Cover Date: February 2020; On Sale Date: December 2019
Writer: Ed Brisson; Artist: Juan Frigeri; Letterer: VC's Joe Caramagna; Colorist: Jason Keith; Editor: Chris Robinson; Senior Editor: Jordan D. White; Editor-in-Chief: C.B. Cebulski; Cover Artist: Aaron Kuder
At the docked cruise ship in Manhattan, where Johnny Blaze killed a host of demons including one possessing a cop, the Punisher and Wolverine examine the crime scene. Realizing that Danny Ketch had been there they assume he was responsible for the deaths of who they believe were innocent people and go about tracking him down. Meanwhile, at a motel in Utah, Johnny Blaze interrogates the captive Mephisto about the escaped demons. Mephisto tells him that all of this has been orchestrated by Lilith, who is furious at both of them for Johnny's place on Hell's throne.
In Cypress Hills Cemetery, Danny Ketch drinks at his mother's grave and talks to her about the Spirit of Corruption inside of him. His drinking is interrupted by the Caretaker, who tells him to sober up and help her stop Johnny from going mad with power. While they talk, Danny's bar is invaded by Blackheart, who asks the bartender Emma about Danny's whereabouts. When Danny and the Caretaker leave the cemetery they're stopped by Punisher and Wolverine. Danny transforms into the Spirit of Corruption and fights the two vigilantes, neither of whom are able to hurt him. Caretaker stops the fight and Punisher states that a Ghost Rider killed the people on the cruise ship, and with Johnny in Hell that just leaves Danny, who replies that Johnny's not in Hell anymore.
Elsewhere, at a bar in Kentucky, Lilith and her Lilin torture the Orb, using his all-seeing eye to track the whereabouts of Blaze and Mephisto. Johnny, as the Ghost Rider, drags Mephisto behind his motorcycle as they race down the highway, but of both them unexpectedly enter a magic portal that sends them to a snowy mountain. There they are confronted by Dr. Strange, who wants to know why Johnny has taken Mephisto.
THE ROADMAP
Johnny Blaze took over the throne of Hell to save Dr. Strange and Las Vegas in Damnation: Johnny Blaze - Ghost Rider (2018) # 1.
Johnny killed a police officer possessed by a demon in Ghost Rider (2019) # 2 at the cruise ship crime scene investigated by the Punisher and Wolverine.
Danny Ketch teamed up with Punisher and Wolverine to defeat Blackheart in Ghost Rider/Wolverine/Punisher: Hearts of Darkness and again in Ghost Rider/Wolverine/Punisher: The Dark Design.
CHAIN REACTION
Wolverine and the Punisher guest-star in a really tenuous sequel to 1991's "Hearts of Darkness" story.
Considering how much mileage Marvel gets out of reuniting the "New Fantastic Four" from the early 90s, which also included Wolverine and Ghost Rider, I'm surprised that "Hearts of Darkness" and its trio of vigilantes doesn't get more in way of homages. I suppose it's an appropriate enough topic for this series, given Danny Ketch's first real shot at relevance again in decades, but something just feels lacking form this.
Perhaps its because Danny has been altered so much with this new Spirit of Corruption identity that it robs the reunion of these three heroes of what made their original team-up so memorable. Had Danny been Ghost Rider still I could imagine this working so much better, though it also would have skewed the narrative that Ed Brisson is weaving. Punisher and Wolverine are after a Ghost Rider and find that Danny isn't one anymore, leaving only Johnny as their likely suspect. It continues the journey that Brisson has set Danny on while continuing to acknowledge the character's past and his relationship with others, it all works really well. I'm just missing Danny as Ghost Rider still, which is what I had hoped this series would be about in the first place.
Juan Frigeri steps up as the second half of the artist team, giving Aaron Kuder more of an extended break, and his work fits the storyline perfectly. Kuder may have more of a distinct style, but Frigeri really seems to get these characters on a fundamental basis, from Danny in his new role to Johnny as the King of Hell. He sells the action scenes with dramatic flair while keeping things strictly in the Marvel house style, which is appreciated despite it not being particularly flashy.
Brisson continues to move things along, digging deep into Ghost Rider history more and more with each new issue, and I'm still on board as to where all of this is heading. Next issue's confrontation between Johnny and Dr. Strange is promising, I have high hopes that it will pick up the momentum after the last few issues of simmering subplots.
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