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Tobin's Spirit Guide: Official Ghostbusters Edition
An immersive in-world guide based on the fictional book mentioned in the 1984 Ghostbusters film. This book features the ghouls, specters, and supernatural occurrences that inspired the fictional tome that the original Ghostbusters consulted.
This dynamic in-universe book takes fans inside the world of Ghostbusters like never before. In the first Ghostbusters movie, Tobin’s Spirit Guide is a comprehensive supernatural encyclopedia used by our heroes to research ghouls and ghosts. For the first time, this fully illustrated tome will allow fans to pore through the pages of this legendary guide to learn all about the things that go bump in the night—from Class 5 Free-Roaming Vapors to giant Sloars! This newly revised and updated version, written by veteran Ghostbusters Ray Stantz and Egon Spengler, brings the original text up to date with entries on the ghosts and ghouls they’ve tackled, including Slimer, Mr. Stay Puft, and Vigo the Carpathian.
Along with covering the original movies, Tobin’s Spirit Guide will also explore the expanded Ghostbusters universe, delving into supernatural phenomena from the comics, animated shows, video games, and other aspects of the franchise. Filled with never-before-seen original illustrations, the book will have a unique in-world aesthetic that makes it feel like a real object from the world of Ghostbusters .
Absorbing, immersive, and an essential purchase for fans, Tobin’s Spirit Guide is the ultimate guide to the franchise’s rogues’ gallery of spirits, specters, demons, and ghouls.
This dynamic in-universe book takes fans inside the world of Ghostbusters like never before. In the first Ghostbusters movie, Tobin’s Spirit Guide is a comprehensive supernatural encyclopedia used by our heroes to research ghouls and ghosts. For the first time, this fully illustrated tome will allow fans to pore through the pages of this legendary guide to learn all about the things that go bump in the night—from Class 5 Free-Roaming Vapors to giant Sloars! This newly revised and updated version, written by veteran Ghostbusters Ray Stantz and Egon Spengler, brings the original text up to date with entries on the ghosts and ghouls they’ve tackled, including Slimer, Mr. Stay Puft, and Vigo the Carpathian.
Along with covering the original movies, Tobin’s Spirit Guide will also explore the expanded Ghostbusters universe, delving into supernatural phenomena from the comics, animated shows, video games, and other aspects of the franchise. Filled with never-before-seen original illustrations, the book will have a unique in-world aesthetic that makes it feel like a real object from the world of Ghostbusters .
Absorbing, immersive, and an essential purchase for fans, Tobin’s Spirit Guide is the ultimate guide to the franchise’s rogues’ gallery of spirits, specters, demons, and ghouls.
96 pages, Hardcover
First published May 31, 2016
About the author
Erik Burnham
614 books66 followersErik Burnham is a Minnesotan writer and artist that first broke into comics with a series of humorous short stories in the Shooting Star Comics Anthology. These stories featured his original creation, Nick Landime, and culminated in a one-shot: Nick Landime vs. the World Crime League, published by Shooting Star in 2005.
Off and on, in this same time period, Erik also produced a short run of an online strip, The Down Side, until technical issues wore him down. He aims to return to the strip one day.
In 2007, Erik found produced work for two other anthologies – a short humor piece for History Graphics Press’ Civil War Adventures #1, and a horror story for Gene Simmons’ House of Horror #3, produced by IDW Publishing.
This lead to several other projects for IDW, up to and including his critically acclaimed run on the ongoing GHOSTBUSTERS comic book.
Erik has worked on other projects not related to comic books, and hopes one day to share those with the public at large. In the meantime, he still lives quietly in Minnesota; any rumors about this being because he’s completely afraid of the forty-nine other states (and Canada) remain unverified at this time.
Off and on, in this same time period, Erik also produced a short run of an online strip, The Down Side, until technical issues wore him down. He aims to return to the strip one day.
In 2007, Erik found produced work for two other anthologies – a short humor piece for History Graphics Press’ Civil War Adventures #1, and a horror story for Gene Simmons’ House of Horror #3, produced by IDW Publishing.
This lead to several other projects for IDW, up to and including his critically acclaimed run on the ongoing GHOSTBUSTERS comic book.
Erik has worked on other projects not related to comic books, and hopes one day to share those with the public at large. In the meantime, he still lives quietly in Minnesota; any rumors about this being because he’s completely afraid of the forty-nine other states (and Canada) remain unverified at this time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
December 19, 2016
Ain’t afraid of no books!
This is an official tie-in reference book about the original “Ghostbusters” movies, the “Real Ghostbusters” animation TV series and even related comics and video games.
IF TOBIN WON’T COME TO…
I knew about this book due an announcement in the Previews magazine, and I waited, and waited, and waited, and you know what else? I kept waiting…
…but since it didn’t come to my local comic book store and my usual local bookstore as a regular item of their merchandising stocks, well, I had to take the matter in my hands and…
…ask about it in the bookstore to order it!
And happily, the book was available to order it and the cost was totally fair, so I order it and three weeks later…
…there is in my hands!!!
This book is gorgeous!!!
It’s hardcover, using an impressive kind of thick material for the pages, presenting the info in prose format but adding creepy good pictures (black-and-white exclusive original artwork for this book) of each paranormal entity mentioned.
KNOW YOUR TOBIN
This is an “abridged” edition of the famous Tobin’s Spirit Guide, the best encyclopedia about the paranormal entities that appears in the Ghostbusters original movies and related media, “written” by Dr. Ray Stantz and Dr. Egon Spengler (two of the original Ghostbusters), with the “help” of Erik Burnham and the astonishing artwork by Kyle Hotz.
The Tobin’s Spirit Guide, “originally written” by John Tobin, is supposed to be such thick book that isn’t practical to be used in the field, so Dr. Stantz had the idea of making an “abridged” version, easy to carry for any paranormal investigator when they are out there looking for ghosts and other phenomena on the field, so Dr. Egon Spengler reluctantly agreed to help, and both made this book.
This edition not only cover some of the “original” entries by John Tobin but also several of the cases that the Ghostbusters had to face (in movies, animation TV series, comics and video games).
GHOSTBUSTERS' ROGUE GALLERY
The paranormal entities are separated in five sections:
Ghosts of New York
Where you will find several of the ghosts, all born, raised… and died… in New York City, usually bothersome but not really dangerous.
Doesn’t matter if they appeared for only a few moments, you still get a detailed account of their background, their classification and paranormal definition.
You bet that you will find all-favorite Slimer here!
Assorted Apparitions
This second section is dedicated to the kind of paranormal entities without a clear personality or a distinctive personal name, so they are usually defined by their general group classes.
Metaspecters
Here, the game leveled up!
You’ll have in this third section, dangerous minor demons and powerful mean ghosts, usually Class VII, in the likes such The Sandman, The Grundel and…
…the fearsome Bogeyman!
Among many others!
Gods and Major Demons
Welcome to Major Leagues! Now you’re playing with the Big Boys!
In this fourth section, you’ll met the evil creatures with a sole goal…
…the end of the world!
They are without a question the most powerful threats that the Ghostbusters have ever to face, since we are talking about of monsters like Prince Vigo of Carpathia, Wat, Cathulhu (no, I didn’t misspell it, in the Real Ghostbusters was named in that way) and of course…
…Samhain, the Spirit-King of Halloween Night!!!
Among many others!
Gozer
Gozer, the Gozerian. Gozer, the Traveler. Gozer, the Destructor.
It’s not surprising that the arch-nemesis of the Ghostbusters, their most powerful enemy ever, has its own dedicated section, along with its infernal companions and the followers of the unholy Cult of Gozer.
You’ll know what is to be roasted in the depths of a sloar in this fifth and final section of this astonishing book!
So…
…who you gonna call?
The bookstore! To order this book, of course!!!
This is an official tie-in reference book about the original “Ghostbusters” movies, the “Real Ghostbusters” animation TV series and even related comics and video games.
IF TOBIN WON’T COME TO…
I knew about this book due an announcement in the Previews magazine, and I waited, and waited, and waited, and you know what else? I kept waiting…
…but since it didn’t come to my local comic book store and my usual local bookstore as a regular item of their merchandising stocks, well, I had to take the matter in my hands and…
…ask about it in the bookstore to order it!
And happily, the book was available to order it and the cost was totally fair, so I order it and three weeks later…
…there is in my hands!!!
This book is gorgeous!!!
It’s hardcover, using an impressive kind of thick material for the pages, presenting the info in prose format but adding creepy good pictures (black-and-white exclusive original artwork for this book) of each paranormal entity mentioned.
KNOW YOUR TOBIN
This is an “abridged” edition of the famous Tobin’s Spirit Guide, the best encyclopedia about the paranormal entities that appears in the Ghostbusters original movies and related media, “written” by Dr. Ray Stantz and Dr. Egon Spengler (two of the original Ghostbusters), with the “help” of Erik Burnham and the astonishing artwork by Kyle Hotz.
The Tobin’s Spirit Guide, “originally written” by John Tobin, is supposed to be such thick book that isn’t practical to be used in the field, so Dr. Stantz had the idea of making an “abridged” version, easy to carry for any paranormal investigator when they are out there looking for ghosts and other phenomena on the field, so Dr. Egon Spengler reluctantly agreed to help, and both made this book.
This edition not only cover some of the “original” entries by John Tobin but also several of the cases that the Ghostbusters had to face (in movies, animation TV series, comics and video games).
GHOSTBUSTERS' ROGUE GALLERY
The paranormal entities are separated in five sections:
Ghosts of New York
Where you will find several of the ghosts, all born, raised… and died… in New York City, usually bothersome but not really dangerous.
Doesn’t matter if they appeared for only a few moments, you still get a detailed account of their background, their classification and paranormal definition.
You bet that you will find all-favorite Slimer here!
Assorted Apparitions
This second section is dedicated to the kind of paranormal entities without a clear personality or a distinctive personal name, so they are usually defined by their general group classes.
Metaspecters
Here, the game leveled up!
You’ll have in this third section, dangerous minor demons and powerful mean ghosts, usually Class VII, in the likes such The Sandman, The Grundel and…
…the fearsome Bogeyman!
Among many others!
Gods and Major Demons
Welcome to Major Leagues! Now you’re playing with the Big Boys!
In this fourth section, you’ll met the evil creatures with a sole goal…
…the end of the world!
They are without a question the most powerful threats that the Ghostbusters have ever to face, since we are talking about of monsters like Prince Vigo of Carpathia, Wat, Cathulhu (no, I didn’t misspell it, in the Real Ghostbusters was named in that way) and of course…
…Samhain, the Spirit-King of Halloween Night!!!
Among many others!
Gozer
Gozer, the Gozerian. Gozer, the Traveler. Gozer, the Destructor.
It’s not surprising that the arch-nemesis of the Ghostbusters, their most powerful enemy ever, has its own dedicated section, along with its infernal companions and the followers of the unholy Cult of Gozer.
You’ll know what is to be roasted in the depths of a sloar in this fifth and final section of this astonishing book!
So…
…who you gonna call?
The bookstore! To order this book, of course!!!
June 1, 2016
Worth it for the creature design alone, this volume is probably the best of the 'let's make a tie-in to the old Ghostbusters because it's a lot cheaper than doing a tie-in with the new one' books this year. Serving as a spotter's guide to all manner of ghoulies and ghosties that have crossed proton beams with the hunters from the films and elsewhere, it's not a completely substantial book, and it's notable for its distinct lack of humour as it plays it all straight as a die, but it's very good. Great design, just a page of text at most for even the more interesting and/or malevolent entities, and a rich production value that makes the kid fan of the series really feel they've read something meaningful. It'll be meaningful to adults, too, for even if you haven't seen the films since they first came out (like me) you'll have a lot brought back to mind. A lively, cod-academic tome that's worth a recommendation.
October 5, 2016
Being on a Ghostbusters kick lately, and planning to dress as a Ghostbuster for Halloween, I was pretty tickled to learn that Tobin's Spirit Guide was actually a thing. I very much enjoyed the overview (as curated by Drs. Stantz and Spengler) of the most common types of ghost encounters one might experience, as well as more detailed information about the spirits they personally encountered. The information seems to span not just Ghostbusters (1984) and Ghostbusters II, but the Real Ghostbusters cartoon. I need to do a little refresher on those episodes (saw them when I was a kid) but definitely I recognized some of my favorite baddies from there (The Boogie Man, Samhain, etc.). Also, I notice the information presented coordinates pretty consistently with that in the book "Ghosts of Our Past: Both Literally and Figuratively" which is related to Ghostbusters 2016.
August 4, 2017
This edition of Tobin's Spirit Guide is basically a coffee-table version of the comprehensive occult tome of the same name featured in the Ghostbusters canon. The book itself is a handsome artifact with high production value. The text is the same flat, supernatural technobabble that made eight-year-old me want to grow up to be a Ghostbuster. And the black-and-white illustrations are both imaginative and gorgeously rendered. I've never seen such a badass looking Slimer!
June 27, 2016
I've been excited for this book since it was first announced and I instantly pre-ordered it. Ghostbusters is, for many my age (and older), an important part of my childhood, but I also consider it an important part of my adult life. Thanks to comic book publisher IDW we have had an amazing ongoing Ghostbusters series for years as well as several miniseries. This book is another amazing addition to that and its something I think any Ghostbusters fan, be they fans of the movies, cartoons, or comics, will enjoy.
Tobin's Spirit Guide is something Ghostbusters fan will be familiar with. When Ray or Egon needed information on a particular nasty spirit, or a class of ghost, one of the books they would refer to was Tobin's Spirit Guide. This book is more as if Tobin's Spirit Guide was written in modern day and has descriptions of the baddies the Ghostbusters have faced in the movies, cartoon, and both films. That's a minor complaint of mine. I would have loved in the book were full of stuff we've not seen before and then the end of the book was an addition by Ray and Egon of the stuff they've faced. Again, minor complaint as there around 100 pages in this book.
The writer, Erik Burnham (who currently writes IDW's Ghostbusters book as well as Back to the Future), does a great job with the descriptions of the different baddies in the book and writing in character as either Ray or Egon. Artist Kyle Hotz does an AMAZING job of bringing the ghosts, demons, and demigods to life through his drawings. That's one of the surprising things is the art style for the ghosts is much more vivid and realistic than I expected and it was a great surprise. Character's like Samhain, Vigo, Slimer, and Zuul look terrifying. Dan Schoening has drawn most of the Ghostbusters comics for IDW and he has become one of my favorite artists...I assumed he would be pulled in for this project, but I was wrong. When I saw he wasn't going to be the artist I was really bummed but Hotz on me over.
As you can tell from this short review I liked the book. My only real complaint was the one above as the actual writing, art, and presentation is fantastic. The book might seem short but there's plenty of content there. I really do wish it was larger, but this could be 300 pages and I'd say the same. If you like the Ghostbusters comics, movies, or the Real Ghostbusters cartoon then you should do yourself a favor and grab this book. I'd also say I wish it was more like the actual Tobin's Spirit Guide and written from his perspective with Ray and Egon's notes scattered throughout along with all the content we have here. I can't give the book a bad review for not doing that; its just something I wish we got.
Also, the logo on the front of the book is an amazing play on the "no ghost" logo.
Tobin's Spirit Guide is something Ghostbusters fan will be familiar with. When Ray or Egon needed information on a particular nasty spirit, or a class of ghost, one of the books they would refer to was Tobin's Spirit Guide. This book is more as if Tobin's Spirit Guide was written in modern day and has descriptions of the baddies the Ghostbusters have faced in the movies, cartoon, and both films. That's a minor complaint of mine. I would have loved in the book were full of stuff we've not seen before and then the end of the book was an addition by Ray and Egon of the stuff they've faced. Again, minor complaint as there around 100 pages in this book.
The writer, Erik Burnham (who currently writes IDW's Ghostbusters book as well as Back to the Future), does a great job with the descriptions of the different baddies in the book and writing in character as either Ray or Egon. Artist Kyle Hotz does an AMAZING job of bringing the ghosts, demons, and demigods to life through his drawings. That's one of the surprising things is the art style for the ghosts is much more vivid and realistic than I expected and it was a great surprise. Character's like Samhain, Vigo, Slimer, and Zuul look terrifying. Dan Schoening has drawn most of the Ghostbusters comics for IDW and he has become one of my favorite artists...I assumed he would be pulled in for this project, but I was wrong. When I saw he wasn't going to be the artist I was really bummed but Hotz on me over.
As you can tell from this short review I liked the book. My only real complaint was the one above as the actual writing, art, and presentation is fantastic. The book might seem short but there's plenty of content there. I really do wish it was larger, but this could be 300 pages and I'd say the same. If you like the Ghostbusters comics, movies, or the Real Ghostbusters cartoon then you should do yourself a favor and grab this book. I'd also say I wish it was more like the actual Tobin's Spirit Guide and written from his perspective with Ray and Egon's notes scattered throughout along with all the content we have here. I can't give the book a bad review for not doing that; its just something I wish we got.
Also, the logo on the front of the book is an amazing play on the "no ghost" logo.
October 15, 2016
La guía espiritual de Tobin es un básico de todo fan de los Cazafantasmas. Un libro impreso en papel de excelente calidad y tapa dura, tiene una breve introducción del Dr. Ray Stantz y está dividido en 5 Secciones que van desde Fantasmas Clase I al IV, Demonios y Brujas Clase V al VI hasta Dioses Clase VII como Gozer. Con hermosas ilustraciones se explica brevemente la historia, características y comportamiento de cada ente, así como una breve explicación de cómo lo vencieron los Cazafantasmas. Un libro entretenido y recomendable para todo fan de lo paranormal.
August 3, 2016
Great illustrations, but ultimately, it misses the deft comedic touches of Aykroyd and Ramis that made the films so great.
March 6, 2024
I might have rated higher but my expectations were only mildly met.
The forward is given by Ray Stantz -- as it should be-- wherein he explains the size and content of the original tome and the merits of this abridged edition with amendments for newly discovered beings such as Gozer, and friends, Vigo the Carpathian, and Slimer.
The misspelling of Cthulhu -- which any spell- check can manage -- is reason enough for me to deduct two stars. No Table of Contents to offer some semblance of authenticity, or even ease of searching means to me they couldn't be bothered for this basic task. It is heavily illustrated in black and white horror style that I don't feel is necessary to every entry, with minimal text. I feel using mythological names like Tiamat, Manitou and Ravanna then using their new stories is jarring for me when they have a rich history already.
Makes an affordable coffee-table book.
The forward is given by Ray Stantz -- as it should be-- wherein he explains the size and content of the original tome and the merits of this abridged edition with amendments for newly discovered beings such as Gozer, and friends, Vigo the Carpathian, and Slimer.
The misspelling of Cthulhu -- which any spell- check can manage -- is reason enough for me to deduct two stars. No Table of Contents to offer some semblance of authenticity, or even ease of searching means to me they couldn't be bothered for this basic task. It is heavily illustrated in black and white horror style that I don't feel is necessary to every entry, with minimal text. I feel using mythological names like Tiamat, Manitou and Ravanna then using their new stories is jarring for me when they have a rich history already.
Makes an affordable coffee-table book.
May 10, 2021
As a massive Ghostbusters fan I love this book. It’s is a fun encyclopedia of ghosts seen in both films and some from the cartoon. If I had a knock on it, the entries are kind of short, and I wish it would have gone deeper on the more of some of these entities. Take the Boogeyman for instance, we know from the cartoon that Econ’s childhood run ends with him are what led him to begin studying the occult and supernatural. But his entry lacks any of those details. Still it is a nice addition to the collection.
June 13, 2019
If you're a Ghostbusters fan, this is a must-have! This collection of the spooks and spectres that the Ghostbusters have encountered is chronicled here in this "Ghostbusters edition." Not only does it include ghosts from the two movies but also from The Real Ghostbusters animated series, the comics and the 2009 video game! Will certainly bring back memories and provide further insight into these ghastly ghouls. There's even some amusing footnotes from Louis Tully.
December 27, 2019
The plentiful illustrations are very well done and the spirits covered give a nice sense of the world of Ghostbusters. Most of them are familiar but some are new, and a number of entries talk about Ghostbuster cases that I wish we could see on a television show (I am not sure if there is any crossover with the cartoon, fyi). In the end, the book leaves you wanting to see more Ghostbusters, which is only a good thing for a fan.
July 8, 2018
A nice walk through the history of the Ghostbusters franchise, in the form of a guide to some of their most fearsome foes from various continuities. I guess these versions are all meant to fit into the IDW comics canon, so there are a few little changes from the originals. But it's still a fun read, and highly recommended for fans! (B+)
June 21, 2019
I'm only really familiar with the movies so it was cool to see other ghosts that appear in the video games, comics, and animated t.v. series. The art was cool, but considering that this is supposed to be "Tobin's Spirit Guide", an early 20th century occult book, I feel like the art should have been more Stephen Gammell-esque (a.k.a. the artist of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark).
July 17, 2019
A very fun little trip into the Ghosts, Demons and God from Ghostbuster's lore. The illustrations are fun to as it is always nice to see a fresh take on these bumps in the night. The actual material felt a little shallow and left me wanting just a little more effort to be put into this "Spirit Guide"
September 5, 2019
This is almost everything I'd ever wanted as a child. Tobin's Spirit guide has some amazing artwork, and "Facts" about some of your favorite baddies from the Ghostbuster's series! The entries span from Ghostbusters 1, 2, Real Ghostbusters, and more! It also includes some historical baddies and the information on them as well. I highly recommend as a ghostbuster's fan!
August 15, 2017
I liked the feel of the thick pages, the choice of fonts, and general look and feel of the book, but the short entries on various supernatural entities the Ghostbusters have faced came off as dull fan fiction.
January 13, 2021
I was disappointed. A condensed version of a book that is supposedly 35 lbs? That makes me laugh. Even for a fan this was a weak attempt. The only thing of value was a tiny bit of info towards the end and the art work.
August 29, 2022
I bought this mostly as a prop for my ghostbusters collection but it’s actually pretty good! My only complaint is that I wish it had more references to the video game, there are a few but I just love that game so much I wish it was more
November 13, 2022
Fun. A great thing for Ghostbusters fans to own. I wish it was a little more expansive, maybe a little bit more info. Like a complete ghost guide for the movies and TV show. A great book to have though.
January 2, 2023
An "abridged" version of the real Tobin's Spirit Guide assembled by the Ghostbusters for us folks that can't locate a full 35 lb. version of the original work.
A fun bestiary for fans of the Ghostbuster films and animated series.
A fun bestiary for fans of the Ghostbuster films and animated series.
July 29, 2017
Good for collectors.
August 21, 2018
Nicely designed book with really excellent artwork. The entries don't go too in depth but they are fun especially for Ghostbusters fans. Recommended for GB fans.
June 1, 2020
A fun little companion book to the Ghostbusters films.
August 11, 2020
This was fun to read.
August 15, 2020
A quick, quaint read. The narration is spot on and captures the intended tone perfectly. Has me amped to rewatch the films.
March 11, 2021
Excellent companion to the Ghostbusters series (tv & comics) complimented with some great artwork!
December 31, 2021
Quick super fun read for Ghostbusters fans, the illustrations alone are worth getting this to flip through.
January 29, 2022
Really great illustrations and information despite the rather short length, and I was happy at some of the inclusions from the expanded Ghostbusters universe (Samhain!).
April 16, 2022
Back off man, I'm a scientist.
March 25, 2024
A really fun trip down memory lane with nods to ghosts from all parts of the Ghostbusters franchise. Some absolutely wonderful illustrations too.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews