Ghost Rider (1990) # 43

"Road to Vengeance: The Missing Link, Part 5: Inner Truths"

Cover Date: November 1993; Publication Date: September 1993

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

Ghost Rider and John Blaze arrive at Cypress Hills Cemetery to finally confront Centurious and get answers about the Medallion of Power, accompanied by Seer and members of the Quentin Carnival.  They find Caretaker and Vengeance waiting for them, and after a brief (and one-sided) fight against Caretaker they agree to go with the old man to get the answers they seek.  When Seer attempts to intervene, Caretaker convinces her to take the carnival members to the Blood's Nightclub while he does what he needs to do.  Meanwhile, beneath the cemetery, Centurious undergoes a ritual that bonds him to the chain he stole from Ghost Rider.  He's then told by Lilith that Mrs. Ketch has escaped them into the tunnels.

Back on the surface, Caretaker gets tired of Ghost Rider and Vengeance attacking one another and transforms them back into Danny Ketch and Michael Badilino.  He then leads them and Blaze down into a catacomb beneath a tomb, where smoke swirls around them.  This shows them the history of the Spirits of Vengeance and their ancient war against Zarathos, ending in a battle that destroyed them all and trapped their essences within the Medallion of Power.  The Blood, realizing that the Medallion could never be destroyed, instead shattered it and hid the shards within the bloodlines of two different families.  The Caretaker has been their immortal guardian ever since.  When Badilino points out that he became Vengeance due to his deal with Mephisto, Caretaker corrects him by saying Mephisto has always been a liar and a manipulator.  Ketch, Blaze, and Badilino all have pieces of the Medallion inside them that give them the powers of the Spirits of Vengeance, all Mephisto did was activate that power within Badilino.  Caretaker tells them that the Medallion must never become whole again, and he's there to teach them how to tap into its power.

In the caverns they run into the fleeing Francis Ketch, who upon seeing what has happened to Blaze slaps Caretaker in the face and demands he tell them the whole truth.  They are interrupted by Centurious, Lilith, and the Lilin who have come to claim the Medallion pieces.  Using the power of the chain Centurious calls the mystical motorcycles into the cavern, then fires a bolt of hellfire at Danny.  The blast instead hits Mrs. Ketch, who jumps in the path of the beam to save her son.  This causes Danny to transform into Ghost Rider, starting a battle between him and Centurious while the others hold off the Lilin.  The battle ends with Centurious defeated and unmasked, but before he can give them any answers a painful blast of energy erupts from the immortal villain's chest.  Zarathos, in this true demonic form, emerges from within Centurious, having been hiding inside him since their escape from the Soul Crystal.  Before anyone can react, a large explosion destroys the cavern and explodes through the surface of the cemetery.

Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 15

"Road to Vengeance: The Missing Link, Part 4: Trials by Fire!"

Cover Date: October 1993; Publication Date: August 1993

Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Mike Manley; Inker: Tom Palmer; Letterers: Bill Oakley & Jim Novak; Colorist: John Kalisz; Editor: Bobbie Chase; Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Mike Manley

Ghost Rider and Seer arrive at Quinn's cabin with the gravely injured John Blaze, whose body is being consumed by hellfire. The remaining members of the Quentin Carnival (Wolf, Kody, Miranda, and Clara) all gather around their fallen friend when Ghost Rider brings him inside. Quinn says he can help John and takes him to a hidden room inside the cabin, telling the others to wait outside. Quinn attempts to help John take control of the hellfire burning from within him, saying that it will take Blaze, Ghost Rider, and Vengeance to stand against what's coming next.

 

Meanwhile, in a mountain castle, Vengeance is in battle against a group of warrior monks who are attempting to destroy him. Vengeance escapes from the castle and rides away on his motorcycle to again attempt to kill Ghost Rider. Beneath Cypress Hills Cemetery, Lilith watches as Centurious uses magic and fire to take control of the chain he had stolen from Ghost Rider.

 

Back at the cabin, Blaze wakes up to find Quinn operating on him with a complex array of machines. Quinn tells John that the hellfire never came from his gun but from inside him, laying dormant until Centurious cut him up looking for the Medallion of Power. Using the equipment left by his father, Eli, Quinn has repaired the damage to John's body as best he could. Elsewhere in the cabin, the Carnival members are waiting for word about Blaze when Vengeance rides through the wall. Ghost Rider removes Vengeance from the cabin and the fight rages outside. Blaze hears Clara screaming for help and asks Quinn to give him his gun. Vengeance easily defeats Ghost Rider and the Carnival members, but is stopped by Blaze, who has emerged from the cabin in new clothes and cybernetic plates covering his limbs and half of his face. He shoots Vengeance multiple times, eventually causing the villain to transform back to his human form and fall down. Blaze recognizes him as Michael Badilino, the cop from New York that had been attempting to apprehend Ghost Rider. Blaze kicks Badilino in the face, then tells the others to get ready to go confront Centurious. Later, a naked Badilino makes his way through the forest and is found by the Caretaker, who says he's the only friend Badilino has.

Ghost Rider (2022) # 12

"Necropolis"

Cover Date: May 2023; On Sale Date: March 2023

Writer: Benjamin Percy; Artist: Cory Smith; Inker: Oren Junior; Letterer: VC's Travis Lanham; Colorist: Bryan Valenza; Editor: Darren Shan; Editor in Chief: C.B. Cebulski; Cover Artist: Bjorn Barends

Johnny Blaze and Talia Warroad arrive on the outskirts of Savannah, where they are stopped by two police officers who tell them the city is locked down. Johnny is sprayed in the face with mace by one of the cops and in turn he transforms into the Ghost Rider, who occupies one of the police cars and heads into the city. Talia, refusing to be left behind, puts a spell on the cops and follows Ghost Rider into Savannah. 

The city is almost completely on fire, with the bodies of both humans and demons littering the streets. Ghost Rider follows the path of destruction to Colonial Park Cemetery, where he encounters one surviving demon that is slowly dying from its wounds. The demon claims that the Ghost Rider had already been there, slaughtering his way through the city, and he raises the dead of the cemetery to attack. Ghost Rider grabs onto a cross of a tombstone and uses it as a flaming sword to destroy the undead, then eats the sin of the final demon as its dies, revealing a vision of a green-flamed creature that destroyed the city.

Later, Johnny and Talia gather supplies for a spell to uncover the identity of who or what destroyed Savannah. Checking in to a motel, Talia uses a hot tub and a drop of Johnny's blood to experience visions of his brother, Danny Ketch, as the person responsible for killing all of the people and demons in the city. 

Danny Ketch: Ghost Rider (2023) # 4

"An Ending"

Cover Date: October 2023; On Sale Date: August 2023

Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Daniel Picciotto; Letterer: VC's Travis Lanham; Colorist: Guru-eFX; Editor: Darren Shan; Editor in Chief: C.B. Cebulski; Cover Artist: Ben Harvey

Several years ago, a mutant Morlock named Scav is kicked out of the community for eating the flesh of their dead. In the present day, the Caretaker recovers from wounds inflicted by the Scarecrow. He leads Danny Ketch and John Blaze through a mausoleum that mystically transports them back to Cypress Hills Cemetery in Brooklyn. At that moment, the immensely more powerful Scav holds court with the captive Stacy Dolan and Roxanne Simpson, flanked by his minions the Broker, Scarecrow, and Blackout. Caretaker leads Blaze and Ketch to Scav's base of operations in the cemetery and is confronted by the Broker, who the Caretaker stays behind to handle.

Danny and Blaze arrive at Scav's throne room, where they also find their captive loved ones. When Stacy is injured Dan goes to trigger his transformation into Ghost Rider. Scav senses the presence of the Medallion of Power and declares that he is going to devour its power. He reclaims the power given to Blackout and Scarecrow, which mutates him into a larger, more monstrous form. The Broker halts his fight with the Caretaker when he senses Scav's enhanced power and goes to stop him, stating that he has reneged on their deal. Blaze's shotgun proves ineffective against Scav as he simply eats the hellfire. Caretaker and Broker arrive and determine that they cannot allow Scav to consume the Medallion, so Ghost Rider uses Caretaker's shovel to knock out all of the villain's teeth. The Broker then takes away the depowered Scav and teleports them both to parts unknown, leaving the heroes behind to pick up the pieces of the battle.

Ghost Rider (1990) # 42

"Road to Vengeance: The Missing Link, Part 3: Links"

Cover Date: October 1993; On Sale Date: August 1993

Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Ron Garney; Inker: Chris Ivy; Letterer: Janice Chiang; Colorist: Gregory Wright; Editor: Bobbie Chase; Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Mike Manley

Ghost Rider and the young woman named Seer are transported to the Blood's mystical Nightclub, where protective spells immediately transform Ghost Rider back into Dan Ketch. Dan is desperate for answers from Seer, especially now that Centurious has captured both his mother and John Blaze.

Meanwhile, at Centurious' headquarters in the town of Holly, the villain's servant Carver continues the work Skinner started by cutting away pieces of Blaze's flesh while he's chained from the ceiling. Observing alongside Centurious is the demon mother Lilith, who is approached by her Lilin Blackout. A piece of Ghost Rider's chain had been stabbed into Blackout's head, and when Centurious removes it another piece of the chain is immediately called to connect to it - a chain recovered when Centurious took possession of Deathwatch from Ghost Rider.

At the Nightclub, Seer begins to tell Dan some of the secrets of the Blood and the Medallion of Power, showing him visions in a puddle of alcohol. She stops soon after starting, unwilling to say anymore; but she then decides that if none of the other Blood care to get involved then she'll tell Dan everything. At that moment, the Caretaker steps through a mirror and throws Seer across the room, telling her to keep her mouth shut. The old man attacks Dan, who for the first time triggers the transformation into Ghost Rider on his own. The Rider quickly disables Caretaker, and the fight is finished when Seer receives a flash of pain from John Blaze. Ghost Rider and Seer depart, leaving Caretaker alone in the Nightclub, happy that things are finally moving along.

At Centurious' base, Carver is blown back by the massive amount of hellfire pouring uncontrollably out of Blaze's mutilated body. Centurious orders him to continue until he finds the piece of the Medallion that dwells inside Blaze's body. Ghost Rider and Seer arrive in Holly, which is completely empty of people, and make their way toward the church. They're attacked by three Stygian demons who are quickly killed. When they enter the church, a revived Deathwatch bursts through the floor, now under the thrall of Centurious. Ghost Rider attacks with his chain, but is caught by Deathwatch and tossed down into the church's basement for Centurious to retrieve. Deathwatch then attacks, claiming that he was really after the Medallion of Power on the night that Barbara Ketch was mortally wounded by his men.

While Ghost Rider fights Deathwatch, Seer goes in search of Blaze. Deathwatch ultimately falls under Ghost Rider's fists, and the Rider goes to join Seer in her hunt for Blaze. They find his cell behind a wall of hellfire, and Ghost Rider pulls the horribly injured John free. Deathwatch grabs Seer from behind, but before he can harm her he is blasted away by the combined hellfire of Blaze and the Rider. Seer opens up a gateway to the Nightclub for their escape, and Blaze tells them to take him to Quinn for help. Centurious and Lilith, with the captive Francis Ketch and Ghost Rider's complete chain, arrive at Cypress Hills to prepare for the final battle.

Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 14

"Road to Vengeance: The Missing Link, Part 2: Truth Is Only Skin Deep!"

Cover Date: September 1993; On Sale Date: July 1993

Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Mike Manley; Inker: Tom Palmer; Letterer: Bill Oakley; Colorist: John Kalisz; Editor: Bobbie Chase; Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Mike Manley

At a truck stop along a New York highway, the Lilin named Skinner murders a trucker. Vowing revenge on both Lilith and John Blaze for the death of his children, Skinner begins his hunt. Meanwhile, the Ghost Rider tears down a Pennsylvania road, searching for Blaze. When he comes across the spot that the remnants of the Quentin Carnival have been occupying, he sees them in a vicious battle with the Lilin. The demons are there to kidnap John, alive and unharmed. The Ghost Rider intervenes, forcing the Lilin to retreat through one of Pilgrim's portals. Blaze is reluctant to hear what the Ghost Rider has to say, unwilling to endanger his friends and family any more than he already has. GR transforms back to Dan, who explains that Lilith and another have kidnapped his mother. Blaze asks who the other person was, and upon hearing Centurious' name, angrily agrees to help.

At their secret location, Centurious and Lilith interrogate the terrified Francis Ketch. When she fails to cooperate, Centurious decides to torture her. Elsewhere, Seer arrives at the Nightclub, where she is confronted by the mystic form of one of the Blood. The Blood tell Seer to bring the Ghost Rider to the Nightclub immediately, while they deal with the Caretaker themselves. Back on the highway, Dan and John ride toward a town called Holly, the place where Zarathos and Centurious were locked away in the Soul Crystal. As the two travel toward the small town, they are both unaware that Skinner is following them in a stolen semi-truck.

Three miles outside of Holly, John and Dan stop at a diner to get some food while they have an opportunity. Skinner then attempts to run them over with the semi, but the two manage to evade the truck. After Dan transforms, the Ghost Rider goes to save the people in the diner from the burning semi-truck, leaving Blaze to fight Skinner alone. John is quickly outmatched, and is sliced open several times by Skinner's bone blades. Ghost Rider then returns, allowing John to crawl away. GR quickly defeats Skinner and turns his attention toward Blaze, whose wounds are covered in a strange flame. Before the Ghost Rider can reach his friend, Centurious and Lilith appear between them. Centurious offers to exchange Blaze and Dan's mother for the medallion on GR's motorcycle, which the Rider promptly refuses. Centurious tangles the Ghost Rider in his own chain, then disappears, taking Lilith, Skinner, and Blaze along with him. As Ghost Rider frees himself from his chain, he sees a vision of the Caretaker, who tells him to find Seer and then wait for him. As the vision fades, Seer appears and takes Ghost Rider's hands, promising the answers to his questions.

Ghost Rider (1990) Annual # 1

"Taste of Power" 

Cover Date: September 1993; On Sale Date: July 1993 

Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Chris Bachalo; Inker: Mark Buckingham; Letterer: Richard Starkings; Colorist: Christie Scheele; Editors: Bobbie Chase & Evan Skolnick; Editor-in-Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Chris Bachalo 

In Central Park a gang of men attempt to mug a seemingly homeless drifter. They are in turn attacked and killed by the drifter, who is an amnesiac vampire. By drinking their blood the vampire also absorbs their memories while regaining pieces of his own. On the street outside the edge of the park, Danny Ketch rides past with Seer, a young girl who is acting as a guide. She receives a warning of danger and tells Danny he needs to go into Central Park. Upon entering the park he is attacked by the vampire, who drains some of his blood before he is able to transform into the Ghost Rider. The vampire flees into the park and is pursued by Ghost Rider to Lincoln Center. After losing Ghost Rider in the crowd, the vampire comes across a familiar door and rips it off it’s hinges, revealing a staircase. He’s watched on computer monitors by Ms. Malone, who recognizes him as Carl Blake, also known as Night Terror. Her superior, Mr. Batlin, orders a security team to kill Blake, while Ghost Rider also makes his way down the staircase. 

Night Terror kills the security team and escapes Ghost Rider again by turning into mist. When Blake arrives in the control room he kills Batlin. By the time Ghost Rider catches up Blake has killed all of the people in the facility but one, Ms. Malone. Blake explains that the facility represents a spy organization that he worked for as a freelance assassin. During a mission Blake disappeared and was found a year later as an amnesiac vampire. He had recently escaped from the facility again, killing many of the staff as he left. He now intends to kill Malone and drink her blood so he can learn where his last mission took place. Ghost Rider impales Blake to the wall with his chain while escaping the facility with Malone just before it self-destructs. Outside in Lincoln Square, Ghost Rider meets back up with Seer, neither of them seeing the mist rising from a nearby grate. 

“The Worm Turns” 

Writer: Joey Cavalieri; Artist: Kirk Van Wormer; Inker: Brad Vancata; Letterer: Kurt Hathaway; Colorist: Sara Mossoff 

In Cypress Hills Cemetery during a rainstorm, Ghost Rider fights a demonic woman named Rigor Mortis who can turn things to stone with a touch. The fight ends in an underground mausoleum filled with the eggs of ancient “conqueror worms” that Mortis has to midwife through birth. The chamber fills with mud, which Ghost Rider tricks Rigor Mortis into turning into stone, trapping her. The eggs hatch and die while Ghost Rider walks away. 

Ghost Rider (1990) # 41

"Road to Vengeance: The Missing Link, Part 1: Mother Love"

Cover Date: September 1993; On Sale Date: July 1993

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

In Greenland, a very pregnant Lilith sings her siren call in the vain hope that one of her scattered children will come to her. She has devoured the corpses of her children that were killed by the Midnight Sons, and is ready to give birth to them once again. Her song is carried to every corner of the planet, and is heard by Centurious. Recognizing Lilith's call, he teleports away, believing that the demon queen may be able to help him in his quest for the Medallion of Power. Meanwhile, in New York, Dan Ketch sits in his apartment, thinking about all the questions that have been raised concerning the Ghost Rider's origin. Suddenly, a strange woman enters, saying that her name is Seer, one of the Caretaker's people. Dan says that the Caretaker is dead, killed by Vengeance. Seer replies that the Caretaker is probably still alive, and that Dan needs to come with her to get the answers he seeks. At that moment, hearing Lilith's siren call, Seer grabs Dan and pulls him out of the apartment.

Back in the Arctic, Lilith begins to lose hope that one of her children will come to her aid. Finally, a Lilin by the name of Outcast arrives, saying that he wants to return to the family fold. Outcast rips a hole in his mother's stomach, allowing the reborn Lilin to emerge in a flash of light. Blackout, whose face is now fully healed from the scars inflicted by Ghost Rider's hellfire, is the first to approach Lilith. She tells him that the Nine must die, that she wants their entrails as adornments. Blackout forces Pilgrim to teleport him to New York, in order to kill Danny.

Danny and Seer ride through NYC on his motorcycle, when they are attacked by Pilgrim and Blackout. Pilgrim creates a rift in the street, opening a giant chasm directly in front of Dan, who manages to grab hold of the street-edge. Dan tells Seer that he can't transform into the Ghost Rider until innocent blood is spilled, to which she says is untrue. Frustrated, Seer lets go of Danny and falls into the chasm, hoping to trigger his transformation. Blackout then grabs Dan's wrist, pulling him out of the chasm. When Dan sees the fresh blood that stains the vampire's teeth, the transformation is triggered and the Ghost Rider emerges. Pilgrim promptly teleports himself and his ally, as Blackout taunts the Rider by threatening Dan's mother.

In Greenland, Lilith and her offspring are confronted by Centurious, who seeks an alliance with the demon queen. Realizing that Centurious knows the location of the Medallion of Power, Lilith accepts the offer. Meanwhile, the Ghost Rider enters the darkened home of Francis Ketch. He finds the woman in the basement, attempting to fix the lights. Pilgrim and Blackout appear and grab Mrs. Ketch, commanding the Rider to transform back into Dan or she will die. The Ghost Rider refuses, slamming the end of his chain into Pilgrim's face (shattering it rather nicely). The demon then forms a length of the chain into a facsimile of a stake, promptly stabbing it into Blackout's forehead. Pilgrim teleports the two Lilin away, leaving GR alone with Mrs. Ketch. She tells the Rider that she knows about him and Dan, and that it's time for him to learn the truth. She is then grabbed from behind by Centurious, who blasts the Ghost Rider with an energy beam. As he teleports away, he tells GR that John Blaze knows where to find him, and that both of them must come. Seer then reappears, offering to give GR the answers to his questions. The Ghost Rider brushes her aside, opting instead to search for Blaze.

Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 13

"Midnight Massacre, Part 5: Dead Man’s Tales" 

Cover Date: August 1993; On Sale Date: June 1993 

Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Adam Kubert; Inkers: Joe Kubert, Dan Green, Klaus Janson, & Frank Spinks; Letterer: Bill Oakley; Colorist: Gregory Wright; Editor: Bobbie Chase; Editor-In-Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Adam Kubert 

At the Sanctum Sanctorum, home of Dr. Strange, the remaining members of the Midnight Sons arrive to find another of their number, Morbius, dead and the possessed Switchblade attempting to gain access to the building. Blade blasts his way inside and begins his search for the Darkhold, realizing that Strange is not home. Ghost Rider attempts to enter the Sanctum but is unable to get past the protective magical barrier. Blade finds the Darkhold but when he tries to grab it a spell is activated that drags him and the book outside amidst a teleportation vortex. Louise Hastings realizes that Strange’s spell is sending the Darkhold to another dimension and tells Ghost Rider to anchor the book so they can use it to stop Blade. Ghost Rider rushes forward to fight Blade, but is almost immediately overpowered and killed. Upon dying, Ghost Rider’s powers are absorbed by Blade, including the Penance Stare, which causes agony for Blade. Elsewhere, at a mysterious bar called the Nightclub, a member of the Blood named Seer who previously escaped Blade realizes that the Caretaker was right and the Blood need to gather once again. 

While he lay dying Ghost Rider experiences visions of the future that involve him, Blaze, and Vengeance working together against Centurious. Louise Hastings reaches the Darkhold and reads aloud the spell that reverses Blade’s transformation and resurrects all of his victims. Ghost Rider stops Modred from killing Blade and the Midnight Sons go their separate ways. They are unaware that the dimensional walls have started to fall, potentially unleashing terrible evil into the world. 

Ghost Rider (1990) # 40

"Midnight Massacre, Part 2: Hunters" 

Cover Date: August 1993; On Sale Date: June 1993 

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

Blade, now powered by a page of the Darkhold, kills and absorbs the power of a healer in the Bronx. Meanwhile, Demogoblin chases a small-time sorcerer in his own quest to destroy all other demons. The sorcerer shows him an image of Blade, who Demogoblin recognizes as the Demogorge, in hopes of saving his own life. Demogoblin decides to recruit Blade to his cause and kills the sorcerer anyway. Ghost Rider and Frank Drake, on the trail of Blade from Boston, discover Demogoblin, who flees to find Blade himself. 

Elsewhere in the city, Blade arrives at a nightclub after sensing a powerful supernatural force inside. He targets a young girl dancing in the club, but is interrupted by Demogoblin, who proposes an alliance between them. Ghost Rider and Drake arrive and attack Blade, but Demogoblin grabs both Blade and the girl, escaping with them to the top of the one of the World Trade Center towers. Ghost Rider follows on his motorcycle and saves the girl from being killed. When Demogoblin grabs Ghost Rider from behind, Blade runs his sword through them both, killing Demogoblin. The girl teleports away, mentioning that Caretaker was right, and it is time for the Blood to gather. Blade absorbs Demogoblin’s power and incapacitates Ghost Rider, nearly killing him with Blaze’s hellfire shotgun before Drake arrives and traps Blade in a stasis field. Ghost Rider barely escapes with his life, on his way to find the Darkhold Redeemers for assistance against Blade. 

Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 12

"Obligations"

Cover Date: July 1993; On Sale Date: May 1993

Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Adam Kubert; Inker: Bill Reinhold; Letterer: Michael Heisler; Colorist: Gregory Wright; Editor: Bobbie Chase; Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Adam Kubert

In Dover, New Jersey, a quartet of men sneak through the forest - John Blaze, Ghost Rider, Wolf, and Kody - outside the armed military camp established over the ruins of the Quentin Carnival. The men sneak onto the base and find the large tent that house the dead bodies of their friends. They start soaking the bodies with gasoline, not wanting scientists to start dissecting them like freaks. John recovers the body of his friend, Eli, and tells Wolf and Kody to escape while he and the Ghost Rider provide a distraction. After they leave the tent, John and the Rider are confronted by a battalion of soldiers, who state that they are being taken into custody. Their mystical motorcycles arrive, allowing them to escape as the soldiers open fire, one round clipping Blaze across the shoulder. The bullets then strike the gasoline soaked tent, causing it explode as the two men ride into the forest. Atop a hill overlooking the camp, John says goodbye to his deceased friends. He then says that he has to find out the answers to the questions in Eli's letter, and the meaning of a key inscribed with the same medallion emblem as the Ghost Rider's motorcycle. The two ride off again, planning on leading the army in the wrong direction from their rendezvous point with the others.

At the city limits of Dover, Vengeance enters the town on his own mystical motorcycle, determined to find Ghost Rider despite being slowed down by the Caretaker in New York. Two army helicopters fly over him, ordering him to surrender, but he simply blasts them out of the sky with hellfire. At the opposite border of the city, Wolf's truck is stopped by by a military blockade who have to take a look in the back of the vehicle. Kody rips through the truck door and nearly kills the soldiers until Wolf stops him. Miranda then uses her own mystical power to make the men forget about them.

While the army chase Ghost Rider and Blaze, John comments that his arm feels like its on fire and that they've led the soldiers far enough away. Opening the throttles on their bikes, the two heroes easily outdistance the army. Elsewhere Vengeance, on the other hand, removes the large spikes from his shoulders and tosses them backward, killing the soldiers that were pursuing him. Fifteen minutes later, John and the Ghost Rider arrive at Eli's cabin. Leaving the bike's behind to walk up to the cabin, Blaze says that the bullet that hit his arm must have been an incendiary load. He doesn't notice the bit of flame that is coming from the cut on his shoulder. After they leave, Vengeance finds the bikes and the medallion that Mephisto ordered him to retrieve. Vengeance decides to get it later, instead making his way to the cabin to kill the Ghost Rider. Vengeance attacks Blaze and Ghost Rider, initially overpowering both of them. Nothing the two heroes do seems able to stop Vengeance, who says that he'll keep coming and coming until one day when the Ghost Rider will die. Unexpectedly, Vengeance then disappears into a mystic portal that sends him to a destination unknown. The heroes are approached by Eli's son, Quinn, who teleported Vengeance far away.

Inside the cabin, as the rest of the Carnival arrive, Quinn tells Blaze that his father was a powerful mystic, and that his only desire was to help John before he died. Quinn takes Blaze into a room with a large box, which is opened with the key inscribed with the medallion. John sees a vision of Eli, who gives him a message that he's left him two gifts: the first is in the box and the second is his son, Quinn. "The time of the Blood and the Medallion is coming", Eli says, his final words to John. Later, outside in the forest, John and the rest of his companions bury Eli and mourn the loss of their friends and family.

Ghost Rider (1990) # 39

"...Vengeance!"

Cover Date: July 1993; On Sale Date: May 1993

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

On a pier off the coast of Brooklyn, a gang of thugs attack a couple, beating the man savagely. As they continue their assault, they see a horrifying being speeding across the water toward them. Vengeance arrives in New York and quickly kills each member of the gang before telling the couple to go home. Not long after, Vengeance is contacted by Mephisto, who tells him that to find the Ghost Rider he must first seek out the Caretaker. Mephisto then orders Vengeance to bring him the medallion that rests on the Ghost Rider's motorcycle.

Meanwhile, in Greenwich Village, a truck driven by John Blaze arrives outside Dan Ketch's apartment building. Inside the truck are the remaining members of the Quentin Carnival (Wolf, Kody, Clara, and Miranda) and the Ghost Rider. Ghost Rider transforms back into Dan as Blaze tells his friends that he didn't like leaving the Carnival to the Army anymore than the rest of them, but he had to get whoever he could out of the area as quickly as possible. After they enter Dan's apartment, John tries to figure out the meaning of the note given to him by his dead friend, Eli, while Dan volunteers to go pick up some food. In Cypress Hills Cemetery, Dan's mother is approached by the Caretaker at Barbara Ketch's grave. He tells her that Dan was never supposed to get "it", and that "it" was supposed to go to the girl instead. Mrs. Ketch says that she would do anything to get her daughter back, to which the Caretaker replies that she should never have bothered with the thing with Styge. She begins to cry, saying to him that she's sorry for him because their lives are not a game.

Elsewhere, the supermarket that Dan is shopping in is invaded by three gunmen who begin shooting employees while they rob the establishment. Dan immediately transforms into the Ghost Rider, who quickly and easily takes out the three murderers. Back in the Cemetery, Caretaker is attacked by Vengeance, who begins to beat him mercilessly. Mephisto said that the Caretaker's blood is what will lead him to the Ghost Rider, and as the old man starts to bleed Vengeance comments "there's a start".

At the market, Ghost Rider finds himself surrounded by police, who once again view him as a menace. While the police question the whereabouts of Michael Badilino and Captain Gerry Dolan, the police equipped to handle the Ghost Rider, Vengeance appears with the unconscious Caretaker in his hands. Ghost Rider quickly attacks Vengeance, swearing to make him pay for the role he played in the destruction of the Quentin Carnival. As the two demons fight, Vengeance states that his family has endured too much pain at the hands of Zarathos, and that he's stronger now than he was before. Before Vengeance can ultimately defeat the Ghost Rider, Caretaker revives and downs the villain with mystical energy. Blaze arrives, having seen the fight from Dan's apartment across the street, but Caretaker tells him to get Ghost Rider out of there before Vengeance comes to. Blaze drags the Ghost Rider away while Vengeance recovers. Turning to the Caretaker, Vengeance strikes the old man, who explodes and seemingly dies. Blaze and the Ghost Rider escape, with John saying that they're going to Eli's cabin in the mountains to get the answers to the riddles in his letter.

Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 11

"The Spider's Kiss!"

Cover Date: June 1993; On Sale Date: April 1993

Writer: Larry Hama; Artist: Vince Giarrano; Letterer: Bill Oakley; Colorist: Gregory Wright; Editor: Bobbie Chase; Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Vince Giarrano

Sitting alone in a motel room, John Blaze is attacked by a giant spider creature. When he fires his shotgun at the monster, it vanishes, leading Blaze outside to find a tractor trailer truck sitting in the parking lot waiting for him. The driver charges the truck at Blaze and runs over his motorcycle, destroying it. Blaze fires his hellfire shotgun at the wreckage and fully restores the bike. While giving chase after the truck, Blaze is found by Ghost Rider, who says that the spider creature attacked him as well and can only be defeated by cold iron over running water. The driver of the truck, meanwhile, picks up a prostitute and attacks her.

Blaze tracks the truck to an empty diner, but he realizes Ghost Rider has disappeared. When he enters the diner, John finds the prostitute, who says the truck driver took everyone in the diner away. She grabs Blaze, but when he sees the shadow of the spider on the wall he shoots the girl, revealing her as a spider-woman wearing the other girl's skin. The spider-woman, Shelob, wraps Blaze in webbing and picks up a waitress whom she bites. The woman's insides liquefied, Shelob sucks down her internal organs and dresses herself in the waitress's skin. Blaze frees himself from the webbing while Shelob escapes to her truck. Chasing behind it, Blaze blows holes in the back of the truck, revealing a stockpile of human skin. Shelob wraps Blaze in webbing again and pulls him inside the truck, leaving his shotgun behind on the road. Shelob attempts to devour Blaze, but Ghost Rider arrives and tosses John his gun, which he uses to blow up the truck. Reverting to her monstrous spider-form, Shelob attempts to escape on the lattice-work of an iron bridge. Using chains and hellfire, Blaze and Ghost Rider kill Shelob, who falls from the bridge into the water. When Blaze questions why she didn't just shoot him full of venom and take his skin, Ghost Rider explains that Shelob wanted him to be the host for her offspring, the eggs of which she would have laid inside his headless corpse.

Ghost Rider (2022) # 10

"American Nightmare"

Cover Date: March 2023; On Sale Date: January 2023

Writer: Benjamin Percy; Artist: Cory Smith and David Cutler; Inker: Oren Junior; Letterer: VC's Travis Lanham; Colorist: Bryan Valenza; Editor: Darren Shan; Editor in Chief: C.B. Cebulski; Cover Artist: Bjorn Barends

In the Chicago subway system, Ghost Rider uses a flaming chainsaw to destroy a group of demons that had been slaughtering innocent humans. Meanwhile, Blackheart's plan to demonically possess humans of influence in America continues. Blackheart is confronted atop Hell's Backbone by Zeb and the other two remaining members of the Night Magicians.

Back in Chicago, Ghost Rider finishes off the last demon and descends further into the subway, where he finds Exhaust and the corrupted Talia Warroad. Johnny Blaze regains control of his body and attempts to talk Talia out of her corruption, which she shakes off just in time to save Johnny from Exhaust. The two partner up and use their magic and hellfire in a final stand against Exhaust. At Hell's Backbone, Blackheart has defeated the Night Magicians and is preparing to kill Zeb when the Ghost Rider and Talia arrive on a new motorcycle made from the body of Exhaust. Ghost Rider opens up a portal to Hell above Hell's Backbone and floods the area with hellfire, sending Blackheart back to Hell. 

Later, at FBI Headquarters in Washington D.C., Talia walks away from her job when her boss, Director Crux, shuts down her division for lack of prosecutable evidence. Talia meets up with Johnny in a park and the two decide to continue hunting down the shadows released across the country by Blackheart. Director Crux makes a call to a Dr. Diyu of Infernal Labs, who is about to perform an experiment on their newest subject: Danny Ketch. 

Ghost Rider (1990) # 38

"Blood Obligations" 

Cover Date: June 1993; On Sale Date: April 1993 

Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Mike Manley; Letterer: Janice Chiang; Colorist: Gregory Wright; Editor: Bobbie Chase; Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Mike Manley 

A woman is chased into Cypress Hills Cemetery by two carjackers, where they run into the badly damaged Ghost Rider following his battle with the Firm. Ghost Rider gives the two men the Penance Stare and heals himself of his wounds at the grave of Barbara Ketch, asking why he is linked to her and the place of his rebirth. Meanwhile, the police and FBI investigate the destruction at the Firm’s hospital, which leads them to a sealed metal door. When they start to cut their way into the room with a blowtorch, the Scarecrow is revealed to be inside with a mysterious group of creatures held captive by the Firm. 

Back at the cemetery, Stacy Dolan walks to Barbara’s grave to leave flowers and finds Ghost Rider. She draws her weapon and attempts to place him under arrest while Ghost Rider talks intimately about her and other people in Dan Ketch’s life. She receives a call on her radio about the Scarecrow at the hospital, which Ghost Rider overhears. He tells her to pull the trigger if she must, but it will not stop him from going after Scarecrow. Back at the hospital, the creatures released from the sealed room swarm over the police officers, led by Scarecrow. Ghost Rider arrives and confronts Scarecrow, leading to a brutal fight between them. Stacy arrives and shoots Scarecrow in the back; when he collapses, he is dragged into the shadows by the other creatures, who disappear with him. A few minutes later, Captain Dolan arrives with more officers, and Stacy tells him that Ghost Rider left through the back of the building. After the officers give chase, Ghost Rider emerges from a closet and thanks Stacy for hiding him. She tells him if he does turn out to be a bad guy then she will find a way to destroy him.

Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 10

"Carnival of Death, Part 2: A Storm of Vengeance"

Cover Date: May 1993; On Sale Date: March 1993

Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Adam Kubert; Inker: Bill Reinhold; Letterer: Michael Heisler; Colorist: Gregory Wright; Editor: Bobbie Chase; Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Adam Kubert

Steel Wind and her demon horde continue the assault on the Quentin Carnival, while Vengeance watches from a nearby hillside. Steel Wind attacks Ghost Rider directly, prompting Vengeance to finally enter the fray, riding through and killing human and demon alike. Just as Steel Wind is preparing to give the Rider the death blow with her sword, Vengeance grabs her arm and rips it from her cyborg body, claiming that no one is going to kill the Ghost Rider but him.

Meanwhile, Blaze attempts to pull the Carnival people together so they can have a chance of winning. Kody refuses to fight, until the demons invade the tent and grab Clara. Outside, Vengeance attacks the Ghost Rider, while Steel Wind slithers away. She spies Eli, the Carnival's crippled mechanic, a few feet away, whom she then stabs in the back with her blades. Blaze sees this and in a furious rage blows the woman away with hellfire. Eli dies, but not before handing John an envelope. John and Miranda then attempt to find her son, Timmy, but instead see Kody, who has transformed into a savage, bestial creature that is killing the surrounding demons with ease. Miranda finds Timmy's jacket on the ground, and as she cries a green mystical energy begins to pulse from her eyes.

On the other side of the battlefield, Vengeance continues to beat down on Ghost Rider, claiming that the Rider caused some sort of pain against his family. Before Vengeance can kill the Rider, however, a blast of mystical energy erupts from Miranda, obliterating the demon horde and blasting both Steel Wind and Vengeance away. Meanwhile, watching from his lair, Steel Wind's master observes the events at the Carnival. The master is then revealed to be Centurious - the Soulless Man.

Not long after, Blaze and the surviving Carnival members attempt to pull themselves back together. Miranda's son, Timmy, has disappeared and Eli - along with dozens of others - is dead. Wolf comments that they beat the demons, but John fights back tears as he asks what they actually won. All they can do now is bury their dead, their friends and family, and wait and see what tomorrow brings.

Ghost Rider (1990) # 37

“Forward to the Shadows” 

Cover Date: May 1993; On Sale Date: March 1993 

Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Bret Blevins; Inker: Fred Fredericks; Letterer: Janice Chiang; Colorist: Gregory Wright; Editor: Bobbie Chase; Editor-in-Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Bret Blevins 

At midnight in Cypress Hills Cemetery, Ghost Rider stands, silently waiting. He is eventually discovered by Heart Attack, who has been searching the cemetery for him under orders from her employer. Ghost Rider viciously beats Heart Attack, stating that he will no longer wait to be attacked by her and her ilk. He asks her why the Firm wants him, and she answers that they want to make a weapon out of him, just like they did to her. Their fight is being watched by Stern at the Firm’s headquarters, ordering his men to close in and kill both Ghost Rider and Heart Attack. He’s contacted by a mysterious individual that demands Ghost Rider be brought to him alive. After they talk, Stern swears that he will find his “master” as soon as he disposes of Ghost Rider. 

Back at the cemetery, the Firm’s soldiers attack and Heart Attack realizes that it was Stern who killed her friends, not the Ghost Rider. In the skies above the battle, the X-Man known as Archangel arrives by chance and recognizes Ghost Rider as an ally. He swoops down and assists with the fight against the Firm and the duo eventually forces the soldiers to retreat. Ghost Rider and Archangel pursue the men to a hospital that is secretly the Firm’s base of operations. While Archangel takes out the snipers on the rooftop, Ghost Rider advances through gunfire through the front door. A badly damaged Ghost Rider eventually fights his way through the building to find Stern, who he gives the Penance Stare. Ghost Rider and Archangel depart while Heart Attack sneaks inside to gain her revenge on Stern, who is suffering from the effects of Ghost Rider’s power. The mysterious “master” appears on the screen again and reaches out with mystical energy, devouring the soul of Stern and all of the Firm’s fallen men. He reveals his identity as Centurious just as Heart Attack arrives, only to be sucked into the screen by Centurious’ power. All that remains of the Firm is dust and Centurious says that it is time for all to emerge from the shadows

Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 9

"Carnival of Death, Part 1"

Cover Date: April 1993; On Sale Date: February 1993

Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Adam Kubert; Inker: Bill Reinhold & Klaus Janson; Letterer: Michael Heisler; Colorist: Gregory Wright; Editor: Bobbie Chase; Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Adam Kubert

In an unknown location, Steel Vengeance is punished by her master while her sister watches patiently. The sisters' master blames the woman for the failure at the Quentin Carnival, despite Mephisto's interference, so as an example he kills Steel Vengeance. He then instructs Steel Wind to return to the Carnival, granting her an eyeball amulet that controls the demons of Styge. He also gives the captured Deathwatch, Hag, and Troll over to another of his minions, Carver, to make some use of.

Blaze and Ghost Rider make their way back to the Carnival ruins, only to find Wolf and the other survivors brandishing guns for protection against the demons that Steel Wind left behind. Clara tells John that Miranda's son, Timmy, is alone out in the woods, prompting Blaze and Ghost Rider to search for him. Before they leave, the cripple mechanic Eli tells John that he has something to give him when he gets back.

Meanwhile, two men have a mysterious meeting. The first man, brandishing a gun, asks about the other man's offer, saying he'd give anything for "him". The other man says that it sounds as if he'd sell his soul for a chance at Ghost Rider, to which the first man agrees. The second man then reveals himself to be Mephisto, who takes the first man's soul and transforms him into a horrific creature. Creating for him a mystical motorcycle infused with the blood of the innocent, Mephisto remarks "As Ghost Rider is so fond of saying 'Vengeance will be ours." and so you are named...VENGEANCE!" This new player will be Mephisto's right arm in the upcoming events, and that his desire for vengeance against Ghost Rider will be all-consuming.

Back in Dover, Timmy walks through the deserted snow-covered streets, unaware that he's being stalked by the cannibal demons of Styge. In the woods on the outskirts of town, Steel Wind implements the eyeball amulet on the Stygian demons, doubling their number. They are to slaughter everyone but Blaze and Ghost Rider, who are to be left for her. In the city, a few of the demons have surrounded Timmy, but the boy is rescued by Blaze and the Ghost Rider. After a brief fight, the demons run away, escaping to attack the Carnival. At the Carnival ruins, Clara begins to have another vision of death, prompting Wolf and the other remaining survivors to run out and meet the demons head-on. Blaze and Ghost Rider return to find the Carnival overrun by the demons and Steel Wind, the people being slaughtered. As the two heroes race down to join the battle, another watches them from a nearby hilltop. Vengeance has arrived, and he declares himself to be the Ghost Rider's death.

Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 8

"Devil Dance"

Cover Date: March 1993; On Sale Date: January 1993

Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Adam Kubert; Inker: Bill Reinhold; Letterer: Michael Heisler; Colorist: Gregory Wright; Editor: Bobbie Chase; Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Adam Kubert

Ghost Rider and John Blaze are transported to a desert wasteland by Mephisto, who seeks to test them against his own agents.  He refers to an upcoming "war of souls" that is building, where forces will attempt to usurp his power, which he will have none of.  Mephisto disappears, and Blaze and Ghost Rider are left to wait for their motorcycles to come pick them up.  Before that can happen, they are attacked by two of Mephisto's demons, the Soulless Ones.  The two demons quickly get the upper hand against the Spirits of Vengeance, nearly killing Blaze in the process.  After a brief battle, the demons are destroyed, and Mephisto reappears.  He directs them to seek out the Soul Crystal, where they will find answers to their questions, and then he disappears.  Later, in Hell, Mephisto tells the Soulless Ones that while he cannot kill the Spirits of Vengeance he can only hope to steal their souls.  However, there is another mortal that will sell their soul to him willingly. 

"The Great Hunt, Part 2"

Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Joe Kubert; Letterer: Bill Oakley; Colorist: Gregory Wright; Editor: Bobbie Chase; Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco

Ghost Rider is dragged into the basement tunnels beneath the Natural History Museum by the Feeders, monsters who have emerged to hunt and eat humans.  Ghost Rider is taken before the oldest Feeder, who explains that they are a race that has lived hidden for centuries and adhere to their racial need to feast on human flesh.  Ghost Rider breaks free and imprisons the Feeders with his chain, all save the leader who he defeats in combat.  The eldest Feeder mocks the Ghost Rider's inability to kill, transforming into a human-like form and saying that his race are an offshoot of humanity.  Ghost Rider instead gives him the Penance Stare, then escorts the kidnapped people back to the surface.

Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 7

"A Day of Vengeance, a Day of Death!"

Cover Date: February 1993; On Sale Date: December 1992

Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Adam Kubert; Inker: Bill Reinhold; Letterer: Michael Heisler; Colorist: Gregory Wright; Editor: Bobbie Chase; Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Adam Kubert

Outside Dover, New Jersey, Ghost Rider and John Blaze ride through a vicious snowstorm on their way to the Quentin Carnival.  Blaze thinks something is wrong at the Carnival and is upset that they wasted so much time looking for Dr. Strange while dragging Hag, Troll, and Deathwatch behind them.  When they arrive at the Carnival, Blaze finds his close friends in Clara the psychic's trailer, caring for her as she's overwhelmed by visions of death.  She tries to warn Blaze about the danger, but it's too late, "they" are here.  Outside, Ghost Rider stands in the blizzard and is taken out with an explosive.  Blaze and his friends head outside, where they find Steel Vengeance and her sister, Steel Wind, in command of an army of demons.  As an act of revenge, the sisters send their "Stygian Horde" to destroy the Carnival while the women attack Blaze.  Ghost Rider emerges from the snow to rejoin Blaze, but the battle is interrupted by Mephisto, who appears as a giant and sets the Carnival on fire.  He transports Blaze and Ghost Rider away to test them, while Steel Wind and Steel Vengeance gather up Deathwatch, Hag, and Troll to take back to their master.

"The Great Hunt, Part 1"

Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Joe Kubert; Letterer: Bill Oakley; Colorist: Gregory Wright; Editor: Bobbie Chase; Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco

During a snowstorm in Manhattan, a group of monsters emerge called the Feeders.  They are starting "the Great Hunt", which involves them kidnapping people off the street and dragging them away.  Dan Ketch and his friend Donna are attacked, and Dan transforms into Ghost Rider to fight the Feeder.  He learns that the Feeders are taking the people away to eat them, and when the monster escapes Ghost Rider follows him to the Natural History Museum.  There, he is confronted by four more Feeders, who welcome him to their great feast.