Transformers Ghostbusters: Afterlife Ecto-1 Ectotron Review

It's no surprise that Hasbro would combine one of the many classic toy properties they own with one of their licensed properties, such as Ghostbusters. The genesis for such a crossover happened in June 2019 with the release of the IDW comic series Transformers/Ghostbusters: Ghosts of Cybertron. An original character created for that story is Ectotron (also known as Ectronymous Diamatron), an Autobot scientist and a theoretical physicist who has the ability to transform into the Ghostbusters' Ecto-1 vehicle.

Of course, Hasbro, being a company that makes toys, would make a real Transformer based on Ectotron. The original Ectotron figure was released in July 2019, a month after the premiere of the comic series. Now Hasbro has released the Transformers Ghostbusters: Afterlife Ecto-1 Ectotron variant, which features updates based on the upcoming Ghostbusters: Afterlife movie. Read on to find out more about it...

The new Afterlife Ectotron includes the Ectotron figure with Proton Pack, a small Slimer figure, a small Muncher figure, and a copy of the IDW comic Transformers/Ghostbusters: Ghosts of Cybertron #1 with an exclusive cover.


As you can see from the image at the top of this review, Ectotron is packaged in his robot form. He is approximately 7-inches tall, and it takes 29 steps to convert him into the Ecto-1.


Ectotron is finely detailed with an updated head sculpt, including updated Ecto-Goggles that were inspired by Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and an "Ectotron" nametag.


In his car form, he has been updated with some of the detailing found on Afterlife's dilapidated Ecto-1. You'll notice that the ladder is now on the left side, which is accurate to Afterlife. His Proton Pack becomes the roof rack atop the car.


The most notable Afterlife addition is the little bit of rust paint that has been added to the front of the hood. That is the only bit of rust that has been added, though the logos on the sides and back have a cracking effect to them. As anyone who has seen the trailer can tell you, the car should be a lot more rusted than the tiny bit that Hasbro added to the front.


Slimer and Muncher are each approximately 1.5-inches tall. Unlike the promotional image seen near the top of this review, Slimer has no paint job on him whatsoever. The sculpt does have details, but they are not accentuated with paint; unlike the Slimer that came with the Ghostbusters Optimus Prime. From what I've read, the original Ectotron Slimer did not have a paint job, either, but this would have been a great chance for Hasbro to have corrected that. As for Muncher, he doesn't have a paint job, either, but since this is the FIRST MUNCHER FIGURE EVER RELEASED, I can look past that a little bit.


The set also includes the first issue of IDW's Transformers/Ghostbusters: Ghosts of Cybertron, written by Erik Burnham, with art by Dan Schoening, colors by Luis Antonio Delgado, and letters by Tom B. Long. The copy included here features cover art by Dan Schoening that was created exclusively for this toy release.


Ghostbusters Wiki notes the following list of differences between this copy of the comic and the original release:

• No designation unlike past variant covers (i.e. Cover A, Cover B).
• The issue is paginated.
• Pages 22 & 23 contains a two-page spread of the bottom half of the Ghostbusters: Afterlife poster of Ecto-1 in the wheat field.
• There is a selected cover gallery on pages 24-28 that features: The "Prime Gets Slimed" ad for the Transformers/Ghostbusters series that reuses Cover B, Issue #2 Cover B, Issue #2 RI, Issue #1 RI-A, Issue #5 Cover B
• The back cover has the Autobot symbol and the No-Ghost logo side-by-side along with the Hasbro and Ghost Corps company logos at the bottom.

You might be wondering how the Afterlife Ectotron compares to the original Ectotron release. Since I don't own the original, I have had to rely on images found online, including some borrowed from Jason Fitzsimmons' video review.

The biggest immediate difference is the packaging. The original was in a box (see below), while the new one is in blister packaging (seen at the top of this review). I suspect that the inclusion of the comic book is the reason for this, as that would not fit in a box. You'll also notice that the original was packaged in his car form, while the Afterlife variant is packaged in his robot form.


Obviously, the added rust and cracking on the logos is another difference. There are more subtle differences, too.


The most notable of which is the updated head sculpt with revised Ecto-Goggles that better reflects what we will be seeing in Afterlife. To better reflect the worn down Ecto seen in the movie, the new Ectotron is off-white, while the original was white. Also, various parts of his body are now silver, whereas they were beige in the original (and vice versa). There is now a No Ghost logo on the back door, while the original did not have a logo there. The Proton Pack is the same in both versions.


The Transformers Ghostbusters: Afterlife Ecto-1 Ectotron carries a MSRP of $59.99, which is a bit pricey in my opinion. I really think he should be $30 to $40, tops. Don't get me wrong. This guy is definitely worth a purchase, but maybe you can get him on sale.

Instructions scan provided by MrMichaelT of the Ghostbusters Wiki. Toy comparison photos provided by Jason Fitzsimmons of Ghostbusters News, used with permission. Other images scanned and/or photographed by me or provided by Hasbro. This item has been provided by Hasbro for review on this site.