Ghost Rider (1973) # 45

“To Banish a Ghost!”

Cover Date: June 1980
On Sale Date: March 1980
 
Writer: Michael Fleisher
Artist: Don Perlin
Letterer: Diana Albers
Colorist: Bob Sharen
Editor: Dennis O’Neil
Editor-In-Chief: Jim Shooter

Cover Artist: Bob Budiansky

The men that had previously assisted the wizard Azaziah in his plot to defeat the Ghost Rider are attempting to escape in a small airplane. The Ghost Rider grounds the plane and fries the men with hellfire before departing to the nearest town, where he transforms back into Johnny Blaze. Johnny goes into a nearby bar and orders a drink, where on the television he sees a stunt-rider named Flagg Fargo perform. Fargo calls out Blaze one live television, challenging him to a contest that will determine which of them is the world’s best stunt-rider. A group of local sports enthusiasts in the bar recognize Johnny and convince him to take Fargo up on the challenge, even offering to buy him a new motorcycle to compete with. When Blaze leaves the bar he sees a group of thieves and transforms into the Ghost Rider, but the demon loses them near the lot where Fargo’s trailers are parked.

A few days later, Blaze and Fargo begin their competition at the local sports arena. Blaze, who is out of practice due to being on the road as the Ghost Rider for many months, finds himself continually bested in challenges by Fargo, with the night’s score ending 325 to 225 and Fargo in the lead. After leaving the arena for the night, Johnny sees the thieves again and tries to stop them without transforming into the Ghost Rider, but fails and nearly wrecks his bike in the process.

Flagg Fargo sucks.

THE ROADMAP

The three men in the plane at the start of the issue assisted the Crimson Mage, Azaziah, in Ghost Rider (1973) # 43.

CHAIN REACTION
To read my review of Ghost Rider (1973) # 45 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