Exclusive Interview with THE GHOSTBUSTERS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

When you're viewing the world through a camera lens, it's always nice to see a familiar face.  In the midst of bizarre Anime costumes, Steampunk contraptions and giant Robots walking around the 2011 New York Comic Con, it was a comforting sight to run into the fellas that taught me not to be afraid of ghosts as a child: The Ghostbusters...of New Hampshire, to be specific.  

The Ghostbusters of New Hampshire stood proudly in the main thoroughfare at the Javits Center last Saturday in flashing proton packs and utility jumpsuits, poised and ready to protect us all from the uncertainties of the great beyond.  We exchanged information and a week later, out of sheer curiosity, I contacted these dedicated, costumed gentlemen to ask them a few burning questions about why they do what they do.

Exclusive Ghostbusters of New Hampshire interview, after the jump:

NERDSBURGH: Hello Ghostbusters of New Hampshire! It was great meeting you at New York Comic Con! New York is quite a drive from New Hampshire, why was it important for the GBNH to assemble and attend this particular Con?
GHOSTBUSTERS: Well, NYCC was important for us to go to because its the second biggest comic con in the country. Also the idea of NHGB actually started in NYCC a few years back when 2 of the founding members actually met there. Its only a four hour drive, so it's not a bad trip. Also it was a good central location to meet up with our friends from The Philly Ghostbusters, the Steel City Ghostbusters and the Long Island team as well. And this was the only Con that was big enough to show off, the now famous hello kitty pack.

NB: What was your favorite part of NYCC?
GB:I am sure we all had our favorite parts, but Jonny's favorite was going to the "Black Dynomite" panel, as it is one of his favorite movies. I enjoyed the matty collectors booth, seeing the beautiful women, yourself included. Also just seeing how people lit up when they saw us walking around in gear and asking for pics. It kinda makes you feel like a celebrity for the day.

NB: So, you all seem like regular guys. And it's true, Ghostbusters is a great movie, but why dress up? What was the purpose of forming The Ghostbusters of New Hampshire?
GB: Well, for most of us this started off as a Halloween costume gone over budget, but at the same time it turned us all into friends.  Jon and Pat formed GBNH so we could actually do some good dressed as Ghostbusters.  We do alot of charity events to raise money and awareness for groups like the Red Cross, Make-a-wish, local food pantries, touch a truck events and carshows.

NB: Do you actually "bust ghosts?"
GB: No, but we do pretend to. lol

NB: I noticed no one seems ever seems to want to dress up like Rick Moranis' character in the movie, Louis Tully. Do the other Ghsotbusters look down on him for getting possessed by Vinz Clortho, "The Keymaster?"
GB: Well we do have a friend who dresses like Vinz. But we would never look down on Vinz for being possessed, I mean it happens to the best of us. We look down on him for making us nerds look bad.

NB: If a girl wanted to join GBNH, would she be allowed to become a Ghostbuster or would she have to dress like Sigourney Weaver's character in the movie?
GB: Well yes she would be allowed to be a GB. As much as we would love a Dana Barrett/zuul. The more busters the better.

NB: Ya know, ladies love a man in uniform. Are any of you married?  What do your wives and/or girlfriends think of the Ghostbuster costumes?
GB: Three of us are married: Jon, Pat and Myself. I think the wives are still a little confused on how this all happened.  Jon was married for a year before he built his costume, Pat as well. I was married 6 years before I got into the whole comic con, dressing up nerd thing.  But my wife understands that I needed to come out of the nerd closet.  Being a closeted nerd went out in the 80's. But as much fun as GBNH is Jon and I have kids, and family always comes before costuming.

NB: The proton packs you wear are extremely elaborate pieces. Did you make them yourselves? If not, how much would it cost to buy one?
GB: Our packs are all hand built. Pat created the sheel and then cast them for us, Then we get the rest of it together including lights and sound, some from scratch some from kits. Lee on our team is very good with electronics.

NB: Do you ever forget you have the pack on and and accidentally wear it to the grocery store?
GB: Its hard to forget you have a 50 lb nuclear accelerator on your back, but I am sure I am not the only one of us he has worn it into a grocery store.

NB: Thank you for taking the time to talk to us here at Nerdsburgh.  One final question, if I were to encounter a ghost in real life what would be your advice? And who do you think I should call?
GB: My advice would be that you should call us, So we can check you out.  I mean check your apartment out. Who you gonna call? He-man.