The Necronomicon[1] is an ancient book of spells. It has been translated into many languages; however, only one English translation exists. Simply reading it out loud will unleash powerful spells.[2]
History[]
Primary Canon[]
The Necronomicon is the single most powerful book of spells.[3] H.P. Lovecraft and others in the 1920s studied the Necronomicon as research for their books.[4][5][6] Despite his concerns, Ted Klein agreed to loan the only English translation to the New York City Public Library.[7] Clark Ashton was put in charge of the exhibit. If the translations were read aloud, the consequences would be catastrophic. The spells are like sonic keys that open portals to other dimensions where the Great Old Ones wait to rule the Earth.[8]
In the mid-1980s, the Necronomicon was put on display at the New York City Public Library from one Monday to Friday. However, on Saturday night, it was stolen by a Shuggoth under the control of the Cult of Cathulhu. The Cult used the Necronomicon to summon Cathulhu but it was defeated by the Ghostbusters. Their new ally, Alice Derleth, decided it best she took the copy back with her to Miskatonic University.
Secondary Canon[]
Ghostbusters: The Board Game[]
When the Ghostbusters continued their research at the New York City Public Library, they unearthed the Necronomicon. By reading it, they awoke Cathulhu. The Ghostbusters raced to close the Spirit World Gates called Align Gates and defeated Cathulhu.
Classification[]
Ray Stantz bet the copyright page alone has a P.K.E. valence of 9.9.[9]
Trivia[]
- In reality, the Necronomicon, as well as the entire Cthulhu Mythos behind it, was created by H.P. Lovecraft.
- On page 23 of Ghostbusters: The Supernatural Spectacular, it was revealed in his youth, Egon read the Necronomicon.
- The Necronomicon was going to return in "Russian About" but Broadcast Standards and Practices claimed it was a real book and tied to Satanic lore. Eventually, J. Michael Straczynski changed the name to "The Nameless Book" as a compromise and as a favor to ABC executive Ame Simon.[10][11][12]
- The Necronomicon is referenced in "What in Samhain Just Happened?!" on page nine. It is laying on a table of entrees.
- In Ghostbusters Volume 1 Issue #5, page 12, panel 1, the Necronomicon makes a non-canon cameo in the store front display of Ray's Occult Books.
- On the back page of the newspaper on the Subscription Cover of Ghostbusters Volume 2 Issue #1, the Necronomicon makes a non-canon cameo in a photograph.
- On page 19, panel 2, of Ghostbusters Annual 2015, to the middle left of Egon are more nods to Ghostbusters: The Supernatural Spectacular page 23 - Cleveland, Ohio where Egon grew up and more books he read "The Mysteries of Latent Abnormality," "Your Friends the Fungus," and "Necronomicon"
- In Ghostbusters International #2, on page 10, in panel 2 and 3, the Necronomicon makes a non-canon cameo in the bookcase.
Appearances[]
Primary Canon[]
Secondary Canon[]
- Ghostbusters: The Board Game
- Mentioned on Researching Spook Central, Scenario #2 card
References[]
- ↑ Ted Klein (2009).The Real Ghostbusters- "The Collect Call of Cathulhu" (1987) (DVD ts. 01:48-01:52). Time Life Entertainment. Ted says: "Putting the Necronomicon on display like this is... is dangerous."
- ↑ Egon Spengler (2009).The Real Ghostbusters- "The Collect Call of Cathulhu" (1987) (DVD ts. 05:18-05:23). Time Life Entertainment. Egon says: "This is the only English translation of the Necronomicon. If someone were to read the spells in it aloud, the results would be catastrophic."
- ↑ Egon Spengler (2009).The Real Ghostbusters- "The Collect Call of Cathulhu" (1987) (DVD ts. 03:19-03:23). Time Life Entertainment. Egon says: "It's the single most powerful book of magic spells ever written."
- ↑ Ray Stantz (2009).The Real Ghostbusters- "The Collect Call of Cathulhu" (1987) (DVD ts. 03:22-03:26). Time Life Entertainment. Ray says: "H.P. Lovecraft and others wrote a whole series of horror stories based on it."
- ↑ Ray Stantz (2009).The Real Ghostbusters- "The Collect Call of Cathulhu" (1987) (DVD ts. 12:12-12:21). Time Life Entertainment. Ray says: "H.P. Lovecraft and others back in the 20's and 30's created a whole mythos around Cathulhu and I remember one story in an old issue of Weird Tales that told how to defeat him."
- ↑ Alice Derleth (2009).The Real Ghostbusters- "The Collect Call of Cathulhu" (1987) (DVD ts. 12:23-12:25). Time Life Entertainment. Alice says: "Those writers used the Necronomicon as research for their fiction."
- ↑ Ray Stantz (2009).The Real Ghostbusters- "The Collect Call of Cathulhu" (1987) (DVD ts. 03:06-03:12). Time Life Entertainment. Ray says: "From Monday to Friday, the New York Public Library presents the Necronomicon!"
- ↑ Egon Spengler (2009).The Real Ghostbusters- "The Collect Call of Cathulhu" (1987) (DVD ts. 05:39-05:48). Time Life Entertainment. Egon says: "The Necronomicon spells are like sonic keys that can open portals to other dimensions where the Great Old Ones want to take over the Earth."
- ↑ Ray Stantz (2009).The Real Ghostbusters- "The Collect Call of Cathulhu" (1987) (DVD ts. 03:29-03:33). Time Life Entertainment. Ray says: "I'll bet the copyright page alone has a P.K.E. valence of 9.9!"
- ↑ Radio Free Amerika with J. Michael Straczynski 5/2/1991 Line reads: "I did the script, then one day arrived the notes from Broadcast Standards and Practices (BS&P;) which said that I couldn't use either Cthulhu or the Necronomicon since these were both "established occult and cult lore." Now, hold the bus, says I. They're FICTIONAL CREATIONS.Not real occult figures."
- ↑ Radio Free Amerika with J. Michael Straczynski 5/2/1991 Line reads: "I called the Big C one of the Old Ones (knowing that Lovecraft scholars will figure it out), and found an old reference to the Necronomicon as "the nameless book," which I then used in the script."
- ↑ Straczynski, J. Michael (2019). Becoming Superman, p. 291. Harper Voyager, New York NY USA, ISBN 0062857843. Line reads: "When I threatened to walk off the show again, Ame Simon pleaded for understanding. "Let it go," she said. "It's one of the last scripts of the season, and we don't want a fight. This isn't a hill to die on." As a favor to Ame, who had to live with these jerks, I changed The Necronomicon to The Nameless Book because if you said the name aloud, terrible things would happen. That compromise seemed to make everyone happy. That is, everyone except me, and for the second time the voice inside my head that does the actual writing whispered, You're done with animation. Move on."
Gallery[]
Primary Canon[]
Secondary Canon[]
