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New Interview with IDW Transformers x Ghostbusters Writer Erik Burnham

Posted by D-Maximal_Primal Mar 25, 2019 at 7:49pm CDT 20,759 views
Thanks to the fine folks over at Comicbook.com, we have a new interview with IDW's Transformers x Ghostbusters writer Erik Burnham! Burnham sat down with comicbook.com and chatted about the new series, and brought up some new information that fans may be excited to hear about.

For one thing, we get a little bit more information and description on Ectotron. Not a lot, but we do get some more. By the sounds of it, he and Ray are going to get along really well. It's also interesting to hear that Ectotron is a bit of a writing challenge seeing as how he doesn't really have a "voice" yet to really go by, unlike pretty much the rest of the cast.

Another cool hint was that, despite the small cast, there are 2 characters that Burnham favors over others: Grimlock and Starscream. While it appears as though Grimlock will not appear much, Burnham felt he really needed to get him into the crossover. And as for Starscream? Well, he's Burnham's favorite to write!

Check out some parts of the interview below, and let us know what you think in the comments section below!

"Part of the reason I think they've lasted so long is the foundation: Ghosts are cool. Robots are cool. It's obviously more than that," Burnham said. "Ghostbusters explores dealing with the unknown with humor and curiosity. Transformers is (depending on where you look) anything from a straight-up fight of good against evil, to a more nuanced look at disagreements between two groups that come to war (which, no, not the same thing.)"

...

As for the team-up, the Autobots and Decepticons will all benefit from the humor the Ghostbusters are known for. "I think the Ghostbusters bring the humor out of the robots that they meet, and I know those Cybertronians crank up the stakes of the action. It's a good mix for the party," Burnham said.

Burnham is well acquainted with the Ghostbusters and Transformers, so writing those adored characters didn't present much of an issue. Ectotron though was another story.

"To be honest, the biggest challenge is Ectotron," Burnham said. "He's a new character, so he doesn't yet have an established voice that I can clearly hear. You give me Starscream, I will hear the inflections of Chris Latta. Megatron? Frank Welker. Optimus Prime? Peter Cullen. And, of course, the Ghostbusters have been in my head for YEARS. Those voices are all very clear and etched into my brain – but not Ectotron. Not yet. I know he'll gel before the end of the book, though, and I'm looking forward to seeing what his voice ultimately becomes!"

...

"Ectotron is a nerd in the same way that Ray Stantz is a nerd," Burnham said. "He's a little defensive about his title, and he doesn't get sent out on missions much – which is why Optimus Prime sending him out to investigate a signal he discovered means so much to him. He's going to grow through his adventure, as we all do, and putting him through those paces is going to be a lot of fun."

...

"I'm only a couple of issues into the story right now, but so far? Hands down, Starscream is just chewing all the scenery (which is what he does)! Even above Peter Venkman, so far," Burnham said. "But I'm just getting started, and there are others who have yet to get their time to shine... That may seem like a vague answer, but it's my way of not saying "wait'll you see" and then spoiling something! We can't have that, now can we?"

...

Another Transformers favorite has always been Grimlock, so we had to ask if the beloved Dinobot would find his way into the story. It turns out he just might make an appearance.

"I'll tell you this now," Burnham said. "I wrote an outline, and it kept the cast pretty small, comparatively to the size of the available cast. And then Dan and Luis turned in a connecting cover with virtually EVERYONE. (Not quite everyone, but man, there's a dense lineup on those covers!)"

"...And I saw a couple that just BEGGED to be brought in, even though they weren't in the outline. "How can I not find room for so-and-so?" I said. And Grimlock, he is definitely a guy I need to add. Even if it's just for a PANEL. He's too awesome to be denied!"


[quote]
New Interview with IDW Transformers x Ghostbusters Writer Erik Burnham
New Interview with IDW Transformers x Ghostbusters Writer Erik Burnham

More Bots. More News. More Awesome.

Re: New Interview with IDW Transformers x Ghostbusters Writer Erik Burnham (view post)
Comment by ZeroWolf Apr 9, 2019
As we inch closer to the release of IDWs crossover comic, between Transformers and Ghostbusters, "Ghosts of Cybertron" (that debuts June 19th). Artist Dan Schoening has tweeted recently, sharing the excitement and showing off three snippets of pages set on Cybertron! You can find them mirrored below and the tweet that Dan sent out.

Dan Schoening wrote:Many millions of years ago, on the planet Cybertron, life existed.” This June #Transformers #Ghostbusters @IDWPublishing @Hasbro Colors by: @luis_the_colorist


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In these images, you can make out several characters, including several in their Cybertron alt mode from the very first episode of the G1 cartoon "More than meets the eyes"

Looking forward to this miniseries? Let us know in the Energon Pub and stay tuned to Seibertron for all the latest news and reviews!
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Re: New Interview with IDW Transformers x Ghostbusters Writer Erik Burnham (view post)
Comment by What's Crackin'? Apr 10, 2019
The title of the first episode in the G1 cartoon is " More than Meets the Eye: Part 1" not " More Than Meets the Eyes "

Also holy crap is that Sunstorm!?
Re: New Interview with IDW Transformers x Ghostbusters Writer Erik Burnham (view post)
Comment by ZeroWolf Apr 10, 2019
Sorry that's my auto correct and late night work playing up :lol:
Re: New Interview with IDW Transformers x Ghostbusters Writer Erik Burnham (view post)
Comment by What's Crackin'? Apr 10, 2019
ZeroWolf wrote:Sorry that's my auto correct and late night work playing up :lol:


Nah, it's cool. Thanks for posting great news to this site!
Re: New Interview with IDW Transformers x Ghostbusters Writer Erik Burnham (view post)
Comment by Stargrave May 22, 2019
Great Starscream’s ghost have we got a necro-comic-con treat for your eyes! Just in from illustrator John Gallagher’s Instagram page is some unused cover art showing the iconic cast of the original Ghostbusters backed up by Slimer and the bot who gets ‘em caught, Ectotron! Take a peruse and share your views!

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Re: New Interview with IDW Transformers x Ghostbusters Writer Erik Burnham (view post)
Comment by Brokebot May 24, 2019
Whoa, that is awesome :x

Pretty sure I'd buy that as a full sized poster.
Re: New Interview with IDW Transformers x Ghostbusters Writer Erik Burnham (view post)
Comment by First-Aid May 27, 2019
Why is this unused? This the best we've seen so far!
Re: New Interview with IDW Transformers x Ghostbusters Writer Erik Burnham (view post)
Comment by First-Aid May 27, 2019
Brokebot wrote:Whoa, that is awesome :x

Pretty sure I'd buy that as a full sized poster.


This!
Re: New Interview with IDW Transformers x Ghostbusters Writer Erik Burnham (view post)
Comment by Stargrave May 31, 2019
Greetings Seibertronians! Previewsworld brings us some additional comic news today this time in the form of Transformers Ghostbusters #1 preview and some new Covers! The new covers include the 10 copy Alex Milne incentive cover, 25 copy Paulina Ganecheau cover, and 50 copy cover which is a variant of the 10 copy one.

Issue #1 is due in comic book shops by June 29th and is listed for a SRP of USD $3.99. Check out the preview and let us know if you’ll be grabbing this issue when it manifests later next month!

After years of civil war, the Autobots fled Cyberton, leaving their home planet in the evil clutches of Megatron and his Decepticons. Years later and millions of miles away, the Autobots pick up a Cybertronian distress signal from a mysterious planet called Earth. The ghostly signal shouldn't exist, and it'll bring Optimus Prime and his team-including brand-new Autobot ECTOTRON-face-to-face with... the GHOSTBUSTERS! Crossing the streams after 35 years! Written and illustrated by the long-time fan-favorite Ghostbusters creative team of Erik Burnham, Dan Schoening, and Luis Antonio Delgado! Five action-packed interconnecting covers from series artist Dan Schoening! The series will also include covers from superstar artists like Nick Roche, Alex Milne, Paulina Ganecheau, Priscilla Tramontano, and more!


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Re: New Interview with IDW Transformers x Ghostbusters Writer Erik Burnham (view post)
Comment by ScottyP May 31, 2019
That was pretty neat! Nice usage of the effect from the '86 movie opening credits behind the ghost robot lady.
Re: New Interview with IDW Transformers x Ghostbusters Writer Erik Burnham (view post)
Comment by -Crossfire- May 31, 2019
Interesting use of the Quintesson carvings on the last page. Wonder if they'll have any bearing on the story? Also, I really really really hope we get an appearance from Horri-Bull, considering he basically turns into a Terror Dog.
Re: New Interview with IDW Transformers x Ghostbusters Writer Erik Burnham (view post)
Comment by Randomhero May 31, 2019
-Crossfire- wrote:Interesting use of the Quintesson carvings on the last page. Wonder if they'll have any bearing on the story? Also, I really really really hope we get an appearance from Horri-Bull, considering he basically turns into a Terror Dog.


Doubt it. The creative team behind this is lousy with Easter eggs and stuff like that. To obnoxious levels. Their ghostbusters series was a huge turn off because the backgrounds were just riddled with Easter eggs and homages. I wouldn’t not take anything face value when it comes to sets and backgrounds with this team. Just focus on the story and try not to start making theories about this being there or that being there.
Re: New Interview with IDW Transformers x Ghostbusters Writer Erik Burnham (view post)
Comment by Wireless_Phantom May 31, 2019
So that's where Horribull got his alt-mode!
Re: New Interview with IDW Transformers x Ghostbusters Writer Erik Burnham (view post)
Comment by Wireless_Phantom May 31, 2019
Is it just me, or does the last panel remind anyone else of the "Ah shit, here we go again" meme?
Re: New Interview with IDW Transformers x Ghostbusters Writer Erik Burnham (view post)
Comment by Ig89ninja Jun 1, 2019
Wireless_Phantom wrote:Is it just me, or does the last panel remind anyone else of the "Ah ****, here we go again" meme?

Great, now I can’t unsee it.
Not that I’m complaining though, in fact it kinda fits the situation. ;)^
Re: New Interview with IDW Transformers x Ghostbusters Writer Erik Burnham (view post)
Comment by Stargrave Jun 16, 2019
This just in from Twitter member Diem @DiemTF is an image of the Hasbro/IDW Transformers: Ghosts of Cybertron cross-media promotional star Ectotron on is very own shirt! The shirt features an image of the four original Ghostbusters wheeling down some specters in the Ecto-1 in the foreground with a nice image of the paranormal pursuing powerhouse behind them. The art on the shirt appears to be by series artist Dan Shoening.
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Diem spotted this at their local Game Stop but mentions he believes this to also now be available on their on-line store. Upon a quick check it appears pre-orders for the shirt are up with an expected release date of June 20th.

Will you be sylin' and profilin' with the bot that gets 'em caught this summer?
Share your view with the Seibertron crew and let us know!
Re: New Interview with IDW Transformers x Ghostbusters Writer Erik Burnham (view post)
Comment by Nathaniel Prime Jun 16, 2019
The Ectotron in the shirt is noticeably different from the toy. Is that the same with the comic?
Re: New Interview with IDW Transformers x Ghostbusters Writer Erik Burnham (view post)
Comment by Stargrave Jun 16, 2019
Here's a couple more images for comparison - honestly I think he looks a tad different each time...
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Nose, no nose, what's your preference? :lol:
Re: New Interview with IDW Transformers x Ghostbusters Writer Erik Burnham (view post)
Comment by Nathaniel Prime Jun 17, 2019
My preference is with a nose. Without one, he looks unnatural with the faceplate mouth, a d he doesn't make it look nearly as good as Optimus Primal did. Between the two pictures you presented, the most noticeable difference seems to be the detailing on the legs. I wonder if that has any relevance to the story, or if they just wanted to emulate G1's animation error style.
Re: New Interview with IDW Transformers x Ghostbusters Writer Erik Burnham (view post)
Comment by D-Maximal_Primal Jun 17, 2019
I wish they would stick to the open mouthplate design, that's been my favorite
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