Plot
Picking up from issue #20, the Ghostbusters have returned to New York after their expedition to the prehistoric world beneath the North Pole. Doc Hazzard, leader of the Crime Patrol, deduces that Nurtog's minions can return to the prehistoric world by the same route they used to reach New York. With that avenue of retreat secured, Nurtog is cornered. Stripped of his power, the ancient tyrant can no longer maintain his fearsome appearance, and reveals an extremely aged physical form beneath. He crumbles to dust, which is scattered by the wind, ending his threat for good.
Recurring and Notable Characters
Egon Spengler, Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, Winston Zeddemore, Janine Melnitz, and Slimer all appear in this issue.
Spike (full name Spikorouleusdennummale) is a humanoid dinosaur-like creature from the prehistoric world under the North Pole. The Ghostbusters first encountered him in issues #15 and #16, where they visited his home and helped prevent Nurtog's initial defeat. The Ghostbusters nicknamed him Spike to avoid the complications of pronouncing his full name. In issue #20, Spike sent the team a distress signal after Nurtog returned, and he plays a role in the final confrontation in this issue.
Nurtog is the prehistoric tyrant whose domain lay beneath the North Pole. He had been dormant for eons, with only a mental projection of himself initially surfacing to threaten the Ghostbusters (issues #15 and #16). When the Ghostbusters awoke his physical form, he was weakened by the long centuries of disuse, and a cave-in trapped him temporarily. Issue #20 saw him break free and invade New York, leading to this final confrontation in issue #22, where his true aged form is revealed and he is destroyed.
Cliff Burns is a tough pilot who became lost in the Earth's interior. He attempted to stop Nurtog's forces but was defeated. He first appeared in issue #20 and returns here to assist the Ghostbusters in the arc's conclusion.
Doc Hazzard, Lunar Avenger, and Crimson Crimebuster are members of the Crime Patrol, a superhero group introduced during this arc. Doc Hazzard leads the team and provides key tactical insight in this issue, working out how Nurtog's minions can be sent back to the prehistoric world. The Castaway Pilots also appear.
Trivia
- The front cover of this issue borrows from Marvel Comics' The Real Ghostbusters issue #40.
