The Ghost Rider (1967) # 1

"The Origin of the Ghost Rider"

Cover Date: February 1967; Publication Date: November 1966

Writers: Gary Friedrich & Roy Thomas; Artist: Dick Ayers; Inker: Vince Colletta; Letterer: John Verpoorten; Colorist: None Credited; Editor: Stan Lee; Cover Artist: Dick Ayers

Carter Slade, a school teacher on his way out west, sees a ranch being attacked by a group of Indians. When he tries to intervene, the Indians shoot him, but not before he realizes that the "Indians" are actually white men in disguise. Left for dead by the marauders, a mortally wounded Slade is found by a young boy named Jamie Jacobs, the only survivor of the ranch attack. He manages to put Slade on his horse, and the two begin their march toward help. They stumble across a group of Sioux, who take the dying Slade to their medicine man, Flaming Star. Slade awakens, his wounds suddenly healed, and Flaming Star tells him of the prophecy delivered to him by his gods. He witnessed a falling meteor and was told to gather up the luminous dust left in the rock's wake and wait for the coming of a great champion, known as "He Who Rides the Night Winds". Flaming Star leads Slade and Jacobs to a white horse, whom Slade easily tames and gives the name Banshee. They leave the Sioux, and after making camp that night Slade offers to raise Jacobs himself. He then uses the glowing dust to fashion himself a costume and spooky identity as the Ghost Rider.

The next day, the faux indians have gathered at the ranch of their employer, Jason Bartholomew, who wants to chase off all of the settlers who have made their way to "his land". He orders his men, led by his foreman Blackie Clay, to burn down the schoolhouse in nearby Bison's Bend. When they do so, however, the townspeople easily see through their disguises, and in return Clay kidnaps a woman named Natalie, sister to settler Ben Brooks. Slade and Jacobs arrive in town and are told the news, prompting Carter to ride off to find Natalie.

That night, Bartholomew is chastising his men for bringing Natalie back to his ranch when the lights suddenly go out. The Ghost Rider appears before the men, seemingly impervious to their gunshots, and he makes quick work of the men that attempt to fight instead of flee in terror. Slade frightens Bartholomew into agreeing to turn himself into the marshals, then departs while Natalie herself escapes, unaware of what has really happened. The next day, Slade and Jacobs are invited to remain in Bison's Bend, and the two go off to start their new lives.

Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme # 28

"Strange Tales, Part 2"

Cover Date: April 1991
On Sale Date: February 1991

Writers: Roy & Dann Thomas
Artist: Chris Marrinan
Inker: Mark McKenna
Letterer: Pat Brosseau
Colorist: George Roussos
Editor: Ralph Macchio
Editor-In-Chief: Tom DeFalco

Cover Artist: Michael Golden

In order to complete a spell designed to help his companion Topaz, Dr. Strange attempts a spell that will allow him to collect a sample of hellfire from the Ghost Rider. When Strange calls the Rider a "demon", however, the spell backfires and causes the Rider pain. They surmise that Ghost Rider must not be a true demon, which the Rider had already told them before. When Topaz attempts to heal Ghost Rider's pain, the demon that's possessing her – a demon named Ullikummis – appears above her and threatens the heroes before disappearing. Strange commands Topaz and his apprentice Rintrah to take the children rescued from Zodiak's coven to the police while he and Ghost Rider search for the villain. Strange's Eye of Agamotto reveals a slime-trail ascending into a hole in the sky. The two follow the trail and are transported away, unaware that Zodiak is following Rintrah and Topaz from the rooftops above.

Strange and Ghost Rider appear in another dimension, one that's home to a race of demons called the Dykkors. The demons attack and eventually overwhelm the two heroes, holding them captive. When Ghost Rider mentions them serving Zodiak the demons laugh and explain that Zodiak works for them. Back on Earth, Zodiak watches as the children are taken inside a police station. The villain is spotted by a cop, whom he kills with his lions claws. In the Dykkors dimension, the demons suddenly multiply like amoebas, explaining that they double in number with every person Zodiak murders. Ghost Rider and Strange take this opportunity to break free.

On Earth, Zodiak watches Rintrah and Topaz – each disguised by a cloaking spell – exit the police station. When they turn down an alley they drop the cloaking spell and go their separate ways, allowing Zodiak to follow and attack the defenseless Topaz. When he hits her with his Scorpio sting, however, she bellows like an animal. Her appearance changes to Rintrah, the two having switched their appearances to fool anyone following them. Topaz approaches to check on Rintrah, but runs when she sees Zodiak, who chases her with his horns of Taurus. Before he can kill her, Strange and Ghost Rider appear through a gateway from the Dykkors' dimension. While Strange sees to the gravely injured Rintrah, Ghost Rider viciously attacks Zodiak, pummeling him with the assumption that he is yet another robotic duplicate of the villain. Strange realizes that they're facing the real Zodiak, just as the villain uses his Libra bolo to escape them. Strange and the Rider search the area, but find no traces of Zodiak. Ghost Rider departs with Strange telling him that if Rintrah dies he will find Zodiak himself. Strange then shows Topaz a flame of hellfire he had captured from one of the Dykkors, and the three make their way back toward Strange's Sanctum.