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Forget it, Venkman! You had your chance to co-operate, but you thought it'd be more fun to insult me; well now it is my turn, wise-ass.
Walter Peck; Ghostbusters


Walter Peck was the secondary antagonist of the first film and was an inspector for the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, for the third district, in the greater New York area. In Ghostbusters: The Video Game, he went on to lead the Paranormal Contracts Oversight Commission, an agency overseeing the Ghostbusters.

Canonicity[]

Walter Peck in the Primary Canon is developed from Ghostbusters (1984). In Ghostbusters: The Video Game (Realistic Versions), a Secondary Canon, Ghostbusters (1984) and Ghostbusters II pre-date the game, Ghostbusters: Afterlife conflicts with the game. Walter Peck (prime) appears in the IDW Comic Series, a Secondary Canon, which follows Ghostbusters (1984) and Ghostbusters II, also includes some elements from Ghostbusters: The Video Game (Realistic Versions) and Ghostbusters: The Video Game (Stylized Versions); as well as being canon to Tobin's Spirit Guide (Insight Editions). Ghostbusters: The Board Game, deemed a Tertiary Canon, loosely follows the events of IDW Comics.

History[]

Primary Canon History[]

Ghostbusters (1984)[]

Walter Peck was concerned and suspicious with the wild stories about the Ghostbusters generated by the media and the EPA wanted to assess the Ghostbusters' operations for any possible environmental impact, such as the presence of noxious, possibly hazardous waste chemicals created by the Storage facility that the Ghostbusters used to house their captured spirits. Peck met with Peter Venkman and things quickly became heated. Peck demanded to see the Containment Unit or he would be back with a court order. Peter goaded him to get a court order and threatened to sue him for wrongful prosecution.

After Peter refused to allow him to tour the facility, Mr. Peck secured a Cease and Desist All Commerce order, a Seizure of Premises and Chattels, a Ban on the Use of Public Utilities for Non-Licensed Waste Handlers, and a Federal Entry and Inspection order to tour the facility. A couple weeks later, on Friday morning, law enforcement arrived with Peck and he went inside the Firehouse with a Con Edison Man and a Police Captain. Janine Melnitz tried to stop them but Peck told her to stand aside or he would have her arrested for interfering with a police officer. She cut him off and recalled from TV that he needed a warrant, a writ or something to come inside. Peck raised the manila envelope and listed off the contents. Peck ignored Egon Spengler and pointed at the Containment Unit and the panels, then ordered everything to be shut off. Egon warned that turning off the machines would be extremely hazardous but Peck was not swayed and declared the Ghostbusters were facing federal prosecution for at least half a dozen environmental violations. Egon tried to explain it was a high voltage laser containment system and simply turning it off would be like dropping a bomb on the city. Peck thought Egon was being patronizing, and stated that he was not grotesquely stupid like the people the Ghostbusters bilked.

Peter arrived and introduced himself to the captain then tried to defuse the situation by stressing it was a slight misunderstanding and he would cooperate in any way he could. Peck was not buying it and pointed out that Peter had his chance to cooperate but chose to have fun and be insulting, and Peck declared it was now his turn. Egon informed Peter that Peck wanted to shut down the protection grid and Peter quickly stated they were not going to be held responsible. Peter and Peck began talking at the same time with Peck telling him they were going to be held responsible but Peter disagreed. Peck then ordered the Con Edison worker to shut it off but Peter told him not to. The Con Edison worker pointed out he never saw anything like the Containment Unit before and he was unsure, but Peck, not interested in his opinion, ordered to just shut it off. With unease on his face, he turned to walk to the control panels. Peter got in the Con Edison Man's face and told him not to be a jerk causing the police captain to lean in and make space between the two. The captain then sternly ordered Peter to step aside and Peck told the captain if he did that again, he could shoot him, which offended the officer. Peck then yelled at the Con Edison worker to shut the grid off. Under pure speculation and against both the firm warnings of the Ghostbusters and an attending Con Edison worker's reticence against it, he had the grid shut down and released all the ghosts back into the city. This caused a massive explosion in the process which he still believed was the responsibility of the Ghostbusters. Peck ran to the Ghostbusters before they could leave to search for Vinz Clortho and told the police that he wanted them arrested and told the captain they were in criminal violation of the Environmental Protection Act, and the explosion was a direct result of it. Egon exclaimed, "Your mother!" in response to Peck's accusation then lunged forward and grabbed his collar. This started a commotion and the police tried to keep order while civilians behind the barricade cheered on the scuffle.The Ghostbusters were then subsequently arrested.

In a meeting with Mayor Lenny, Peck tried to tell him that the Ghostbusters were running a scam operation using sense and nerve gases to induce hallucinations of ghosts as well as repeating his spurious charge of them causing an explosion he himself is responsible for, but Ray stated everything was fine with their system until Peck, referred to as "dickless," shut off the power grid. When the Mayor asked them if that was true about the explosion that occurred, Peter admitted it was true and that Peck had no dick, which caused the latter to lunge at Peter but the police officers stepped in and kept them apart and Peter retorted that was what he heard. Peck's claims were then firmly rebutted by attending civil servants, including the Fire Commissioner, and they stated numerous reports of bizarre phenomena that could not be explained as anything else and that supernatural completely undermined Peck's credibility. The Police Commissioner then told Peck the walls in the 53rd precinct were bleeding then asked him to explain that, but Peck was unable to provide a clear answer. With this support, Peter was able to convince the Mayor of New York City of the dire threat and their readiness to stop it and Peck was promptly ejected from office. He childishly swore revenge against the Ghostbusters and in turn Peter joked that he was going to get him a nice fruit basket and he would miss him. Peck was among the spectators outside 550 Central Park West when the Ghostbusters confronted Gozer and then he watched as the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man stepped on the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. After Stay Puft was blown up, a large amount of melted marshmallow fell on Peck and he humorously screamed that he hated Peter Venkman.

Secondary Canon History[]

Ghostbusters: The Video Game[]

In 1991, during the Thanksgiving weekend, Walter Peck clashed with the Ghostbusters again. This time, Peck was a liaison between the Office of the Mayor and the Ghostbusters themselves. When Mayor Mulligan won the election on a pro-Ghostbusters campaign platform, he hired the Ghostbusters as official city workers. The Mayor then chose Walter Peck, who is the new head of the Paranormal Contracts Oversight Commission (PCOC, pronounced "peacock"),[1] to become involved because he has vaguely heard that Peck had experience working with the Ghostbusters in the past.

The Ghostbusters protest being saddled with Peck while the equally belligerent civil servant's first declared intention is to remove the business' certification. However, the Mayor points out that they need each other since the business needs Peck to gain creditability with City Council and Peck's own job would be eliminated if he put Ghostbusters, Inc. out of business. Peck begrudgingly followed the Mayor's orders but refused to give the Ghostbusters free tickets to the opening gala for the Gozer exhibit at the Natural History Museum. Once The Chairman and several ghosts interrupted the party to kidnap Selwyn, Peck insisted the Ghostbusters were trying to extort more money from the Mayor. After Selwyn was rescued, Peck threatened to shut down the Ghostbusters and their Containment Unit once again even if it meant his job. Oddly, Egon revealed he got strange readings off of Peck.

While the Ghostbusters investigated Shandor Island, Peck opened the Containment Unit and kidnapped Selwyn. Following a lead on the news, the Ghostbusters headed to Central Park only to find out Ivo Shandor was possessing the Mayor all along and using Peck as a patsy to slow their investigations down. Once the Ghostbusters destroyed Shandor and returned to Shandor's mausoleum, the Rookie decided to free Peck from his restraints. Peck's threats were cut short as everyone was forced to run to safety.

IDW Comics[]

After the Gozer incident concluded, Peck was placed on restricted duty pending official review.[2] Rebecca Morales attempted to interview him for her book about the Ghostbusters. They spoke over the phone. Peck only commented that the Ghostbusters used unregulated technology that might prove dangerous and he felt vindicated in that assessment. She still went to the EPA and talked Peck's supervisor into allowing her access to him. Peck stated he didn't appreciate her intrusion, repeated what he told her over the phone, and commented he had nothing more to say on the matter, especially if it glorified Peter in any way. He started to call Peter many things like combative, evasive, and disrespectful but he stopped himself and declined participation no matter what his supervisor said. Peck threatened to sue if anything he said was quoted in the book. She also read his report on the Containment Unit.[3] Sometime after the Gozer Incident, Peck was hired by the B.U.F.O. along with Jack Hardemeyer. Days before the appearance of Idulnas, the Paranormal Contracts Oversight Commission was reinstated by the City & County of New York. Peck was also reinstated as the head of the commission. After first hand witnessing "Apocalypse Events," Peck admitted his perspective had changed and believed the Ghostbusters should exist but needed to be kept in check for the good of the public and best interest of the city. With a temporary office set up in the Department of Public Safety, Peck was granted full access to audit any documentation, was authorized full access to inspect premises and property, write full reports to all city contracts, and report on anything related like patents and proposals.

During the rampage of the Gozerian Terror Bear, Peck made an appearance at the Firehouse and was infuriated by the lack of response. When the Ghostbusters returned from Queens, Peck made an empty threat to fire and replace them all. After an angry exchange with Janine, Peck informed them all the PCOC office would fax them details on the Terror Bear then he left. Two days later, as the Re-Selection of Gozer's Destructor Form drew closer, the Mayor called Peck and demanded to know why the Ghostbusters hadn't mobilized yet. He then called the Firehouse and requested assurance from Janine that the Ghostbusters were handling the situation. Peck was confused when Janine alluded they were taking to the air. Less than pleased with the destruction of the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, Peck greeted the Ghostbusters outside the Shandor building and informed them of new physical requirements. Until the guys could meet the standards, they wouldn't get paid from the city and would lose their permits. He felt he was doing the right thing since they operated dangerous equipment in public.

Several weeks later, Peck was forced to acquiesce when the Governor personally asked for the Ghostbusters to investigate an incident just outside of Schenectady. Peck temporarily restored their permits and had a plane waiting for them at Laguardia. After the Fantastic Land case, Peter was hospitalized. A full work-up revealed Peter was in great health and everything from BMI, cholesterol, and blood pressure all went down. The results were faxed to Peck who visited the hospital and accused the staff of falsifying records. He was subsequently hauled away by security. In mid-June, Peck saw fit to approve time away from New York requested by the Ghostbusters for out of state jobs. He was informed of their itinerary and reached out to both out of state and federal levels for an extra "lending fee" to the city of New York for any services rendered, securing a modest and legal commission. Peck hoped it would lead to some consideration from the Mayor when the Oversight Commission's budget came up for review next quarter.

New York remained the center of supernatural activity as the Ghostbusters dealt with disturbances across the country. Walter Peck received complaints from business owners across Manhattan for leaving the city vulnerable and they demanded compensation. In the fall, after the Ghostbusters returned, Peck was paid a visit by Peter concerning the Ghost Smashers. To Peter's surprise, Peck revealed he disliked them even more than the Ghostbusters. However, Peck had little power to deal with them since they didn't have a contract with PCOC and their publicity was attractive to the Mayor. Despite Peter's warning about the atomized ghosts returning, Peck simply advised him to bring reasonable cause so an injunction could be filed. Once the Megaspook manifested, Peck gathered the Ghostbusters and Ghost Smashers together to figure out a way to defuse the situation. He also notified Ron Alexander the Ghost Smashers would be out of business afterwards and the city would be looking into seeking damages if anything catastrophic occurred.

Months later, Peck joined a team of police sent to arrest Janine's team of Ghostbusters. He then met with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor Stone. Peck proposed Janine's team be official endorsed to fulfill the city's needs. The Mayor accepted this solution but Stone had her reservations. Peck admitted he considered recruited police officers and fire fighters but concluded it wasn't feasible since they tend to avoid running into something that may have a personal grudge. Peck found justification with keeping Janine who had sole security access to the Containment Unit, Kylie Griffin who had experience in paranormal research, and Special Agent Melanie Ortiz who was a trained federal agent. Peck also noted the extraordinary Q-rating garnered by the mostly female unit of the Ghost Smashers and proposed a contract addendum allowing for the city to license and merchandise imagery connected to any new Ghostbuster approved by PCOC. The Mayor was pleased. Peck then asked him to put a call to the Governor.

Peck then with to the NYPD Lock-Up and had Janine's team released. They regrouped at the Firehouse for a chat. Peck started by admitting he didn't like any of them but believed they could all work together for the greater good if they accepted several conditions. He would be installing a PCOC liaison to coordinate and prioritize the team's case load, they would be required to attend personal appearances and press events at PCOC's discretion, and Ron Alexander would be added to the roster for his expertise with the equipment. If they did not accept the contract, Peck threatened to retract the offer, confiscate and store all equipment, and influence the city to file charges for their misadventures. Ortiz objected but Janine accepted PCOC would figure something else out. She agreed to the offer and shook on it with Peck.

After the Ghostbusters returned home and retained control of their brand and merchandising, Peck no longer had any need for Jack Hardemeyer. He called Jack into his office and ordered him to cancel every deal he made. Since Janine resumed her position coordinating with PCOC, Jack was no longer needed either. Jack realized Peck was using him and they weren't friends. Peck admitted the only thing they had in common was they both hate Peter Venkman. Jack threatened to bring his attorney in to which Peck welcomed.

Later in the summer, Peck received an call from the irate governor who was upset his request to deal with the John Milton was not fulfilled by the Ghostbusters. Peck attempted to placate him but the governor didn't care about the Ghostbusters' work load. Peck then called up Peter and passed on the request. He hung up before Peter could finish his sentence. With the sharp seasonal increase in supernatural activity, Peck began work on searching for competent help for the Ghostbusters rather than let him find their own employees. He believed the right one person made all the difference. Peck concluded Melanie Ortiz was the perfect candidate based on her experience with the equipment and work hazards. Peck approached section chief Agent Edward Norris and proposed making Ortiz a FBI liaison to the Ghostbusters. PCOC gets continued use of a well-trained agent and the FBI gets to stay on top of supernatural menaces.

At first, Norris refused. During a game of golf, Peck made the proposal again. After Norris refused again, Peck released a Golfer Ghost from a Trap and it slimed Norris. Peck noted ghosts were everywhere and if Norris were to find his house haunted, Peck wouldn't be able to send help on account of limited resources. They then continued through the back nine. Norris expedited the paperwork and Ortiz was sent to New York. On October 30, Peck attended a staff meeting at the Firehouse. He passed on the Mayor's praise for a new record of 11 captures in one night. Soon enough, he and Peter got into a shouting match about hiring more help. Their argument was broken up by the manifestation of Red Lightning in a cloudless sky. Peck wasn't convinced when Egon hypothesized it was just a hiccup based on limited data.

After a day of meetings about the Blood Rain, Peck went to the Firehouse for something actionable to bring back to the Mayor and prevent a city-wide quarantine from being issued. Peter's lack of concern with the rain and floating cars was the last straw. Peck swatted Peter's Chinese take out away and demanded answers. Peter conveyed occasional ripples in the ambient P.K.E. levels were noticed by Egon. It was not good enough for Peck. He became concerned when Peter answered his phone and without a typical remark, sped off on Ecto-5. Peck ordered Janine to gather the other Ghostbusters.

Even though he had nothing to do with it, Peck was praised by City Hall for having so many Ghostbusters on hand to deal with the uptick in supernatural activity surrounding Tiamat's appearance. He began to consider a run for higher office and hired Jenny Moran to more closely liaise between the Paranormal Contracts Oversight Commission and Ghostbusters. The next year, Walter Peck accompanied Peter, Ray, and Winston to their meeting with Erland Vinter. Vinter wasn't sure why Peck was present so he explained he represented the interests of the City of New York. Vinter noted the nature of the meeting didn't necessarily involve the city yet but Peck interjected since the Ghostbusters stored their ghosts in Lower Manhattan, everything about the Ghostbusters involved New York. Nonetheless, Vinter revealed his intention to purchase the Ghostbusters to everyone's, even Peck's, surprise.

Peck asked Vinter to clarify his interest in purchasing the Ghostbusters. He and Winston immediately observed Vinter's plan to have a paranormal eliminations department working in concert with property acquisitions as a fraudulent practice. Peck didn't believe a sale was in the city's best interests due to the high volume of ghost activity and the specificity of the Ghostbuters' municipal contract for New York to be seen first. He salvaged the situation and proposed a deal to loan the Ghostbusters' services exclusively for a prearranged term not exceeding two weeks in any given month for the standard rights plus a 15% commission payable to PCOC for any profits connected to ghost removal services provided. Vinter was disappointed but agreed. Peck and Vinter shook hands and drew up a contract. After the meeting concluded, Peter confronted Peck in the hall. Peck merely said he was welcome. He explained the Ghostbusters wouldn't have agreed to a sale and likely would have made an enemy of Vinter with their particular way of doing things. Instead, he brokered a compromise that increased PCOC's funding base, made sure New York wasn't left totally vulnerable, and made absolutely sure none of the Ghostbusters unduly profited. He wished them a good day and left. Peter recalled he really hated Peck. Peck and Vinter left Jenny with a lot of work to do such as clearing customs for the Ghostbusters' equipment.

Peck received a call from Una O'Neill, a close family friend, who requested for the Ghostbusters' help since they were in close by in Paris. On May 12, Peck marched into the Firehouse and demanded to speak with the Ghostbusters immediately. Janine replied they weren't back from Europe yet and was annoyed he didn't bother to read the memos. Peck insulted Janine and told her to get them on the phone. Coincidentally, Janine answered a call from Peter. Peck confirmed with Peter that he, Ray, and Winston were still in Paris then told them to stay there and remain where he could easily find them. He simply stated he was going to meet them in Paris in a few days after he made some arrangements.

Peck put formalities aside and ordered the guys to follow him through the Charles De Gaulle Airport. He remained cryptic about the nature of the next case. They took a flight to Shannon Airport in Ireland and met up with Kylie. They drove to a home near Killaloe, County Clare. Peck introduced everyone to Una, their client. Una told her story about offending Aibell and being cursed with a long life. Kylie realized they didn't have the equipment necessary to fight a god and they were better off asking her to stop face to face. Peck wasn't sure if she was being sarcastic or not and asked if that were possible. Kylie wasn't too sure but Peck ordered her and Peter to try anyway. Peck refused to stand by idly and put on a Proton Pack himself. Soon enough, a Banshee arrived to extend Una's life. Peck, Ray, and Winston battled it for almost an hour. Peck almost shot Ray and Winston twice. Once the Banshee was trapped, Peck gloated it was effortless. However, three more Banshees arrived. Aibell, Peter, and Kylie suddenly appeared among them. Peck addressed Aibell and demanded she to call off her Banshees or else. Aibell informed him a deal was already made and forcibly released her Bansee from the Trap. Peck returned inside and stayed by Una's side. Una asked Peck to thank the Ghostbusters then passed on. Peck refused.

Peck was livid when he received a request for reimbursement of nearly $400,000 from the Ghostbusters. He met with Janine and Jenny and asked for an explanation as to why he should entertain the option before he threw the request into the trash. He didn't look forward to smoothing things over with three different sub-committees. They gave him the short version and explained the potential catastrophic paranormal event forming from Vinter and the search for the Rauoskinna then cited the emergency budget established to be used in the prevention of such occurrences. They reassured him the Firehouse was not left unsecured while they were out responding to calls then sarcastically wished him luck with the sub-committees.

One week after the Ghostbusters caused partially neutralized Psychomagnotheric Slime to rain down on Coney Island, an EPA Representative met with Peck in his office at the Paranormal Contracts Oversight Commission. He told Peck the EPA had to take a position on the matter since the ectoplasm covered the entirety of a residential area. Having read the Ghostbusters' filed report, he concluded their municipal contract wouldn't shield them from any legal repercussions. He revealed the EPA was fining the Ghostbusters for willingly introducing a toxic element to a residential area and PCOC for not keeping the Ghostbusters under control. To add insult to injury, the representative stated if it were up to him, he would have their citizenship revoked then have them deported to Guam. As he left, Peck muttered Guam was an American territory and called the representative an idiot. Peck met with the Ghostbusters later that day and told them the projected fine was big enough to bankrupt the Ghostbusters as well as ruin his reputation. Winston and Ray reveled in the irony of Peck being irate about a jerk at the EPA. Peter took it as an opportunity to think outside of the box. He proposed a fantasy camp that doubled as a recruiting program aimed at getting them back on track with expanding operations. Peck admitted he was intrigued and implored Peter to tell him more.

Peck participated in a live press conference at City Hall concerning the dimensional bleed incident. He watched as the Mayor briefly turned into a different person then back again. He introduced Peck to the podium. Peck updated the press. He coined the "dimensional bleed" term provided by Egon and the overall danger was minimal aside from the spatial anomalies, like the Statues of Liberty, and the above average influx of ghosts. Peck emphasized the matter was well in hand. After the conference was over, he headed to the Firehouse and exclaimed to Janine that the matter was not well in hand. He demanded one of the Ghostbusters to come down and give him a comprehensive update. Jillian Holtzmann appeared from behind a column and couldn't pass on the chance to mess with a bureaucrat. She told him they were on top of everything and reminded him to tip the server. Peck mistook her for one of the fantasy campers from Ghostbusters 101. Holtzmann announced she was from another universe, teased she could steal his soul with a kiss, and grabbed him. Peck requested Janine keep her away from him until the situation was resolved and to be kept in the loop.

Peck insisted Janine come over to his office for an 11:15 meeting. He started by saying he appreciated that she came. She didn't understand what was going on that couldn't be said over the phone. Peck steered the discussion to the death of Jenny and how she was now considered an unreliable resource. He and PCOC needed certainty, especially in the face of the Ghostbusters' ongoing exploration of the multiverse. Janine tried to downplay recent events but Peck recalled the dimensional bleed incident and Gozer of examples of the dangers that befell them. He surprised her with an offer to succeed Jenny as the new liaison.

Peck requested an update from Janine but Kevin came to the PCOC offices in her place. At around 5:10 pm, Peck asked how many Ghostbusters there were. Kevin wasn't sure and guessed less than 50. Peck poured himself a drink and asked how many Peters there were. Kevin remembered there were at least two. Peck asked where they all were. Kevin replied they were at the Warehouse, where the Interspatial Teleportation Unit was moved as a containment measure. Peck still had questions about their interdimensional retrieval mission and the George Washington Bridge incident. He stopped himself and told Kevin to just take him through everything. Kevin started with Ron and Holtzmann's Remote Access Teleportation Unit glitching the Containment Unit and causing several ghosts to be dispersed into other dimensions. He stated how the main mission was to return all the ghosts into the unit then they could recalibrate and repair it. Kevin then went over the meeting at the Warehouse and what he learned of the George Washington Bridge incident from listening to Holtzmann's channel on the Warehouse radio. Kevin ended with Holtzmann using a lighthouse fog horn and searchlight to force the Doom Ghost to reveal itself. Peck couldn't believe he was serious. Kevin assured him he was definitely serious. Peck asked what happened to Janine. Kevin hinted Egon persuaded her to come along on the mission.

Peck went to the Firehouse and became irate at the thought of the situation worsening. Kevin corrected his assessment and calmly said it only got more complicated as usual. He suggested calling the Warehouse if he wanted another update. Peck already did and was annoyed a child answered. Kevin stated the 101 pilot team were high school seniors. Peck still qualified that as "child." He wasn't happy with the likelihood they were operating dangerous equipment unsupervised but circled back to his primary objection about not being satisfactorily updated on the imminent threat which he suspected was rapidly descending into hell in a hand basket. Jenny denied it upon arriving in the garage with six Slimers and the Ghostbusters of Dimension 11-W, Ghostbusters of Dimension 68-M, and Ghostbusters of Dimension 68-Q. Peck wanted more information and cited the Mayor as an excuse. Jenny pointed out the Containment Unit was already being monitored and the three teams were at their disposal to go out on any calls. Peck wanted information as soon as it was available with so many things happening at once. Ray 68-M announced, in Japanese, he was ready to blow a lot of things up. Kevin immediately told Peck he didn't understand him. Peck exclaimed he already knew what that Ray said then asked about the teleportation unit. Jenny brushed him off and went to retrieve notes for the technical consultant, Egon Spengler of Dimension 68-E. Peck hurried up the stairs to the second floor and asked for her honest assessment of how bad it was. Jenny remembered they were still getting check-ins at least. Peck still found it hard to accept transmissions from and travel to other dimensions was happening. Jenny admitted she was surprised no anonymous government agents ever came to take everything away. Peck revealed he made it clear how easily the Ghostbusters' shoddy technology could end all life on Earth without the proper care and maintenance. Slimer suddenly screamed at the other Slimers flying around, Slimer 80-C, Slimer 68-R, Slimer 68-E, and Slimer 68-Q. They hid behind Jenny. Jenny was touched Peck was protecting the Ghostbusters in his own way. Peck clarified he was protecting the country and reiterated he expected to be appraised with regular check-ins. She suggested he go to the Warehouse and coyly leaned over his shoulder to kiss him. Then the four Slimers kissed him at the same time instead of her. He swore.

A few days after the field teams of Ghostbusters returned to the prime dimension, Janine met with Peck at a Pequod's. Peck felt he gave her more than enough time to consider his offer and wanted an answer about becoming the next PCOC liaison or not. Janine started by presenting conditions to be met upon her acceptance of the offer. She wanted to keep her desk at the Firehouse, keep her own schedule, do the least amount of meetings, and an extra $15,000 on top of his previous offer plus her current office salary. Peck found her conditions absurd but they both knew finding someone with the necessary skills was difficult. Peck sighed and accepted. He welcomed her to PCOC and they shook hands.

Tertiary Canon History[]

In "The Real Ghostbusters," Walter Peck appears once, in the episode "Big Trouble With Little Slimer". Having been fired from the EPA, Peck became a member of the government organization B.U.F.O. (The Bureau of Unidentified Flying Organisms). He tried to bring the Ghostbusters down by destroying Slimer who he thinks is fake and ends up causing more trouble.

  • For more information of the animated version of Walter Peck go to the animated article.

Personality[]

Walter Peck follows his orders to the letter and apparently does not believe in flexibility or grey areas. Walter possesses little to no sense of humor and approaches his job with almost unshakeable seriousness. He seems to genuinely believe that he is a noble crusader, fighting "the good fight" and that anyone who voices opposition towards him is essentially making an admission of guilt. Peck's title as a "civil servant" is an amusing paradox in regard to his demeanor, as he's about as uncivil as one can be. His desire to protect the public does seem to be sincere, even if his personality is highly abrasive. Peck is certainly not in the game for his own personal glory nor does he seem to have any desire at all to win "popularity contests." Peck seems to actually expect people to not like him. He clearly views getting his job done as being more important than people liking him.

Walter Peck has displayed he can be initially cordial and professional with others but his demeanor can be quickly reduced to visible agitation when he is met with non-cooperation. This was evident in 1984, when Peck met Peter Venkman for the first time. He was particularly offended by Peter Venkman's unwillingness to allow him to inspect the Ghostbusters' facilities. As a result, he has shown that he is perfectly willing to lay spurious charges against those under his suspicion while still sticking to established protocol. This was evidenced when he obtained a court order against the Ghostbusters under claims that they were in criminal violation of the Environmental Protection Act. He then was shown to ignore his own responsibility for the fallout of his orders, such as the city-wide disruption caused when he ordered a city worker to shut down the Containment Unit's power grid, despite the warning of the Ghostbusters currently on site and later pinning the blame on them for the explosion.

Walter Peck is also a skeptic by nature and therefore does not believe in the supernatural. It is presumed his attitude regarding the existence of the supernatural has since changed, when he is hit literally over the head with it in a large deluge of melted marshmallow. Peck's skepticism towards the supernatural had subsided by late 1991, when he was placed in charge of PCOC. His over-zealousness and inflexible personality, however, remained unchanged. Peck has allowed the Ghostbusters a certain degree of flexibility in the destruction of property during an assignment, albeit grudgingly. But he will not hesitate to fine them if they go above a set limit of damage expenses and still planned on getting them shut down eventually. By the end of the Shandor Incident, it would seem likely Peck's skepticism towards the supernatural was invalidated. He was possessed by a ghost, brainwashed by the ghost of Ivo Shandor, was witness to the Ghostbusters' initial battle with Shandor, and observed the collapse of the Cult of Gozer Cemetery from Central Park. Peck's antagonism between himself and the Ghostbusters remained as strong as ever following Shandor's defeat.

Legacy[]

Putting his abrasive, unlikable demeanor aside, Peck was not wrong to be wary about the safety of the Ghostbusters' equipment and their training in operating it. Even the Ghostbusters themselves admitted strong doubts to the safety and reliability of their equipment and their lack of testing for it. And there are strict laws regarding the use of nuclear equipment in a populated area. While he was a jerk and at fault for the meltdown of the Containment Unit, it did illustrate why such laws exist. For all his faults, Peck's unrelenting hassling of the Ghostbusters can be construed as a benefit to the people he overzealously strives to protect in the end. He forces the Ghostbusters to be attentive to the safety of the public by maintaining and adequately testing their equipment and to keep their noses clean. Still, he is an agent of the Environmental Protection Agency and not the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Thus he was overstepping his role through a number of illegal actions that led to the near end of the world.

Trivia[]

Ghostbusters (1984) Trivia[]

  • According to the August 5, 1983 script, Peck is described as a junior EPA administrator.[4]
  • Michael Ensign originally read for the part of Walter Peck then ended up in the role of the Hotel manager.[5]
  • Walter Peck wears his Phi Betta Kappa pin.[6] Phi Betta Kappa is a prestigious academic honor society in the United States.
  • At around the 1 hour, 17 minute mark of the Preview Cut, included first in the 2022 Ghostbusters Ultimate Edition, after Peck states the explosion was a direct result, he is called a fascist.
  • Walter Peck is one of two Ghostbusters antagonists to get doused in goo. The second being Janosz Poha in the second movie.
  • Two separate insults on Peck in the same Mayor's office scene were filmed, the Theatrical and Home Video Versions still contains the "dickless" insult, while the TV version contained the lesser toned "Wally Wick" insult. The Comedy Central version keeps Ray's line of calling Peck "Dickless", but changes Peter's line to: "Yes, it's true your honor, this man is some kind of rodent, I don't know which."
  • He is also similar to Jack Hardemeyer from the second film who wants to have the Ghostbusters arrested and out of business again. But it backfired too and they stayed in business. He got fired by the Mayor of New York City.

Ghostbusters II Trivia[]

  • In the Ghostbusters II August 5, 1988 draft, Walter Peck was called to the witness stand to testify against Peter, Ray, and Egon.[7]
    • Peck's middle name is Margate. He is still working for the EPA and is the Assistant Chief Deputy Investigator.[8]
  • A deal couldn't be made for Atherton to reprise Peck for Ghostbusters II so Ivan Reitman remembered Kurt Fuller from a previous audition and offered him the part of Jack Hardemeyer.[9]

Ghostbusters: The Video Game Trivia[]

  • While the antics of the Ghostbusters still provoke his suspicion and ire, jokes and insults regarding his name and personality don't seem to phase him much, if at all. Even when Mayor Mulligan outright said Peck was annoying, Walter didn't seem to mind the appellation at all. So personal insults don't seem to be an issue with him.
  • On page 26 of the October 8, 2007 third draft of Ghostbusters: The Video Game's revised cut-scene script, Peck was scripted to confront the Ghostbusters in the cut scene preceding the Checking Out the Library Level.[10]
  • In the February 11, 2008 draft revision, at the end of the Return to the Sedgewick level, Peter informs the others he only found out Walter Peck lives with his mother an aunt and is unloved by both.[11]
  • In the omitted Thanksgiving Day Parade Lost Level (realistic version) of Ghostbusters: The Video Game, Walter Peck is doused in Black Slime by Blinkers the Science Pup.
  • In his first scene in the stylized version of Ghostbusters: The Video Game, Peck's mouth does not move while speaking. All of his other scenes are normal.
  • In the realistic versions of Ghostbusters: The Video Game, the possessed Walter Peck is used as the image for the Tobin's Spirit Guide entry on the Possessed Human.
  • In Ghostbusters: The Video Game, Walter Peck leaves the first message after the cut scenes following Panic in Times Square Level implying he doesn't think highly of Rookie[12] and Checking Out the Library Level on the Firehouse answering machine.[13] Peck is later mentioned in another message left for Egon.[14]
  • In the stylized version of Ghostbusters: The Video Game, Walter Peck's likeness is used for the art page of "The Skeptic" in Tobin's Spirit Guide.

IDW Comics Trivia[]

  • Erik Burnham didn't plan on Peck being as overt a part of IDW's ongoing comic book series but drew inspiration from the PCOC backup done by Tristan Jones.[15]
  • In Ghostbusters International #7, on page one, Peck's stance and dialogue is an homage to the classic Uncle Sam "I Want You!" recruitment posters.
  • In Ghostbusters International #7, Peck wears and uses a Proton Pack for the first time.
  • On the Subscription Cover of Ghostbusters 101 #5, Peck is below the Ghost Smashers.
  • Peck's bio is in the Dramatis Personae of Ghostbusters Crossing Over Issue #2 but he doesn't appear in the issue.
  • Peck is mentioned in Jenny Moran's bio on the 20th Crossing Over Virtual Trading Card, released on April 26, 2018.[16]
  • On page 2 of Ghostbusters Crossing Over Issue #3, the frame left of Peck is a photo of Peck meeting President Reagan in the Oval Office.
  • On page 2 of Crossing Over Issue #2, Peck pours from a bottle that references Lord Kildarby from The Real Ghostbusters episode "The Bird of Kildarby". The Kildarby is a stand-in for Jameson.
  • On June 19, 2018, Tom Waltz posted Crossing Over Virtual Trading Card #35, featuring Walter Peck. It was revealed he has a Masters in Business Administration.[17]
  • On page 2 of Ghostbusters Crossing Over Issue #5, it is revealed Peck has some degree of fluency in Japanese.
  • On page 3 of Ghostbusters Crossing Over Issue #5, Peck reveals he prevented the federal government from confiscating all of the Ghostbusters' technology by stating it was all shoddily constructed and could end all life on Earth if not properly cared for.[18]
  • On page 3 of Ghostbusters Crossing Over Issue #5, Peck mentions the Men in Black, which also happens to be another property of Sony.[19]
  • On page one of Ghostbusters Year One Issue #3:
    • In panel 4, Luis Antonio Delgado's 15 easter egg is on the box left of Peck.
    • It is revealed Peck was placed on restricted duty pending official review after the events of the first movie.

Ghostbusters: The Board Game Trivia[]

  • On March 5, 2015, the 18th stretch goal of Ghostbusters: The Board Game, $940,000, was introduced: Walter Peck. Peck will come with the Paranormal Contracts Oversight Commission card.[20]
  • On March 6, 2015, Walter Peck was unlocked.[21]
  • On the PCOC card from Ghostbusters: The Board Game,
    • Peck's "Shut if off!" line from the first movie is quoted
    • The first paragraph of the biography summarizes Peck's sub-plot in the first movie
    • The second paragraph of the biography summarizes Peck's back story prior to Ghostbusters: The Video Game.
    • Peter's "Butt-kisser" comment alludes to a line from The Video Game when Peter claims he's usually attached to the Mayor's ass.
    • The third paragraph of the biography matches Peck's back story at the start of IDW's ongoing series Volume One.
    • The caption on the photograph alludes to the dickless joke from the first movie.

Tertiary Canon Trivia[]

  • On page 7 of Egon's Journal, a supplement of the Hasbro Haslab Ghostbusters Plasma Series Spengler's Proton Pack, it is revealed the Ghostbusters were ostracized by 1985 and Walter Peck ran a smear campaign against them. Peck was a guest speaker at a rally was held against the Ghostbusters by National Environmental Registry of Do-Gooders (N.E.R.D.) on November 25, 1985 at the Bethesda Fountain in Central Park at 2 pm.

Appearances[]

Primary Canon Appearances[]


Expanded Universe

Secondary Canon Appearances[]

Tertiary Canon Appearances[]

References[]

  1. GBTVGReferencePCOC02.jpg
  2. Text Box (2020). IDW Comics- "Ghostbusters Year One Issue #3" (2020) (Comic p.1). Line reads: "EPA Agent (Restricted duty pending official review)."
  3. Rebecca Morales (2020). IDW Comics- "Ghostbusters Year One Issue #3" (2020) (Comic p.7). Rebecca Morales says: "I also read a copy of his report on your storage facility, and --"
  4. Aykroyd, Dan & Ramis, Harold (1983). Ghostbusters (First Draft August 5, 1983) (Script p. 69). Paragraph reads: "Walter Peck, a junior E.P.A. administrator, is reading one of the articles when Venkman walks in.""
  5. Wallace, Daniel (2015). Ghostbusters The Ultimate Visual History, p. 48. Insight Editions, San Rafael CA USA, ISBN 9781608875108. Michael Ensign says: "I had read for the William Atherton [Walter Peck] part, and one day I got a phone call saying, 'Do you want a consolation prize?' I keyed in intuitively to that part. The fussy little man in the bow tie."
  6. William Atherton (2009). Ghostbusters- Slimer Mode (2009) (Blu-Ray ts. 47:35-47:39). Columbia TriStar Home Video. William Atherton says: "I had my blue suit, I had my Phi Beta Kappa pin right here."
  7. Aykroyd, Dan & Ramis, Harold (1988). Ghostbusters II (August 5, 1988 Draft) (Script p. 33). "Paragraph reads: "WALTER PECK, a career bureaucrat and the Ghostbusters' principal antagonist is sworn in."
  8. Aykroyd, Dan & Ramis, Harold (1988). Ghostbusters II (August 5, 1988 Draft) (Script p. 33). "Walter Peck says: "My name is Walter Margate Peck and I am the Assistant Chief Deputy Investigator for the Environmental Protection Agency."
  9. Yes Have Some Podcast Ep. 84 43:02-45:09 1/25/18 Kurt Fuller says: "But I think they shot it. I saw it on some other secret cut tape nobody seen or something. So you think you know everything. Uh, yeah, I know. I know. But then apparently, uh, I'm talking out of school but he won't mind. William Atherton wanted, I guess a whole bunch of money to do Ghostbusters II or they -- couldn't make a deal with him. Let's put it that way. A nice way is they couldn't make a deal with him, um, and so they -- Ivan Reitman thought of me from the previous audition so I didn't have to read for this part but I was -- was offered the part, you know. There was no negotiation for me. William Atherton, uh, was a , I mean, he had done some great stuff. This was one of my first jobs, except for the Hulk Hogan movie "No Holds Barred", you know, this was a big step up. Um, and I flied to New York. I don't think I'd been to New York. Uh, I'm staying at a big hotel. I'm completely overwhelmed. Completely overwhelmed. I-I-I think I've gone to Heaven. And then the next day I'm taken to the set. It's snowing -- and, uh, the first scene was uh, what finally what gets slimed -- I don't know what building they called it. The library? History -- uh, yeah, the museum, and I was supposed to go up there and it was with Bill Murray, ok, who I knew from Ghostbusters and Saturday Night Live, and I was -- I mean, he was a god to me and I was told just before the scene started - already, I'm shaking, I'm really shaking - 'Oh by the way if Bill Murray doesn't like you, uh, it's not gonna happen' "
  10. Zuur Platten, John & Dille, Flint (2007). Ghostbusters: The Video Game (Revised Cut-Scene Script Third Draft October 8, 2007) (Script p. 26). Line reads: "Walter Peck crosses with toward them with a couple of COPS.""
  11. Dille, Flint & Platten, John Z. (2009). Ghostbusters: The Video Game (Draft Revision February 11, 2008) (Script p. 197). Peter Venkman says: "Only that the poor sap lives with his mother and his aunt and is unloved by both... very sad."
  12. Walter Peck; After Panic in Times Square, Firehouse 2nd Floor Answering Machine Message 1 of 13 (2009). Ghostbusters: The Video Game (Realistic Versions) - Firehouse (2009) (PC/PS3/Xbox 360). Terminal Reality. Walter Peck says: "I hardly think you did an adequate job, you heel. Keep that up and you'll be out of this business in no time."
  13. Walter Peck; After Checking Out the Library, Firehouse 2nd Floor Answering Machine Message 1 of 13 (2009). Ghostbusters: The Video Game (Realistic Versions) - Firehouse (2009) (PC/PS3/Xbox 360). Terminal Reality. Walter Peck says: "Excuse me, you're getting paid to catch ghosts. Not to blow the place to bits."
  14. Male Caller; After Museum of (Super)Natural History, Firehouse 2nd Floor Answering Machine Message 6 of 11 (2009). Ghostbusters: The Video Game (Realistic Versions) - Firehouse (2009) (PC/PS3/Xbox 360). Terminal Reality. Male says: "Ah..hello, Dr. Spengler. This is Gilgamir Electronic Supply. We have all the parts you requested. But a representative from the Mayor's office, a Mr. Peck has recently informed us that all invoices from you must be approved through his office first. We called him about your order and he just laughed then hang up. For all we know, he's still laughing."
  15. Ghostbusters Wiki Interview with Erik Burnham 1/4/13
  16. TomWaltz Tweet 4/26/18
  17. TomWaltz Tweet 6/19/18
  18. Walter Peck (2018). IDW Comics- "Ghostbusters Crossing Over Issue #5" (2018) (Comic p.3). Walter Peck says: "Well, it has come up, Miss Moran, but I made it clear how easily the Ghostbusters' shoddily constructed technology could end all life on Earth without the proper care."
  19. Walter Peck (2018). IDW Comics- "Ghostbusters Crossing Over Issue #5" (2018) (Comic p.3). Walter Peck says: "In any case, I wouldn't worry about any Men in Black showing up on your doorstep."
  20. Ghostbusters: The Board Game Update #34 3/5/15 "Looking for a good architect?"
  21. Ghostbusters: The Board Game Update #36 3/6/15 "You had your chance to cooperate, but you thought it’d be more fun to insult me. Well, now it is my turn…"
  22. Peter Venkman (2016). IDW Comics- "Ghostbusters International #4" (2016) (Comic p.9). Peter Venkman says: "Did a Monsieur Peck put you up to this?"
  23. Narrator (2016). IDW Comics- "Ghostbusters International #8" (2016) (Comic What Came Before! page). Narrator says: "Peter, Winston, Ray, and Kylie went to Ireland on an uncharacteristically personal mission for PCOC chief Walter Peck."
  24. Peter Venkman (2016). IDW Comics- "Ghostbusters International #8" (2016) (Comic p.20). Peter Venkman says: "Tell Peck it's twenty percent off if there's no evil lightning or ominous clouds."
  25. Jenny Moran (2016). IDW Comics- "Ghostbusters International #10" (2016) (Comic p.16). Jenny Moran says: "I can't wait to see Walter's face when he reads up on this case."
  26. What Came Before Page (2017). IDW Comics- "Ghostbusters 101 #2" (2017) (Comic What Came Before page). What Came Before page reads: "The Environmental Protection Agency took offense, and, learning from Walter Peck's earlier failure to punish the Ghostbusters, opted to hit the team with a fine they couldn't hope to pay."
  27. Dramatis Personae page (2018). IDW Comics- "Ghostbusters Annual 2018" (2018) (Comic Dramatis Personae page). Narrator says: "More full of himself than Walter Peck."
  28. Ray Stantz (2018). IDW Comics- "Ghostbusters Annual 2018" (2018) (Comic p.20). Ray Stantz says: "Meantime, uh... who's calling Peck about this mess?"
  29. Janine Melnitz (2018). IDW Comics- "Ghostbusters Crossing Over Issue #2" (2018) (Comic p.4-5). Janine Melnitz says: "Walter Peck kinda, ah -- he offered me your old job."
  30. Mike the Golem (2018). IDW Comics- "Ghostbusters Crossing Over Issue #7" (2018) (Comic p.16). Mike the Golem says: "Even that little red-headed man seems to have relaxed."
  31. Peter Venkman (2019). IDW Comics- "Ghostbusters 35th Anniversary: Ghostbusters" (2019) (Comic p.1). Peter Venkman says: "We know a guy who lives for getting these things."
  32. Peter Venkman (2019). IDW Comics- "Ghostbusters 35th Anniversary: Ghostbusters" (2019) (Comic p.14). Peter Venkman says: "You tell Peck I got a report he can file, right up his --"
  33. Egon Spengler (2020). IDW Comics- "Ghostbusters Year One Issue #4" (2020) (Comic p.6). Egon Spengler says: "I'm not the one who ordered the power turned off."
  34. Narrator (2016). Insight Editions- "Tobin's Spirit Guide" (2016) (Book p.12). Paragraph reads: "Although we initially trapped Slimer at the Sedgewick Hotel, it was released from captivity when our original containment unit was shut down by Walter Peck, then of the Environmental Protection Agency."
  35. Peter Venkman (2016). IDW Comics- "Ghostbusters: Deviations" (2016) (Comic p.12). Peter Venkman says: "Didn't all the ghosts get released when that tool from the EPA shut down the protection field?"
  36. Meanwhile in our Main Series (2016). IDW Comics- "Ghostbusters: Deviations" (2016) (Comic p.37). Line reads: "Paranormal Contracts Oversight Commission Chief Walter Peck, however, doesn't feel a sale is in the best interest of NYC, and invoking the Ghostbusters' municipal contracts, makes sure Erland knows the company isn't for sale."

Gallery[]

Primary Canon Images[]

Secondary Canon Images[]

Secondary Canon (Expanded Universe) Images[]

Tertiary Canon Images[]

Behind the Scenes Images[]

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