Cover Date: September 2020; On Sale Date: July 2020
Writer: Ed Brisson; Artist: Aaron Kuder; 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
On the street outside of the Sanctum Sanctorum, a fully demonized Johnny Blaze confronts the defeated Dr. Strange. This is witnessed by one of Lilith's children, who allows Lilith to see the events through their eyes. Lilith puts out a call to the demons in Manhattan to join her by killing Blaze and his captive, Mephisto. Blaze, fully corrupted by the demons he's sent back to hell with his Damnation Stare, prepares to kill Dr. Strange, but is stopped by a hail of bullets. Danny Ketch has arrived with Wolverine, the Punisher, and the Caretaker, and Danny transforms into the Spirit of Corruption. While Danny and Johnny fight, the other three are left to defend Mephisto and Dr. Strange from the incoming demon horde. Johnny quickly gets the upper hand in the fight, beating Danny mercilessly; but before he can finish the battle Danny stabs him in the chest with his sword, incapacitating him. This gives Dr. Strange the opportunity to exorcise Johnny of the demonic corruption that is influencing him, returning him to his human form. Johnny hugs Danny and thanks him for saving him from the demonic corruption, but promises that he isn't done with his mission. Johnny transforms back into the Ghost Rider and rides away with Mephisto dragging along behind him, stating that they still have to face Lilith.
Later, at the Fadeaway Bar, Danny and the Caretaker enter to find both Emma and Stacy Dolan held captive by Blackheart. The Son of Mephisto states that Danny will join him against Lilith or everyone he holds dear will die.
THE ROADMAP
Johnny Blaze became the King of Hell to save Dr. Strange and Las Vegas in Damnation: Johnny Blaze - Ghost Rider (2018) # 1.
This is the last issue of the series and the story concludes in King in Black: Ghost Rider (2021) # 1.
CHAIN REACTION
This issue concludes not just the "Hearts of Darkness II" arc but also the series as a whole due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It's truly a shame that this series got chopped off at the knees like it did, with two issues solicited past this that were never published. The pandemic hit the comics industry hard, essentially shutting it down for several months, and this series was one of the unfortunate titles that Marvel decided they couldn't justify publishing as the company got back on its feet. I suppose we should be grateful that we at least got this final issue published, months after it was supposed to be released.
It also works fairly well as a resolution to the storyline about Johnny being corrupted by Hell with a final confrontation between him and Danny, now the Spirit of Corruption. That showdown is the heart of the comic, and Brisson does a great job making it the central focus while also juggling tons of other balls in the air. The guest-stars, specifically Wolverine and the Punisher, wind up being as superfluous as I feared they would be, but they do help to add to the issue's chaotic feel. Nothing really gets fully resolved, of course, since this was actually meant as a chapter in an ongoing series, but it does at least reset Johnny Blaze back to where he was at the series' beginning. He's still the King of Hell and he's still dragging Mephisto around with him, but at least he's not evil anymore.
Aaron Kuder returns to illustrate this final issue, and shows just how capable he was on this series. His use of negative space, such as the page with the aerial shot of Blaze walking toward Dr. Strange, is masterful and doesn't feel like a waste of space. He also handles action very well, particularly during the brutal fight between Johnny and Danny, showing just how outmatched Danny is with each subsequent panel of the fight. Kuder's health kept him from being the artistic rock that the series needed and he can't be faulted for that, but I wonder if his presence on a regular basis could have saved the series from cancellation?
This is ultimately unsatisfying as a final issue (it even ends on a cliffhanger!), but it's a solid conclusion to the present story-arc. Thankfully, Brisson is going to get another chance to wrap everything up in the near future.
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