Ghost Rider (1990) # 94

"Acabado"

Cover Date: January 2007; On Sale Date: March 2007

Writer: Ivan Velez Jr.; Artist: Javier Saltares; Inkers: Mark Texeira, Javier Saltares, & Klaus Janson; Letterer: Rus Wooton; Colorist: Tom Chu; Editor: Jeff Youngquist' Editor In Chief: Joe Quesada; Cover Artist: Javier Saltares

Dan Ketch sits on his bed and stares at his hand - it has been 33 days and counting since the brand of vengeance disappeared, 33 days and counting since he was freed from the curse of the Ghost Rider. He hears a knock on his door and answers it, finding his brother, John Blaze, standing outside his apartment. John invites himself inside and tells Dan that despite the months of searching with Jennifer Kale - who went home as well - he was unable to locate his missing children. Dan agrees to let John stay with him for a while, and the two decide to go to a bar and talk.

In Hell, Noble Kale sits on the throne and is flanked by his two brides, Pao Fu and Roxanne Simpson-Blaze/Black Rose. They are visited by three other Hell-Lords - Hela of Asgard, Pluto of Hades, and Belasco - who tell Kale that they are the only three to officially recognize him as the rightful ruler of this realm. Ghost Rider questions their offer of friendship, but Hela corrects him by saying that no friendship is offered; they just simply won't take part in the eventual destruction by the other realms. The three demons then disappear, leaving Kale, his brides, and the advisor Skritch. After Skritch explains that Satannish and Dormammu may very well attempt to overthrow him, Kale orders him to assemble the masses so he may speak to his subjects.

Back on Earth, Stacy Dolan stares at a pregnancy test in her bathroom. She shatters her mirror and collapses in tears at the realization that she's going to have a baby. At a local bar, Dan and John talk about Blaze's missing children and how he and Jennifer ran out of money. To get bus tickets home, John had to sell his motorcycle, but that doesn't mean he's given up the search. He stops suddenly and notices that the brand is missing from Dan's hand, and the younger brother happily tells John that he's free of the curse. And not only that, but he also got to speak to their mother.

In Hell's Tower, the spirit of Naomi Kale observes the gathering mass of demons below before being approached by the Ghost Rider. Transforming back into his human form, Noble speaks to Naomi about what she'll do now that her children have been freed from the curse. They're interrupted by Dante, the deceased younger brother of Noble, who tells them that he's come to take Naomi to her final resting place. Dante warns Noble to watch the darkness inside him as they fade away, leaving the Ghost Rider to ask the newly-arrived Vengeance and Doghead about their present choices. Meanwhile, on Earth, Stacy visits Dan's apartment and leaves him a letter and her set of keys - in the letter, she explains to him that she's marrying Ski and begs Dan to forgive her before writing goodbye.

In Hell, Ghost Rider and his lieutenants address the assembled masses of Hell. Noble announces himself as King, their ruler, and then grants them their freedom from Hell. All imprisoned souls will be freed to live as they please, wherever they please, with only one condition and law: do no more evil. After this is said, the angel Uriel appears and condemns Noble's actions, telling him that he cannot allow such a thing. Ghost Rider explains to Uriel that when Mephisto returns, which is inevitable, he will find his kingdom turned into a democracy where evil is outweighed by the good of its denizens' souls...and what better vengeance could he ever conceive. Uriel attempts to force Noble to rescind his decree, but the angel finds himself at the Rider's mercy. Uriel is banished from Hell from this day forward, to the cheering of the masses, and the angel disappears after being humbled. Noble then says that it's time for him leave, handing over the throne to Vengeance to rule by proxy. Doghead, Verminous Rex, and Wallow he leaves as governors to enforce the first law of doing no evil. He promises to return and then asks Roxanne to join him for unfinished business. Noble kisses Pao Fu, then he and Roxanne ride through the portal back to Earth.

In front of their apartment building, Dan helps an obviously intoxicated John down the street. Blaze is upset that he spent so much time hating their mother for leaving and has now found out that she freed them from the curse. Missing his children and wife, John says that he's totally alone now - only to see Roxanne waiting for them at the front of the building. She asks if he is John Blaze and if they are really married with children. John disbelieves this at first, claiming that Roxanne is dead, but quickly realizes that she is truly alive once again. Hearing familiar laughter, Dan looks to a rooftop and sees Noble astride his bike. Transforming into the Ghost Rider, Noble rides into the city, finally able to make a choice concerning his destiny. He is Noble Kale, the Spirit of Vengeance and the King of Hell. He is the Ghost Rider. Back on the street, Dan wonders to himself if this is the happy ending they all deserved, and catches a glimpse of Dante and Naomi waving to them before they fade away.

Ghost Rider (1990) # 24

"Death Duel"

Cover Date: April 1992; On Dale Date: February 1992

Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Mark Texeira w/ Andy Kubert; Letterer: Janice Chiang; Colorist: Gregory Wright; Editor: Bobbie Chase; Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Mark Texeira

Snowblind is kidnapped from the hospital by Deathwatch, Hag, and Troll, while Ghost Rider is busy interrupting a hostage situation in another part of the city. Later, at Cypress Hills Cemetery, Ghost Rider transforms into Danny Ketch. At his home, Danny calls John Blaze, who is with his carnival in New Orleans, and tells him about his plan to take down Deathwatch. When Dan refuses to listen to reason regarding the confrontation with Deathwatch, Blaze becomes worried that Zarathos could be taking over Dan after all. Meanwhile, Snowblind wakes up alongside a host of captive innocent people in Deathwatch’s penthouse, all of them being used as a power source for Deathwatch and bait to lure the Ghost Rider to them.

That night, Danny goes around to his mother, his best friend Jack, and his ex-girlfriend Stacy, but is unable to explain to any of them what has been happening. Sensing Deathwatch, Dan transforms into Ghost Rider and heads toward the penthouse, where Deathwatch has killed all the captives save for Snowblind. When Ghost Rider arrives, he is attacked by Hag and Troll while Deathwatch absorbs Snowblind’s life essence, killing him. Ghost Rider defeats Hag and Troll, and prepares to kill Deathwatch, knowing now that the villain is not a human being. Deathwatch overpowers Ghost Rider, beating him with one of his own rib bones, gloating that Ghost Rider cannot take a life. Proving that his stance against taking a life only extends to humans, Ghost Rider stabs Deathwatch with his chain, causing the villain to explode, taking out the top of the penthouse with him. Ghost Rider emerges from the destruction and wonders what remains for him now that all his enemies are dead.

Ghost Rider (1990) # 23

"Death Drive"

Cover Date: March 1992; On Dale Date: January 1992

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

Linda Wei reports on the collapse of Deathwatch’s building in Midtown, blaming the destruction on a “Ghost Rider rampage”. Ghost Rider himself is trapped in the rubble beneath the building along with scores of people that were in the basement homeless shelter. While Ghost Rider digs his way through, tormented by the screams of the injured people, Deathwatch revels in the ecstasy all the death has given him. He is joined by two aides, Hag and Troll, to help him clean up the last bits of his organization before leaving the country. 

Deathwatch, Hag, and Troll infiltrate the 75th police precinct, where Michael Badilino is interrogating the ninjas captured during a fight with Ghost Rider. The lights go out and Badilino orders his men to wear night-vision goggles and head to the cells, where they find all of Deathwatch’s men being brutally killed. Badilino manages to hit Deathwatch in the shoulder with his pistol, which prompts the villains to leave, their task completed. 

Back at the destroyed building, Ghost Rider locates the homeless shelter and the people trapped within. His motorcycle arrives and he uses it to clear a path through the rubble to which they can all escape. When Ghost Rider emerges, he’s surrounded by police, but they are stopped from arresting him by the escaping people, who all praise Ghost Rider for rescuing them. Linda Wei attempts to cut the broadcast, but her cameraman says the studio wants them to keep filming, that Ghost Rider might not be a bad guy after all. Just before they board a plane to leave the country, Deathwatch gets news that Ghost Rider survived and tells Hag and Troll that he may have a connection to their “old friend Zarathos”. Ghost Rider goes to the hospital where Snowblind is being held and demands the critically injured villain give him information on Deathwatch, and that he will break his vow to never take a human life. Snowblind informs him that Deathwatch isn’t human

Ghost Rider (1990) # 22

"Death's Eyes"

Cover Date: February 1992
On Dale Date: December 1991

Title: "Death's Eyes"
Writer: Howard Mackie
Artist: Mark Texeira
Letterer: Janice Chiang
Colorist: Gregory Wright
Editor: Bobbie Chase
Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco

Cover Artist: Mark Texeira

Ghost Rider takes out a group of arms dealers in his search for Deathwatch.  The next day, Danny Ketch watches the news as his desire to find Deathwatch starts consuming him.  He puts in a call to John Blaze, who advises Danny to take a breather and collect himself before he starts obsessing.  Danny sees Deathwatch on the news as the entrepreneur Stephen Lords of International Contractors Unlimited, who has opened up the lower levels of his office building in Manhattan to the city as a homeless shelter.  The rest of the building, unknown to the public, serves as the headquarters for Deathwatch's terrorist organization.  The next day, Danny goes to the building and asks the receptionist that he had met once before, Renee Fuanaro, out on a date with the intention of asking her about Deathwatch.  That night, while on his motorcycle, Danny and Renee are pulled over by the police...specifically Officer Stacy Dolan, who is none too happy to see her boyfriend out with another woman.

Later, Danny calls Renee and asks her about Deathwatch over the phone, which alerts Deathwatch's men that she has been talking about him.  Ninjas attack Rene's apartment, killing her roommate, and Danny arrives to take Renee to safety.  They go to the home of Danny's best friend and martial artist, Jack D'Auria, unaware that the ninjas have followed them.  They knock Danny unconscious outside and cut the power, just as Jack is calling the police.  Stacy arrives to investigate the call, and the ninjas prepare to kill all of them.  Danny wakes up and transforms into Ghost Rider, defeating the ninjas and leaving Danny's friends behind.  He races to Deathwatch's building and forces his way inside, where he sees Deathwatch on a television monitor.  From his limousine elsewhere in the city, Deathwatch triggers the detonator for explosives in the base of the building, the resulting hundreds of deaths serving to feed Deathwatch and make him even more powerful.

Ghost Rider (1990) # 19

"The Deal"

Cover Date: November 1991
On Sale Date: September 1991

Writer: Howard Mackie
Artist: Mark Texeira
Letterer: Janice Chiang
Colorist: Gregory Wright
Editor: Bobbie Chase
Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco
Cover Artist: Mark Texeira

Chris Daniels, a recent divorcee, sits in his empty apartment with a gun to his head, wanting to kill himself.  He finds that he doesn't have the guts to pull the trigger, and cries that he just wants the strength to kill himself.  At that moment, Mephisto appears in the apartment, offering to make Chris a deal.  Meanwhile, Ghost Rider interrogates a drug dealer that works for Zodiak for information on the villain's whereabouts.  Back in his apartment, Chris makes his deal with Mephisto, who enhances Chris' life force, giving him increased strength and vitality.  Mephisto then gives him the stipulation that while he now has the will to commit suicide, he has become virtually immortal and unable to die except by the Ghost Rider's hands.  Mephisto then departs, leaving an enraged Daniels naked in his apartment.  

The next day, Dan Ketch is spending time with his mother and girlfriend.  When Stacy asks about going out that night on a date, Dan blows her off due to his plans to hunt for Zodiak.  Elsewhere, Zodiak is torturing Tim, the drug dealer that Ghost Rider had interrogated.  Chris Daniels, meanwhile, goes to his neighbor's apartment and asks for clothes.  He experiences a stab of pain in his head and demands the girl drive him to Brooklyn.  Using a police scanner, Dan hears  a police all about Zodiak and transforms into Ghost Rider to confront him.  Daniels is taken into Brooklyn by his neighbor on her motorcycle, but he eventually steals the bike and attempts to kill himself by crashing into a bus.  When that doesn't work, he experiences another headache and decides to keep moving. 

At the scene of Zodiak's latest murder, Ghost Rider observes from a rooftop.  He's attacked by Zodiak and then by Daniels, who demands that Ghost Rider kill him.  Ghost Rider and Daniels fight across the rooftops, with Daniels demanding over and over again that Ghost Rider kill him, with the Rider refusing due to his vow to not take a human life.  Finally, Daniels falls off the building, hopeful that he will die.  Ghost Rider finds Zodiak and unmasks him, revealing him to be the tortured Tim, who Zodiak forced to pose as him.  Daniels attacks again, but is again stopped by Ghost Rider.  The real Zodiak appears with a gun he claims is a "demon-killer" and shoots both Daniels and Ghost Rider with it.  Ghost Rider destroys the gun and when Zodiak attempts to fly away he's knocked out of the sky and falls into the subway, where both Ghost Rider and Daniels follow.

Ghost Rider (1990) # 18

"Lost Souls"

Cover Date: October 1991
On Sale Date: August 1991

Writer: Howard Mackie
Artist: Mark Texeira
Letterer: Janice Chiang
Colorist: Gregory Wright
Editor: Bobbie Chase
Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco

Cover Artist: Nelson DeCastro

Ghost Rider and John Blaze ride to Cypress Hills Cemetery, where John Blaze says his goodbyes, threatening to return if he learns that the Rider is indeed the demon Zarathos.  Ghost Rider assures him that this is not the case and transforms into his human host, Danny Ketch, who also says goodbye to the departing Blaze.  Danny returns home, worried about his mother, who has fallen in with a shady church leader named Reverend Styge.  Elsewhere in a small farm house in Millbrook, New York, Styge visits his "master", who demands that Styge bring him what he needs.  The master created Styge to be his Sin Eater and reminds him that he can just as easily unmake him.

At their home in Brooklyn, Danny tries to talk to his mother about her inability to deal with the death of his sister, Barbara.  One of Styge's deacons arrives to take her away, and when Danny protests he gets punched in the face by the driver.  His mother apologizes and says that Styge is going to bring Barbara back to life tonight.  Danny follows the car to the cemetery, where he sees Styge welcoming his mother into a small congregation.  Styge leads one of his parishioners into a mausoleum, claiming to be able to reunite the man with his deceased loved one.  The other parishioners outside hear a scream, and then only Styge exits the tomb.  He drops a handkerchief and tells them that the man must be left alone to enjoy his reunion.  Styge and the congregation depart for another part of the cemetery, while Danny investigates the mausoleum.  He finds the parishioner dead and looks at the handkerchief that Styge dropped, covered in blood.  Dan transforms into Ghost Rider.

At the grave of Barbara Ketch, Styge prepares to kill Mrs. Ketch, his hand turning into claws.  Ghost Rider stops him, revealing Styge as the monster he is.  Styge admits to being a cannibal that strips the flesh and energy from his victims to satiate the hunger of his mysterious master.  Ghost Rider beats Styge nearly to death and departs with the unconscious Mrs. Ketch.  Later, in their home, Danny and his mother pack away Barbara's things, having finally come to terms with her death.  Elsewhere, Styge is brought to his master, who removes the preacher's eye for his failure.  However, when Styge mentions the Ghost Rider his master stops and decides to let his servant live, stating "you have stirred a distant memory".

Ghost Rider (1990) # 17

"You've Got to Have Faith!"

Cover Date: September 1991

On Sale Date: July 1991

Writer: Howard Mackie
Artist: Mark Texeira
Letterer: Janice Chiang
Colorist: Gregory Wright
Editor: Bobbie Chase
Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco

Cover Artist: Mark Texeira

The religiously-crazed Hobgoblin has kidnapped Mrs. Ketch, and both Ghost Rider and Spider-Man are attempting to locate them.  Spider-Man tells Ghost Rider to back-off, believing that he wants to kill Hobgoblin.  Their argument is ended by John Blaze, who interrupts with a blast of hellfire, causing Spider-Man to swing away to find Hobgoblin on his own.  Ghost Rider and Blaze ride to Cypress Hills Cemetery, where Blaze attempts to give the Rider advice on his relationship with his human host, Daniel Ketch.  Ghost Rider transforms back into Danny, who is determined to kill Hobgoblin and rescue his mother.  Unbeknownst to them, Spider-Man is following them since he is unable to sense the spider-tracer he placed on Hobgoblin during their last fight.

Ketch and Blaze go to a local bar, where Danny threatens the owner, who is also an informant, for information on Hobgoblin's whereabouts.  This angers some of the owner's friends, who threaten to kill Danny, forcing Blaze to place his shotgun in the gang leader's face.  Elsewhere, Hobgoblin has taken Mrs. Ketch to his lair, thinking she is someone devout in need of his protection.  She discovers the bodies of people he has killed and throws a candleholder at his glider, reactivating the spider-tracer when it hits.  Hobgoblin decides that Mrs. Ketch is a deceiver just like everyone else he's attempted to "save".  Back at the bar, Danny and Blaze are rescued by Spider-Man, who leaves again when he senses the spider-tracer reactivating.  Danny transforms back into Ghost Rider, and all three heroes head to Hobgoblin's hideout, a mausoleum in Cypress Hills Cemetery.  Spider-Man rescues Mrs. Ketch, trusting Ghost Rider's word that he will not kill the villain.  The mausoleum explodes with Spider-Man, Blaze, and Mrs. Ketch outside, joined quickly by an unharmed Ghost Rider.  Hobgoblin jumps out of the wreckage, but the three heroes hit him simultaneously, knocking him unconscious.  They notice that, just for an instant, Hobgoblin transforms back in to his human form while unconscious.  Ghost Rider is satisfied that vengeance has been served, and Spider-Man offers to take Hobgoblin into custody.

Ghost Rider (1990) # 16

"Changes"

Cover Date: August 1991

On Sale Date: June 1991

Writer: Howard Mackie
Artist: Mark Texeira
Letterer: Janice Chiang
Colorist: Gregory Wright
Editor: Bobbie Chase
Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco

Cover Artist: Mark Texeira

Ghost Rider is dying from the injuries inflicted on him during his battles with John Blaze and Blackout. He crashes his motorcycle in Cypress Hills Cemetery and transforms back into Danny Ketch, who is also dying from his injuries. Before losing consciousness in front of his sister's headstone, Danny sees a man approaching him. Sometime later, Danny has a nightmare about him and the Ghost Rider being killed by Blaze's hellfire shotgun and awakens in a hospital bed with Blaze at his side. He attacks Blaze, but is restrained by a nurse that enters with Mrs. Ketch and Stacy Dolan. They explain that Blaze found Danny near-death and saved his life by bringing him to the hospital. John whispers to Danny that it was the Ghost Rider he wanted to kill, not him.

A week later, Blaze escorts Danny from the hospital; John is sticking around until he can determine whether or not the Ghost Rider is Zarathos. He also, despite Danny's bad attitude, agrees to show the kid how to handle himself in a fight and how to maintain a motorcycle. After a few weeks of training, Blaze and Dan are outside the Ketch home when a limousine pulls up to escort Mrs. Ketch to church. Suspicious of his mother's behavior, Danny and Blaze follow the limo to a formerly abandoned church that is now active again. Sneaking inside, they see a congregation being addressed by Reverend Styge, who promises to bring Barbara Ketch back to life. Danny and Blaze are discovered and held at gunpoint by Styge's deacons while the Reverend departs, but the gathering is attacked by the Hobgoblin, who is there to kill anyone he sees as "blasphemers". Dan, remembering what the Hobgoblin did to a little boy named Adam, transforms into Ghost Rider and attacks the demonic villain, only to be stopped by the newly-arrived Spider-Man. While Spider-Man attempts to restrain Ghost Rider, the Hobgoblin kidnaps Mrs. Ketch, thinking that it is his holy purpose to rescue the innocent woman from the sinners. Ghost Rider throws Spider-Man off and rides away after Hobgoblin, warning the hero to stay out of his way. Blaze and Spider-Man are left to formulate a plan on how to rescue Mrs. Ketch and keep the Ghost Rider from killing Hobgoblin.

Ghost Rider (1990) # 15

"Last Hope"

Cover Date: July 1991

On Sale Date: May 1991

Writer: Howard Mackie
Artist: Mark Texeira
Letterer: Janice Chiang
Colorist: Gregory Wright
Editor: Bobbie Chase
Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco

Cover Artist: Mark Texeira

Ghost Rider, having been severely injured by John Blaze, attempts to make his way to Central Park to stop Blackout but crashes his bike on the way there. Unable to take the pain, he transforms back into Danny Ketch, who is immediately attacked by a group of punks who cut him with a knife and steal his motorcycle. The punks are stopped by two agents of H.E.A.R.T., who are gathering up all of the bikes in the area to take to their employer, Deathwatch. Dan watches as the women take his bike, but since he can do nothing to stop them he continues on his way to Central Park. Meanwhile, John Blaze experiments with his shotgun, which is now shooting hellfire.

Later that night, the agents of H.E.A.R.T. have brought all the bikes they could find to Deathwatch. On the radio with the women's leader, Tyler Meagher, Deathwatch tells her not to attempt to apprehend the Ghost Rider or to interfere with the killings going on in Central Park. At the park, a woman and her daughter are attacked by Blackout, and the screams are heard by both a severely wounded Danny and the approaching Blaze. When Meagher learns that the serial killer is working for Deathwatch, she orders her two agents to leave immediately; but just then, the Ghost Rider's motorcycle breaks out of Deathwatch's penthouse and makes its way to the park as well.

Danny stumbles across Blackout, who has hidden the young daughter as insurance. Before Blackout can kill Danny, the motorcycle arrives, transforming him again into a still-injured Ghost Rider. Blaze arrives and blasts the Rider with the hellfire shotgun, allowing Blackout to get away. Ghost Rider grabs Blaze and tells him to stop interfering, again telling him that he is not Zarathos. Before he can catch Blackout, Ghost Rider is attacked from behind again, this time by Tyler Meagher. He destroys her weapon and continues his search. He finds Blackout holding the young woman he kidnapped hostage. Black and Meagher arrive, and Tyler shoots Blackout before he can escape with the woman. Ghost Rider grabs Blackout and tells Blaze to shoot them both before he can kill the girl. Blaze fires, blowing off Ghost Rider's hand and further disfiguring Blackout's face. The Rider beats Blackout into unconsciousness, but is stopped from killing the villain by Blaze, who tells him that Zarathos was a murderer. Ghost Rider thanks Blaze, telling him that is not a killer, and leaves just as the police arrive to arrest everyone.

Ghost Rider (1990) # 14

"Happily Ever After?"

Cover Date: June 1991

On Sale Date: April 1991

Title: "Happily Ever After?"
Writer: Howard Mackie
Artist: Mark Texeira
Letterer: Janice Chiang
Colorist: Gregory Wright
Editor: Bobbie Chase
Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco

Cover Artist: Mark Texeira

Held at gunpoint, Dan is the captive of John Blaze, who says he wants to kill Zarathos, not him. He knows Dan doesn't believe its Zarathos that's possessing him, and that he's sure he thinks the Ghost Rider is a force for good, but Blaze says he doesn't know the type of forces that the kid is playing with. The telephone in the hotel room rings, which Blaze answers in disappointment. He tells the person that he loves them, but he can't come home yet. He hangs up and tells Danny that he's risking his happiness and his family by making sure the evil of Zarathos isn't unleashed again. He says he should just kill Dan and get it over with, but he can't do it because he was a stupid kid once, too. Meanwhile, in the sewers beneath Central Park, two workers investigate a backed up sewage line that's needing cleaned. The two men discover a mountain of dead bodies, and then their flashlights blink off. The two men are then attacked by Blackout, who kills them.

Back in the hotel room, Blaze watches a news report about the police officer that the Ghost Rider was framed for killing. Following that, a report comes in about a gruesome murder in Central Park, where several people have disappeared throughout the day. Dan begins to yell that Blackout is the one killing people, and that they've got to stop him. Not wanting to listen, Blaze gags the kid again. At that moment, in Salem Fields Cemetery, Dan's motorcycle revs to life. Minutes later, the bike busts through the wall of the hotel room, and as it passes Danny it transforms him into the Ghost Rider. Blaze turns the lights off in the room, and recites a spell of binding, trapping the Rider in a pentagram. Elsewhere, in Deathwatch's Manhattan office, Blackout agrees to do a job for his former employer, but that Danny is to be left for him. When Blackout leaves, Deathwatch telephones Tyler Meagher and tells her that the bait has been set and the Ghost Rider will come to her.

At the hotel, Blaze tells the Ghost Rider about his life as the original host for Zarathos. He explains that after Zarathos and Centurious were trapped in the Soul Crystal, he married his love, Roxanne Simpson, and had two children. He bought the Quentin Carnival and the family was happy...until the Ghost Rider returned. Blaze knew he couldn't let his children grow up in a world in which the Ghost Rider ran free. He points his shotgun at the Rider, and the demon grabs the barrel of the gun. Hellfire flows from the Ghost Rider, through the gun and into Blaze, breaking the containment spell. As the Rider goes to leave, Blaze commands him to stop. He raises his shotgun and fires, blasting the biker through the window and onto the street below. John realizes that his gun shot hellfire, with which he continues to shoot the Rider, blowing large chunks out of his body. The Ghost Rider says that he is not Zarathos, and that he cannot leave his mission unfinished. Blaze prepares to finish the Rider off with a shot to the skull, but hesitates when he thinks about what will happen to Danny if he kills the demon. The Ghost Rider uses the opportunity to knock John away, and then climbs on his bike and rides away. Blaze watches the demon ride away, realizing that he now has the means to kill him.

Ghost Rider (1990) # 13

"You'll Never See What's Coming Next!"

Cover Date: May 1991

On Sale Date: March 1991

Writer: Howard Mackie
Artist: Mark Texeira
Background Inker: James Palmiotti
Letterer: Janice Chiang
Colorist: Gregory Wright
Editor: Bobbie Chase
Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco

Cover Artist: Mark Texeira

Sunset in Cypress Hills Cemetery, Dan Ketch transforms into the Ghost Rider. Later, a group of junkies assault an elderly couple, beating them with baseball bats until they are stopped by Ghost Rider. Because of the drugs in their system, the Penance Stare has no effect on them, which prompts Ghost Rider to track down the drug supplier. Later that night, Dan returns home to find his mother getting out of an unknown person's car that she refuses to talk to her son about. Elsewhere, Johnny Blaze is in a motel room where he's preparing to locate Ghost Rider. His wife calls the room, but he hangs up on her without speaking.

The next day, Dan makes a delivery to International Contractors Unlimited and meets the receptionist Renee. Later, Stacy Dolan visits Dan at home to show off her new hairstyle, but Dan blows her off to go looking for the drug supplier. In Brooklyn Heights, that very same drug dealer - a superpowered blind man named Snowblind - speaks to his boss about the Ghost Rider interfering in his operations. Despite his protests, Snowblind agrees to take care of Ghost Rider himself.

Two hours later, Ghost Rider is interrogating a dealer by strapping him to the hood of his bike and racing through the streets. The dealer tells him where to find Snowblind, but Ghost Rider is then ordered to stop by an army of police officers surrounding him on the rooftops. They open fire, killing the drug dealer but unable to harm Ghost Rider, who rides off to find Snowblind. The villain is at his office, where he has ordered his staff to evacuate in preparation of his coming visitor. Ghost Rider blows through the wall of the office and finds Snowblind, who reveals his superhuman ability - he can project a field of visible white light that only he can see within and also increases his physical strength. He attacks Ghost Rider, only to learn that the Rider can actually see him within his white field. When Ghost Rider attempts to give Snowblind the Penance Stare, the villain simply turns his power off, making himself blind again. The two are then interrupted by two policemen, who chase Ghost Rider off with gunfire. The cops are working for Snowblind, and one shoots the other in the back to frame Ghost Rider for a police officer's murder.

Later, Linda Wei passes the information to Deathwatch, her and Snowblind's mutual employer. Deathwatch orders his aide to contact Tyler Meagher to begin hunting Ghost Rider for him. Back in Cypress Hills, Ghost Rider turns back into Danny only to have a shotgun pointed at his back. John Blaze has tracked them down, and he's going to kill either Dan or Ghost Rider.

The Punisher War Journal (1988) # 29-30

"Crash and Burn" & "Spin Cycle"

Cover Date: April & May 1991
On Sale Date: February & March 1991

Writer: Mike Baron
Artist: Mark Texeira
Letterer: Jim Novak
Colorist: Gregory Wright
Editor: Don Daley
Editor-In-Chief: Tom DeFalco
Cover Artist: Michael Golden

The Punisher is riding his motorcycle down a freeway when he gets in a race with another biker wearing a strange helmet. The other biker sparks a flame on the front of his helmet and his head catches on fire, killing him. When Castle investigates the body, Ghost Rider arrives and tells the Punisher that the biker came from the Roaring Island, a massive tank built out of dozens of smaller vehicles. A new drug called Spin is being manufactured and sold from the Roaring Island, and they'll most likely be delivering to the lead singer of the band Aerostar, who is playing a nearby coliseum the next night.

The next day, Frank's partner Microchip shows him what information he has on the Roaring Island, which is capable of jamming any surveillance or photography. Castle attempts to get some sleep, and when he wakes he finds some medicine left for him by Microchip that will counteract the effects of Spin. Later, at the coliseum, Frank watches as a delivery man from the Island visits Hovelhaus, singer for Aerostar. On the way out, the delivery man shoots a security guard and escapes on his bike, with the Punisher in hot pursuit. Cars sent from the Roaring Island chase Castle, but they are stopped by the just-arrived Ghost Rider. The police arrive, and when Punisher's bike stalls Ghost Rider leaves him behind. Before the police can arrest Frank, all of the lights and electronics in the area short out, followed by the arrival of the Roaring Island. A grenade is thrown from the massive vehicle, which knocks the Punisher unconscious.

The Punisher is brought aboard the Roaring Island, where he is interrogated by the head of the Island, Straker, who wants to know who Frank is and why he was after their courier.  Frank manages to convince Straker that he's a junkie looking to score from the Island, so Straker decides to give him a test to see if he would make a good courier.  In order to keep up his cover, Frank takes a hit of the new drug, Spin, and has an explosive attached to his wrist.  He's then given a new bike and told to do a drug delivery to a client, if he's not back by sundown they will trigger the explosive.

Wired from the drug, Punisher rides into Brooklyn and stops a local, telling them to put the word out that Punisher is looking for the Ghost Rider.  Castle is unaware that he's just spoken to Dan Ketch, the Ghost Rider's human host, who notices that the Punisher was behaving strangely.  Frank arrives at the address of his delivery and beats up some junkies inside before being invited into an apartment by his partner, Microchip.  Microchip gives Frank a computer disc with a virus program that will cause all the interlocking vehicles that make up the Roaring Island to disengage.   On his way back to the Island, Punisher is found by Ghost Rider, who agrees to listen to the Punisher's plan.

When he returns to the Roaring Island, Straker gives Castle a special helmet for his "initiation run", a helmet that is programmed to light up a dose of Spin automatically.  While Straker is distracted, Frank puts in the virus disc, but nothing happens.  Castle takes his bike out and drives under a bridge, and out the other side rides Ghost Rider, who is seen by the Island.  The explosive on Punisher's wrist is triggered, but Microchip had been waiting under the bridge to disarm it.  Microchip tells Frank that the disc didn't work because he had to press "enter" first, which Straker himself does when he tries to target his weapons on the Ghost Rider.  The Roaring Island falls apart, Straker barely escapes with his life, and Ghost Rider departs, telling Punisher and Microchip that he'll be watching them.  

Ghost Rider (1990) # 12

"Strange Tales, Part 1"

Cover Date: April 1991

On Sale Date: February 1991

Writer: Howard Mackie

Artist: Javier Saltares
Inker: Mark Texeira & James Palmiotti
Letterer: Janice Chiang
Colorist: Gregory Wright
Editor: Bobbie Chase
Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco

Cover Artist: Javier Saltares

After fighting his way free of Nightmare's realm, the Ghost Rider is in a New York City alleyway, trapped in a containment bubble by Dr. Strange, the Sorcerer Supreme. Strange, along with his companions Rintrah and Topaz, believe the Rider to be Zarathos, just as Nightmare did. Mentally controlling his motorcycle, Ghost Rider uses the vehicle to break Strange's concentration, freeing him from the spell. Rintrah attempts to defend his mentor, but the Rider easily dispatches him, throwing him against a wall. Before riding off, the vigilante feels a strange connection with the woman, Topaz, but ignores it in favor of riding after his target, Zodiak. Strange and his fellows recover their senses, stating that the hellfire from Zarathos (along with the talon of a vampire bat and the fur from a werewolf) are needed to exorcise the demon living within Topaz's body. Taking to the air, the three continue their search for the Ghost Rider, following the flame trail made by his motorcycle.

Meanwhile, in Hoboken, a mysterious individual stares off into the night sky, thinking about how he's come a long way to kill the Ghost Rider. Two men come from behind him, brandishing guns, demanding any money the biker may have. The man easily takes down one of the attackers, and when the other comes at him with a knife he pulls a shotgun from his trenchcoat (revealing a very familiar set of racing leathers). Holding the hoodlum at gunpoint, he considers shooting him, but decides instead to just ride off and let him live.

Elsewhere, sitting in a car, Zodiak's personal chauffeur complains that he's twice the hitman his boss his. However, when he sees the Ghost Rider approaching in his rear-view mirror, he runs inside for help. The Rider descends into the basement of the building, taking out guards along the way (including the frightened driver). The biker busts through a steel door, determined to finally catch Zodiak, but instead finds a group of cloaked men sitting under a huge machine, a device that has captured several young children in a mystical prison. This enrages the Rider, who turns around to find Zodiak and several men standing behind him. The murderer states that his employers would be very upset if he allowed the hero to interfere with their "crossing over", and orders his men to fire their weapons. To the Ghost Rider's surprise, the weapons actually cause him pain, as they're powered by magic. Luckily, Dr. Strange and his followers arrive, rescuing the Rider and giving him assistance against the men. Zodiak uses the opportunity to fly away, but mentions as he escapes that the battle has disturbed the cloaked men's concentration. The mystical prison holding the children explodes, and a group of fearsome demons emerge from the disrupted portal. Strange and the Rider both attack the demons, rescuing the children that Zodiak had imprisoned. Eventually, using his mystical knowledge, Strange is able to force the demons back through to their own dimension. Determined to never let this happen again, the Rider wraps his chain around the machines that powered the gateway, destroying them with one downward pull. Before the heroes leave, the Rider looks into a dark corner, then snaps his chain wrapping it around the hiding Zodiak. The killer just smiles, saying that he's yet another mechanical doppelganger. Enraged, the Ghost Rider destroys the robot's head with one punch. Strange then places his hand on the Rider's shoulder, telling him that he needs his assistance to help save the innocent life of his friend.

Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 71

"Acts of Vengeance, Part 8: The End"

Cover Date: March 1991

On Sale Date: January 1991

Writer: Howard Mackie

Artist: Mark Texeira
Inker: Harry Candelario
Letterer: Clem Robins
Colorist: Gregory Wright
Editor: Terry Kavanagh
Editor in Chief: Tom DeFalco

Cover Artist: John Byrne

Snapping the neck of Langly, one of his own men, Deathwatch learns the truth about the plot against the heroes. Langly had attempted to go into business for himself, manipulating the Ghost Rider to eliminate Brass and Wolverine for him as a favor to the Mandarin. Deathwatch realizes that Langly's problem is now his, telling the Ghost Rider that if he wants to see Jack and Brigitte live he'll have to kill Wolverine and Brass. If he does kill them, perhaps the Mandarin will allow the Hand back into his service. To the heroes' surprise, the Rider grabs them both by the throats, saying that must kill them to keep more innocent blood from being spilled. Brass stops Wolverine from defending himself, convinced that their ally has a plan. The biker throws them through several walls, repeating the act several times.

After being thrown through one last wall, Wolverine and Brass come across Brigitte and Jack. Taking out the men that hold them captive, Yuji unties them, commending Ghost Rider on his strategy: throwing Wolverine and Brass through walls until they uncovered the whereabouts of their loved ones. Suddenly, Deathwatch's voice is heard on an intercom system, saying that he has primed the top of the building to explode. Second later, the group escapes from the roof, with Brigitte and Yuji riding with the Rider while Wolverine and Brass repel down on ropes. Back on the street, Yuji and Brass load the two injured youths into their van, saying they both need medical attention. Wolverine and Brass both vow to go after the Mandarin for the troubles he caused them, while the Ghost Rider vows that Deathwatch will eventually pay for all the innocent lives he has taken.

Ghost Rider (1990) # 11

"Through a Nightmare Revealed..."

Cover Date: March 1991

On Sale Date: January 1991

Writer: Howard Mackie

Artist: Larry Stroman
Inker: Mark Texeira
Letterer: Janice Chiang
Colorist: Gregory Wright
Editor: Bobbie Chase
Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco

Cover Artist: Larry Stroman

Danny, dressed in the Ghost Rider's leather outfit, finds himself in a strange dimension, where he is confronted by a man on a large horse. The man introduces himself as Nightmare, ruler of the Dream Dimension, and that he wishes to speak to the boy's demonic counterpart, Zarathos. Danny tries to run, but is caught by the demon, who tells him that he only wishes to talk for a bit. Suddenly, a ringing telephone is heard, waking Danny from his dream. Dan gets dressed and leaves his house, telling his mom that it's Stacy's first day at police academy and he promised to drop her off. A little while later, Danny drops Stacy off at the academy, but she notices that he's acting strangely.

That afternoon, Danny goes to a basketball court to talk to a drug dealer named Stig that encountered the Ghost Rider a week earlier. Dan tells him that he wants to know where Zodiak is, or else he'll sic the Ghost Rider on him again. At the mention of the demon's name, Stig runs away in terror. Meanwhile, in the midwest, two brothers hassle a biker in a roadside diner. The biker pulls a gun and a knife on the two men, telling them that he wants to head East without making time to clean their blood off his boots.

That night, back in Brooklyn, Danny sits across from the basketball courts, waiting for any sign of Zodiak. After a while, a black limousine pulls up and the Zodiak exists, wanting to talk to Stig about him giving the Ghost Rider his location a week before. Dan triggers the transformation, but immediately finds himself and the Ghost Rider teleported back to the Dream Dimension. Nightmare tells the two that it took split second timing to grab them at the moment of their transformation. Nightmare turns his attention to the Ghost Rider, showing him visions of the demon Zarathos. Zarathos was a demon that was worshiped as a god, until Mephisto defeated him in battle. Stripping him of his hellfire, Mephisto toyed with Zarathos, placing him within various human hosts throughout the centuries. Eventually, the amnesiac demon was bonded to Johnny Blaze, and the nightmares he caused brought him to Nightmare's attention. Nightmare thought Zarathos lost after he was trapped in the Soul Crystal, but he now sees that he has returned. The Ghost Rider absorbs the memories given to him, but then rejects what Nightmare has said. He then threatens the demon lord, telling him that he must pay for the suffering of innocents that he has caused. Enraged, Nightmare sends a horde of demons to attack the Rider, nearly tearing him apart. Danny jumps on the Rider's motorcycle and rides forward, pulling his counterpart from the demons' clutches. The two then realize that the only way they can escape is if they merge totally into one being again, which they do. Knowing that he can't defeat Nightmare in his own realm, the Ghost Rider opts for escaping his realm.

The Rider returns to Earth at the same place and time he disappeared, and sees Zodiak across the street. He rides forward, determined to serve vengeance, but finds himself trapped by a mystical barrier. The Rider turns, expecting Nightmare, but instead finds Dr. Strange, Sorcerer Supreme of Earth.

Ghost Rider (1990) # 10

"Stars of Blood"

Published: Feb. 1991

Original Price: $1.50

Writer: Howard Mackie

Artist: Javier Saltares
Inker: Mark Texeira
Letterer: Janice Chiang
Colorist: Gregory Wright
Editor: Bobbie Chase
Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco

Cover Artist: Javier Saltares

Police rope off a brutal crime scene, the latest victims of a killer known as the Zodiak, due to the astrological signs he paints with the victim's blood. From a nearby rooftop, the Ghost Rider watches, vowing that the killer must pay. The next day, Dan has dinner with Stacy and Jack. The three talk about the Zodiak slayings, and Stacy finds that Dan's attitude is changing drastically. Meanwhile, in New Mexico, a mysterious man watches a news report on Ghost Rider. He pulls a knife and tosses it at the wall, where it stabs through a newspaper photo of the Rider.

That night, Dan rides through New York, hoping to find any sign of Zodiak. He witnesses a street fight, which involuntarily transforms him into the Ghost Rider. The demon stops the fight, dragging one of the men away with his chain. After he tells him where to find Zodiak, he drops the man on top of a police car. Meanwhile, in the headquarters of the bounty hunting organization H.E.A.R.T., the group's leader, Tyler Meagher, accepts a contract from Deathwatch.

Elsewhere, the Ghost Rider confronts Zodiak, who starts a brief fight with the spirit of vengeance. He tells the Rider that he's a hired killer, and he figured the astrological signs would be a good way to cover up his assassinations by posing as a serial killer. The Rider attempts to give the penance stare, but finds that Zodiak is really a mechanical doppelganger. Ghost Rider destroys the robot while the real killer flies off from a nearby rooftop.

Traveling through the west, the mysterious man from New Mexico rides toward New York, his only concern being the death of the Ghost Rider.

Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 70

"Acts of Vengeance, Part 7: Confession is Good for the Soulless"

Published: Feb. 1991

Original Price: $1.25

Writer: Howard Mackie

Artist: Mark Texeira
Inker: Harry Candelario
Letterer: Clem Robins
Colorist: Gregory Wright
Editor: Terry Kavanagh
Editor in Chief: Tom DeFalco

Cover Artist: Rob Liefeld

After beginning their assault on Deathwatch's building the four heroes have split into two groups. While Wolverine and Yuji continue advancing through the floors of the building, Ghost Rider and Brass scale the outside on the demon's motorcycle. GR and Brass arrive on the roof, taking out ninjas as they progress. Wolverine and Yuji do the same, and the four eventually meet up in the middle. Wolverine's senses tell them that the kidnapped Brigitte and Jack D'Auria are in an adjoining room, so Ghost Rider busts the door in. The two teenagers are inside, bound and gagged, but before they can be freed the four men are surrounded on all sides by Deathwatch's men.

Langly, the man responsible for orchestrating the situation, reveals himself, flanked by the triplet Triad brothers. Brass and Yuji disable two of the brothers, while Wolverine disarms the third. Using his claws, Logan stabs the three men, making them unable to use their swords. Ghost Rider then wraps the three men in his chain, and then gives them his penance stare. Before the rest of the assassins can open fire, an authoritative voice tells them to halt. Deathwatch appears, demanding to know just what is going on. Langly attempts to explain, but Deathwatch decides to learn the information his way, breaking Langly's neck.

Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 69

"Acts of Vengeance, Part 6: Brass Tactics"

Cover Date: February 1991

On Sale Date: December 1990

Writer: Howard Mackie
Artist: Mark Texeira
Inker: Harry Candelario
Letterer: Clem Robins
Colorist: Gregory Wright
Editor: Terry Kavanagh
Editor in Chief: Tom DeFalco

Cover Artist: Sandy Plunkett

Having arrived at Deathwatch's building, Wolverine busts down the door, Yuji and Brass close behind him. Upon entering, they find a group of ninjas that have already been defeated and left behind, the path cleared by the Ghost Rider, who had entered the building ahead of his companions. Brass, wanting nothing but to find his sister, Brigitte, tries to go further, but is stopped by Wolverine, who wants answers to the many questions that have been raised during the night. Brass throws Wolverine aside, prompting the mutant to pop his claws in anticipation of a fight. Suddenly, Brass is grabbed around the throat by the Ghost Rider, who tells the youth not to shed his ally's blood. Yuji asks the Rider to release his son, admitting that now would be a good time to give some answers. The sensei asks the group to sit, saying that it is fitting that secrets be revealed in the shadow of the enemy's stronghold. Brass makes a sarcastic comment, so his father knocks him off his feet, thanking him for respecting the wishes of an old man.

Deciding to take his father's advice, Brass tells the group his life story. His father started teaching him karate when he was a young boy, but when he entered competitions he realized that he had an edge. Somehow, he knew when an opponent was going to do as soon as he thought it. As he got older, he decided to join the navy, quickly becoming a member of the SEALS, which is where he was given the nickname "Brass". Eventually, he met a girl named Theresa and the two fell in love. However, one day in Manhattan, the two wandered across a pitched battle between the Avengers and the Mandarin. Theresa panicked and ran, and was hit by a car, killing her instantly. After doing some research, he discovered that the Mandarin was part of a criminal conspiracy, involving other villains such as the Red Skull, the Kingpin, and Magneto. Blaming them for the death of his loved on, Brass vowed to kill them all, starting by taking out some of the Mandarin's operations in Chinatown. At that point, Wolverine interrupts, saying that must be the connection between them since a few months ago he had a run-in with the Mandarin himself. Tired of talking, the Ghost Rider stands up and walks into the building, the others following behind him.

Unfortunately, the group walks into a trap, where several men are waiting atop a staircase for them. The men open fire with machine guns, prompting Brass, Wolverine, and Yuji to go on the offensive. Strangely, the Ghost Rider simply stands in the middle of the room, gesturing into the air as he's hit by round after round of bullets. Suddenly, the Rider's motorcycle busts into the room, with both he and Brass jumping on it and riding away.

Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 67

"Acts of Vengeance, Part 4: Uneasy Alliance"

Cover Date: January 1991

On Sale Date: November 1990

Writer: Howard Mackie
Artist: Mark Texeira
Inker: Harry Candelario
Letterer: Clem Robins
Colorist: Gregory Wright
Editor: Terry Kavanagh
Editor in Chief: Tom DeFalco

Cover Artist: Javier Saltares

Wolverine, still feeling the effects of the drugs in his system, holds Brigitte hostage, attempting to get answers to his questions. Though he only intends to scare her, Wolverine's actions are viewed differently by the Ghost Rider, who has just entered the room with Brigitte's father, Yuji. The two vigilantes briefly begin to fight, until they are separated by Yuji. Brigitte then leaves the room, ordered by her father to find her brother, Sean. Moments later, the group is attacked by a cadre of Deathwatch's ninjas. After fighting off a large number of the assassins, Yuji, Wolverine, and the Ghost Rider are confronted by two sword-bearing twins, who tell them that they have captured Brigitte, and they want the sensei's son in return. Yuji restrains his two comrades, wanting to know the status of his daughter first. The twins throw down Brigitte's severed pony-tail, and again demand the whereabouts of the son. Wolverine and the Ghost Rider both advance toward them, but the twins, apparently mutants, touch their sword blades together and produce a blast of energy that caves in the ceiling of the building.

A few minutes later, Wolverine and the Ghost Rider crawl from the rubble, agreeing to do things Yuji's way. At that moment, Yuji's son, Sean Watanabe, enters, telling the two vigilantes to call him by the name Brass. Sean then says that they need to act quickly, and that Deathwatch's men have kidnapped Jack D'Auria from the hospital, causing the Ghost Rider to fly into an anger fueled rage.

Ghost Rider (1990) # 9

"Pursuit"

Cover Date: January 1991

On Sale Date: November 1990

Writer: Howard Mackie

Artist: Javier Saltares
Inkers: Mark Texeira & James Palmiotti
Letterer: Janice Chiang
Colorist: Gregory Wright
Editor: Bobbie Chase
Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco

Cover Artist: Javier Saltares

Dan Ketch rides his motorcycle through Cypress Hills Cemetery, unaware that he's being hunted by Blackout. Danny's motorcycle startles a homeless man, who runs deeper into the cemetery. He comes across Blackout, who rips the man's throat out. Upon hearing the screams, Danny transforms into the Ghost Rider. This catches the attention of H.E.A.R.T., the mercenaries hired to killed the Rider who are watching the cemetery. The Rider confronts Blackout, but is blown into one of the mausoleums by the female soldiers. A person in the dark crypt tells the Ghost Rider to come with him, that he can take him to the missing children. Blackout overhears this, while H.E.A.R.T. search the now-empty tomb. Beneath the cemetery, the Ghost Rider speaks with the disfigured people that live underground. They tell the Rider that they took the children to keep them safe, to protect them. Because the night is almost over, the Ghost Rider takes his leave, but vows to return. Meanwhile, in their giant living ship, the mutant team known as X-Factor watch a newscast about the disappearance of children throughout Brooklyn. Thinking that it could perhaps be the result of demons left behind after the Inferno incident, they decide it should be investigated.

The next night, Ghost Rider returns to cemetery, followed closely by a helicopter that houses the women of H.E.A.R.T. Despite their tracking equipment, they lose track of the Rider when he descends into the underground tunnels. The Ghost Rider is taken into a large cavern, where he meets a mutant named Pixie. She's responsible for the children disappearances, saying she's keeping them safe from the Morlock leader, Masque. Suddenly, H.E.A.R.T. bursts into the cavern, firing on the Rider. Immediately after, X-Factor make their way into the tunnels and proceed to help the children escape, forcing H.E.A.R.T. to withdraw. Blackout, who followed the Rider, gets his hands on Pixie and rips her throat out. As the cavern begins to collapse, Ghost Rider calls for his motorcycle, which busts through the ground and returns to his side. He places the remaining children upon it and sends them to safety, but then turns his attention toward Blackout. The two battle fiercely as the tunnels collapse. On the surface, X-Factor help the children onto their aircraft, thinking the Rider to be dead. Suddenly, the Ghost Rider erupts from the ground and makes his way to his motorcycle, quickly riding off into the night.