What If...? (1977) # 28

“What If Ghost Rider Were Separated From Johnny Blaze?”

Cover Date: August 1981
On Sale Date: May 1981

Writer: Michael Fleisher
Artist; Tom Sutton
Letterer: Vic Carey
Colorist: Gaff
Editor: Denny O’Neil
Editor In Chief: Jim Shooter
Cover Artist: Frank Miller

The Watcher presents an alternate reality diverging from Johnny Blaze’s battle with the wizard Azaziah, who had separated Blaze from his demonic self, the Ghost Rider. Johnny fails to destroy the wizard’s crystal of power and is instead knocked unconscious by Azaziah, who then uses a spell to bond himself to the Ghost Rider. Azaziah now has complete control of the Ghost Rider while transformed and his own magical power makes the Ghost Rider even stronger, allowing him to ride across the ocean to another continent in the span of a few hours. Meanwhile, Johnny wakes up and realizes that he has to stop Azaziah, who is headed for the Vatican in Rome.

The Ghost Rider arrives in Vatican City and storms the Vatican, taking the Pope hostage while he prepares a spell that will make him the master of every soul on the planet. Back in the United States, Blaze hijacks a plane and flies to Europe, where thirteen hours later he arrives to find the Vatican sealed off behind a wall of hellfire. Johnny steals a motorcycle and jumps over the wall of fire, but lands badly and injures himself. The Ghost Rider feels the pain in his leg as well and realizes that the bond between him and Blaze still exists. He finds Johnny and takes him inside the Vatican, chaining him to the wall before he transforms back into Azaziah. The Crimson Mage begins his spell and materializes a magical scimitar above the captive Pope, but Johnny is able to free himself and take possession of the sword. Realizing that he has only one way to save the Pope, Johnny stabs the Ghost Rider through the chest, killing Azaziah. However, due to the link between them, the act also costs Johnny his life. He dies, his actions having saved the world.

Roman Holiday?

THE ROADMAP
This story diverges from events originally depicted in Ghost Rider (1973) # 43-44.

CHAIN REACTION
To read my review of What If...? (1977) # 28 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

Action Pope!