janine has a new hair style, similar to the one she would have in later seasons of The Real Ghostbusters.
2. Goof: Janine becomes “invisible” on page 16 because she wasn’t inked.
3. Goof: Other objects and creatures weren’t inked as well on page 16.

The Real Ghostbusters Issue 8. (Ghostbusters Firehouse)