Cover Date: August 1976
On Sale Date: May 1976
Writers: Tony Isabella & Jim Shooter (uncredited)
Artist: Frank Robbins
Inker: Vince Colletta
Letterer: John Simek
Colorist: Don Warfield
Editor: Marv Wolfman
Cover Artist: Gil Kane
Later, Johnny returns to the hospital and is greeted by Daimon Hellstrom, Coot Collier, and Wendy & Richard Pini, who have been waiting for him to return. They show him that when Katy Milner woke up from her coma she transformed into another woman named Roxanne Simpson, who explained that a demon named Inferno transformed her into Katy and erased her memory. Johnny embraces Roxanne, and a distraught Karen Page runs out holding back tears. She runs straight into the Stuntmaster, who knocks her unconscious and takes her away. When she wakes up, she is confronted by the villain Death's Head, who demands information from her. Karen doesn't understand, because her father was the real Death's Head, and he's been dead for years.
Ghost Rider was rescued from Satan by "the Friend" in Ghost Rider (1973) # 9 and he appeared again in Ghost Rider (1973) # 15. This issue reveals that "the Friend" was really an illusion cast by Satan all along.
Roxanne Simpson last appeared in Ghost Rider (1973) # 9. "Katy Milner" first appeared in Ghost Rider (1973) # 13, was injured in Ghost Rider (1973) # 14, and was possessed by the demonic Legion in Ghost Rider (1973) # 15. Inferno, the demon responsible for turning Roxanne into Katy, last appeared in Ghost Rider (1973) # 11.
Johnny Blaze has lost the race set up by the Challenger, who appears before him to cement his victory. The Challenger states that Blaze's soul is owed to Hell, and it was Satan's plan to allow him "false hope" via the illusion of his mysterious "Friend" that seemingly saved him. The Challenger transforms, revealing himself to be a demon in service to Satan, seemingly a doppelganger of his master. The Challenger offers Blaze his hand, reveling in the man's defeat, and though he is in despair from learning that his "Friend" was a lie, Blaze rejects the demon. The Challenger becomes furious, saying he will destroy Blaze for his insolence. Blaze somehow transforms back into the Ghost Rider and blasts the Challenger off his feet with hellfire, then creates his hellfire motorcycle. The Challenger creates volcanoes that erupt from the ground while Johnny rides through them, then a hurricane wind to blow the biker away. The Challenger quickly gains the upper hand and threatens to destroy Blaze, but Johnny catches on to the demon's real ability. He realizes that the Challenger couldn't really take his Ghost Rider powers away and is only as powerful as Blaze believes him to be. No longer scared of the demon, Johnny attacks and eventually defeats the Challenger, who disappears in a cloud of smoke. Johnny notices that he is still the Ghost Rider, and decides that even though he still has the power it doesn't mean his soul belongs to Satan.
Later, Johnny returns to the hospital and is greeted by Daimon Hellstrom, Coot Collier, and Wendy & Richard Pini, who have been waiting for him to return. They show him that when Katy Milner woke up from her coma she transformed into another woman named Roxanne Simpson, who explained that a demon named Inferno transformed her into Katy and erased her memory. Johnny embraces Roxanne, and a distraught Karen Page runs out holding back tears. She runs straight into the Stuntmaster, who knocks her unconscious and takes her away. When she wakes up, she is confronted by the villain Death's Head, who demands information from her. Karen doesn't understand, because her father was the real Death's Head, and he's been dead for years.
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| So is Shooter the "higher authority" or "prince of false hopes"? |
THE ROADMAP
Ghost Rider appears next in Daredevil (1964) # 138, which picks up where this issue's epilogue left off.
Ghost Rider was rescued from Satan by "the Friend" in Ghost Rider (1973) # 9 and he appeared again in Ghost Rider (1973) # 15. This issue reveals that "the Friend" was really an illusion cast by Satan all along.
Roxanne Simpson last appeared in Ghost Rider (1973) # 9. "Katy Milner" first appeared in Ghost Rider (1973) # 13, was injured in Ghost Rider (1973) # 14, and was possessed by the demonic Legion in Ghost Rider (1973) # 15. Inferno, the demon responsible for turning Roxanne into Katy, last appeared in Ghost Rider (1973) # 11.
CHAIN REACTION
To read my review of Ghost Rider (1973) # 19 see my book Wheels On Fire: An Unofficial Guide to Marvel Comics' Ghost Rider: 1972-1983!
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| Such an underrated Ghost Rider artist. |
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