Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 127

"The Walking Wounded, Part 5: Seal the Deal"

Cover Date: April 1993; Publication Date: February 1993

Writer: Ann Nocenti; Artist: Steve Lightle; Letterer: Dave Sharpe; Colorist: Marianne Lightle; Editor: Terry Kavanagh; Editor in Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Steve Lightle

While the area around them is consumed by the realm of madness, Typhoid fights off Ghost Rider and turns her attention toward Father Louis, who is determined to save the soul of the innocent Mary Walker. Ghost Rider, meanwhile, is confronted by Dusk in the form of Typhoid, who drags him into the realm of insanity. Ghost Rider attempts to fight Dusk as he shapeshifts into other heroes that he claims have been touched by madness, but Ghost Rider refuses to give in. Dusk changes into the form of the innocent Mary and consumes Ghost Rider's soul, forcing him to live the pain he has caused his victims and dooming him to an eternity in Dusk's realm. 

THE ROADMAP

This issue of Marvel Comics Presents also contained stories featuring Wolverine, Speedball, and Iron Fist.

The heroes that Dusk shapeshifts into include Wolverine, the Hulk, Moon Knight, Elektra, Venom, and the Punisher. 

CHAIN REACTION

The true form of Dusk is revealed as the serial descends into a fever dream state, aided by some truly inspired artwork.

More than anything, this chapter is a showcase for artist Steve Lightle, who perfectly captures the descent into madness that the characters are experiencing. The serial has been shifting ever so slightly as it progresses, but here the artwork just descends into what could have been an impenetrable mess in the hands of a lesser artist. Lightle takes the characters' mental breakdowns and visualizes it admirably, blurring events together on the page to the point where there aren't really individual panels anymore. Everything just sort of flows from one action to the next and your eyes are just sort of swept away with the beauty of it all.

That's not to say there aren't some elements of confusion, though, particularly when it comes to Dusk's confrontation with Ghost Rider. Having him continuing to take the form of Typhoid Mary doesn't make things real clear, even with the phantom version of Typhoid wearing a different outfit and brandishing a flaming skeleton hand. Nocenti really trusts the readers to be able to discern reality from insanity during this story and hangs most of the responsibility of the plot's clarity on Lightle's capable shoulders. 

This is one chaotic chapter of what has not been the clearest story, but everything hangs together once all the pieces start falling into place. The artwork is stellar and worth the price of admission alone. Recommended.