Ghost Rider (1973) # 60

“To Slay a Demon!”

Cover Date: September 1981
On Sale Date: June 1981

Writer: Michael Fleisher
Artist: Herb Trimpe
Inker: Don Perlin
Colorist: Rob Carosella
Letterer: Irv Watanabe
Editor: David Kraft
Editor in Chief: Jim Shooter
Cover Artist: Herb Trimpe

While in Chicago, Johnny Blaze has his bike stolen by one of a pair of dynamite thieves. As the Ghost Rider he quickly catches up to the thief and tosses him through the window of a storefront church, interrupting the study group led by Reverend Joshua, who sees the demon outside. Joshua goes to his bedroom and reveals a tribal costume, thinking about how his ancestor had been the Destroyer of Demons in his home country, powered by a mystical amulet that had been passed down through the family lineage. Dressing in the costume, Joshua dedicates himself to finding and killing the demon he saw.

The next day, while getting his motorcycle repaired Johnny Blaze goes to the storefront church to apologize for the damage caused by the Ghost Rider. When he arrives, Reverend Joshua attacks him with mystical blasts, forcing Johnny to transform into the Ghost Rider to survive. Realizing that Joshua’s magic could destroy him, the Ghost Rider flees. Later that evening, Joshua’s daughter, Gloria, learns that her boyfriend, Ron Williamson, plans to blow up an elevated train as part of a ransom scheme against the city. She attempts to run and is accosted by Williamson’s men, but Johnny happens upon the scene and beats up the men. Gloria tells Johnny about the bomb and he transforms into the Ghost Rider to stop the explosion. When he reaches the train station, however, he is attacked by Reverend Joshua. Fighting through the pain of the Reverend’s mystic blasts, Ghost Rider discovers the bomb and hurls it into the sky seconds before it explodes, causing Joshua to realize he was wrong about the demon being evil. The next day, Reverend Joshua and Gloria say their goodbyes to Johnny, thanking him for opening their eyes.

Poor kid on the train, she's been scarred for life.

CHAIN REACTION
To read my review of Ghost Rider (1973) # 60 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