On Sale Date: March 1982
Writer: Roger Stern
Artist: Bob Budiansky
Inker: Dave Simons
Letterer: Diana Albers
Colorist: George Roussos
Editor: Tom DeFalco
Editor In Chief: Jim Shooter
Cover Artist: Bob Budiansky
Red Fowler learned that Johnny is the Ghost Rider in Ghost Rider (1973) # 65.
CHAIN REACTION
While on a nighttime ride through the countryside, the Ghost Rider is seen and pursued by a motorcycle policeman. After causing the officer to crash, the Ghost Rider tells him that not everyone that has raced against him has walked away with their soul intact. The Ghost Rider returns to the Quentin Carnival, stopping on a hilltop overlook that is filled with construction equipment. The demon briefly entertains the idea of attacking the Carnival, but Johnny Blaze is able to wrest control of his body back. He goes down to the Carnival and changes into his costume just in time for his set to start, fielding questions from Corky the clown about a telegram Johnny had agreed to mail to his "famous circus clown" son. Red Fowler assists Johnny with his bike before Blaze goes out to perform, and Red thinks to himself about Johnny being the Ghost Rider, though Blaze is unaware that Red knows. In the crowd watching Johnny's performance are three people: Harry Donovon, his girlfriend Shirley, and their mutual friend Burt. After the show, Harry decides to hit up a local bar, while Shirley stays with Burt to get Blaze's autograph. Burt and Shirley decide not to join Harry at the bar, deciding that they would rather spend time with one another at the Carnival.
The next morning, a drunk Harry drives his truck into the Carnival and attacks Blaze, who he thinks must have kidnapped Shirley. Mr. Quentin is able to drive the drunkard away at gunpoint and Harry leaves in his truck. Afterward, Corky is given a telegram that's from his son, saying he is coming to the Carnival. That night, Johnny Blaze goes out for his cycle show, and Shirley and Burt are again in the stands watching as a couple. Harry, still drunk, drives onto the hilltop overlooking the carnival with a rifle, intending to shoot Blaze. When he pulls the trigger, however, he realizes that the gun has no bullets. He sees the construction equipment on the hill and walks toward it, an idea coming to his drunken mind.
Down below, Blaze is performing when Harry busts through the carnival stands in a giant earthmover. Blaze attempts to ride around the machine, keeping it from hurting any innocent people, but soon finds himself boxed in. He attempts to jump the earthmover on his bike, but is unable to clear it and finds himself hanging for his life on the front of the machine. Harry drives the earthmover out of the carnival and into the desert, followed by Shirley and Burt in their car, having recognized Harry as the driver. To save himself, Blaze has no choice but to transform into the Ghost Rider, who attacks Harry in the cockpit of the machine. In pursuit, Burt's car hits a rock, which causes Shirley to be thrown from the vehicle. The Ghost Rider takes control of the earthmover and spins it around, this time with Harry hanging on the side, and they see Burt and an unconscious Shirley directly in their path. While Burt runs away, leaving Shirley behind, Harry fights back against the Ghost Rider to save the girl's life. Ghost Rider rips the steering wheel out of the machine while simultaneously slamming on the brake, stopping the earthmover right before it reaches Shirley. Harry is thrown from the vehicle to the ground below, and he's immediately grabbed by the Ghost Rider, who fries him with hellfire. His desire for vengeance sated, Ghost Rider returns control to Johnny Blaze, who is faced with the cowering Harry. While Johnny is guilt-ridden over what has happened, he doesn't realize that the Ghost Rider's hellfire will have had a positive impact on Harry's life, causing him to think twice before drinking or losing his temper, in effect driving out his own personal demon.
The next morning, a drunk Harry drives his truck into the Carnival and attacks Blaze, who he thinks must have kidnapped Shirley. Mr. Quentin is able to drive the drunkard away at gunpoint and Harry leaves in his truck. Afterward, Corky is given a telegram that's from his son, saying he is coming to the Carnival. That night, Johnny Blaze goes out for his cycle show, and Shirley and Burt are again in the stands watching as a couple. Harry, still drunk, drives onto the hilltop overlooking the carnival with a rifle, intending to shoot Blaze. When he pulls the trigger, however, he realizes that the gun has no bullets. He sees the construction equipment on the hill and walks toward it, an idea coming to his drunken mind.
Down below, Blaze is performing when Harry busts through the carnival stands in a giant earthmover. Blaze attempts to ride around the machine, keeping it from hurting any innocent people, but soon finds himself boxed in. He attempts to jump the earthmover on his bike, but is unable to clear it and finds himself hanging for his life on the front of the machine. Harry drives the earthmover out of the carnival and into the desert, followed by Shirley and Burt in their car, having recognized Harry as the driver. To save himself, Blaze has no choice but to transform into the Ghost Rider, who attacks Harry in the cockpit of the machine. In pursuit, Burt's car hits a rock, which causes Shirley to be thrown from the vehicle. The Ghost Rider takes control of the earthmover and spins it around, this time with Harry hanging on the side, and they see Burt and an unconscious Shirley directly in their path. While Burt runs away, leaving Shirley behind, Harry fights back against the Ghost Rider to save the girl's life. Ghost Rider rips the steering wheel out of the machine while simultaneously slamming on the brake, stopping the earthmover right before it reaches Shirley. Harry is thrown from the vehicle to the ground below, and he's immediately grabbed by the Ghost Rider, who fries him with hellfire. His desire for vengeance sated, Ghost Rider returns control to Johnny Blaze, who is faced with the cowering Harry. While Johnny is guilt-ridden over what has happened, he doesn't realize that the Ghost Rider's hellfire will have had a positive impact on Harry's life, causing him to think twice before drinking or losing his temper, in effect driving out his own personal demon.
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| Yikes! |
THE ROADMAP
Corky's son, the "famous circus clown", will arrive at the Quentin Carnival in Ghost Rider (1973) # 70 and be revealed as the Clown from the Circus of Crime in Ghost Rider (1973) # 72.
Red Fowler learned that Johnny is the Ghost Rider in Ghost Rider (1973) # 65.
CHAIN REACTION
To read my review of Ghost Rider (1973) # 69 see my book Wheels On Fire: An Unofficial Guide to Marvel Comics' Ghost Rider: 1972-1983!
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