Ghost Rider (1973) # 47

“The Demon Within!”

Cover Date: August 1980
On Sale Date: May 1980

Script: Michael Fleisher
Art: Don Perlin
Letters: Joe Rosen
Colors: Bob Sharen
Editor: Denny O’Neil
Editor-In-Chief: Jim Shooter
Cover Artist: Bob Budiansky

Following his defeat by Flagg Fargo and the loss of his stunt-riding championship title, Johnny Blaze decides to never transform into the Ghost Rider again. A few days later he stops at a roadside bar, feeling like a drug addict craving a fix due to keeping the demon from emerging. Inside the bar he is harassed by three bikers, who get kicked out after Blaze punches one of them. Johnny gets drunk in an attempt to keep the Ghost Rider down, but when he goes outside, he finds the bikers waiting for them. They beat on the drunken Blaze until a police officer, prostitute in custody with him, stops the fight and drives the bikers off. The prostitute, Amy, offers to take Johnny home with her to help him recover, and the police officer agrees. On the drive home, Amy tells Johnny that she recognized him and that her brother was a huge fan. That night, Johnny has a dream about the Ghost Rider punishing the bikers, and when he awakens, he frantically searches and begs Amy for alcohol to keep the demon from coming out.

The next day, Johnny and Amy take a bike ride out into the countryside for a picnic, but they are followed by the bikers. They threaten the couple and leave with Johnny’s jacket and motorcycle. However, they return once more and force themselves on Amy, which finally gives Johnny enough of a reason to transform into the Ghost Rider, who brutally exacts vengeance on the three men. Afterward, Johnny regains his form and Amy realizes that the Ghost Rider is the “demon” he was trying to keep from coming out. She begs him to stay with her, but he refuses, realizing that the Ghost Rider can’t be beaten and is inside him to stay.

From himbo to hobo in six easy steps.

THE ROADMAP
Johnny gets his chance for a rematch against Fargo in Ghost Rider (1973) # 58.

CHAIN REACTION
To read my review of Ghost Rider (1973) # 47 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

Sure Amy, "loitering", yeah.