On Sale Date: December 1990 & January 1991
Writer: Tom DeFalco
Artist: Ron Frenz
Inker: Joe Sinnott & Al Milgrom
Colorist: Mike Rockwitz
Lettering: Mike Heisler & Chris Eliopolous
Editor: Ralph Macchio
Editor-in-Chief: Tom DeFalco
Cover Artist: Ron Frenz
In an abandoned Brooklyn tenement building, the Wrecking Crew (the Wrecker, Thunderball, and Piledriver), argue amongst themselves about the fate of their fourth member, Bulldozer, who was captured by the NYPD's superhuman task force, Code B.L.U.E. Sick of the constant in-fighting, the Wrecker tells the other two that they're going to bust Bulldozer free, but only when he feels it's safe to do so. Meanwhile, in a Manhattan police station, Bulldozer is being watched by Mad Dog and Rigger, two Code B.L.U.E. officers. Rigger tells Mad Dog they're going to be escorting their prisoner to Kennedy Airport, from which he'll be transported to the Vault. Mad Dog complains about the assignment being boring, but Rigger tells him that the route will take them through Cypress Hills, where the Ghost Rider is rumored to haunt.
That night, during their transport of Bulldozer, the two police officers make their way past the gate to Cypress Hills Cemetery. Suddenly, the rest of the Wrecking Crew attack the armored truck, and the Wrecker's energy blast knocks the truck into the cemetery. The two cops escape the truck, but both are stunned by the Crew's attack. In another part of the cemetery, however, Dan Ketch is visiting the grave of his deceased sister and sees the fight erupting. He runs to his motorcycle and touches the gas cap, triggering his transformation. While the Wrecking Crew - including the newly freed Bulldozer - prepare to kill the Mad Dog and Rigger, the Ghost Rider rides over the hill. The Crew recognize the Rider from television reports, but are nonetheless surprised by the brutality of the demon's attack. He successfully evades the Crew's blows, but Piledriver believes the Rider to be simply a glorified athlete with a few fancy special effects. The Wrecker gets tired of the Ghost Rider's interference, and blasts him with the Asgardian power contained in his crowbar. The magical energy that strikes the Rider accidentally rips open a dimensional gate, from which emerges the lord of Hell, Mephisto. While Mephisto demands to know who has dared summon him, the Ghost Rider frantically questions why he finds the demon lord so familiar. Elsewhere in the city, the Asgardian trickster god, Loki, senses what has transpired. Cursing the Wrecker for finally attracting the notice of an powerful being, Loki realizes that he must step in and take care of the matter personally.
Later, in an abandoned factory in Manhattan, the Wrecker attacks his teammate Piledriver, who dared to call the Wrecker a coward for fleeing their fight with Ghost Rider after Mephisto appeared. The Wrecker dispels the challenge to his leadership and states that they will be taking out the Ghost Rider tonight. Ghost Rider, meanwhile, rides through the city, feeling fear for the first time since seeing Mephisto, who he recognizes but cannot remember from where. Elsewhere, Loki travels to Hell to meet with Mephisto following the Wrecker's accidental use of Asgardian magic that called the demon-lord to Earth. Mephisto, who is holding the Soul Crystal used to imprison former Ghost Rider Zarathos, tells Loki that the resemblance between the Ghost Rider and his "former vassal" is a coincidence and nothing more. Mephisto shows Loki a "soul-shroud" used to collect the souls of deceased immortals, and the face upon it actually manages to stun Loki, who expresses a desire for an alliance. Later, back on Earth, Loki tells his companions Ulik and the Enchantress that Mephisto is planning to betray him and he must move up his plans to reclaim the Asgardian power from the Wrecking Crew.
While riding through the city, Ghost Rider transforms back into Danny Ketch, who continues his search for the Wrecking Crew, while Eric Masterson transforms himself into Thor to search as well. The Wrecking Crew, while searching for Ghost Rider, see Thor flying by and decide to ambush him. Loki sees these events from afar and uses magic to lure Danny Ketch to the same area. The Wrecking Crew attack Thor on a rooftop and the battle is soon joined by Ghost Rider as well. While the battle is going on, Loki and Ulik take the Wrecking Crew out one-by-one, reclaiming the magic that powers them and leaving them near death. When the Wrecker attempts to use his magic power in his crowbar, Loki twists the blast to open up a rift, from which come a horde of Mephisto's demons. While Thor and Ghost Rider defeat the demons, Loki manages to take out the rest of the Wrecking Crew. When Thor finds them, he sees that the Wrecker has vanished but the rest of the Crew need medical attention. Ghost Rider, his work done, rides away jumping from rooftop to rooftop. Meanwhile, in Hell, Mephisto's soul-shroud has been completed, and the face upon it is none other than Thor's.
While riding through the city, Ghost Rider transforms back into Danny Ketch, who continues his search for the Wrecking Crew, while Eric Masterson transforms himself into Thor to search as well. The Wrecking Crew, while searching for Ghost Rider, see Thor flying by and decide to ambush him. Loki sees these events from afar and uses magic to lure Danny Ketch to the same area. The Wrecking Crew attack Thor on a rooftop and the battle is soon joined by Ghost Rider as well. While the battle is going on, Loki and Ulik take the Wrecking Crew out one-by-one, reclaiming the magic that powers them and leaving them near death. When the Wrecker attempts to use his magic power in his crowbar, Loki twists the blast to open up a rift, from which come a horde of Mephisto's demons. While Thor and Ghost Rider defeat the demons, Loki manages to take out the rest of the Wrecking Crew. When Thor finds them, he sees that the Wrecker has vanished but the rest of the Crew need medical attention. Ghost Rider, his work done, rides away jumping from rooftop to rooftop. Meanwhile, in Hell, Mephisto's soul-shroud has been completed, and the face upon it is none other than Thor's.
