Ghost Rider (1973) # 30

"The Mage and the Monster!"

Cover Date: June 1978

On Sale Date: March 1978

Writer: Roger McKenzie
Artist: Don Perlin
Inker: Jim Mooney
Letterer: J. Genovese
Colorist: M. Beveridge
Editor: Jim Shooter

Having been manipulated by Dormammu, the Ghost Rider attacks Doctor Strange in his Sanctum Sanctorum.  Believing that Strange had already tried to kill him, unaware that Dormammu was responsible, Johnny Blaze is determined to murder Doctor Strange.  Fighting for his life, Strange opens a flaming pit beneath the Ghost Rider, but not even that stops Blaze's attack.  Meanwhile, Strange's apprentice Clea senses the danger and flies back toward the Sanctum, which has been sealed off from the outside world by a mystical barrier.  Clea passes through the barrier and arrives just in time to stop the Ghost Rider from killing the unconscious Strange.

Outside, two police officers confront a man on a horse in an alley, but they quickly back off when they see his face.  The mysterious bounty hunter holds up a wanted poster for Johnny Blaze that reads "Wanted: Dead or Alive".  Back inside the Sanctum, Strange releases his astral form and enters the Ghost Rider's mind, where he finds the soul of Johnny Blaze and learns his origin from his memories.  Dormammu appears to confront Strange, who sends Blaze's soul away to protect it.  Johnny wakes up inside the body of Dr. Strange, who is about to be attacked yet again by the now soulless Ghost Rider.

Ghost Rider ALWAYS beats Dr. Strange in fights.

THE ROADMAP

The Bounty Hunter will locate Blaze in Ghost Rider (1973) # 31 and his origin will be revealed in Ghost Rider (1973) # 32.

CHAIN REACTION

To read my review of Ghost Rider (1973) # 30 see my book Wheels On Fire: An Unofficial Guide to Marvel Comics' Ghost Rider: 1972-1983!

Wheels On Fire: An Unofficial Guide to Marvel Comics' Ghost Rider From 1972-1983: Munn, Chris, Ishizaki, James, DeMatteis, J.M.: 9798702991832: Amazon.com: Books

Nice perspective in this panel!