Ghost Rider Special Edition (1995) # 1

"Transformation"

On Sale Date: 1995

Writer: Chris Cooper; Artist: Paris Karounos; Inker: Derek Fisher; Letterer: Janice Chiang; Colorist: Jim Hoston; Editor: Glenn Herdling; Cover Artist: Paris Karounos

Talk radio star Russ Armtree is telling his New York City audience to "rise up" against the "scum that's holding America down". Suddenly, the lights in his studio go off and Armtree is killed. The show's new host, speaking with "the word of Zarathos", tells the listeners that Russ was right - they need to destroy.

 

Dan Ketch rides through the city while its gripped in an insane riot with half the population attacking the other half for no reason. Dan sees a group of insane rioters assaulting a young woman, and he crashes his motorcycle through the crowd to stop them. The rioters advance on the crashed Ketch, but he's able to transform into Ghost Rider in time to save his own life. Ghost Rider gives one of the rioters his Penance Stare, which causes her to reveal that a voice on the radio is what's caused them to go crazy. Ghost Rider uses his chain links to incapacitate the other rioters, determined to find out who is causing the madness and stop them.

Ghost Rider: The Visual Guide

On Sale Date: January 2007

 

Writer: Andrew Darling

 

The Ghost Rider Visual Guide was an oversized hardcover book published by DK Publishing in 2007, a month before the release of the Ghost Rider feature film. Loaded with tons of artwork, the book featured a comprehensive look at the Ghost Rider comic series from 1972 to 2006 and offered an advance behind-the-scenes look at the Ghost Rider movie.

 

From the Inside Cover: Based on the long-running comic book series, this comprehensive, fully illustrated guide brings to life the world of the flaming-skulled motorcycle rider, including his greatest allies and most diabolical foes. Packed with more than 400 spectacular color images and featuring shots from the explosive motion picture from Colombia Pictures, this guide contains new interviews with the artists and writers who have made Ghost Rider one of the most spectacular and enduring comic-book creations of the past few decades.

Spirits of Vengeance (2024) # 2

Cover Date: December 2024; On Sale Date: October 2024

Writer: Sabir Pirzada; Artist: Chris Campana; Inker: Roberto Poggi; Letterer: VC's Travis Lanham; Colorist: Andrew Dalhouse; Editor: Devin Lewis; Editor in Chief: C.B. Cebulski; Cover Artist: Josemaria Casanovas

In a flashback to the distant past, months before he first became the Ghost Rider, Johnny Blaze spends time at a waterfall with Roxanne Simpson where they discuss her father's illness. A segue to the present day finds Johnny as the Ghost Rider being pulled in a sunken ship across the ocean floor by a single Atlantean soldier. This soldier, who the Ghost Rider captured after he killed a ship full of innocent humans, has been tasked to take Blaze to the underwater prison colony Death Springs. Using the seashell he claimed from the Sirens of Kronos, Blaze has heard the cries of the one innocent soul trapped in that prison and is set on freeing them from their captivity. Once they reach the prison, Ghost Rider gets into a fight with the guards and is subdued by their spears.

Johnny dreams of Roxanne, then wakes up as a captive of the prison's warden, who questions him about the shell he was carrying. Blaze tells him that he is there to find the Sea Witch and easily breaks free of the electrical eels that had been holding him prisoner. Ghost Rider breaks out into the wider prison yard and frees the prisoners to start a riot while also fighting the guards who arrive on the backs of sharks. Realizing that the prison is lost, the guards activate the sea volcano beneath them, which causes the prison to start shaking apart. While the guards and inmates swim for their lives, Ghost Rider descends deeper into the crumbling prison to find the Sea Witch that he had been searching for. The Sea Witch, whose name is Kauthar, a sorceress who centuries ago brought a Spirit of Vengeance to Atlantis and was imprisoned for the act. Her cries for vengeance were intended to warn Blaze about the coming of the Spirit of Violence, who wishes to invade Earth and punish the innocent. The Sea Witch then tells Blaze that he does not know the secret that the Spirits of Vengeance are based on, and when she whispers it in his ear he transforms back into his human form and collapses in tearful despair.

Ghost Rider (1973) # 14

"A Specter Stalks the Soundstage!"

Cover Date: October 1975; On Sale Date: July 1975

Writer: Tony Isabella; Artist: George Tuska; Inker: Vince Colletta; Letterer: Joe Rosen; Colorist: Phil Rache; Editor: Marv Wolfman; Cover Artist: Ron Wilson

On the Hollywood soundstage for the Stuntmaster television show, Johnny Blaze prepares for his first on-the-job stunt, dressed in a copy of the Stuntmaster's costume. Johnny starts his motorcycle and begins the stunt, but is interrupted when a man rushes in front of him and commands him to stop. Johnny wrecks the bike while avoiding the man, and recovers in time to see the director, Coot Collier, arguing with the newcomer. The man, whose name is Cosgrove, is there for the studio and tells Collier that he can't continue with the stunt because Blaze isn't a member of the stuntmen's union. Johnny tries to attack the accountant, but is stopped by the Stuntmaster. The two bikers walk away just as a tour group passes by...but no one notices the ghostly image of the deceased Orb floating above the tour guide. The guide and the group then attack Johnny, who undergoes his transformation into the Ghost Rider due to the amount of danger. He rings himself and the injured Stuntmaster in a ring of hellfire to keep the crowd back, but he then sees the giant ghostly Orb hovering over the people. The Orb tells Blaze that he's come back from the grave to exact his revenge on the Ghost Rider, and he then orders the people under his mental command to walk through the wall of fire. Before they reach it, however, a blast of water drenches the crowd and awakens them from their spell. The Orb fades away and Johnny returns to normal, while Karen page and her stand-in, Katy Milner, approach with two firehoses. Karen rushes to Johnny's side and acts concerned about him, but then gives him the cold shoulder and walks away. Confused, Johnny talks with Katy, who tells him that in return for running an errand for her she will tell him about Karen's past.

A little while later, Katy and Blaze meet and she asks him to pick up a package from her brother at the UCLA Medical Center. Johnny agrees, and the two go on a motorcycle tour of the studio. Katy tells Johnny that Karen's had her heart broken by a string of men - including the lawyer Matt Murdock - and that she's afraid to let anyone else get that close again. Johnny then mentions that he'll need to find a new place to stay, since he had been crashing in Karen's guest-room. Katy tells him that two of her friends who work for the studio have a beach house with a spare room that Johnny could possibly rent. Katy takes Johnny to meet her friends, Richard and Wendy Pini, on a back lot of the studio, but their meeting is interrupted by another thrall of the Orb, who attacks them with a forklift. While the other three people scatter, Johnny transforms into the Ghost Rider and returns to his cycle, riding circles around the forklift. He's surprised by a laser attack from the Orb's ghost, which puzzles Blaze. The Ghost Rider jumps over the forklift and blasts it with his hellfire, destroying the vehicle and knocking the driver unconscious. The Orb fades away while Johnny returns to human form, just as Wendy, Richard, and Katy make their way back to him. Johnny then asks for directions to UCLA so he can run Katy's errand before they start shooting their next scene.

When he arrives at UCLA, Johnny first encounters the rest of the superheroes that will join together with him as the Champions. After their first adventure, Johnny has returned to Delazny Studios, in despair over the Champions' failure in the mission. During one of his stunts, Johnny catches the falling Katy, but then feels himself transforming into the Ghost Rider. While riding through the air, he looks to his side and sees the Orb appearing above Karen page, who is being ordered by the villain to shoot Blaze with the gun in her hand.

Doctor Strange and the Sorcerers Supreme (2016) # 1-3

Cover Date: January through March 2017; On Sale Date: November through December 2016, January 2017

Writer: Robbie Thompson; Artist: Javier Rodriguez; Inker: Alvaro Lopez; Letterers: VC's Joe Caramagna; Colorist: Jordie Bellaire; Editor: Nick Lowe; Editor-in-Chief: Axel Alonso; Cover Artist: Raphael Albuquerque (# 1), Javier Rodriguez (# 2-3) 

In a mystical cave in England, in the year 590 AD, the sorcerer Merlin is about to lock away a creature he has created.  He is confronted by King Arthur and another wizard named Bohra, who Merlin reveals to be another of the creatures.  Merlin claims that the creatures are evil and locks them away behind a door before leaving with Arthur.

In the present day, a vastly depowered Dr. Strange is fighting a tentacle demon named Q'uvin the Malevolent in an alley beside his Sanctum Sanctorum.  Merlin arrives to help fight the beast, who Strange is able to kill with his axe.  Merlin takes Strange through a time travelling dimension, saying he needs Strange's help against an evil creature called the Forgotten who is collecting magical relics.  They arrive in the past and locate the other Sorcerer Supremes that Merlin has enlisted: Wiccan, Kushala, the Conjuror, Sir Issac Newton and his Mindful One, and a young boy that Strange recognizes as the eventual Ancient One.  After a brief battle against the Forgotten's minions, Strange talks to Wiccan, who is the Sorcerer Supreme from the future, and asks what's going on.  Merlin gives a key to the Conjuror, then the two of them speak with Kushala the Demon Rider, who tells them that when she touches the earth she senses great power.  The Forgotten bursts from the ground and attacks, grabbing Merlin and swearing revenge on what he has done to "them".  He then crushes Merlin in his hand and tosses him to the ground, while simultaneously knocking around the other sorcerers with ease.  Strange makes his way to the fallen Merlin, who requests that Strange finish his mission then dies in his arms.

In the near future, Sorcerer Supreme Wiccan holds off a demonic invasion, and is whispered a secret before the demon queen dies.  At the battle with the Forgotten, Merlin has been killed and the other Sorcerer Supremes are unable to defeat the giant.  Yao, the future Ancient One, has his arm broken, which prompts Wiccan to scoop up his allies and teleport them away from the battle.  They arrive on a beach, where they sink into one of Merlin's traps that is meant to capture their souls.  Sir Issac Newton's servant, the Mindful One, rescues them due to it not having a soul.  The Sorcerers travel through the forest on their way to Merlin's home, but find Camelot in serious disrepair.  The Forgotten, meanwhile, is on the way to Camelot as well to find the Sorcerers.  Back in the future, Merlin approaches Wiccan and ask what he had been told, and Wiccan tells him that he is dying.  Merlin offers to remove the curse that is killing him if he travels with him to fight the Forgotten.

In the 1800s, a Native American woman named Kushala witnessed the massacre of her people by United States cavalrymen.  In her anguish she is possessed by the Spirit of Vengeance, which incinerates all of the soldiers.  Ever since she had traveled the world, learning magic while being followed by the ghosts of her victims, to try and find a way to rid herself of the "Demon Rider".

In the time of Camelot, Kushala and the rest of the Sorcerers Supreme have broken into Merlin's castle and finds all of the people inside alive but catatonic, their souls having left their bodies.  The sorcerers move deeper into the castle and locate Merlin's library, which they hope will include a way to stop the Forgotten.  In the library, Kushala finds a box but damns Merlin when she sees that the box's contents are gone.  They find a list of names written by Merlin of sorcerers that he captured and locked away because they were practitioners of "darker magic".  The group is then attacked by the spirits of the castle dwellers, who Kushala remarks have "turned".  Outside, the Forgotten senses that Merlin's protective wards have been broken, and he ventures inside.  The Forgotten arrives in the library and destroys some of the spirits, which angers Kushala due to them being innocent victims.  She transforms into the Demon Rider and attacks the Forgotten, who eventually flees after claiming a mysterious book from the library.  Later, after returning the spirits of their bodies, the sorcerers realize that the Forgotten isn't just one being, it's all of the magicians Merlin locked away combined into one entity.  Isaac Newton tells them that the Forgotten must be destroyed and directs them to where the Forgotten said it was going, the Hollow Out of Time.

Finally, in a flashback, Merlin promises Kushala that if she helps him then he will remove the Spirit of Vengeance from her permanently.

Over the Edge (1995) # 4

"The Joker's Wild"

Cover Date: February 1996; On Sale Date: December 1995

Writer: Bruce Sakow; Artist: Robert Brown; Inkers: Tom Palmer, Brad Vancata, Bud LaRosa, & Mike Witherby; Letterer: Michul Higgins; Colorist: Ashley Posella; Editor: James Felder; Executive Editor: Bobbie Chase; Editor In Chief: Bob Harras; Cover Artist: Robert Brown

In Cypress Hills Cemetery, Ralphie - last of the Cypress Pool Jokers - rides a crudely fashioned skull-themed motorcycle. Two years ago to the day, Ralphie watched as Blackout murdered his best friend, Angel, while the Ghost Rider stood and watched. Ralphie has spent the last two years in hospitals, driven to the point of insanity, and now the day has come for his revenge against the Ghost Rider. Donning a skull helmet, Ralphie tosses his first grenade into a neighborhood home - the home of Francis Ketch, who is being visited by her son, Danny, and his girlfriend, Paula. The explosion injures Mrs. Ketch, and as an ambulance arrives Dan leaves to find out what caused the explosion. He finds Ralphie in the Cemetery, where onlookers mistake him for the Ghost Rider. Dan undergoes the transformation into the Spirit of Vengeance, who immediately confronts Ralphie. The young man rants and raves about how the Rider destroyed his life in Cypress Hills, but the Ghost Rider fails to recognize him or understand what he's talking about.

Meanwhile, Stacy Dolan listens to the newscasts about the "Ghost Rider" rampage. She tells herself that it must be false, that the chaos isn't the Ghost Rider - or Dan's - style. She then receives a telephone call from Ski, who tells her that the Team is being reactivated to take down the Ghost Rider once again.

Ralphie leads Ghost Rider out of the cemetery and into the city, where they eventually come to a subway train. Ralphie holds the conductor at gunpoint and tells him to speed the train up even though it means they'll ram the train ahead of them. While this is happening, Stacy and Ski assemble the rest of the Task Force at their headquarters and take flight in their helicopter. In the hospital, Paula is upset that Dan left them - but Mrs. Ketch tells her to give Dan time, that he tends to run away to be alone when tragedy happens. Paula accepts this just before the doctor enters to give Mrs. Ketch a clean bill of health.

Back on the subway, Ghost Rider manages to stop the train before the collision occurs and resumes his pursuit of Ralphie. While the two race through the city, the Task Force arrives overhead and begins to fire upon them. The chase heads to the Brooklyn Bridge and finally to the East River, which is jumped by the two bikers. They land on the Staten Island Ferry in the middle of the River, and with nowhere else to run Ralphie turns to fight. The Ghost Rider easily disarms the last Joker and unmasks him, finally recognizing him. The Rider tells Ralphie that he was not responsible for Angel's death, and the man breaks down in defeat. The Task Force fire a missile at the ferry from their helicopter, blowing it up in hopes of killing the two vigilantes. As the smoke obscures the river, the Ghost Rider emerges from the water on his motorcycle with Ralphie in his arms. Later, at Bellevale Hospital, Ralphie is visited by Dan and Stacy, who tell their old neighborhood friend that everything is going to be okay now.

Werewolf by Night (1998) # 6

"Love is Colder Than Death, Part 1"

Cover Date: July 1998; On Sale Date: May 1998

Writer: Paul Jenkins; Artist: Leonardo Manco; Letterer: Janice Chiang; Colorist: Marianna Manco; Editor: Joe Andreani; Editor In Chief: Bob Harras; Cover Artist: Leonardo Manco

A rash of brutal killings has been happening in New York City, and Jack Russell - the Werewolf by Night - has been tasked by his mysterious benefactor into stopping the murderer.  To do this, he visits the Underworld, a bar that is frequented by supernatural creatures.  At the bar he is assaulted by three vampires, who are insulted by the presence of a werewolf.  The fight is halted by the Ghost Rider, who has arrived to talk with Jack about the killings.  The two talk about their recent changes, namely Russell having freed himself from the control of the wolf demon and Ghost Rider having ascended as the new king of Hell.  Despite Jack's insistence, Ghost Rider refuses to help him, stating that he cannot show favoritism amongst his charges.  Jack gets up angry and leaves, while Ghost Rider tells him that he doesn't have to go farther from the room to find his killer.  That night, Jack locks himself in the sewer during his werewolf transformation, and when he awakens the next day he finds a dead body in the room with him.

Superior Spider-Man Annual # 1

"Hostage Crisis"

Cover Date: January 2014; On Sale Date: November 2013

Writer: Christos Gage; Artist: Javier Rodriguez; Inker: Alvaro Lopez; Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos; Colorist: Javier Rodriguez; Editor: Stephen Wacker; Editor-In-Chief: Axel Alonso; Cover Artist: J.G. Jones

A former employee of the Kingpin sells information about Peter Parker being connected to Spider-Man to the vampire assassin Blackout, who kills the informant in return. Later, Parker (whose body is now inhabited by the mind of former villain Otto "Dr. Octopus" Octavius) visits with his Aunt May and her husband Jay Jameson, who expresses concern about Peter's work with Spider-Man. Peter leaves and goes down into the subway, unaware he's been followed by Blackout. On a train, Peter uses his Spider-Bot camera systems to check up on the city and sees May and Jay being attacked by Blackout. The vampire easily disables Jameson kidnaps May before Parker can make it back to their apartment. Blackout left a cellphone for Peter, which means he won't kill May until he gets what he wants.

Not long after, the cellphone rings inside Spider-Man's headquarters. Blackout proves that May is still alive, then gives his demands that Parker is to sabotage Spider-Man's equipment so the villain will have an advantage against him. Parker uses his Spider-Bots to triangulate Blackout's location, but decides he needs to do some research on his enemy before taking action. He contacts Danny Ketch, former host to the Ghost Rider, whose sister was murdered by Blackout. Ketch tells Spider-Man that Blackout will target everyone he loves if he doesn't kill him, and offers up a few suggestions about his weaknesses, including sunlight. Spider-Man briefly considers asking Dr. Strange for help, but decides against it when he realizes that Strange could possibly discern that he is actually Otto Octavius.

Spider-Man tracks Blackout to an abandoned slaughterhouse, where he catches the villain exiting the building with May. Using his Spider-Bots to form a forcefield around May, Spider-Man deprives Blackout of his hostage. The fight turns vicious, with Blackout submerging the hero in darkness and stabbing him in the back with his claws. Blackout attempts to rip out Spider-Man's throat, but an electrical plate in his neck shocks the vampire into unconsciousness, which Otto/Peter had planned. He tells May to leave, breaks Blackout's legs and arms, and hangs him from meat-hooks. Octavius then brutally removes Blackout's fangs and claws, leaving the vampire to beg for his life. Spider-Man tells Blackout that he is going to spread the word to all criminals that Parker and his family are off limits from now on, and he then uses a generator to fry Blackout with artificial sunlight. The next day, a pickpocket steals Parker's wallet, but gives it back and begs for mercy when he realizes who he has stolen from. Meanwhile, the Green Goblin has returned and is plotting against Spider-Man.

Giant-Size Hulk # 1

"Green Pieces"

Cover Date: August 2006; On Sale Date: June 2006

Writer: Peter David; Artist: Juan Santacruz; Inker: Raul Fernandez; Letterer: Randy Gentile; Colorists: Studio F; Editor: Mark Paniccia; Editor In Chief: Joe Quesada; Cover Artist: Ryan Sook

On the campus of UCLA in Los Angeles, Secret Service Agent Spooner prepares for the arrival of the President when he's approached by Hercules. The President is on his way to give the Congressional Medal of Honor to the Champions for saving the country from Dr. Doom's mind control gas - a plot stopped by Johnny Blaze, the Ghost Rider, due to him not having to breathe in his supernatural form. The rest of the Champions - Black Widow, Angel, Iceman, Darkstar, and Blaze - join Hercules just in time to hear Spooner declare a "Code: Jade" after a phone call. Spooner tells the heroes that Bruce Banner, the Hulk, has just been spotted in a car on Wilshire Boulevard. Angel takes off with a radio to see if he can spot Banner, and when he finds the car he witnesses Bruce transforming into the Hulk and bursting out of the vehicle. When Angel tries to talk to him, the Hulk tosses the car's door at him - and though it misses him, Angel realizes that the metal door is heading toward a church wedding. Though he gets hit himself in the process, Angel manages to keep anyone from getting hurt.

Back on the freeway, Hulk has picked up the car just as Iceman and Ghost Rider arrive and attack. Hulk breaks free of the ice produced around him, and shrugs off Blaze's hellfire just as the other Champions arrive. Hercules attacks, hitting Hulk several times while the monster continues to hold the car in the air. With one kick, Hercules is sent flying away. The Champions continue to press their attack, forcing Hulk to set down the car and slam his fists repeatedly onto the street, knocking the heroes senseless with the shock waves. Confident that he has won, the Hulk picks the car back up and leaps away - leaving the Champions to wonder why the monster never attempted to throw the car at them.

Angel follows Hulk to a hospital, where he enters carrying a young girl that's in a considerable amount of pain. Realizing that the Hulk is trying to save her, Angel orders the doctors to help the girl. Content that the girl is safe, Hulk leaps away. Later, in the hospital, the Champions are visiting with the girl - Bruce's cousin, Jennifer Walters - whose appendix had burst while she was in the car with Banner. Hercules questions why the Hulk didn't tell them that he was trying to save her, but Walters angrily replies "Did you ask?"

Later that night, Hercules and the Black Widow sit atop the Champions building and discuss the day's events. Hercules remarks that they are no longer honorable for attacking the Hulk without first finding out what was going on. They attacked without provocation, and Hercules hopes that one day they will have the opportunity to make amends to the Hulk.

Deadpool (2008) # 26

"Sinner-Sinner, Chicken Dinner"

Cover Date: October 2010; On Sale Date: August 2010

Writer: Daniel Way; Artist: Carlo Barberi; Inker: Juan Vlasco; Letterer: VC's Joe Sabino; Colorist: Marte Gracia; Assistant Editor: Jody Leheup; Editor: Axel Alonso; Editor-In-Chief: Joe Quesada; Cover Artist: Dave Johnson

In the desert outside of Las Vegas, Johnny Blaze leaves a diner and rides into the city. At a casino in Vegas, Deadpool quits his newly-acquired job as the casino's security head. He kills the casino owners, but as he's leaving he is stopped by the Ghost Rider, who grabs the killer with his chain and pulls him behind his motorcycle through the city. Ghost Rider has tracked Deadpool down to make him face vengeance for all the lives he's taken. When they reach the desert, past the city's limits, Deadpool pulls himself onto the back of the Ghost Rider's bike and grabs one of the handles, throwing on the brakes. The bike flies out of control, throwing the two men into the air. As they fall, Deadpool pulls out his guns and blows Ghost Rider's skull apart. After they land, which results in several broken bones for Deadpool, Ghost Rider reforms his head and grabs his target by the throat. Ghost Rider gives Deadpool the Penance Stare, which causes an unforeseen feedback between them that causes Ghost Rider to turn back into Johnny Blaze. 

The Penance Stare causes Deadpool to relive the "highlight reel" of his life, including when he first became a mercenary, when he was diagnosed with cancer, and when he signed up for the Weapon X project. He wakes up screaming and immediately punches Blaze in the face. Blaze tells him that they're 80 miles away from Las Vegas, and that he'll need time to fix his motorcycle. After he finishes, Deadpool asks Blaze if he came after him to kill him. Johnny explains that it wasn't him that came after him, it was the Ghost Rider that wanted him to see something important; if he'd wanted Deadpool dead, he'd be dead. Deadpool asks Blaze if he thinks he deserves to die. Johnny answers "yes", to which Deadpool replies "Thanks, man".