Ghost Rider (1973) # 65

“The Lair of the Loan Shark!”

Cover Date: February 1982
On Sale Date: November 1981

Writer: Michael Fleisher
Artist: Jack Sparling
Inker: Tom Sutton
Colorist: George Roussos
Letterer: Diana Albers
Editor: Tom DeFalco
Editor in Chief: Jim Shooter
Cover Artist: Bob Budiansky

While performing a stunt together, Johnny Blaze saves the life of a very antagonistic Red Fowler, who resents being demoted in favor of Blaze. When he goes to his trailer Fowler is threatened by the Loan Shark and his torpedoes, to whom he owes ten thousand dollars in gambling debts. Loan Shark tells him to produce the money by the next night and uses a sword attached to his hand to cut through the wall of his trailer. That night, Johnny is unable to sleep and transforms into the Ghost Rider, who rides out into the night away from the carnival. Similarly, Red takes a ride to clear his thoughts and runs into the Ghost Rider, who chases him into a washed-out gulley. Shaken by the encounter, Red returns to the carnival and accidently sees the Ghost Rider transforming back into Johnny Blaze.

Red sleeps until the next evening and attempts to flee the carnival before the Loan Shark returns. He’s cut off and kidnapped by the Loan Shark and his men, but luckily Johnny sees what happens and follows the car to a boat on the Great Lakes Marina. Loan Shark takes Red out on the lake and prepares to kill him for welching on his debt, but Johnny interrupts and attempts to fight all of the men to save Fowler’s life. Red realizes he’s misjudged Blaze but is knocked unconscious before he can help. Johnny is forced to transform into the Ghost Rider, who fries the souls of the Loan Shark and his men, setting fire to the boat in the process. Red manages to get off the boat before it explodes and both he and Johnny wash up on the shore. Johnny takes an unconscious Red back to the carnival and when Red wakes he decides that he will keep Johnny’s secret and be his friend.

Not the last time Ghost Rider is used as an addiction metaphor.

THE ROADMAP
Red Fowler will keep hidden that he knows Johnny's identity as the Ghost Rider until Ghost Rider (1973) # 73.

CHAIN REACTION

To read my review of Ghost Rider (1973) # 65 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

I'd be haunted, too, Red!