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Abby Yates (full name: Abigail L. Yates) is a former professor from Kenneth P. Higgins Institute. She along with Erin Gilbert co-wrote Ghosts from Our Past: Both Literally and Figuratively: The Study of the Paranormal. She is one of the four Ghostbusters in the 2016 movie.
Personality
She is serious researcher on the paranormal. She also has been known for playing practical jokes on people along with Jillian.
History
Primary Canon
She had released "Ghosts from Our Past Both Literally & Figuratively: The Study of the Paranormal", which she wrote along with Erin without her permission. Her and Jillian had teamed up after a falling out with Erin. When Erin discovered that the book had been released she co-wrote with her, she demanded that Abby should take it down. Abby during that conversation found out about a lead; Aldridge Mansion Museum. She agreed to take down the book if Erin would take her and Jillian to the Museum and introduce them to Ed Mulgrave Jr.
While there, they all three witnessed a ghost that slimed Erin. The video Abby had shot of the event went viral.
Secondary Canon
IDW Comics
Abby was not pleased to hear from Patty that she and Holtzmann failed to capture any ghosts in Queens. Abby emphasized she really needed a specimen to study and decreed Holtzmann couldn't blow up any ghosts or cars until they captured at least a Class 5. Abby's curiosity finally got the best of her and she asked what Kevin was doing in a broccoli costume. Erin wasn't really sure. Abby asked Kevin to practice in the other room, mostly to put Erin back on task. Abby was uneasy with a recent trend of P.K.E. readings being all over the place. She knew something was off and wanted the Ghostbusters to be prepared to save the world again. Abby challenged Erin to a coin toss in hopes of getting out of the task of going over the company account. Abby won and went out on calls with Patty and Holtzmann. They arrived at the Stryker Beach Golf Course. Holtzmann couldn't help herself and asked who had a problem with their balls. An employee informed them a ghost was out on the 13th green. Abby reminded everyone they should trap it for study. Patty suspected Abby came along to keep them on task but she denied it. Abby's P.K.E. Meter picked up the ghost. To Abby's dismay, Holtzmann neutralized it with the Ghost Chipper. Holtzmann didn't like its face but insisted the ghost's readings were too skewed to be a decent test subject. Patty tried to cheer Abby up and pointed out they had 3 more stops to go.
They returned to the Firehouse empty handed. Abby was in denial then pointed out they needed to build an observation tank. Holtzmann assured them she had maybe three ideas on how to go about it. Kevin realized they were back and revealed he took a message while they were out. Abby pointed out he gave her one of his shoes instead of the message. Kevin was happy to see it after looking all over for it. He suddenly saw Peter Venkman and Ray Stantz walking up the stairs then they were gone. Abby snapped her fingers to get Kevin's attention again. Kevin apologized and explained he felt like he was somewhere else for a second then asked her if they knew anyone named "Venkman". After two Statues of Liberty and another team of Ghostbusters appeared on the news, the team gathered outside the Firehouse. Abby declared she was calling her attorney as soon as she retained one in order to sue the other team. She wanted to dig out the diagnostic equipment but they discovered the layout of the interior was different and their stuff was gone. Erin thought they were robbed but Abby was skeptical the robbers replaced their things with other things. Egon Spengler and Kevin Beckman got their attention from atop the stairwell. The two teams gathered on the second floor to figure out what was going on. Abby and Holtzmann stared at Slimer in the Paranormal Containment Research Tank. Abby mistook him for the version they encountered but Holtzmann reminded her they blew that one up. Abby wondered if they were in "ghost hell" but Holtzmann pointed out that would just be Hell. Abby told her to be quiet. She was still plagued by a nagging feeling that the others looked familiar. Peter stated they were the world famous Ghostbusters. Abby angrily countered they were the Ghostbusters and were operating for well over year. She stopped to ask Egon why he was scanning her. Egon stated her dimensional frequency was in a pronounced state of flux. Abby didn't quite understand what he was getting at and said her frequency was just fine. Ray started to tell her about their studies of alternate dimensions but in order to expedite things they went downstairs and activated the Interspatial Teleportation Unit. Holtzmann reached into the portal to her home dimension but her arm emerged from the portal well above her arm. Abby didn't understand. Egon concluded their respective dimensions were in a state of overlap. Abby didn't believe him and wanted further proof like a control in an experiment. Egon opened a portal to the dimension occupied by the Ghostbusters they met earlier in the year. Holtzmann described what she saw.
Ray and Egon talked about their exploration of alternate dimensions, their first encounter with Gozer and crossing the streams on its portal. Abby was upset they risked causing a total protonic reversal. Erin recalled they set off a nuclear explosion at the Mercado. Abby told her to be quiet and that was totally different. Egon continued and theorized crossing the streams took them to the line of a complete subatomic destruction and connected themselves to every reality for a second but in that second, seeded the subconscious of the Multiverse with the idea of Ghostbusters. Holtzmann answered the front desk phone and took up a new case. Abby stated they couldn't work at a time like this but Holtzmann wanted to zap something and clear her head.
Trivia
- The helmet worn by Abby, when she and Erin are first reunited, is a homage to what the possessed Louis Tully wore in the1984 movie. McCarthy wanted an odd piece of equipment to wear when viewers first see her. [1]
- On the July 14, 2016 episode of "Conan", McCarthy talked about the possessed Abby scene. She revealed they employed a practical approach to the head twisting stunt, a stuffed back bra.
- In Ghostbusters International #3, on page 6, in panel 5, Abby makes a non-canon cameo as one of the applicants outside.
- On page 20 of Ghostbusters 101 #1, right of Kemp's Spectral Field Guide is the photograph of Abby and Erin at their high school fair, seen in the Extended Edition and deleted scenes of the 2016 movie.
- Abby claims Patty once tried to poison her with decaffeinated coffee. [2]
- On page 19 of Ghostbusters 101 #2, Abby is wearing her army green jacket from Chapter 16 of the 2016 movie.
- On page 7 of Ghostbusters 101 #3, Abby appears to be in her civies from Chapter 16 when the team toasts in the sports bar.
Quotes
Appearances
Primary Canon
Secondary Canon
- Ghostbusters 101
References
- ↑ Empire Online "Ghostbusters - trailer breakdown with Paul Feig" 3/9/16 Paul Feig says: "Melissa wanted some piece of equipment that's odd when we first see her. We looked around at a bunch of different stuff and got inspired by the original. A funny helmet is always fun."
- ↑ Abby Yates (2017). IDW Comics- "Ghostbusters 101 #1" (2017) (Comic p.20). Abby Yates says: "Like when Patty tried to poison me with decaf."
Gallery
Primary Canon
Secondary Canon
Behind the Scenes
