NOW Comics Vol. 1 #21 is the twenty-first issue of NOW Comics' The Real Ghostbusters series, released in May 1990. The issue contains three stories, all of which are reprints drawn from Marvel Comics (UK)'s run of The Real Ghostbusters. The front cover is also borrowed directly from Marvel UK issue #50. Chief editor Tony Caputo oversaw the issue.
Stories
Ecto-X
Story by John Carnell. Pencils by Andy Lanning. Inks by Stephen Baskerville. Colors by Louise Cassell. Letters by Hel.
Reprint of "Ecto-X" from Marvel Comics (UK) The Real Ghostbusters #050 (May 27, 1989).
Egon Spengler builds a robot called Ecto-X and programs it to assist the team with busts. Ecto-X proves so efficient that it starts to overshadow Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, Winston Zeddemore, and Egon entirely. A Computergeist then possesses Ecto-X, uses the robot to trap the Ghostbusters, and heads for the Firehouse to free prisoners from the Containment Unit. Slimer rescues the team and they trap the ghost. Ecto-X is subsequently rebuilt as Ecto-Maid, whose sole programming is to bring the Ghostbusters snacks.
The Spooked Suit!
Story, pencils, inks, colors, and letters by Phil Elliott.
Reprint of "The Spooked Suit!" from Marvel Comics (UK) The Real Ghostbusters #015 (September 24, 1988).
A man named Reginald Asquith asks the Ghostbusters for help after his best clothes start transforming into garishly colored garments. Egon takes one of Asquith's suits to decontaminate it, but the color change spreads to affect Slimer, Janine Melnitz, and the rest of the team as well. How Egon ultimately resolves the situation is left unstated.
Neanderthal Nightmare!
Story by Andrew Brenner. Pencils by Anthony Williams. Inks by Cam Smith. Colors by Dondie Cox. Letters by Hel.
Reprint of "Neanderthal Nightmare!" from Marvel Comics (UK) The Real Ghostbusters #052 (June 10, 1989).
Ghostly Neanderthals begin materializing and wrecking cars following the arrival of ruins covered in prehistoric art. Egon deduces that the primitive phantoms are tied to their artifacts: because the relics have been removed from their original location, the ancient spirits cannot rest. Returning the artifacts to their proper place stops the haunting.