Ghost Rider (1973) # 1

"A Woman Possessed!"

Cover Date: September 1973
On Sale Date: June 1973

Writer: Gary Friedrich
Artist: Tom Sutton
Inker: Syd Shores
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: George Roussos
Editor: Roy Thomas
Cover Artist: Gil Kane

Following his encounter with Linda Littletrees, the Witch Woman, Blaze races back toward the hospital where he left Roxanne. He encounters a police barricade, which he breaks through easily. Immediately afterwards, however, one of the officers shoots him in the shoulder, causing him to wipe out on his bike.

Meanwhile, Linda has fallen into a strange coma. Her fiancé, Sam Silvercloud, and father, the man once called Snake Dance, are unable to wake her up, realizing that her soul has been stolen by Satan. Sam, unwilling to let his loved one die, dials a number out of a newspaper. The number is for an occult exorcist named Daimon Hellstrom, who agrees to fly to Arizona immediately to help Linda. Back at the hospital, Johnny's road manager, Bart Slade, tells Roxanne that he plans to make the jump over the canyon in Blaze's stead. Elsewhere, Linda is approached by Satan, who takes possession of her body and flees toward the city in search of Blaze.

Night falls, prompting the hospitalized Johnny to transform into the Ghost Rider. With his injuries surprisingly healed in his demon form, Blaze escapes from the hospital and heads for the canyon. He arrives just in time to see Slade attempt the jump, unable to do nothing but watch as his friend crashes into the canyon wall. Blaze hurriedly scoops up the fainted Roxanne, and the two escape in a pickup truck. Back at the reservation, Hellstrom arrives to help Linda.


Transformation!

THE ROADMAP
This issue is continued from Marvel Spotlight (1972) # 11.

Though never showing his face, this issue marks the first appearance of Daimon Hellstrom, the Son of Satan. This character would go on to be featured in the Marvel Spotlight series for several issues, and eventually star in two separate ongoing titles: The Son of Satan in 1975 and Hellstorm in 1993.

CHAIN REACTION
To read my review of Ghost Rider (1973) # 1 see my book Wheels On Fire: An Unofficial Guide to Marvel Comics' Ghost Rider: 1972-1983!

R.I.P. Bart Slade


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