Ghost Rider (1990) # 66

"Darkness Falls"

Cover Date: October 1995; Publication Date: August 1995

Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Salvador Larroca; Inker: Sergio Melia; Letterer: Janice Chiang; Colorist: Kevin Tinsley; Editor: James Felder; Editor In Chief: Bobbie Chase; Cover Artist: Salvador Larroca

Danny Ketch has finally accepted his shared existence with the Ghost Rider and has located a need for him to transform.  The Ghost Rider stops a woman from being mugged and killed, giving the muggers his Penance Stare before riding away.  Later, he contemplates the temptation to keep control of their body, but ultimately decides to relinquish control back to Dan.  Meanwhile, a teenage girl attempts suicide by jumping off a bridge, but changes her mind at the last minute.  She's saved from falling by Blackout, who murders her.

Later, Danny is preparing to go visit his mother with his girlfriend Paula, who is picking up from her apartment.  Before they leave Paula has a phone call that angers her; she tells Dan that it's an ex-boyfriend of hers that follows her and won't leave her alone.  She snaps at Danny when he asks to help and tells him to go to his mother's on his own.  On the way he hears about a group of terrorists that have taken over a warehouse on the harbor and are threatening to detonate a bomb if the police don't stay away.  Ghost Rider takes out the terrorists, who he learns work for Anton Hellgate, one of his enemies.  When Ghost Rider returns to Cypress Hills Cemetery, he's approached by a man in the shadows who offers to act as his informant.  The man, who calls himself "Deep Throat", gives Ghost Rider information on Blackout and the young girl he killed.

At his penthouse apartment, Blackout is attacked by Ghost Rider.  Blackout mentions the arrangement they made during their last meeting, that if Ghost Rider leaves him alone he won't murder Danny's family.  Ghost Rider tells him that there are no more deals to be made, that every victim he kills makes the Rider as culpable for having not stopped him.  The battle between the two is brief, but the defeated Blackout still laughs in triumph; he knows Ghost Rider won't kill him and if he's taken to the police he'll be out in short time, after which he says he will kill Dan's mother.  Ghost Rider takes Blackout and chains him to the top of the World Trade Center antenna, where the dawn sunlight burns him alive.  Ghost Rider rides away, talking about his mission and how vengeance will no longer be denied.

Ghost Rider (1990) # 62

"Ghost Rider In Chains, Part 1: The Black Hole"

Cover Date: June 1995; Publication Date: April 1995

Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Salvador Larroca; Inker: Sergio Melia; Letterer: Janice Chiang; Colorist: Kevin Somers; Editor: Bobbie Chase; Cover Artist: Salvador Larroca

After his capture by SHIELD, Ghost Rider is taken to a facility called the Black Hole, which is run by the government agent known as Spook. Upon delivery to the Hole, the Rider attempts a brave attempt at escape. The attempt is short-lived, however, as the Spook's men quickly recapture him.  Meanwhile, Stacy Dolan gets into a bar fight that's broken up by her commander, Ski, who wants to help her with whatever has been bothering her since they captured the Ghost Rider

Back at the Black Hole, Spook confers with the Hole's two top scientists, Dr. Keene and the android Dr. Wright. During their conversation, it's revealed the the Black Hole also houses several of the Ghost Rider's enemies, including Skinner and the Scarecrow. Keene decides that the best way to examine the Rider is to suit up and take a look for herself.

In the void, the Rider and Dan have a conversation about how the two cannot continue to battle one another over their co-existence. Dan gives full control back over to the Rider in order to escape, resulting in GR taking Dr. Keene hostage. This escape attempt doesn't last long either, as the Rider is blasted continuously by the guards. Unable to keep hold in this world, GR unwilling triggers the transformation, leaving a defenseless Dan at the scientists' mercy.

Ghost Rider (1990) # 58

"Betrayals, Part 1: Love and Betrayal"

Cover Date: February 1995; Publication Date: December 1994

Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Salvador Larroca; Inker: Sergio Melia; Letterer: Janice Chiang; Colorist: Kevin Somers; Editor: Bobbie Chase; Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Salvador Larroca

Stacy Dolan and the rest of "the Team" (formerly Michael Badilino's Ghost Rider Task Force) have been taken to a SHIELD facility by Nick Fury to begin their training necessary for apprehending the Ghost Rider. December in New York City sees a young woman named Paula Harris being mugged in an alley until she is saved by Dan Ketch, who scares off the mugger with a small flash of hellfire in his eyes.

Week 3 for the Team's training, and Stacy is focusing on Dan's connection to the Ghost Rider as a way to fight through her exhaustion. She notices a man arguing with Fury, an unknown government agent that she calls "the Spook". He has brought new weaponry for them to test, though Stacy feels that accepting the equipment is akin to making a deal with the devil. Back in New York, Dan and Paula have started dating, while his mother tells him that she has someone for him to meet as well.

Week 4 for the Team, and Stacy tests out the final model of their new weaponry. The successful operation of the weapon signals the end of their training, making them finally ready to locate and capture Ghost Rider. Daniel is visiting with his mother, having introduced her to Paula, and he notices that her drinking problem is progressing. The doorbell rings, and Mrs. Ketch introduces her son to Jason Blackman, who claims to have heard about Danny "for so long...so very long."

Week 5: the Team has returned to New York and set up shop in an abandoned warehouse with access to a heliport. Stacy and Sean Tully are ordered to get the base cleaned and operation, giving Tully a chance to flirt with her. Meanwhile, Danny is getting on a subway train on his way to see Paula, and he thinks to himself that his life is finally good now that he has the Ghost Rider under control. In the skies above the city, the Team are in their helicopter for a final test run before their search begins the next day. On the subway train, Dan sees a young woman being attacked by a group of thugs. Though he tries to fight the transformation, the lights go out in the subway car and Dan transforms into the Ghost Rider, who takes out the thugs despite his weakened condition - his time trapped in the void has drained his strength. The Team is alerted to the Ghost Rider's activity in the subway, causing them to scrap their test run and start their mission early. The Rider returns to the surface and Dan starts fighting him for control of their body, causing the transformation to flash back and forth between them. Ghost Rider is able to wrest control from Dan just as the Team gets him in the sights of their copter. Ghost Rider is shocked to see Stacy on board.

Elsewhere, the Spook is informed of the Team's contact with Ghost Rider. He tells his secretary to inform Nick Fury that the next phase of their operation is ready to begin. Also, the Shriker arrives at an apartment and is ordered by a man in the shadows to find the Ghost Rider now. The Rider is on the run from the Team, who is firing at him from their helicopter. Ghost Rider pauses to rescue a homeless woman on the street, but as a result he is shot in the back by the helicopter. He escapes into the sewers before the Team can deploy, forcing them to go down after him.

Ghost Rider (1990) # 55

"Skin Games"

Cover Date: November 1994; Publication Date: September 1994

Writer: Warren Ellis; Artist: Salvador Larroca; Inker: Sergio Melia; Letterer: Janice Chiang; Colorist: Kevin Somers; Editor: Bobbie Chase; Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Salvador Larroca

Ghost Rider chases a "torso killer" into an alley and gives him the penance stare.  The next morning, Dan Ketch goes to the bar where he's been working and talks with the owner, who tells him about a gig bartending at an exclusive event in Alphabet City.  That night, Dan arrives at the "Skin and Bones", where he is accosted by a large bouncer before identifying himself as the fill-in bartender.  He's told to go to the upstairs bar to work and that he's not allowed to speak with any of the patrons.  Not long after, another man attempts to get into bar, and identifies himself as Calvin Zabo, a founding member of the club.  As Zabo goes upstairs to the private club, Jack Russell - the Werewolf by Night - is drinking in the bar on the first floor.  He notices the sound proofing on the ceiling and goes upstairs to see what's going on. 

The patrons of the club are addressed by their host, Morphine, who founded the Skin and Bones with Zabo years earlier when he became bored with assassination.  He brings out a captive vagrant and Zabo explains how he will torture him on stage by exposing a length of bone and carving his name.  Jack transforms into the Werewolf and goes on stage to save the homeless man, but Zabo transforms as well into Mr. Hyde and attacks.  Dan transforms into Ghost Rider and rescues Russell from the room of killers, but Hyde smashes through the floor and sends everyone crashing into the first floor bar.  Ghost Rider releases his chain links, which strike down all of the assassins before they can grab hostages.  Morphine is left for the Werewolf to take care of while Ghost Rider chases Hyde into an alley and gives him the Penance Stare.

Ghost Rider (1990) Annual # 2

"Wish For Pain"

Cover Date: 1994; On Sale Date: August 1994

Writer: Warren Ellis; Artist: Javier Saltares; Inker: Mike Witherby; Letterer: Lorina Mapa; Colorist: Kevin Somers; Editor: Chris Cooper; Group Editor: Bobbie Chase; Editor in Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Javier Saltares

High atop a building, the Scarecrow and his flock of crows watch his next potential victim on the street below. Scarecrow jumps down and knocks the innocent man unconscious but is interrupted by the police as he's dragging him away. The two officers attempt to arrest the villain, but the Scarecrow's fear-inducing power causes them to hesitate in fright - resulting in the male officer's death and the female officer's abduction. He takes his two victims back to his home, an abandoned reservoir beneath a toxic waste dump that would kill a normal man simply by breathing the air. The Scarecrow, however, has been changed by doctors, who gave him both the gift of fear and the ability to heal in the presence of fear - fear makes him immortal, he cannot die. In his new home, the Scarecrow thinks back to his hatred of the Ghost Rider and his childhood as the victim of his abusive mother. 

Four nights later, the Scarecrow watches the Ghost Rider from the window of an abandoned building, in which he holds several more kidnapped people. At the door to the building, the Scarecrow throws his pitchfork across the street - with the intestines of a victim attached, knocking the Ghost Rider off his bike as he drives by. The Rider releases his chain and strikes the Scarecrow in the heart, a blow that would've killed a normal man. Ghost Rider follows the villain into the building, where he's attacked by a healed Scarecrow and knocked through the window.

Scarecrow returns to the reservoir and dumps off his newest batch of living victims, beginning his long night of unloading and building. He thinks back again, this time to when the doctors were operating on him. One of the doctors had severed his vocal cords, making him unable to scream...trapping his fear, something that he swears won't happen again. Later, Scarecrow listens through the window of the 15th Police Precinct as Captain Dolan and his men discuss the rash of kidnappings. Back in the reservoir, Scarecrow attempts to sleep, but instead has a nightmare of the Ghost Rider. 

Later, in Brooklyn, Captain Dolan rides with two uniformed officers as they patrol the streets. Scarecrow lands atop their car, pulling the driver out of the car as his next captive. The second officer is stabbed by the pitchfork, forcing Dolan to reach onto the car's floorboard and press the gas pedal. The car crashes into a light post, and after he pulls himself from the wreck Dolan is approached by the Ghost Rider, who tells him that the Scarecrow is his. Back at the reservoir, the Scarecrow has completed his work - he has built a house where he cannot die or even be made to suffer. He stands triumphant outside, confident that this time he'll finally get to win.

Scarecrow tracks Ghost Rider down and sets a trap, causing the Rider to collide with the hanging bodies of unconscious innocents in a blind alley. Ghost Rider takes chase after the killer, the Scarecrow merrily keeping a few steps ahead...until they finally reach the reservoir. The Rider falls into the dark pit, landing in ankle deep water that's mixed with blood. He looks around and sees walls built into a maze, with live victims tied to them - a house of fear that the Scarecrow has sealed himself into with the Ghost Rider. Ghost Rider moves through the large room and is attacked by the Scarecrow in a series of hit-and-run strikes, while the Rider's attempts at retaliation result in the innocent victims strapped to the walls being hurt. Ghost Rider follows Scarecrow into another room and the door slams shut behind him, trapping him with the Scarecrow. The villain tells him that he will let him kill him - if the Rider refuses, Scarecrow will stab into the walls of the room, killing innocent people, and any attempt to stop him may result in some fatal accidents. Ghost Rider answers this by asking when all the innocents have been killed, what will then prevent him from exacting vengeance a thousand times heavier? Scarecrow hesitates, taken back by the Rider's grim statement, and is caught off guard by a strike of the demon's chain. Ghost Rider grabs Scarecrow and tells him that while he will not take his life, he can ensure that he never wriggles out of anyone's grasp ever again. 

Later, after the Ghost Rider has left, the police arrive and start the rescue of the dozens of innocent people in the reservoir. Captain Dolan enters and, instead of fearing the Scarecrow, now pities him. The police stand over the broken and disfigured Scarecrow...the Ghost Rider broke every bone in his body and held them so that they healed crooked. He will never walk again, and his fear is once again trapped inside him.

"Raising Cain"

Writer: Ian Edginton; Artist: Reggie Jones; Letterer: Lorina Mapa; Colorist: Tom Zuiko

Vengeance is fighting a monster made out of garbage, which was created via magic by an old woman named Ruby Avedon. She summoned the "Gris-Gris Man" to take revenge on the young punks who had been threatening the elderly people in her building, but the thirst for vengeance corrupted her. She killed several of her neighbors, and when policeman Michael Badilino came to check on them, she tried to kill him as well. Badilino transformed into Vengeance and fought the garbage creature, which is connected to Ruby's own life-force - so when Vengeance destroys the creature, Ruby dies as well

"Truck Stop"

Writer: Frank Lovece; Artist: Kevin Kobasic; Inker: Phillip Moy; Letterer: Steve Dutro; Colorist: Joe Andrea

John Blaze is riding ahead of his carnival on an interstate highway, and when he stops at a diner, he's nearly run over by a truck driver with a little boy in his cab. Blaze enters the diner and finds a woman crying...and to his surprise, the woman is Linda Littletrees, the Witch Woman! She and Blaze sit down to talk, and she tells him that the trucker was her husband Sam who has become crazy and violent. When Linda comes on to John, he excuses himself and goes outside. The truck then crashes through the diner, destroying it and injuring Linda. John jumps on his bike and rides after the truck, disabling it with his hellfire shotgun. When Blaze is threatened by the crashing truck, Linda wakes up and uses her satanic power to rescue him. John saves Sam from the wreck and he tells her that Linda is again worshiping Satan and threatened to kill him if he didn't stay away from their son. Realizing his mistake, Blaze confronts Linda, who becomes enraged that he's rejecting her. John blasts her with hellfire, which knocks her unconscious. Later, the Caretaker arrives to take her away, promising to help Linda as much as possible.

Ghost Rider (1990) # 51

"The Spirit is Willing..."

Cover Date: July 1994; Publication Date: May 1994

Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Salvador Larroca; Inkers: Sellers, Sanders, & McCarthy; Letterer: Janice Chiang; Colorist: John Kalisz; Editor: Bobbie Chase; Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Salvador Larroca

In Cypress Hills Cemetery, the newly resurrected Ghost Rider thinks back to his first rebirth, contemplating all that has happened to him and Dan in the short time they have been bound together. He thinks back to Barbara, Dan's sister, and her innocent blood that called him into being. On the spot where her blood was spilled, he thinks that no amount of vengeance nor hellfire can burn away the burden of her death on his hands. Meanwhile, in Manhattan, two foreign tourists wander into an alley, where they come across a large, superhumanly strong man named Slaughter Boy, who attacks and kills them.

Back in the cemetery, the Ghost Rider reminisces over his origin and the evil he's encountered since returning to life. He was victorious against them all, but he realizes that to Dan the triumphs were hallow compared to the loss of his sister. The Rider realizes that though the supernatural had distracted him from his mission, it would do so no longer. He has been reborn twice now, and he will not look for the supernatural to combat evil as there is too much of it lurking in humanity itself. He will no longer wait until someone is hurt or dead to react, promising Barbara that it will never happen again. He then transforms back into Dan.

Dan arrives at his mother's house, but finds a surprise visitor when he enters. His best friend, Jack D'Auria, tells him that he's been out of town for a while and had just stopped by to see how he and his mother were doing. Jack then leaves, while Dan enters the kitchen to check on his mother, who is thinking about her lost daughter. Dan tells her that, adopted or not, she'll always be his mother. Back in Manhattan, Slaughter Boy has engaged the police and is causing chaos in the streets.

A few blocks away, Dan pulls up to the local police precinct to pick up Stacy Dolan, who is happy that she and Dan have time to get reacquainted now that she knows about his involvement with the Ghost Rider. "Ski" Sokowalski then yells for her, telling her that Slaughter Boy is on a rampage and half the precinct is trying to bring him in. Stacy agrees to go with Ski, but before she leaves she asks Dan not to get involved. Dan apologizes, and after she's gone he transforms into the Ghost Rider.

The Ghost Rider then arrives at the scene, and engages Slaughter Boy despite Stacy's plea that he stay out of the situation. Despite saving Ski's life, the Rider is still met with fear and distrust by the policeman, who attempts to shoot him. Slaughter Boy comes back and attacks the Ghost Rider, yelling that all he wants is a good fight after being kicked out of the Unlimited Class Wrestling Federation. During the battle, Ghost Rider asks why his enemy killed so many innocent people if all he desired was a fight. Slaughter Boy tells him that he killed the tourists because foreign investors where responsible for getting him thrown out of pro wrestling. Angered by the villain's attempt to rationalize his actions, the Ghost Rider gives Slaughter Boy his penance stare, leaving him defeated on the ground. Before the Rider leaves, he stops to tell Stacy that what was done this night was done by him, not Daniel. But after the Rider leaves, Stacy wonders if Dan knows that himself.

Ghost Rider (1990) # 50

"Reborn Again"

Cover Date: June 1994; Publication Date: April 1994

Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Ron Garney; Inker: Al Williamson; Letterer: Janice Chiang; Colorist: John Kalisz; Editor: Bobbie Chase; Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Ron Garney

In and around Cypress Hills Cemetery, strange lightning has been seen in the skies over the past three nights. In a news broadcast, reporter Linda Wei says that vigilante activity has once again risen in the area, and that criminals are being found brutally beaten and in a state of terror. Elsewhere in Brooklyn, two men attempt to rob and rape a young woman. From behind them a chain rattles, followed by a bright glow of flame. Moments later, the woman is left standing in fear as the two men lay on the ground, incapacitated. Not long after, policemen Michael Badilino and John "Ski" Sokolowski examine the two men, who are still in the alleyway. Despite what Badilino knows to be true, he has no choice but to accept Ski's theory...that the Ghost Rider is back.

Later, in Cypress Hills Cemetery, Badilino arrives and encounters John Blaze, who has also heard of the rumors surround the Ghost Rider's return. Blaze kicks open the door to the mausoleum that housed the Ghost Rider's remains, and the two men are shocked to find the Rider himself standing in the darkened crypt. Responding to Blaze's questions about Zarathos, the Rider replies only that if he has returned then he must assume that Zarathos has as well. Blaze asks the demon about letting Dan return to life as well, which the Rider would rather not do. Finally, after some hostile threats from both Blaze and Badilino, the demon triggers the transformation, and a bearded and naked Dan Ketch stands among them. Blaze and Dan get ready to go home to see the kid's mom, and Badilino asks John to give a notepad to Stacy Dolan, since he has other things to take care of at the moment. Blaze and Dan ride off, leaving Michael alone in the cemetery...alone, that is, until a limo pulls up. Hellgate steps out and quickly disarms Badilino with a blast of energy, energy which has been designed to disrupt Michael's ability to transform into Vengeance. Hellgate allows Badilino to escape, to run, hoping that he'll lead him to the Ghost Rider.

At the Ketch house, Blaze (along with his wife, Roxanne, and two children, Emma and Craig) watch as Dan and his mother reunite. John then answers the door, showing a bewildered Stacy Dolan. Upon seeing him, she runs forward and the two share a passionate kiss and embrace. A few minutes later, Badilino comes crashing through the front door, trying to warn them about Hellgate. Everyone in the house run outside in an attempt to get away, but Hellgate is awaiting them on the roof. With another blast of energy, he strikes Badilino and teleports him away. Blaze tells Roxanne to get the kids away while Dan transforms into the Ghost Rider. Hellgate attacks from behind, and says that despite his appearance, he is not the demon that the Rider believes him to be. he claims to be a man of science, and as he blasts the Ghost Rider to the ground, he reveals that he is responsible from bringing the demon back to life by bathing the cemetery with every spectrum of energy known to man. While Hellgate savagely beats the Ghost Rider, Blaze reluctantly realizes that he has to help, leaving his family in hiding. Realizing that the two Spirits of Vengeance make a formidable team, Hellgate fires another blast of energy that hits the car behind which Roxanne and the children were hiding, causing it to explode. Blaze collapses in denial, but the Ghost Rider uses the opportunity to take the offensive against their enemy. With Hellgate in his grasp, the Rider gives him the penance stare, causing the villain to feel more pain than he has ever before experienced. Despite the pain, Hellgate musters his strength and flies away.

Later, Blaze tells Dan that he identified Roxanne's dead body, but that there are no traces of his children anywhere. Devastated by his loss, John tells Dan to stay away from him, and that if he ever sees him or the thing inside him again, he'll kill them both. Dan takes a walk through the cemetery and comes across the shattered statue of Zarathos. After briefly looking at the broken stone, he returns to his thoughts, vowing vengeance for Roxanne and Blaze.

"A Lover's Eyes"

Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Roger Cruz; Inkers: Hubbs, Pepoy, & DeCarlo; Letterer: Janice Chiang; Colorist: John Kalisz

Dan Ketch and Stacy Dolan walk down a street in their neighborhood, trying to figure out how to move their relationship forward now that Stacy knows about Dan and Ghost Rider. Stacy is hurt that Dan didn't trust her with the truth, and Dan apologizes to her for all the secrets.

Their kiss is interrupted by screams for help from the top floor of a nearby building. An explosion rocks the building, prompting Stacy to pull out her gun and investigate. She tells Dan to call for more police and to keep Ghost Rider out of the way. Dan sees the medallion on his bike glowing, and he decides to transform despite Stacy's wishes. Ghost Rider rides into the building and finds Stacy injured. She tells the Rider that six heavily armed men are taking a man and his wife to the roof. Stacy follows Ghost Rider to the roof and watches as he takes out the armored troops, who are actually working for Flag-Smasher and are attempting to kidnap a man who works for the electric company. After Ghost Rider defeats the men and takes out their helicopter, Stacy congratulates Dan for saving the day. Ghost Rider pushes her away and tells her that he is not Dan before riding away.

Ghost Rider (1990) # 49

"Darkness Within"

Cover Date: May 1994; Publication Date: March 1994

Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Ron Garney; Inkers: Tom Palmer & Al Williamson; Letterer: Janice Chiang; Colorist: Gregory Wright; Editor: Bobbie Chase; Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Ron Garney

At a deli in Manhattan, two men who attempted a robbery are now involved in a police hostage situation. After a two-hour stand-off, Vengeance walks through the police barricade and enters the deli. He makes short work of the two criminals, but doesn't fail to notice the fear in the eyes of the police as he leaves. A short while later, a mysterious jet flies over New York, the occupant on his way to Cypress Hills Cemetery. Meanwhile, at the Cemetery, the Ghost Rider's skull begins to faintly glow.

In the 75th police precinct, Michael Badilino is cleaning out his locker, despite the protests of his partner, John "Ski" Sokolowski. Michael tells Ski that he's taking time off and the strike team is now his to run. As Badilino leaves the precinct, he's stopped by Stacy Dolan, who confronts him about the possibility of Vengeance getting out of control. Badilino blows her warnings off and leaves. Elsewhere, on a luxury boat off the coast of Hong Kong, Hellgate receives reports that his men are investigating all aspects of the Ghost Rider and Vengeance.

Badilino arrives at Cypress Hills Cemetery, making his way to the mausoleum that houses the Ghost Rider's remains. As he takes a moment to collect his thoughts, he becomes aware that he's being watched from individuals in the shadows. He pulls his gun and turns around, only to find himself face to face with the Hulk, who has come to Cypress Hills for the Pantheon to investigate the anomalous energy readings that are emanating from the cemetery. Badilino runs into the mausoleum and transforms into the Vengeance, believing that the Hulk is working for Hellgate. Vengeance steps out of the crypt and blasts the Hulk with hellfire. The Hulk, who doesn't want to be late nor bruised for the bachelor party he's attending later, decides to take Vengeance out quickly. As the two heroes fight across the cemetery, two of Hellgate's minions - the armored duo Cerber and Erus - come out of the shadows and following them, their mission: to capture Vengeance for Hellgate.

Vengeance and the Hulk continue their battle until Cerber and Erus attack them, prompting the two heroes to realize that they've had a misunderstanding. Cerber and Erus come close to capturing Vengeance, but the Hulk swats them both away with a light post he's ripped from the ground. The two villains return quickly, but are easily defeated by Vengeance and the Hulk. After the battle ends, Vengeance tells the Hulk about what happened to the Ghost Rider, and Banner tries to give Badilino advice on what to do to keep from losing control. Hulk invites Vengeance to the bachelor party, but Michael declines. Meanwhile, the Ghost Rider's skull - still on display in the mausoleum, bursts into flame.

Ghost Rider (1990) # 48

"Under Fire, Part 2"

Cover Date: April 1994; Publication Date: February 1994

Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Ron Garney; Inker: Chris Ivy; Letterer: Janice Chiang; Colorist: John Kalisz; Editor: Bobbie Chase; Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Ron Garney

In a special holding cell at the police station house, Michael Badilino is interrogating the injured Dread, who had been responsible for murdering members of Badilino's old team.  Badilino wants Dread to give up information on his employer, Hellgate, but has to be restrained from beating on the villain by his fellow cops.  Badilino is ordered by Captain Dolan to go outside and talk to reporters, who have labeled him a "hero" for bringing in the cop-killer, and he reluctantly does so.  In the crowd of reporters is Peter Parker, Spider-Man, taking pictures for the Daily Bugle.

Inside the station, Dread's injuries heal rapidly.  Outside, another of Hellgate's minions, a monster named Rak that Vengeance fought not long ago, jumps from a nearby building and makes his way to the station to rescue Dread.  While Parker runs off to change into his costume, Badilino attempts to stop Rak with bullets, which only results in the monster swatting him aside as he enters the building.  Badilino transforms into Vengeance, and the frightened crowd is calmed by the entrance of Spider-Man, who assumes that Vengeance is a good guy due to his resemblance to Ghost Rider.  They enter the station house and find Rak and Dread killing more cops before they turn their attention toward the heroes.  The villains manage to escape, but Spider-Man is able to track them via a spider-tracer to an abandoned warehouse.  Vengeance and Spider-Man find the two villains hooked up to machines, which Vengeance destroys.  After a brief fight, Spider-Man stops Vengeance from killing Dread, saying that they have to be better than the villains they fight.  They're interrupted by Hellgate, appearing as a hologram, who says that he has become interested in Ghost Rider and now that attention turns to Vengeance.  He uses his power to punish Rak and Dread, killing them for their failure, before he disappears.  Vengeance explains to Spider-Man that Rak and Dread weren't actually alive, Hellgate reanimates the dead to do his bidding.  Vengeance thanks Spider-Man for his help, then tells him to stay out of his way.

Ghost Rider (1990) # 47

"Under Fire, Part 1"

Cover Date: March 1994; Publication Date: January 1994

Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Ron Garney; Inker: Chris Ivy; Letterer: Janice Chiang; Colorist: John Kalisz; Editor: Bobbie Chase; Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Ron Garney

In Brooklyn Heights, New York, police detective John Logan is thrown from a window by an assassin named Dread, who has killed Logan and several other cops under the orders of a man named Hellgate. An hour later, Michael Badilino and Jim “Ski” Sokowalski investigate the scene of Logan's death, as he had been a former co-worker of Badilino's. Michael sees Dread on a nearby rooftop and runs inside the building to reach the roof. When he gets to the roof, he's attacked by Dread, who says that Badilino is on Hellgate's assassination list. Dread misses with his first energy blast, and while under cover Badilino transforms into Vengeance. Dread and Vengeance have a brief battle on the roof, but the assassin escapes just as the rest of the cops arrive, leading them to believe that Vengeance is the person responsible for killing Logan. Even though they're firing at him, Vengeance refuses to fight the police, forcing him to flee.

Two hours later, Badilino meets with the rest of his task force. Ski thinks that this new Ghost Rider is the assassin, despite Badilino telling him to let it go. Michael leaves and decides to let off some steam as Vengeance. He goes on a rampage through several known criminal hideouts, looking for information on Anton Hellgate. After everything he does, he still comes up empty.

Later, at his apartment, Badilino is visited by Stacy Dolan, who wants to talk to him about Dan Ketch and the Ghost Rider. They're interrupted by Ski and the task force, who have discovered that Michael once served on a task force with the cops who had been murdered, so he figured that Badilino would be next on the list. When the lights go out, they realize that Dread is in the building's basement. Michael leaves Stacy, Ski, and the others in the apartment to look for Dread himself, and by the time he transforms into Vengeance he hears gunshots coming from his apartment. When he gets back, he sees Stacy trying to keep Ski from dying while the rest of the men are already dead. Vengeance chases after Dread and catches him outside; after a brief fight, Vengeance breaks Dread's arm. Before he can get any information from the assassin, the police arrive forcing Badilino to run. Dread is content to be arrested, certain that Hellgate will get him out of jail.

Blaze: Legacy of Blood (1993) # 2

"Legacy of Blood, Part 2: Brief Reunion"

Cover Date: January 1994; Publication Date: November 1993

Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Ron Wagner; Inker: Howard Rourke; Letterers: Richard Starkings & John Gaushell; Colorist: John Kalisz; Editor: Chris Cooper; Group Editor: Bobbie Chase; Editor-in-Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Ron Wagner

Blaze wakes up in a hospital next to his critically-injured wife, Roxanne, to find himself surrounded by the Hidden and Seer screaming at him to wake up.  He blasts his way to the hospital parking lot and takes out a large number of Hidden assassins.  When he returns to the Emergency Room, he finds that Seer has protected Roxanne and was the one responsible for getting them to the hospital.  Blaze takes Roxanne in his arms and asks Seer to teleport them to another hospital far away.  Later, at another hospital, Blaze tells Seer that Roxanne will live but is in the intensive care unit.  He thanks Seer, despite how he feels about the Blood, and she directs him to look north near the Canadian border for his children.

In a compound chalet in the Colorado Rockies, the Hidden leader Dark Design is finishing the indoctrination of a new Initiate into the Hidden.  They are interrupted by their master, Regent, who tells the Hidden to take care of Blaze.  Meanwhile, near the Canadian border, Blaze is tracking George and Marianne Waters, the siblings he had entrusted his wife and children to for protection.  Unknown to him, a silent helicopter has just dropped the Initiate nearby.  George attacks Blaze, but John gets the upper hand and sees Marianne standing with his son and daughter.

At the hospital, Regent visits Roxanne and is confronted by Seer.  Regent easily overpowers her and disappears with Roxanne.  Back in the forest, Blaze demands answers from the Waters siblings. The Initiate attacks, and when Marianne sees Blaze trying to protect the children she decides to help him, despite what her brother says.  Once the Initiate is beaten, George and Marianne confide in Blaze. They tell him that Roxanne had made a deal with Regent, who is one of the Blood, and the Hidden to turn over the children, which forced them to go on the run.  George then stabs John in the face with a knife, revealing that he is a member of the Hidden, then shoots and kills his sister.  George and the Initiate leave with the children, while Blaze loses consciousness, questioning why Roxanne would betray him.

Blaze: Legacy of Blood (1993) # 1

"Legacy of Blood, Part 1: Family Matters"

Cover Date: December 1993; Publication Date: October 1993

Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Ron Wagner; Inker: Howard Rourke; Letterers: Richard Starkings & John Gaushell; Colorist: John Kalisz; Editor: Chris Cooper; Group Editor: Bobbie Chase; Editor-in-Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Ron Wagner

While drinking in a bar, John Blaze is hassled by a group of bikers. Blaze beats the men severely, but stops himself before he kills them. He returns to drinking, but is found by his friend Clara Menninger and the youngest member of the Blood, Seer. Blaze blames the Blood for what's happened to his life, telling them to go find the surviving Spirit of Vengeance to play with. Seer tells him that this concerns his wife and children, but they are interrupted by the arrival of a demon. John kills the demon, saying that this happens every night because the demons are attracted to his power. John leaves, telling the two women to leave him alone. Later, they find him slumped over drunk in an alley. They take him to the cabin where the remaining members of the Quentin Carnival have been living, and they sober him up by splashing him with water. The telephone rings, and John speaks to his son Craig, who hangs up after only a few moments. He had been calling all day, which is why Clara had been searching for him. Wolf gives John the address of where Craig had been calling from in Chicago, and Blaze leaves, rebuking Seer's attempts to help him.

Meanwhile, at a stronghold in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, a member of the Blood named Regent is told that they found the children but the "husband" has become involved. Regent tells his men to delay Blaze, but that "the woman" is expendable. Blaze arrives at the abandoned building in Chicago, but finds only a photograph of his children waiting for him. He is attacked by a group of ninja assassins called the Hidden, whom he kills as he ascends to the roof of the building. One of the assassins holds his wife, Roxanne, hostage, and stabs her before escaping. Seer arrives and begs John to bring Roxanne and follow her, just before the building explodes.

Ghost Rider (1990) # 46

"If A Skull Could Weep..."

Cover Date: February 1994; Publication Date: December 1993

Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Ron Garney; Inker: Chris Ivy; Letterer: Janice Chiang; Colorists: Gregory Wright & John Kalisz; Editor: Bobbie Chase; Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Ron Garney

Following his death at the hands of Zarathos, the lifeless skull of the Ghost Rider has been placed on a pedestal in a Cypress Hills Cemetery mausoleum. A half mile away, the Caretaker stands in the rain in front of the Ketch home. He knocks on the door, which is answered by Francis Ketch. She immediately realizes that something has happened to her son, and all Caretaker can say is “I'm sorry” before leaving her to her tears. Elsewhere, inside the Dolan household, police captain Gerry Dolan tries to talk to his daughter Stacy, who has shut herself inside her room. Stacy sits in the dark, crying and repeating Dan's name over and over.

At the cemetery, Michael Badilino arrives at the mausoleum, taking note of the stone prison of Zarathos atop the crypt's door. He enters to find Ghost Rider's skull and jacket missing, and he assumes they've been stolen. He transforms into Vengeance and begins searching for the thief. Its not long until he sees a large creature fleeing from the cemetery grounds with a large bag in its hands. Back at the Ketch house, the Caretaker sits outside in the rain, wallowing in his guilt over Dan's death. At the Dolan house, Stacy cries over Dan, asking why he never told her about his life as Ghost Rider, and as she clutches his photograph she swears that she will never let him go.

Vengeance chases down the monster and attacks, discovering that its bag contains a multitude of human skulls. The creature says he was tasked to find one skull in specific, and that perhaps Vengeance's is the one he's looking for. The two have a brief battle, which Vengeance quickly wins. He turns away to search through the pile of skulls, but the Caretaker appears, telling him that Ghost Rider's isn't there. Badilino attacks the Caretaker, taking out all his rage and grief on him, until he notices the monster he fought escaping into the storm. Caretaker tells him that its time for them to bury their dead, that he knows where Ghost Rider's remains are being held. The two men soon arrive in front of the Dolan house, and when Stacy sees them she makes her way outside. It was her who took the skull and jacket, unable to bear the thought of Dan being left out on display. She then tells the Caretaker that she forgives him for what happened.

Later, Ghost Rider is laid to rest with a funeral attended by Stacy, Francis, and the Caretaker. Vengeance watches from astride his cycle, vowing that a new Ghost Rider will ride the night. Vengeance begins anew.

Blaze (1994) # 12

"A Blaze of Glory"

Cover Date: July 1995; On Sale Date: May 1995

Writer: Larry Hama; Artist: Gary Erskine; Letterer: Bill Oakley/NJQ; Colorist: John Kalisz; Editor: Marie Javins; Editor in Chief: Bobbie Chase; Cover Artist: Gary Erskine

John Blaze, Clara, and the Punisher arrive at the cemetery base of the Undead M.C., finding the vampires wrestling with a chained coffin. Thinking it to the be a source of their power, Blaze blows open the coffin with his hellfire shotgun, releasing the entity Uri-El, who immediately attacks. Blaze uses his shotgun against Uri-El, nearly destroying him, and the vampires rejoice. Blaze realizes that Uri-El was actually keeping the vampires in check and now that he's been defeated there is no one that can stand in their way.

The Wendigo arrives with Blaze's children, Craig and Emma, who use the magic nailfile against Charnel, the vampire leader. Carnel disarms Blaze and Punisher, allowing the vampires to nearly overwhelm them. Blaze reaches out and grabs Uri-El's flaming sword and uses it to kill the vampires, finally stabbing Charnel through the chest and ending the threat.

Blaze is reunited with his children, along with their orphaned companion Jesse Pinto, and returns the flaming sword to the recovered Uri-El. The rest of the Quentin Carnival arrive, having encountered and defeated a now shrunken down and imprisoned Shelob. Clara gives Blaze the jar containing the Eyes of the Kristall Starrer, stating she doesn't want to pay the price of using them anymore. Finally, the Punisher departs, telling Blaze to enjoy his happy ending because not everyone gets one of those.

Blaze (1994) # 11

"A Pale Fire Gleaming"

Cover Date: June 1995; On Sale Date: April 1995

Writer: Larry Hama; Artist: Gary Erskine; Letterer: Bill Oakley/NJQ; Colorist: John Kalisz; Editor: Marie Javins; Editor in Chief: Bobbie Chase; Cover Artist: Gary Erskine

John Blaze is fighting the vampires of the Undead Motorcycle Club when the Punisher arrives, wanting to kill the lead vampire Charnel for dealing heroin. Despite being shot full of bullets and hellfire, the vampires escape and retreat. Outside, the members of the Quentin Carnival have fought off more of the vampires. Clara utilizes the eyes of the Kristall-Starrer to show where the vampires have escaped to and joins Blaze on the back of his motorcycle. John, Clara, and the Punisher ride off to find the vampires, leaving the other carnival members behind to follow later.
Meanwhile, in another dimension, Craig and Emma Blaze beg Jesse Pinto not to kill Baal and instead go with them and the Wendigo to save their dad. Jesse uses the magic nail file to brand the number 7 on Baal's forehead as a promise that he will return for revenge.

At their underpass base of operations, the Undead MC accidentally releases the vampire-killing angel Uriel from his sarcophagus. Uriel manages to kill one of the vampires before he is stopped by Shelob, who seals him back inside the sarcophagus. Blaze, Clara, and the Punisher arrive and resume their battle with the vampires while the Wendigo and the children make their way back to Earth.

Blaze (1994) # 10

"Interview with a Biker"

Cover Date: May 1995; On Sale Date: March 1995

Writer: Larry Hama; Artist: Gary Erskine; Letterer: Bill Oakley/NJQ; Colorist: John Kalisz; Editor: Marie Javins; Editor in Chief: Bobbie Chase; Cover Artist: Gary Erskine

A vampire motorcycle gang, the Undead M.C., see a vision of John Blaze, who they plan to use to destroy a being they have chained inside a coffin. Leaving the coffin in the hands of the spider-woman, Shelob, the vampires head out to find Blaze. Meanwhile, while on the road with the Quentin Carnival, Clara uses the eyes of the Kristall-Starrer to show John a vision of his children traveling with the Wendigo in their hunt for Baal.

While they head toward Blaze, the leader of the vampire gang, Charnel, is run over by a passing motorist. He kills the motorist and leaves their body as a sign pointing toward Stark’s Pavilion. The carnival members stop when they see the body, with Blaze going inside the Pavilion alone. While he confronts Charnel inside the Pavilion, the carnival members are attacked by the other vampires. Meanwhile, the Punisher learns from a tortured informant that Charnel is a drug supplier and can be found at the Pavilion.

In another dimension, Wendigo and Blaze’s children prepare to kill Baal but stop when he tells them that their father is in danger. Back in New Jersey, Blaze blasts Charnel with hellfire and thinks he has defeated them, only for them to rise back up and attack him.

Ghost Riders: Crossroads (1995) # 1

"Crossroads"

Cover Date: November 1995; On Sale Date: September 1995

Writer: Howard Mackie & Ivan Velez Jr.; Artist: Cary Nord; Inker: Bob McCleod, Al Milgrom, Al Williamson, & Mike Witherby; Letterer: Jon Babcock; Colorist: Greg Wright w/ Malibu; Editor: James Felder; Editor in Chief: Bobbie Chase; Cover Artist: Cary Nord

In the Arizona desert, the Scarecrow is abducted by Blackheart. Later, in Cypress Hills Cemetery, the Ghost Rider transforms back into Daniel Ketch, who is then similarly kidnapped by Blackheart before he can transform again. Elsewhere, John Blaze stops at a roadside diner to get some food, unaware that Blackheart has followed him. Blackheart approaches Blaze and asks to speak with him, telling Blaze that he has killed his father, Mephisto, and taken over as the ruler of Hell. Blackheart is now wanting to expand his domain to Earth and wants to rejoin Blaze with Zarathos, making them the leader of the army of Hell. Blaze refuses and attempts to fight back, but is unable to overpower Blackheart.

Meanwhile, Danny Ketch is walking through a black void where he is attacked by the Scarecrow. Dan jumps through a portal and is found by Crash and Roxanne Simpson, both of whom are deceased. Back on Earth, Blackheart reunites Blaze with Zarathos, transforming back into the original Ghost Rider. Zarathos creates his hellfire motorcycle and rides off seeking vengeance. Danny wakes up in the company of Roxanne and his dead sister, Barbara. Blackheart arrives and tells him that he has trapped him in Hell, but if he finds his way out he will be allowed to take any one thing back to Earth with him. Unfortunately, Blackheart has offered the same deal to the Scarecrow and it is now a race to see who can find the portal first.

The Ghost Rider arrives at Freshkills Prison and starts frying the souls of the inmates with hellfire. Blackheart tempts the Ghost Rider into killing his victims instead when faced with the idea of killers returning to evil even after suffering penance. Back in Hell, Danny locates the doorway out and struggles to choose whether he will bring Barbara or Roxanne back with him. They're attacked by the Scarecrow and both women are injured during the fight. Danny fights off the Scarecrow and makes his way toward the door, which is opened by the Ghost Rider. Zarathos relinquishes control back to Blaze, who laments what he has become. Blackheart arrives and taunts the brothers with the choice Danny has to make to take only one thing back with him. Danny chooses "the power of the Ghost Rider", which an angry Blackheart reluctantly accepts. Danny transforms back into the Ghost Rider, freeing Blaze of Zarathos' influence, and the two ride out of Hell with Blackheart vowing revenge.

Ghost Rider/Wolverine/Punisher: The Dark Design (1994)

"The Dark Design"

Cover Date: 1995; On Sale Date: November 1994

Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Ron Garney; Inker: Al Milgrom; Letterer: Richard Starkings; Colorist: Paul Mounts; Editor: Bobbie Chase; Editor in Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Ron Garney

Ghost Rider and a woman named Norma Jean run through the transformed town of Christ’s Crown while trying to protect the teenaged Lucy Crumm from Blackheart’s minions. The Corrupted attack and Ghost Rider is able to fight them off, but he is infected with Blackheart’s corruption at the end of the battle. He transforms back to Dan Ketch and Norma leads him and Lucy to safety in the tunnels under the town. Meanwhile, at the outskirts of the city, both Wolverine and the Punisher arrive, summoned by Lucy’s telepathic cries for help. In his tower at the center of Christ’s Crown, Blackheart teeters on the edge of sanity as he’s mocked by his father, Mephisto.

Wolverine and the Punisher make their way to the rebel camp in the tunnels, where they find Lucy and the slowly corrupting Dan Ketch. Lucy explains that the town changed overnight and they were overrun by Blackheart’s Corrupted. Since “coming of age” Lucy has developed psychic powers, which she used to call the three vigilantes to her aid. While attempting to move the survivors out of the city via the tunnels, the heroes are attacked by the Corrupted. Dan transforms into Ghost Rider, but both he and Lucy are carried away by the Corrupted.

The following morning at his tower, Blackheart has dressed Lucy in a wedding gown and plans on using her power to kill Mephisto. Punisher and Wolverine arrive and are shown the captive Ghost Rider, who has been tortured by Blackheart. All three vigilantes are imprisoned and shown their darkest nightmares, but they are able to see through them and fight their way out. They fight Blackheart and eventually defeat him, but his world begins to fall apart when Lucy rushes to his side and forgives him. As the heroes leave with Lucy and the other survivors, Mephisto appears to again taunt his son. Blackheart, however, has a dagger stained with Lucy’s innocent blood, which he uses to kill Mephisto and take over as the new ruler of Hell.

Blaze (1994) # 9

"Gateway to the Soul!"

Cover Date: April 1995; On Sale Date: February 1995

Writer: Larry Hama; Artist: Keith Pollard; Inker: Bill Reinhold; Letterer: Bill Oakley/NJQ; Colorist: John Kalisz; Editor: Marie Javins; Editor in Chief: Bobbie Chase; Cover Artist: Henry Martinez

John Blaze has barricaded himself inside his trailer with the eyes of the Kristall Starrer, who has returned from the realm of shadow to reclaim his eyes for himself. While the other members of the Quentin Carnival watch over the frantic Clara, the shadowy Crystal Gazer makes his way to Blaze’s trailer. The eyeballs jump out of their tank to attack Blaze while the Gazer breaks through the barricade; Blaze responds by blasting it with hellfire and remembering how he got to this point.

Flashback to yesterday, when the corrupted Clara is visited by the Oculist who sent her the eyes of the Kristall Starrer. He tells her that she must take out the eyes because the Crystal Gazer has returned for them. The Oculist tells her the story of his childhood in Germany during World War II, where he was the assistant to the Crystal Gazer as he attempted to pass through dimensions to see the light from the beginning of time. When the boy woke up the next day the Gazer was gone save for his eyes, preserved in a jar of liquid. The Oculist tries to take the eyes out of Clara’s head but he’s stopped by Blaze and kicked out of the carnival. That night, after the stunt show, Blaze is told by police Captain Rawlins that the Oculist was found dead, strangled with his eyes gouged out.

Back in the present day, Blaze is firing hellfire at the shadow form of the Crystal Gazer but stops when he sees ghosts of his wife and children. John starts to strangle himself before realizing that the Gazer is just trying to guilt him into killing himself. Blaze grabs the headlight of his motorcycle and channels hellfire through it, producing a blinding light that sends the Gazer away. Rawlins and Clara break into the trailer and Clara reclaims the eyes, allowing them to burrow into her head despite Blaze’s warning that she should destroy them. Rawlins leaves, saying he knows when it’s time to walk away.

Blaze (1994) # 8

"...No Laughing Matter!"

Cover Date: March 1995; On Sale Date: January 1995

Writer: Larry Hama; Artist: Henry Martinez; Inker: Bud LaRosa; Letterer: Bill Oakley; Colorist: John Kalisz; Editor: Bobbie Chase; Cover Artist: Henry Martinez

The light of an opening door appears in a dark room, allowing John Blaze to step through into the darkness. Suddenly, three figures - a woman with an axe, a maniac with a chainsaw, and a soldier with a rifle - attack him before freezing in their tracks. Blaze is approached by the Mad Monk, a robed man whose Murderama attraction, including the animated statues, is under review for addition to the Quentin Carnival. While Blaze is wary of signing him up, the Monk shows him something that might interest him personally: the actual chair that electrocuted Ice Box Bob and a sarcophagus containing the mummified remains of a High Priestess of Baal the Unspeakable. Curious as to how he knows so much about his personal life, John signs the Monk onto the Carnival and tells him to park his rig on the midway of their compound.

Blaze exits the Mad Monk's traveling rig and confers with Kody and Wolf, who are concerned about the fact that no one has ever heard of the Monk's "Murderama" attraction. John shrugs them off by saying that he'll hire on every freak, grifter, and psi-talent in the country to find his missing children. Blaze walks through the Carnival and thinks about the misery of his life while a police helicopter buzzes the Carnival in the sky above. Blaze's thoughts are interrupted by Clara, who is once again wearing the Eyes of the Kristal Starrer and an outlandish leather outfit. She blames John for her inability to control the Eyes, that it was him who made her use them to help find his children. John enters her trailer, unaware that he's being spied on by Princess Python - who in turn is discovered by Kody. The two talk about their feelings toward their co-workers: Python has fallen hard for Blaze, while Kody has long been in love with Clara. They hear a scream coming from the Mad Monk's trailer and decide to investigate, while the cops in the helicopter notice the Monk's truck shaking.

Inside the trailer, the Mad Monk - actually the assassin named Arcade - is held by an arm produced from the Priestess' sarcophagus. The Priestess tells him that their contract demands Blaze's death while Arcade begs for one last shot to murder him. Kody and Princess Python bust into the trailer and are rendered unconscious by Arcade's gas-filled boutonniere. Back in Clara's trailer, John's attempts at fighting off his friend's sexual advances are halted when they see the Mad Monk's trailer transforming into something new. The Carnival members assemble outside the reconfigured trailer, which is now a bizarre funhouse with "Murderworld" written on a large sign. Wolf tells John that Arcade is an assassin that's given carnies a bad name for a long time, then tosses John his shotgun.

Blaze enters and finds Arcade at a podium, directing him toward one of three doors. Unwilling to play the game, Blaze simply fires his hellfire at Arcade, nearly destroying the robotic double of the assassin. Instead of choosing a door, he follows a large coaxial cable into the wall, where another gunshot reveals the hidden Arcade. The assassin pulls a lever and opens all three doors, allowing the three killer robots from the Monk's attraction to attack. Blaze simply tosses his gun over his shoulder and fires, destroying the robots with one shot. Afraid for his life, Arcade opens a door to reveal Kody and Python held in the grasp of the Priestess, who says that she has waited three millenniums as an undead being for Baal's return, only for it to have been halted by Blaze. Blaze fires his gun, blasting the undead creature with hellfire and causing the sarcophagus to fall to the ground. While Kody helps Python outside, Blaze grabs Arcade and tosses him into the sarcophagus with the Priestess and locks it. He goes outside as the funhouse transforms back into a rig and tosses the keys to Wolf, telling his aide to drive the truck into the desert and just lose it. While Wolf drives away in the truck, the police helicopter hovers overhead, announcing futilely over a loud speaker for Blaze to stop where he's at.