I was checking a popular online Russian store to see if Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II were available in Russian when I came across these neat looking books. At first I thought these books were based on a generic Ghostbusters team, but they appear to be about the same Ghostbusters which we know and love.

I don't know much about these books, and I only see two of them on the site, but I think I might look into getting one. Perhaps someone here can tell me more about these books.



This one is titled: The Incredible Ghostbusters: Against Count The Vampire

A rough translation of what the site says about the book:

From the publisher:

What can be more captivating than the hunting of ghosts? You take an ectoplasmic gun, trap, and go forward! Sharp sensations are guaranteed!

True, this matter is new and unsafe. Therefore, it is better to use the services of experienced professionals. “Extraordinary hunters of ghosts” - Egon, Peter, Ray and Winston - invite you to join them, while ghosts, specters, goblins, and genuine horrors are found.

The hunting for ghosts continues!!!

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This one is titled: The Incredible Ghostbusters: Against The Green Fog

A rough translation of what the site says about the book:

From the publisher:

This book continues the new series “39 parrots”, in which inquisitive boys and girls will meet with their old friends: The Ghostbusters and they are also friends and favorites of millions of others in Western Europe and America. “Extraordinary hunters of ghosts” - Egon, Peter, Ray and Winston - invite you to join them, while ghosts, specters, goblins and genuine horrors are found.

Nice find… but are those illustrated books? cause the art on the covers isn´t the best on GB books.

Very interesting find! I promise not to snatch one out from under you, but what site did you find them on?

The art on the covers is what made me think these books were about a generic Ghostbusters team, mainly due to the appearance of the no ghosts logos. I don't know if they're illustrated, but they're listed under the “fantasy for children” section. As children books, I'm guessing that they're going to be illustrated.

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These are on ozon.ru, and so far they appear to be only on that one site, and unfortunately ozon.ru doesn't ship to America. To make the situation worse, it's difficult to transfer money to that country. So even if you find someone there who can get a copy, paying them back is nearly impossible, especially if you don't want to waste any money on money transfer fees.

Luckily, I have a Skype contact in Moscow who can send me things, and in return I give him access codes from Skype Vouchers as a form of payment. I'll definitively ask him about these books. Whether you can read them or not, they're certain to make nice novelty items.

BigMac;170127
The art on the covers is that made me think these books were about a generic Ghostbusters team, mainly due to the appearance of the no ghosts logos. I don't know if they're illustrated, but they're listed under the “fantasy for children” section. As children books, I'm guessing that they're going to be illustrated.

My personal guess is that these are…shall we say…unauthorized. I mean, I'm not an expert on Russian children's books or licensing laws, but while one cover does feature semi-recognizable renderings of (animated) Ray and Venkman, the lack of the authentic Ghostbuster logo or title font or anything of the sort screams “Bootleg” to me.

That's not to say it might not be an interesting get though. Bootlegs can be fun.

Doc Fritz;170128
My personal guess is that these are…shall we say…unauthorized. I mean, I'm not an expert on Russian children's books or licensing laws, but while one cover does feature semi-recognizable renderings of (animated) Ray and Venkman, the lack of the authentic Ghostbuster logo or title font or anything of the sort screams “Bootleg” to me.

That's not to say it might not be an interesting get though. Bootlegs can be fun.

I'm with Fritzy on this one. Those were probably cranked out at the height of Gorbachev's regime as a big “eff you” to America. We gave them a Motley Crue concert in ‘89 and they go about ripping off Dan Aykroyd’s finest work since “Blues Brothers”.

Damn Ruskies!

Remember though: In Mother Russia, GHOST BUSTS YOU!

Yes, I'm sure we are not looking at officially trademarked Ghostbusters merchandise here. However, I don't think that's an important issue. These books bring Ghostbusters somewhere new, a place where America, where Ghostbusters originated is likely considered by many as a strange and unfriendly part of the world. We should be glad Ghostbusters is big enough that people all the way over in Russia want to write and read about them. There is no reason to feel disappointment because the author didn't get the consent to make the books official Ghostbusters books.

And even if the books were written as an “eff you” to America, who cares? How many people here in America are getting angry because people in Russia, people who they don't even have any contact with are reading unofficially licensed books about the Ghostbusters? Seems no one here knew these books even existed before I brought them to everyone's attention.

Nix;170138
Remember though: In Mother Russia, GHOST BUSTS YOU!

Did you get that from Family Guy? I never understood that joke. I first thought it was a joke about the language's grammar, but that doesn't make any sense.

It's a joke by Russian expatriot comedian, Yakov Smirnoff. His jokes always went "In America (blah blah blah blah blah), in Soviet Russian (reverse of previous blah blah blah) you.

Nah, it's from TVTropes. The phrase is, “In Mother Russia, Trope Mocks You.” Or something.