The Headless Horseman [1] (Also known as The Headless Rider) [citation needed] is an infamous ghost from the folktale The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, which has been adapted into various books and movies.
History
The Headless Horseman failed to kill Ichabod Crane in the encounter "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is based on. Townspeople found Crane's horse and pieces of pumpkin the next morning. Crane crawled ashore and later started a family. He had a son and 20 years later, he, too, was chased by the Horseman. [2] Even since then, he pursued the family with each new generation. [3] [4] In the 20th century, the Horseman modified its appearance to resemble motorcyclists of the era. Kate, the latest descendant, lives in New York City near a bridge in order to protect herself. Water is a natural ionizing agent and causes a sudden drop in the Horseman's power. [5] [6]
After making a scene at a social, Kate's jealous boyfriend, Bud, stormed off and was chased by the Horseman. Bud managed to get to a bridge, unaware it was the entity's weakness, but his car was destroyed by an exploding biker helmet. Lieutenant Frump suspected Peter Venkman sent the entity to attack Bud since Peter was selling a ghost protection policy and Bud is an insurance investigator. While retracing Bud's trail, Peter was also chased by the Horseman. They questioned Kate and learned the link between her and the Horseman.
The Ghostbusters agreed to help capture it by setting an elaborate trap. While wearing a special helmet, Kate would read from a script and broadcast psychograms that caused the Horseman to manifest prematurely from an earth fissure. She would then hide in Ecto-1, which is outfitted with psycho-dampers that would hide her presence. Peter, in a car, would wear a second helmet that amplified psycho-imprints and draw the Horseman's attention. Peter then drove into a hologram, making the bridge over a river look like a street, generated by Egon Spengler. The Horseman followed and was effectively neutralized. Because of the torment Kate and her ancestors went through, the Ghostbusters let her activate the Trap so she could have the vengeance she deserved.
Based On Legend
According to legend, the Headless Horseman is the ghost of a soldier from the Revolutionary War whose head was blown off by a cannonball, and he rides forth at night in search of his head. He is said to be unable to cross running water.
Powers
The Headless Horseman has the standard power of intangibility and can go through solid objects. Its unique ability is to throw its explosive head and regenerate a new one continuously. Likewise, the ionization factor is its weakness. It could not cross over running water without losing its P.K. energy.
Classification
While taking readings on their first encounter, Egon Spengler noted the Horseman had a "strong concentration of P.K. energy." [7] Egon later noted the Horseman was a "simple ectoplasmic manifestation of 12.5 on the Flammarion Scale." [8]
Trivia
- In Ghostbusters Issue #2 page 19, the Headless Horseman appears in the street by the bear statue.
Appearances
References
- ↑ Peter Venkman (2009).The Real Ghostbusters- "The Headless Motorcyclist" (1987) (DVD ts. 12:15-12:20). Time Life Entertainment. Peter says: "It's all tied into Washington Irving's story about the Headless Horseman, isn't it?"
- ↑ Kate (2009).The Real Ghostbusters- "The Headless Motorcyclist" (1987) (DVD ts. 13:46-13:50). Time Life Entertainment. Kate says: "But 20 years later, the ghost returned."
- ↑ Kate (2009).The Real Ghostbusters- "The Headless Motorcyclist" (1987) (DVD ts. 12:34-12:36). Time Life Entertainment. Kate says: "He's my family's curse!"
- ↑ Kate (2009).The Real Ghostbusters- "The Headless Motorcyclist" (1987) (DVD ts. 14:10-14:15). Time Life Entertainment. Kate says: "Ever since, the Headless Horseman has pursued my family and our friends."
- ↑ Ray Stantz (2009).The Real Ghostbusters- "The Headless Motorcyclist" (1987) (DVD ts. 10:43-10:48). Time Life Entertainment. Ray says: "It's the water. He can't cross it. Water is a natural ionizing agent and --"
- ↑ Egon Spengler (2009).The Real Ghostbusters- "The Headless Motorcyclist" (1987) (DVD ts. 10:52-10:55). Time Life Entertainment. Egon says: "That would explain the sudden drop in power readings as we got close to the river."
- ↑ Egon Spengler (2009).The Real Ghostbusters- "The Headless Motorcyclist" (1987) (DVD ts. 09:05-09:08). Time Life Entertainment. Egon says: "Seems to have quite a strong concentration of P.K. energy."
- ↑ Egon Spengler (2009).The Real Ghostbusters- "The Headless Motorcyclist" (1987) (DVD ts. 18:20-18:26). Time Life Entertainment. Egon says: "This is just a simple ectoplasmic manifestation of 12.5 on the Flammarion Scale."
Gallery
Collages
Primary Canon
Secondary Canon
