- For the paranormal investigation service from the 1984 film, see: Ghostbusters, Inc.
- For other uses, see: Ghostbusters (disambiguation)
| Type | Paranormal Detective Agency |
| Location | Ghost Command, The Ghost Busters' hometown |
| Owner(s) | "Zero" |
| Featured in | The Ghost Busters (1975) |
- “Let's go, Ghost Busters!”
- ―The Ghost Busters' motto
The Ghost Busters are a paranormal detective agency dedicated to de-materializing ghosts, solving mysteries and stopping the forces of Hauntquarters. It originates from the 1975 television series The Ghost Busters and its related media.
Overview[]
Ghost Busters HQ, Ghost Command
The Ghost Busters were originally founded by a mysterious man known only as "Zero" who appointed an unlikely duo of friends named Jake Kong and Eddie Spenser to serve as his Ghost Busters, and aiding them in their missions would be Zero's faithful simian comrade Tracy the Gorilla who would serve as the group's sidekick and inventor from then on. Through Zero's assignments, the group would regularly investigate various hauntings in their area and deal with them using the many gadgets supplied to them by Zero and Tracy which could de-materialize unwanted ghosts back to the Ghost Limbo before they could cause any harm. Although effective at their jobs, the trio often found themselves over their heads and the dilapidated state of their headquarters and equipment often left much to be desired, but through it all they still managed to get the job done.
The office of the first Ghost Busters
Years later, Kong and Spenser would retire from the ghost busting business and pass on their roles to each of their sons, Kong Jr. and Spenser Jr. who would take up the mantles of Ghost Busters from their fathers while still receiving assistance from Tracy the Gorilla whose silent intellect would prove a great asset to the still-learning Ghost Busters, but unlike their fathers before them, this new generation had to deal with far more dangerous threats, specifically in the form of the monstrous Prime-Evil, self-proclaimed ruler of all evil spirits and leader of Hauntquarters who seeks to conquer the world of the living by any means, and giving these rookie Ghost Busters a true test of their abilities.
Aside from busting ghosts, the Ghost Busters were also involved in publicity and charity events so as to raise money for children's hospitals and the needy.
Staff[]
Leader[]
A self-destructing pre-recorded tuba message from the mysterious leader of the Ghost Busters, "Zero"
- “This is "Zero", Ghost Busters. […] This tape will self-destruct in 5 seconds...”
- ―One of Zero's many pre-recorded tapes.
The mysterious "Zero" is the enigmatic leader and presumed founder of the Ghost Busters who prefers to remain unseen and only ever contacts his subordinates through various pre-recorded tapes stored in many strange objects delivered to Lechler's Store which would always self-destruct in rather comical ways. Implied to be a man of the future responsible for creating many of the Ghost Busters gadgets and supplying them with the mutant Tracy, Zero seems to know about every haunting and ghostly activity that goes on even before it happens and is always the first to get the Ghost Busters on the job.
First Generation Ghost Busters[]
The first generation of Ghost Busters: Spenser, Kong & Tracy
Jake Kong, Eddie Spenser & Tracy the Gorilla were the original founding members of the Ghost Busters. A wacky and bumbling but highly experienced trio of mystery solving ghost exterminators who used a plethora of gadgets to deal with ectoplasmic menaces. Despite their experience, their jobs were not very easy during their heyday due to the dilapidated state of their business and the questionable quality of some of their gadgets, along with the gang's initial cowardice and clumsiness, but in the end they were eventually able to overcome most of their adversities and turn into expert ghost hunters, later acting as mentors to their sons and successors.
| Jake Kong | Description |
|---|---|
 |
Jake Kong was the acting leader of the Ghost Busters and the most responsible member of the group. Unlike his partners, Kong tries to take his missions seriously and keep his two comrades from goofing off, which usually causes him no end of stress, but regardless of his attempts to maintain his professionalism, he will usually find himself joining his friends on their amusing escapades for a good laugh. He is usually the most courageous of the three and tries to stand up to ghosts as best he can, eventually becoming the most experienced at ghost hunting, skills which he would pass on to his competent son Jake Kong Jr.. |
| Eddie Spenser | Description |
|---|---|
 |
Eddie Spenser was Jake Kong's bumbling and cowardly sidekick and the second member of the Ghost Busters who usually found himself unwillingly helping Jake and Tracy on their various missions just to make ends meat. Whenever a new mission came around, Eddie was usually the first to try and make excuses or avoid going into haunted places, but through some forceful encouragement from Kong and Tracy, Eddie would always find himself going along only to end up being the target of some spook. Nonetheless, he would eventually become an experienced ghost hunter as time went on and eventually pass on his own skills to his even more bumbling son, Eddie Spenser Jr.. |
| Tracy the Gorilla | Description |
|---|---|
 |
Tracy the Gorilla was a highly-intelligent mutant gorilla seemingly from the future who acted as the official messenger for "Zero" and was responsible for producing many of the Ghost Busters' strange anti-ghost weaponry. For all his smarts though, Tracy could barely speak, usually communicating in grunts or very few words and gestures, but Tracy was nonetheless a valued and loyal member of the team who not only helped to deal with the more dangerous ghosts but held a close bond with Kong and Spenser, a bond which he would later share with their sons and successors, Kong Jr. and Spenser Jr., remaining as the longest active member of the Ghost Busters many years after its founding in order to help the next generation. |
Second Generation Ghost Busters[]
The second generation of Ghost Busters and their comrades
Jake Kong Jr. and Eddie Spenser Jr. are the respective sons of Jake and Eddie of the team's original founding members with the duo having inherited the business from their respective fathers following their retirement. Tracy the Gorilla was the only founding member who remained on duty, continuing to serve as a valuable ally to the two young, inexperienced Ghost Busters. Unlike their predecessors, the new generation also had a number of loyal allies who would regularly assist them on their various Ghost Busting missions.
| Jake Kong Jr. | Description |
|---|---|
 |
Jake Kong Jr. is the brave and confident son of Jake Kong and acts as the leader of the Ghost Busters following his father's retirement. Jake is usually the one who arranges the missions and leads the charge against the ghostly minions of Prime Evil while keeping his friends safe from harm with his trustee Dematerializer gun. Though Jake has proven himself to be the most competent, even more so than his father, he still needs the help of his comrades to save the day. |
| Eddie Spenser Jr. | Description |
|---|---|
 |
Eddie Spenser Jr. is the cowardly and even more bumbling son of Eddie Spencer, and like his father before him, he acts as Jake's loyal right-hand man. Eddie is quite the klutz and frequently gets himself into more trouble than out of it, but nonetheless, he has proven himself to be worthy of a Ghost Buster time and time again, always finding the courage to get the job done and show ghosts what he's made of with his handy Ghost Gummer. |
| Tracy the Gorilla | Description |
|---|---|
 |
Tracy the Gorilla remains the only active member from the original Ghost Busters and continues to serve as a loyal ally and mentor to the sons of his old friends, providing them with all sorts of new and vastly improved ghost hunting gadgets which can achieve the impossible and are capable of just about anything, capable of defeating almost any ghost or getting the Ghost Busters out of almost any situation. Though Tracy still maintains his simple nature, the years have only made him stronger and smarter than ever, continuing to serve as the team's most invaluable member. |
Allies[]
| Jessica Wray | Description |
|---|---|
 |
Jessica Wray is a TV news reporter for Nightly News and a local celebrity who often aids the Ghost Busters by providing them with the latest reports on any unusual happenings that only they may be able to solve, as well as covering all of their cases on her live broadcasts so as to provide positive reports on their escapades while helping to promote their business, even going so far as to join the Ghost Busters on their missions from time to time for a live scoop. Jessica originally did not believe in ghosts, but after meeting with the Ghost Busters, her outlook quickly changed. |
| Futura | Description |
|---|---|
 |
Futura is the Ghost Busters' time-traveling ally from the far future, and in her time, she is the lone "Ghostbustress" and the head of Ghost Command, using her own futuristic gadgets alongside her mighty mental powers to defeat any ghost that crosses her path. She regularly travels back in time to help her predecessors in their missions or help solve a temporal disruption in history caused by Hauntquarters that could threaten her future. Because of her powers and knowledge of history, she is the Ghost Busters' most frequent and invaluable ally in stopping Prime Evil's schemes. |
| Belfry | Description |
|---|---|
 |
Belfry is an evolved pink bat from the far future hailing from the same era as Futura, and in his time, bats are intelligent and capable of speech. Notably, it was Belfry who was the one responsible for accidentally freeing the ghostly villain Prime Evil after having been tricked by the fiend who took advantage of the bat's loneliness, with Belfry eventually joining up with the Ghost Busters to stop Prime Evil. Since then, Belfry has remained one of their most faithful little allies, but mostly serves as a secretary of sorts who is tasked with taking calls at Ghost Command. |
| Madame Why | Description |
|---|---|
 |
Madame Why is a famed gypsy with a vast knowledge of the supernatural that allow her to serve as a medium and enchanter. Along with her arcane knowledge, she has also invented several high-tech devices that help to enhance her crystal ball, allowing her to see almost anywhere in time and space. Because of her abilities, she serves as a wise adviser to the Ghost Busters, often pointing them in the right direction. She is also one of the few beings immune to Prime Evil's influence thanks to her family's ancient golden wreath. |
| Fuddy | Description |
|---|---|
 |
Fuddy was once a bumbling apprentice wizard who was able to ascend to the rank of court wizard after befriending the time-traveling Ghost Busters and helping them defeat a vicious dragon. Since that day, Fuddy has remained a faithful ally of the Ghost Busters and has given them the ability to summon him whenever they are in need so that Fuddy may grant them any superpower they desire during the full moon for a limited time. |
Inventions[]
The Ghost Busters use a wide array of weapons and gadgets for their ghostly missions, all of which were invented by the enigmatic Zero and later Tracy himself using his enhanced intellect. These inventions are rather zany in nature and some are even possessed by real ghosts or ghostly energy. Some inventions tend to be less effective than others, and those with a mind of their own tend to be completely unpredictable or unreliable.
| Ghost Dematerializer | Description |
|---|---|
 |
The most important device in the Ghost Busters arsenal, serving as their main weapon against ghostly specters. The Dematerializer can dissolve a ghost upon contact, banishing them back to Ghost Limbo. However, more powerful ghosts such as Prime Evil could resist its influence, with the Dematerializer only being capable of weakening powerful ghosts rather than banishing them entirely. |
| Ghost Buggy | Description |
|---|---|
 |
The iconic vehicle of the Ghostbusters, a haunted transforming race car with the ability to transform into a plane, train, boat, submarine, or even a time machine. He has been owned by both the original and current generations of Ghostbusters, undergoing extensive renovations and a change of paint over the years. With a personality reminiscent of a grouchy old coot, the Ghost Buggy is often found snoozing in the garage. |
| Time Hopper | Description |
|---|---|
 |
The time-traveling Ghost Busters vehicle of the far future and Futura's personal bone-themed hover transport. Like her predecessor the Ghost Buggy, the Time Hopper also has a life of its own, acting like a sarcastic young woman who is loyal to the Ghost Busters but gets annoyed with the Ghost Buggy's laziness and affections for her. |
| Ghost Gummer | Description |
|---|---|
 |
A blaster similar to the Dematerializer that fired a pink, viscous substance that slowed down ghosts. It was often used in conjunction with the Ghost Dematerializer, and it was Eddie's weapon of choice. |
| Skelevator | Description |
|---|---|
|
A skeletal supernatural elevator at Ghost Command that leads to the Secret Transformation Room, where the Ghostbusters change into their uniforms. The elevator also stops at Ghost Buggy's garage, providing transportation to and from missions. The Skelevator features a skull-shaped interface with teeth that serve as buttons. The skull occasionally speaks with a female voice and has a playful nature, often surprising the Ghostbusters with unexpected stops or tricks. |
| Ansabone | Description |
|---|---|
 |
Ghost Command's very own haunted telephone with a rude and sarcastic attitude that often proved quite uncooperative if he felt like it. He often scares off potential clients by saying the Ghost Busters are unavailable. He's known for bouncing around the desk and likes to tease the Ghost Busters, but he's always helpful in emergencies. |
| Shock Clock | Description |
|---|---|
 |
A haunted clock located in the Ghost Command office that keeps time and schedules for the team. When its alarm sounds, it releases a skull, monster or vampire bat on a spring, similar to a cuckoo clock. The clock has a habit of commenting about recent or upcoming events in a rather eccentric fashion. |
| Skelescope | Description |
|---|---|
 |
A high-powered telescope installed in the observatory of Ghost Command which is used to keep track of any atmospheric or spatial hauntings. Like most devices at Ghost Command, the Skelescope has a mind of its own, being a rude and wise-cracking machine that believes itself to be better than others. |
| Skelevision | Description |
|---|---|
 |
A haunted skull-like television set located in the Ghost Command office. It provides the Ghost Busters with news and announcements, and often offers a moral lesson after a mission. Though silly at times, it is a wise and friendly device that serves as a positive role model for Belfry and Jake. |
| Micro-Dematerializer | Description |
|---|---|
 |
Also known as the "Mini-Dematerializer", is a smaller and more compact pistol-shaped version of the standard Dematerializer that easily fits in one's hand, however its smaller size meant it could only work in close range. |
| Anti-Gravity Device | Description |
|---|---|
 |
The Anti-Gravity device was made to protect the Kong family from the curse of the werewolf, having been designed to immobilize Jake Kong Jr. in case he began to transform. The device, a silver box with a remote control, could attach a suction cup to the wearer's head and kick them up into the air. Fortunately, the device was never needed as the Ghost Busters altered the past to prevent the curse. |
| Automatic Bananapeeler | Description |
|---|---|
 |
A complex machine that could grow, peel, and dispense bananas. Unfortunately, the machine malfunctioned frequently, dropping banana peels or flinging bananas at bystanders. Despite its flaws, the Automatic Bananapeeler proved useful during the Ghost Busters' fight against Long John Scarechrome in the Caves of Doom. The discarded banana peels caused Long John to slip, allowing the Ghost Busters to escape before the caves collapsed. |
| Boomer-Rope | Description |
|---|---|
 |
A device with a boomerang-like projectile attached to a rope and grappling gun. Jake Kong Jr. used it to rescue his uncle, who had been transformed into a troll and blown out of the castle window of King Slort. |
| Bubble Blaster | Description |
|---|---|
 |
An experimental device that could generate bubbles to trap ghosts. During its inaugural firing, all three Ghost Busters became trapped within bubbles. Ironically, Prime Evil later utilized the Bubble Blaster for a noble purpose, capturing his rival Big Evil after the latter threatened to freeze Belfry and take over Prime Evil's domain. |
| Dead Letter File | Description |
|---|---|
 |
A haunted and rude file cabinet that holds case files and also houses the Ghost Busters Instruction Manual. It is known for throwing pies and files at anyone who tries to access its contents. It has a skeleton-like frame and ghostly arms. |
| Ecto-Magnetizer | Description |
|---|---|
 |
A ghost catching tool resembling a vacuum cleaner that was used by the first generation of Ghost Busters. It required two people to operate: one to control the power source via a cable, and another to wield the magnetizer itself to draw in ghosts and keeping them trapped in the magnetized container. |
| Ecto-Strobe | Description |
|---|---|
 |
A versatile flashlight that can reveal ghostly activity, disorient ghosts, and even dematerialize some. It helped clear Tracy the Gorilla's name after a ghostly double sullied his reputation, and was later used to defeat the vampire ghost, Count De La Grumpette. |
| Fanger Clanger | Description |
|---|---|
 |
A collapsible cage designed by Tracy specifically to capture the Ghost Werewolf of the future, Fangster. When Fangster first encountered the cage, he charged towards it, claws extended, and Tracy, overcome with fear, jumped into the cage himself. Once Fangster had left, Tracy escaped by breaking two of the bars, causing the front of the cage to collapse. |
| Fred | Description |
|---|---|
 |
A haunted green armchair with two giant claws on its sides that act like armrests. Unlike most of the furniture in Ghost Command, Fred is a very quiet and well-behaved piece although he will sometimes grab the Ghost Busters with its claws to show affection. |
| Freeze-O-Matic | Description |
|---|---|
 |
A handheld freeze ray invented by Tracy the Gorilla and kept in his Ghost Pack for emergencies. During a chase with the giant Mountain Spirit, Jake Kong Jr. used it to freeze the spirit solid, delaying its movements. The ray could potentially keep ghosts frozen for up to a week. |
| Geebee Finder | Description |
|---|---|
 |
A device used to locate lost Ghost Busters or the Ghost Buggy if they ever became separated while on duty. Eddie Spenser Jr. used it to navigate Hauntquarters after getting separated from the team. Several different versions of this device existed with their own models. |
| Ghost Alarm System | Description |
|---|---|
 |
A device that detected ghosts near Ghost Command or those that attempted to infiltrate the building. The alarm was a skeletal device equipped with two bony arms that pointed towards the location of the detected ghosts. A larger and more electronic version of this device existed which was equipped with four loud megaphone-shaped mouths. |
| Ghost Beeper | Description |
|---|---|
 |
A special handheld device invented for the Ghost Busters' news friend, Jessica Wray that allowed her to communicate with the Ghost Busters during emergencies or track their location. |
| Ghost Busting Missile | Description |
|---|---|
 |
A large missile weapon invented by Tracy that was installed inside the Ghost Buggy and could be fired to bust large groups of ghosts in one explosive hit without causing collateral damage. |
| Ghost Command Force Field | Description |
|---|---|
 |
A powerful protective barrier that could be activated by Tracy and was used to protect Ghost Command from external threats and to keep Ghost Buggy from leaving the building. When Prime Evil caused time to go backwards, Ghost Command remained unaffected due to the force field, but it eventually disappeared when the field was deactivated, however its effects kept the Ghost Busters themselves unaffected by the time anomaly until Prime Evil's actions were undone. |
| Ghost Cuffs | Description |
|---|---|
 |
Ghost catching handcuffs and a new invention conceived by Tracy who had accidentally used them to handcuff Eddie Spenser Jr. to the giant Voodoo Monster, Voodun. Despite their differences, they developed a bond while handcuffed during a case in Africa and eventually worked together to save each other. The cuffs were somehow removed without explanation. |
| Ghost Duster | Description |
|---|---|
 |
A feature on the Ghost Buggy that emitted a trail of green smoke to blind pursuers, allowing for a quick getaway. Unfortunately, the smoke was so powerful that it often blinded the Ghost Busters and made it difficult for them to navigate. |
| Ghost Gas | Description |
|---|---|
 |
A spray designed to repel ghosts or give them a nasty cough. It was used to reveal Fangster, a werewolf haunting a young boy's telescope. Eddie Spenser Jr. tried to capture Fangster but was dragged out the window along with Tracy. |
| Ghost Goblin | Description |
|---|---|
 |
A "Ectoplastic Holographic Laser Perimeter" device that trapped ghosts in a net-like substance and could also shrink objects. Tracy the Gorilla demonstrated its use by shrinking a lamp, and Jake Kong Jr. later used it to capture and shrink Count De La Grumpette. |
| Ghost Grenade | Description |
|---|---|
 |
A powerful anti-ghost bomb with the Ghost Busters logo on it. It was designed to be thrown at spectral adversaries. Upon impact, the grenade would detonate, releasing a potent energy blast that sent nearby ghosts into limbo. The device was remarkably selective, affecting only supernatural entities without harming living beings or solid objects. |
| Ghost Gummer Ball | Description |
|---|---|
 |
Pink grenade-like devices bearing the Ghost Busters logo that exploded upon impact, releasing a sticky, gum-like substance. The Ghost Busters and Jessica Wray used them to defeat the Ghost Creeper in the Caves of Doom on Planet Doom. |
| Ghost Hula Hoop | Description |
|---|---|
 |
A circular device that, when thrown and aimed correctly, would encircle and capture a ghost, sending it to limbo. Tracy the Gorilla used it to defeat Fangster on the South Pole. |
| Ghost Remover | Description |
|---|---|
 |
An aerosol spray can that releases a potent gas that can expel ghosts from objects and dematerialize some spectral entities back to limbo. |
| Ghost Rope | Description |
|---|---|
 |
A device with a small, remote-controlled helicopter attached to a trigger device that when activated released the helicopter which would release a powerful rope that could be used to grab objects or ensnare targets, both living and dead. Tracy the Gorilla used it to capture Sir Trancelot's Trance Lance and to restrain antagonists. |
| Ghost Wheelers | Description |
|---|---|
 |
Inflatable bikes that were deployed from Ghost Buggy for navigating narrow spaces too small for the Ghost Buggy to travel through, such as caves. Controlled by a button, three Wheelers could be released from the back of Buggy by a pair of skeleton arms. |
| Handy Hat Machine | Description |
|---|---|
 |
A robotic contraption created by Tracy to help him select the perfect hat for various occasions. Tracy, a passionate hat collector, found the machine to be a valuable asset in his wardrobe management. |
| Helio Blades | Description |
|---|---|
 |
Miniature helicopter blades that could be deployed from the Ghost Buster Backpack. When activated, they allowed the wearer to fly for an extended period. |
| Interbone | Description |
|---|---|
 |
A skeletal device that functioned as both an alarm system and as an intercom. Jake Kong Jr. has used it to signal the other Ghostbusters for meetings in Ghost Command's observatory. |
| Laser-Aimer | Description |
|---|---|
 |
A small device that could be attached to darts or arrows for increased accuracy. Tracy used these to defeat Eddie Spenser Jr. in a game of darts. When Futura participated in a crossbow shooting contest as part of a trial by the sacred Sleeping Dragon, Tracy suggested using the Laser-Aimer, but she refused, believing it would be unfair. |
| Map-Finder | Description |
|---|---|
 |
A portable device used by Jake Kong Jr. to determine his location while navigating underground on a Ghost Wheeler. It also helped him track the position of Prime Evil and Apparitia. |
| Retro Corker | Description |
|---|---|
 |
A device invented by Tracy and stored in his Ghostpack. It fired two corks attached to strings, which could be used to plug the exhaust pipes of a moving vehicle. Tracy used it to stop Fangster's Scare Scooter by pulling the strings taut, halting the vehicle in its tracks. |
| Robo-Grappler | Description |
|---|---|
 |
A handheld device similar to the Ghost Rope, but with a self-propelled helicopter blade that could launch and attach itself to targets. It was used to grab and pull objects or people. |
| Spectre Snare | Description |
|---|---|
 |
A device that fired a rope and lasso, making it highly effective for capturing ghosts. Once ensnared, ghosts could then be dematerialized. Eddie Spenser Jr. and Tracy the Gorilla were frequent users of the Spectre Snare. |
| Spirit Shackles | Description |
|---|---|
 |
A device invented by Tracy the Gorilla that could handcuff multiple ghosts simultaneously. During a mission to Stonehenge, Tracy used them to restrain the animated stones controlled by Sir Trancelot's Trance Lance, neutralizing the spell and returning the stones to their normal state. |
| Tablet Tracer | Description |
|---|---|
 |
A device invented by Tracy the Gorilla and used by the Ghost Busters to locate the missing pieces of a stone tablet that had been scattered throughout time and space by Prime Evil. When it detected a tablet, an arrow would pop out of the device, pointing to the table piece's direction. It was often referred to as "Tracy's Tracer." |
| Telescoping Hand | Description |
|---|---|
 |
A handheld device carried by Jake Kong Jr. in his Ghost Pack. Originally designed as a giraffe backscratcher, Jake once used it to retrieve Tracy's Robo-Grappler, which was dangling from a stalagmite in the Caves of Doom on Planet Doom. |
| Two Way Communicator | Description |
|---|---|
 |
A device worn by Jake Kong Jr., Eddie Spenser Jr., and Tracy the Gorilla as part of their uniforms. It functioned as a walkie-talkie for communication between the team members and could also be used to contact Ansabone at Ghost Command. In certain situations, Jake was even able to use it to reach the wizard Fuddy. |
Appearances[]
- The Ghost Busters (1975)
- Filmation's Ghost Busters (1986)
- Playthings Magazine (1986)
- First Comics Ghost Busters (1987)
Trivia[]
Early concept art for Ghost Command
- During the production of the animated sequel's pilot, the Ghost Busters' equipment went through several redesigns.
- Many of the Ghost Busters' gadgets were going to have more monstrous and macabre designs similar to those seen in the Secret Transformation Room.
- The Ghost Buggy was going to resemble its original incarnation from the show with no anthropomorphic face.
- The furniture and interior of Ghost Command were also going to be more ordinary in appearance.
- The exterior of Ghost Command though remained largely unchanged.
- The name of the city the Ghost Busters reside in is never mentioned in either show, however, Ghost Command seems to be surrounded by buildings that somewhat resemble the old World Trade Center, but other episodes would confirm that they do not live in New York City. The episode "A Friend in Need" mostly revolves around the Ghost Busters hometown being shrunk down and held hostage by Prime Evil, but throughout the episode the characters only ever refer to it as "The City".