Fans of Ghostbusters now have three versions of Tobin’s Spirit Guide to explore the film’s paranormal lore. One is an out-of-print role-playing game supplement by West End Games, designed for gameplay and organizing ghosts by country of origin. The other two are recent editions: one attempts to be a comprehensive reference sorted alphabetically, while the abridged version categorizes entries by ascending danger. The foreword in the latest Insight Editions version notes that this pocket guide provides the essentials for those haunting New York City and the Eastern Seaboard.
For anyone hoping to tackle the authoritative edition, consider it a “sanity roll” (as in Chaosium Inc.’s Call of Cthulhu RPG) to avoid prematurely aging while absorbing the massive 35-pound tome from which these editions are derived. Between the smaller volumes, each entity’s origin and classification are included, and for the bold, locations are listed—though only the fearless need apply.
While I’m curious about the 270-page New Occult Reviews edition, I hope used copies of the Insight edition will surface at reasonable prices. Although $20 MSRP is fair, reviews note issues like missing illustrations, writing quality, and editorial lapses—making $15 a more sensible price. Insight Editions may have unsold stock waiting to be discovered, while other versions catch attention due to their “official” label.
Shades of H.P. Lovecraft come to mind while reading this edition, yet the Insight version references Cthulhu and other entities from animation and comics, making it worth grabbing. The Bogeyman and the Sandman even appear in the meta-entities section.
At 96 pages, it’s not overwhelming, yet the book succeeds in bringing fans of the 1980s material up to speed before revisiting the film universe. Although Paul Feig’s reboot sparked debate, Tobin’s Spirit Guide explains why “Subway Specters” and Slimer exist in the Feig-verse, though further editions may be needed to clarify connections to previous lore.
For those invested in the universe’s paranormal canon, I highly recommend the three-volume Gale Encyclopedia of the Unusual and Unexplained. Though hefty, it covers everything from religious perspectives on the afterlife to spirit mediumship to urban myths—a must-read for serious students of the occult.
Tobin’s Spirit Guide feels lighter, more playful, and less dense than academic tomes. Some entries, like the Grey Lady (the Librarian Ghost), shine, but others are sparse. A deeper exploration of fan-favourite Slimer would have been especially welcome.
Sept 15, 2024 Update:
The Magnoli Props edition of Tobin’s Spirit Guide was officially released in August 2024. Pre-orders for this highly detailed replica began in June 2024, with shipping commencing in August of the same year; this version is described as:
his 500-page volume contains twelve chapters arranged primarily by geographic locations which includes over four hundred articles, thirty-five full page illustrations as well as over one hundred smaller drawings. Professionally bound in black genuine leather with a decorative embossed cover and spine complete with gold foiled lettering.
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