Cover Date: August 1973
On Sale Date: May 1973
Writer: Gary Friedrich
Artist: Tom Sutton
Inker: Syd Shores
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Glynis Wein
Editor: Roy Thomas
Artist: Tom Sutton
Inker: Syd Shores
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Glynis Wein
Editor: Roy Thomas
Cover Artist: Rich Buckler
In the abandoned cave ruins, Linda Littletrees, now going by the
moniker of Witch Woman, holds the Ghost Rider captive. Binding him to
the wall with flaming shackles, the Apache girl tells Johnny that she
has been sent by Satan to collect his soul. Using her satanic powers,
Linda projects her thoughts onto the cave wall, showing Blaze how she
became Satan's thrall.
Less than a year before, she left her family's
reservation to attend college in New York City. When she arrived, she
met her roommate, a blonde girl named Jennifer Glatzer, who was a
practicing devil-worshiper. Linda immediately became friends with the
other girl, who eventually convinced the Indian to read some of her
occult books. After about six months, Linda fell asleep on her bed while
studying. While she slept, Linda crept into the room, her satanic
candle lit. She opened the window and called for her master, offering
Linda as a bride. When she received no sign of Satan's arrival,
Jennifer assumed that he has rejected her gift. When she looked at Linda,
however, she saw the pentagram emblazoned on her forehead, a sign of
acceptance. Johnny interrupts Linda's story, arguing with her that she
was unwillingly duped into satanic servitude. Denying his accusations,
the Witch Woman conjures a gag of hellfire around Blaze's mouth, so she
can continue her story without further interjections.
The night after Jennifer's secret offering, Linda
decided that she would join her roommate for one of her group's rituals.
The two dressed in exotic outfits and then covered up in large robes, so as
not to draw attention to themselves on the way to the sabbat. Jennifer
assured Linda that it's all pretend, easing her nervousness. They arrived at a large house and descended into the crypt-like basement, where Linda was shocked to see dozens of women with flaming torches surrounding a
large altar. Jennifer and the other women surrounded the frightened girl
and dragged her to the altar, tying her down as they chanted. Jennifer called
out for her master to appear, pulling out a large knife in the process.
As the girls continued to chant louder and louder, Jennifer plunged the
knife into Linda's stomach, but the girl felt nothing but the essence of
Satan pouring into her.
Linda becomes wrapped up in telling her story,
breaking the concentration needed to maintain the Ghost Rider's bonds.
Realizing he has his chance to escape, Johnny runs from the cave and
hops on his motorcycle, his escape finally snapping his enemy back to
reality. She fires several bolts of hellfire at the Rider as he
navigates his way down the narrow trails of the pueblo. As he makes his
escape, Satan appears before Linda, claiming that she has failed in her
task. Linda pleads for a second chance, which the demon begrudgingly
gives her. Having made his way to the bottom of the caves, Johnny turns
back to see the Witch Woman standing at the top of the pueblo. She tells
him that because she has failed in her mission, she must now pay the
price. Turning her blasts of hellfire back on herself, Linda lights
herself afire and falls to the canyon floor. Johnny turns away, unable
to watch the girl's death. He rides away just as the sun comes up,
transforming him back to his normal self.
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| That is legit a great panel. |
THE ROADMAP
This was the last issue of Marvel Spotlight to feature the Ghost Rider, as he was granted an ongoing title of his own. Therefore the next issue of this series is Ghost Rider (1973) # 1.
CHAIN REACTION
To read my review of Marvel Spotlight (1972) # 11 see my book Wheels On Fire: An Unofficial Guide to Marvel Comics' Ghost Rider: 1972-1983!
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| "I'll have what she's having!" |
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