Ghost Rider (1973) # 54

“Orb of Evil…Eye of Doom!”

Cover Date: March 1981
On Sale Date: December 1980

Writer: Michael Fleisher
Artist: Don Perlin
Colorist: Rob Carosella
Letterer: Diana Albers
Editor: Dennis O’Neil
Editor in Chief: Jim Shooter
Cover Artist: Bob Budiansky

Johnny Blaze rides toward Las Vegas, where he has been offered a job stunt-riding at the Diamond Cowgirl Casino for seven nights. He’s ambushed by two gunmen firing at him from an overpass, forcing him to transform into the Ghost Rider to survive. In a fit of anger, the demon picks up Blaze’s motorcycle and hurls it at the men above, then races into the nearby town on his hellcycle to set fire to a street full of abandoned buildings. After the Ghost Rider departs, the Orb emerges from the overpass, having missed his opportunity to attack with his improved laser helmet. In the desert, the Ghost Rider relinquishes control back to Blaze, who is terrified by how out of control the demon has become. No longer having a motorcycle, he chances upon a bus heading into the city.

When he arrives in Las Vegas he goes to the casino and meets the owner, Mr. King, who gives him the money to purchase a new motorcycle. He spends the next day preparing for the week of stunt shows and that evening gives his first spectacular performance. After the show he’s approached by Gina Langtree, who calls him the name “Frank Ryder” and is surprised to see him alive. He realizes that he met Gina when he had amnesia and had completely forgotten about her after his memory returned. The two enjoy their reunion and Gina says that she’s in town with her father’s racing company for an upcoming race. They are watched from a nearby alley by the Orb, who crafts a plan to kill Blaze by using Gina as bait.

The next evening, Gina’s father asks her to take the Formula One racecar into the desert for a test drive, but when she reaches Humbolt’s Canyon the car runs out of fuel due to sabotage. The Orb kidnaps Gina while, back in Las Vegas, Johnny receives a note from Gina asking him to meet her at Humbolt’s Canyon. When he arrives at the canyon, he finds Gina tied up and a landmine in the ground ahead of him. He manages to transform into the Ghost Rider when the mine explodes, destroying his motorcycle. The Orb attacks with his helmet laser but is unable to defeat the Ghost Rider, who grabs him and burns him with hellfire. The demon is stopped from killing him by Gina, who begs him to let the villain go. Ghost Rider pauses and transforms back into Johnny Blaze, who notices the Orb’s unscarred face. The Orb reveals that he had a plastic surgeon repair the damage to his face but as his face melts into disfigurement realizes that the Ghost Rider’s hellfire has scarred him once again. The Orb tells Blaze that the Ghost Rider has won but he will return to destroy them both in time.

No throwing your toys, GR!

THE ROADMAP
The Orb last appeared in Ghost Rider (1973) # 28 and makes his next appearance in Ghost Rider (1973) # 63.

Johnny Blaze spent time in the amnesiac "Frank Ryder" and romanced Gina Langtree in Ghost Rider (1973) # 41-42.

CHAIN REACTION
To read my review of Ghost Rider (1973) # 54 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

The latest in a string of bad decisions by the Orb.