Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 130

"The Walking Wounded, Part 8: Pay the Maker"

Cover Date: June 1993; Publication Date: April 1993

Writer: Ann Nocenti; Artist: Steve Lightle; Letterer: Jon Babcock; Colorist: Steve & Marianne Lightle; Editor: Terry Kavanagh; Editor in Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Steve Lightle

In the realm of madness, Typhoid has attempted to commit suicide by hurling herself off a cliff, which has resulted in the spirit of Mary Walker to start fading away in the real world.  The innocent souls of Danny Ketch and Eve attempt to revive the dying Mary, while in the madness realm Ghost Rider carries Typhoid's broken body. With the prayers of the people gathered inside the mall giving them strength, Ghost Rider, Typhoid, and Eve rise up through the realm of madness and reappear inside the mall, where each of them merge with their pure souls again. Mary wakes up as her Typhoid persona and tearfully thanks Danny for saving her life.

Dusk, however, has followed from the realm of madness and takes corporeal form inside the mall, creating waves of insanity in his wake. While Typhoid flees in terror, the civilians in the mall fight back against Dusk's manifestations. Dusk focuses on Father Louis, chasing him into a bathroom where he is nearly caught and killed before Ghost Rider arrives to save him. Ghost Rider wrestles with Dusk, who is weakened by being on the mortal plane, but is eventually overwhelmed.  Father Louis refuses to leave and Ghost Rider tells him to bless something to help drive away the demon.  The pastor blesses the water in the toilet, turning it into holy water, and Ghost Rider shoves Dusk's face into the bowl. The holy water destroys Dusk, his threat ending when Ghost Rider flushes him down the toilet. Typhoid, meanwhile, has fled back to her home and the safety of her pills. Ghost Rider muses that it is not madness that drives him, instead it is vengeance. 

Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 129

"The Walking Wounded, Part 7: Peak the Pathos"

Cover Date: May 1993; Publication Date: March 1993

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

Ghost Rider has been lured into the Realm of Insanity, where he relentlessly pursues the Necromancer, becoming more and more obsessed with seeking vengeance.  The realm is ruled by Dusk, who wants Ghost Rider to succumb to insanity and become his warrior to help claim the nearby dimension of Nightmare. Elsewhere in the realm, the pregnant girl Eve is charmed by the dream-like warrior who rescued her from demons.  Typhoid Mary appears and chases off the warrior by pointing out that he is betraying Dusk by courting Eve. Typhoid uses her mental powers to project visions of her past on the walls of the realm surrounding them and tells the story of how she was abused as a child. She suffered until another personality, Typhoid, emerged to protect her and stop the abuse from happening ever again.

Meanwhile, inside the shopping mall that is acting as the gateway to the realm of insanity, the glowing souls of Mary, Eve, and Dan Ketch comfort one another, the last vestiges of their sanity clinging to life. Dusk emerges and confronts Typhoid, telling her that now he knows her secret past and can use it against her to control her.  She runs into Ghost Rider, who has defeated the Necromancer and is now demanding that Typhoid must release her hold on the innocent Mary Walker. Rather than allow herself to be enslaved or punished, Typhoid leaps off a cliff to her death on the spikes below. 

Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 128

"The Walking Wounded, Part 6: Roll the Bones"

Cover Date: May 1993; Publication Date: March 1993

Writer: Ann Nocenti; Artist: Steve Lightle; Letterer: Michael Higgins; Colorist: Steve & Marianne Lightle; Editor: Terry Kavanagh; Editor in Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Steve Lightle

Ghost Rider has entered the realm of insanity to face Dusk, unaware that he has left the sane parts of Dan Ketch behind on Earth. While the shopping mall descends into madness, the various people trapped inside face their fears: Father Louis is reunited with his wife and son, the pregnant Eve is rescued by a resident of the insane realm, and the women of the equal rights movement come across the glowing form of Dan Ketch and attack him. 

While Ghost Rider fights his way through the realm of insanity he is confronted by one of Dusk's minions, the Necromancer. Meanwhile, Typhoid has realized that she has been betrayed by Dusk, who had promised to remove the Mary Walker persona from her mind. Finding the entrance to the realm of madness inside the mall, Typhoid jumps through, unaware that she has left the sane part of herself behind.

Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 127

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

Cover Date: April 1993; Publication Date: February 1993

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

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

Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 126

"The Walking Wounded, Part 4: Jerk the Bait"

Cover Date: April 1993; Publication Date: February 1993

Writer: Ann Nocenti; Artist: Steve Lightle; Letterer: Ken Lopez; Colorist: Steve Lightle; Editor: Terry Kavanagh; Editor in Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Steve Lightle

While the women trapped inside the locked shopping mall arm themselves for war, Mary Walker denies having killed two of the three security guards who assaulted her. Realizing that one of the guards got away, Mary transforms into Typhoid and runs away from the group, seeking revenge on the guard and on Ghost Rider. Meanwhile, Dan Ketch and Father Louis are realizing that the mall is slipping into another realm where physics are in flux. Typhoid finds them and attacks Danny, blaming him for innocent Mary receiving the Penance Stare. Dan transforms into Ghost Rider, triggered by Typhoid's presence. The security guard chooses that moment to attack and fire his gun at Typhoid, who responds by setting the guard on fire, killing him. In response, Ghost Rider grabs her by the throat with his chain, telling her that she will never kill again.

Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 125

"The Walking Wounded, Part 3: Innocent Blood"

Cover Date: March 1993; Publication Date: January 1993

Writer: Ann Nocenti; Artist: Steve Lightle; Inker: Chris Ivy & Ken Branch; Letterer: John Babcock; Colorist: Mike Thomas; Editor: Terry Kavanagh; Editor in Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Steve Lightle

Ghost Rider is stunned to learn that he has given the Penance Stare to the seemingly innocent Mary Walker, which sends him into a spiral of madness about innocent blood. Father Louis, who witnessed Typhoid killing two of the three security guards, is sucked into Ghost Rider's madness as a geyser of blood erupts beneath him. The shopping mall is slipping into the realm of madness brought on by Dusk, which affects the surviving security guard. The guard crashes through the mall and begins shooting at hallucinations, prompting the members of the Women's Action Movement to gather Mary's unconscious body and fortify themselves inside the mall for a "battle of the sexes".

Father Louis manages to fight his way free of the madness inflicting the mall, only to find that Ghost Rider has transformed back into Danny Ketch, who is distraught over what he did to Mary. While the security guard is overcome by hallucinations, including one of Dusk in the form of Typhoid, Mary wakes up and states she feels beside herself but is otherwise fine.

Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 124

"The Walking Wounded, Part 2: Stir the Soup"

Cover Date: March 1993; Publication Date: January 1993

Writer: Ann Nocenti; Artist: Steve Lightle; Inker: Jimmy Palmiotti; Letterer: Michael Higgins; Colorist: Mike Thomas; Editor: Terry Kavanagh; Editor in Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Paris Karounos

Mary Walker is visited by Dusk, who comes from the Realm of Insanity and offers to take the Typhoid Mary personality away from her if she brings him the Ghost Rider.  Her vision is interrupted by her friend, Eve, who comes into the bathroom and tells Mary that Danny Ketch is hanging around waiting for her.  When they leave the bathroom they see the shopping mall is closing and the lights have already been turned off.  Mary is sent to get the van for the Women's Action Movement, passing by the people leaving the last movie showing as she goes toward the back doors.  When she finds the doors are locked, she's approached by two security guards who begin sexually assaulting her.  Sensing danger, Dan excuses himself to transform into the Ghost Rider, and finds Mary in her Typhoid identity defending herself against the security guards.  Ghost Rider recognizes Typhoid Mary from his dreams and gives her the Penance Stare, but is then interrupted by a passing priest from the movie theater.  The priest tells the Ghost Rider that only God can decide guilt and exact penance, prompting Ghost Rider to respond "Father, do you know who you are talking to?"

Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 123

"The Walking Wounded, Part 1: Soulfeast"

Cover Date: February 1993; Publication Date: December 1992

Writer: Ann Nocenti; Artist: Steve Lightle; Letterer: Janice Chiang; Colorist: Steve Lightle; Editor: Terry Kavanagh; Editor in Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Steve Lightle

Daniel Ketch experiences a "waking nightmare", during which the Ghost Rider is confronted by Typhoid Mary.  The woman tells Ghost Rider that "Dusk is falling" and that he should give up his human side in favor of the monster.  Later, in upstate New York, Danny arrives a shopping mall to try and clear his mind.  Inside the mall, a group called the Women's Action Movement are holding a demonstration for shoppers about the women's liberation movement.  Danny stops and talks to one of the group members, a pregnant girl named Eve, about how both sexes face challenges in life.  They're joined by Mary Walker, another group member who excuses herself quickly after a few minutes of debate.  In the bathroom, Mary is confronted by her other personality, the twisted Typhoid Mary, who uses Mary's desire for Danny as a way to take control of their shared body once again.

Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 122

"And Let There Be Light..., Part 4: The Light Within"

Cover Date: February 1993; Publication Date: December 1992

Writer: Paula Foye; Artist: Alexander Morrissey; Inker: Ken Branch/Tim Tuhoy; Letterer: Michael Higgins; Colorist: Mark Bernardo; Editor: Terry Kavanagh; Editor in Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Joe Madureira

In Grimbat's Castle, Ghost Rider, Cloak, and Dagger stand over the stunned villain - but Grimbat's wife, Melona, warns that the battle has only begun. Grimbat undergoes a strange transformation, sprouting three heads and distorted features. He has used the power of Dagger's light to become anything he desires, and easily swats Cloak away. He grabs Dagger and explains that her light has made him more powerful than ever before. Ghost Rider attacks Grimbat and gives one of his heads the penance stare, causing him to doubt his actions. He claims everything he's done was to help his people. Melona then tells him to face the error of his ways - he drained her completely of light and now he wants to do the same to Dagger. Grimbat tells Melona that she should be dead, but in truth she has been hiding and attempt to regain her former power. Cloak attempts to engulf the monster, forcing him to release Dagger, and the power of Cloak's darkness weakens Grimbat and forces him to question himself. He realizes that he must try and help his people in a different way - by asking Dagger to empower him once more to break up the atoms of his being and become a source of lasting light to shine down on his world. Melona and Dagger agree to combine their power to do as he wishes, and in return Grimbat blasts open a doorway back to Earth. Dagger and Melona then use their power to destroy Grimbat, his energy sailing into the sky to provide endless light. In thanks, Melona gives Dagger a golden crown to remember their people by.

 

Ghost Rider, Cloak, and Dagger then enter the gateway and arrive back on Earth. Cloak mentions that he can't help but feel pity for Grimbat, but the Ghost Rider states that he simply learned the error of his ways - that it is never just for the innocent to suffer, no mater what the cause. Back on Zianon, Melona stands under a bright sky and thanks Grimbat for his personal sacrifice...while back on earth, Dagger looks at her crown and swears to never forget.

Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 121

"And Let There Be Light..., Part 3: The Bride of Grimbat"

Cover Date: January 1993; Publication Date: November 1992

Writer: Paula Foye; Artist: Alexander Morrissey; Inker: Ken Branch/Tim Tuohy: Letterer: Steve Dutro; Colorist: Sarra Mossof; Editor: Terry Kavanagh; Editor in Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Joe Madureira

In the dungeons of Grimbat's castle, Ghost Rider and Cloak bust free from their prison to rescue Dagger. They have just been told that the planet Zianon is filled with suffering people from the lack of light, and that Grimbat has been causing even more suffering to gain power over light. Cloak and Ghost Rider climb upon the demon's motorcycle and ride through the cavernous tunnels, the darkness surrounding them seeming as if it has a life of its own. Entering a labyrinth, the two heroes encounter creatures desperate to claim Ghost Rider's light. Cloak attempts to absorb one into his darkness, but recoils due to their pain being too much for him.

 

Upstairs, Dagger is served by Grimbat's minions, enthralled by the dragon's spell, until she is confronted by a strange elderly woman. The woman, Melona, breaks Dagger free from the spell and tells her that her friends are not free. She tells them that the men are most likely lost in the labyrinth leading to the prisons and gives Dagger a key to a trapdoor in the floor. Without attracting Grimbat's attention, Dagger enters the tunnel and quickly finds Cloak and Ghost Rider. The three make their way back to the surface, but are discovered by Grimbat. The dragon grabs Dagger, but is interrupted by Melona, eliciting a reaction of shock from Grimbat. Using the opportunity, Dagger blasts the monster with a powerful burst of light, stunning him to the floor. The three heroes then ask Melona who she really is, to which she replies "the bride of Grimbat".

Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 120

"And Let There Be Light..., Part 2: In a Dark Place"

Writer: Paula Foye; Artist: Alexander Morrissey; Inker: Ken Branch; Letterer: Janice Chiang; Colorist: Fred Mendez; Editor: Terry Kavanagh; Editor in Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Joe Madureira

On the planet Zianon, Grimbat holds the kidnapped Ghost Rider and Cloak outside his castle. Ghost Rider frees himself and attempts to burn Grimbat with hellfire, but the dragon simply absorbs the light and tells the two heroes that they will serve him for eternity.

 

Inside the castle, Dagger is surrounded by Grimbat's servants, who hail her as their new queen. Back outside, Cloak teleports himself and Ghost Rider to Dagger's side, where the crime-fighting duo are reunited. A moment later, however, Grimbat bursts into the room with a legion of creatures brandishing chains. The monsters wrap the chains around Cloak and Ghost Rider, while Dagger demands that Grimbat stop attacking her friends. Grimbat then hypnotizes Dagger into following him, and his minions drag the two males into the dungeons below.

 

In the dungeon, the guards tell Ghost Rider and Cloak there is one strain among their people that can drain light from others to give to the rest, and that Grimbat is the last descendant of that line. But Dagger's light is sufficient enough that Grimbat need not take any more lives ever. Now that he knows Grimbat's motives, Ghost Rider easily frees himself from his chains. Upstairs, Grimbat adorns Dagger with jewels and a cape, telling her that she will want for nothing and that all she need do is that what comes most natural. Dagger comments that the planet is so dark with no sun or light, to which Grimbat replies that she must shine on her subjects to ease the pain and torment of their darkened lives.

Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 119

"And Let There Be Light...: Part 1: The Door"

Cover Date: December 1992; Publication Date: October 1992

Writer: Paula Foye; Artist: Alexander Morrissey; Inker: Ken Branch; Letterer: Janice Chiang; Colorist: Fred Mendez; Editor: Terry Kavanagh; Editor in Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Joe Madureira

 

In an alley in New York City, a dragon-like creature named Grimbat appears via a dimensional doorway, looking for his future queen. He immediately finds Cloak and Dagger, the latter of the two he has watched from his home world of Zianon. Grimbat snatches Dagger away, saying that he needs her light, and knocks Cloak unconscious with a single blow. When an innocent bystander happens by, Grimbat slashes at him, bathing the alley with blood. As Grimbat and Dagger retreat through the dimensional door, he tells her that she is to be his bride and rule beside him. Cloak awakens and immediately wonders where Dagger has disappeared to. With his darkness beginning to consume him, he engulfs some innocent teenagers and afterward feels remorse for draining the life of someone who didn't deserve it.

 

Several blocks away, the Ghost Rider senses the spilling of innocent blood and quickly makes his way toward the man slashed by Grimbat. He finds Cloak and immediately attacks him, believing him evil. Cloak defends himself, absorbing the Rider's hellfire into his void of darkness. He explains to the Ghost Rider that Dagger has been kidnapped through a doorway by a creature who wanted her light force. The Ghost Rider agrees to help, while a small group of people stared dazedly at the spot where the doorway had been. Grimbat then returns, wanting to capture the Ghost Rider as a light source as well. As Grimbat pulls Ghost Rider through the gateway, Cloak grabs hold, determined to rescue Dagger.

Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 118

"Legion of Vengeance, Part 6: Vengeance Is Ours"

Writer: Joey Cavalieri; Artist: Shawn McManus; Letterer: Steve Dutro; Colorist: Fred Mendez; Editor: Terry Kavanagh; Editor in Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Steve Lightle

Ghost Rider and Iron Fist have their final battle with the Legion of Vengeance, now aware of D'Kay's plan to have the Legion supplant the heroes of Earth and then lead humanity to extinction.  Ghost Rider and Iron Fist manage to defeat the Legion by turning their powers against one another, and while they are under the fever dream of contagion they are able to convince the Legion that they must use their abilities for good and not destruction.  D'Kay appears and strips the Legion of their powers, returning them to their mundane lives in order to keep them from becoming true heroes.  Ghost Rider and Iron Fist leave the crypt, satisfied in their victory, but are unaware that the Legion still retain a vestige of their powers.  D'Kay, stating that the lust for power will always be there, swears that one day the Legion of Vengeance will return.

Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 117

"Legion of Vengeance, Part 5: A World of D'Kay"

Cover Date: November 1992; Publication Date: September 1992

Writer: Joey Cavalieri; Artist: Shawn McManus; Inker: Jimmy Palmiotti, Ken Branch, & Shawn McManus; Letterer: Steve Dutro; Colorist: Fred Mendez; Editor: Terry Kavanagh; Editor in Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Steve Lightle

Ghost Rider and Iron Fist are confronted by D'Kay, the demon responsible for empowering the Legion of Vengeance.  D'Kay claims that he has created the Legion as a new breed of hero that will make Ghost Rider and Iron Fist obsolete, then invites them to Hell to see his plans.  They agree and are tricked into believing they are torn apart in Hell, though they quickly recover.  D'Kay explains that the Legion are his four avatars of doom to bring the downfall of mankind, signifying the betrayals of the mind, body, earth, and God.  He returns Ghost Rider and Iron Fist to the cave on Earth, where they are attacked again by the Legion of Vengeance. 

Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 116

"Legion of Vengeance, Part 4: Our Name is Legion..."

Cover Date: October 1992; Publication Date: August 1992

Writer: Joey Cavalieri; Artist: Shawn McManus; Letterer: Steve Dutro; Colorist: Fred Mendez; Editor: Terry Kavanagh; Editor in Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Shawn McManus

Nearly dead from disease, Iron Fist is on the ground in the cavern.  While Ghost Rider is held at bay, Bacillus attempts to touch Iron Fist one last time to finally kill him, but Iron Fist is able to grab the villain and hold him.  Threatening to snap him in half if he doesn't reverse his sickness, Iron Fist is restored to full health by Bacillus' touch.  Ghost Rider uses his hellfire and Penance Stare to uncover the origins of the four members of the Legion of Vengeance, and how in each case a malevolent entity was working behind the scenes.  When Ghost Rider demands the entity show its face, the demon D'kay appears.

Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 115

"Legion of Vengeance, Part 3: The Secret of Strontium-90!"

Cover Date: October 1992; Publication Date: August 1992

Writer: Joey Cavalieri; Artist: Shawn McManus; Letterer: Steve Dutro; Colorist: Fred Mendez; Editor: Terry Kavanagh; Editor in Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Shawn McManus

Vesper and her partner, Strontium-90, attack the gang of looters, who are immediately poisoned by Strontium-90's deadly radiation.  When Ghost Rider and the gravely ill Iron Fist arrive, the mob turns on them in a case of mistaken identity.  While the two heroes fight their way free, Vesper and Strontium-90 escape to their secret lair.  Ghost Rider is able to track Strontium-90's radioactive footprints back to a crypt in Cypress Hills Cemetery, where deep underground they find the four members of the self-proclaimed Legion of Vengeance, including Bacillus and Mind's Eye along with Vesper and Strontium-90.  Enraged that they claim to be heroes, Ghost Rider and Iron Fist attack the four killers.  During the fight, however, Iron Fist finally succumbs to Bacillus' lethal contagion and collapses, dying of the disease.

Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 114

"Legion of Vengeance, Part 2: If the Mind's Eye Offends Thee..."

Cover Date: September 1992; Publication Date: July 1992

Writer: Joey Cavalieri; Artist: Shawn McManus; Letterer: Kevin Sharpe & Steve Dutro; Colorist: Fred Mendez; Editor: Terry Kavanagh; Editor in Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Shawn McManus

Ghost Rider has arrived at the burning church and is accused of setting the blaze by Iron Fist, who refuses to listen to Ghost Rider's claims of innocence.  Iron Fist uses his power to destroy Ghost Rider's motorcycle with one kick, but the Rider easily reassembles the bike.  The two heroes are approached by a dying man, who says that two costumed villains in Cyrpess Hills Cemetery are causing people to get sick.  The man dies and Ghost Rider realizes that his attention is needed at the cemetery, but when he drives away a furious Iron Fist jumps on the back of the motorcycle to tag along.

In the cemetery, a young couple are assaulted by the Mind's Eye and his partner, Bacillus, who is able to spread sickness with a touch.  He causes the boy to fall ill and die, but is caught by Ghost Rider's chain before he can kill the girl.  When he reaches for her, Iron Fist steps between them and is touched by Bacillus instead, causing him to grown extremely sick while the villains escape.  Ghost Rider attempts to save Iron Fist, saying that he will not call the cemetery his final resting place.  Meanwhile, a riot has broken out during a candlelight vigil for the victims of the church fire.  Out of the candle smoke comes Vesper, the woman responsible for the fire, and she attacks the mob with accusations of hypocrisy.  While she attacks the mob, a fourth villain waits on a nearby rooftop for his moment to make himself known and feared.

Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 113

"Legion of Vengeance, Part 1: The Night Has a Thousand Eyes!"

Cover Date: September 1992; Publication Date: July 1992

Writer: Joey Cavalieri; Artist: Shawn McManus; Letterer: Janice Chiang; Colorist: Fred Mendez; Editor: Terry Kavanagh; Editor in Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Sam Keith

Under a speeding elevated train, Daniel Ketch rides his motorcycle and thinks about the latest events in his life. His attention is caught by change falling from the sky, and when he looks up he sees a man lifted into the air by a creature with a giant eyeball in his chest. The creature, who calls himself the Mind's Eye, tells his victim that he sees the guilt hidden within the man and is sentencing him to death by throwing him onto the railway as a train heads toward them. Daniel transforms into the Ghost Rider and barely rescues the man before the train runs him down. He pursues the Mind's Eye, but the villain is able to disappear in the shadows of the night, leading the Rider on a chase through the city.

Meanwhile, in a church filled with parishioners, Daniel Rand sits in a pew and reflects on his near-death experience and the lost religion of K'un L'un, the mystical city that transformed him into the Iron Fist. Suddenly, a young woman begins to scream out about the hypocrisy of the church-goes before she bursts into flame. Calling herself Vesper, goddess of the candlelight, the woman begins to burn the church down around them. Rand changes into Iron Fist and confronts Vesper, but is unable to stop her before she brings the church down in flames. Iron Fist escapes the blaze with as many innocents as he could gather, but when he gets outside he finds the Ghost Rider waiting for him. Mistaking the Rider for a villain, Rand declares that if he should raise a hand against the innocent people he stands first against Iron Fist.

Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 112

"Return of the Braineaters, Part 6: Showdown"

Cover Date: August 1992; Publication Date: June 1992

Writer: Chris Cooper; Artist: John Stanisci; Inker: Jimmy Palmiotti & Ken Branch; Letterer: Steve Dutro; Colorist: Fred Mendez; Editor: Terry Kavanagh; Editor in Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Sam Keith

Ghost Rider and Jack Russell are on the trail of the Braineaters, who are chasing the young boy Billy.  Russell takes silver bullets and merges them with Ghost Rider's chain, which when thrown into the Braineaters prevents them from ever becoming werewolves again, causing their deaths if they attempt to transform.  The gang's leader, Scuzz, arrives and battles Ghost Rider on the rooftop of a building, but allows himself to be impaled on a spiked fence rather than become a normal human again.  Later, Dan Ketch and Jack Russell talk about how Billy has been reunited with his remaining family.  Dan laments that he's unable to control the Ghost Rider, so before he leaves Jack tells him that if he ever needs a friend he just has to listen for the howling to know he's there with him.

Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 111

"Return of the Braineaters, Part 5: Roadkill"

Cover Date: August 1992; Publication Date: June 1992

Writer: Chris Cooper; Artist: John Stanisci; Inker: Jimmy Palmiotti & Ken Branch; Letterer: Steve Dutro; Colorist: Fred Mendez; Editor: Terry Kavanagh; Editor in Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Sam Keith

Danny Ketch wakes up in the sewer with Jack Russell, remembering nothing since he was beaten nearly to death outside the Black Moon Bar & Grill, the headquarters of the Braineaters.  At the bar, the leader of the Braineaters named Scuzz tells the gang's human concubine Lupe that the kid they were holding hostage has outlived his usefulness.  Remembering what Dan said to her before he was savagely beaten, Lupe manipulates the Braineaters into fighting one another while she escapes with Billy.  The bikers quickly realize what's happened and give chase after them.  Lupe tells Billy to keep running and stands defiant, but the Braineaters all just ride past her on their bikes.  Only Scuzz stops, wanting the pleasure of killing Lupe himself.  Dan and Jack arrive at the bar and find the dying Lupe in the alley, and with her dying words she asks Dan if she "did good".  Dan transforms into an enraged Ghost Rider, who chases down Scuzz and punches him against a wall.  Scuzz, however, says that in the time it takes to kill him the rest of the Braineaters will have found and killed Billy, so what will Ghost Rider chose to do: kill Scuzz or save Billy?