The Real Ghostbusters: A Visual History

The Real Ghostbusters: A Visual History is a book about the animated series The Real Ghostbusters. It is tentatively set to release on July 8, 2025.

Description[]

A full-color deluxe hardcover volume, with exclusive packaging and lavish treatments, chronicling the history of The Real Ghostbusters with creator interviews, original animation scans, toy photography, and much more!

After nearly forty years, the 1984 classic Ghostbusters endures. The original film introduced the world to Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, Egon Spengler, Winston Zeddemore, Ectomobiles, Proton Packs, the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man, and Slimer, just to name a few.

A global-phenomenon, Ghostbusters soon made the trans-dimensional sidestep to animation with 1986's The Real Ghostbusters. The Saturday morning cartoon was an incredible success. For many kids, the animated series acted as their gateway into loving Ghostbusters long before they were age-appropriate to see the film. The series was acclaimed for its mature storytelling, fantastical animation, and a voice cast that became as synonymous with the characters as the live-action actors who originated them. A simultaneous toy launch from Kenner ectoplasmatically energized the property with some of the most memorable, most-beloved, weirdest, and best-selling toys in popular culture.

The Real Ghostbusters: A Visual History is the ultimate collector's dream. This franchise overview combines rare and never-before-seen visuals including conceptual artwork, storyboards, script excerpts, internal memos, packaging art, unseen prototypes, abandoned concepts, and brand-new stunning photography with new and exclusive interviews.

Details[]

Page Count: 248

Deluxe edition package includes:

An exclusive firehouse-inspired slipcase.
A folio enclosing two acetate "animation cel" replicas.
A unique firehouse flagpole-inspired ribbon bookmark.

Development[]

On December 10, 2024, it was announced that Dark Horse Books will be publishing a book covering the visual history of The Real Ghostbusters. Contents include concept art, storyboards, script excerpts, internal memos, interviews, unused designs and concepts and rare prototypes from the Kenner toy line. It is written by Troy Benjamin and Craig Goldberg. Several preview pages were released. The book will be available in two editions: a standard and a deluxe. The deluxe version will come housed in an exclusive firehouse-inspired slipcase, include a folio with two acetate animation cel replicas, and feature a firehouse flagpole ribbon bookmark. The deluxe edition of the book will be released on June 17, 2025 and the standard edition will go on sale on July 1.^[2]

On December 11, 2024, Craig Goldberg estimated a third of the book is about Kenner's toy line. He also revealed 40 interviews were conducted with people who worked at DiC during production on The Real Ghostbusters, and they did interviewed Ray Parker, Jr. over the phone.^[3]

On December 12, 2024, a few pages were teased in a teaser reel.^[4]

On March 22, 2025, it was reported the release date was pushed to July 8, 2025 for both versions.^[5]

On April 24, 2025, a 41 minute first look with Craig Goldberg and Troy Benjamin was posted.^[6]

On April 25, 2025, a few more pages were previewed.^[7]

On May 27, 2025, 11 more pages were previewed.^[8]