What If...? (1977) # 17

"What If... Ghost Rider, Spider-Woman, and Captain Marvel Had Remained Villains?"

Cover Date: October 1979

On Sale Date: July 1979

Writer: Steven Grant
Artist: Carmine Infantino
Inker: Frank Springer
Letterer: Tom Orzechowski
Colorist: Roger Slifer
Editor: Mark Gruenwald
Editor-In-Chief: Jim Shooter

Cover Artist: Gene Colan

 

In the New Mexico desert, the Ghost Rider is confronted by Daimon Hellstrom, the Son of Satan, who has come to end the demon's destructive and murderous rampage. Hellstrom asks the Ghost Rider about the soul of Johnny Blaze, which prompts the demon to think back to how things began for him.

 

Johnny Blaze and Roxanne Simpson learn that Crash Simpson are dying of cancer, which prompts Johnny to turn to Satan - in exchange for his soul, Crash will be spared from the cancer. The next night, Crash successfully leaps his bike over 22 cars. Later, Johnny is visited again by Satan, who transforms him into the Ghost Rider for the first time. Crash enters the dressing room and finds Blaze, who kills his foster father with hellfire. Roxanne arrives and cradles her father's body while Blaze runs away.

 

Months later, Roxanne has tracked Blaze to New Mexico, following the Ghost Rider's murder spree. The demon is headed toward a nearby prison with the police unable to stop him. Two escaping convicts are murdered by the Ghost Rider, who is then confronted by the revenge-seeking Roxanne. Ghost Rider blasts the girl's bike with hellfire, causing it to explode and kill her.

 

Hellstrom sees the tear coming from the Ghost Rider's eye and remarks that part of Johnny Blaze must still exist. The demon denies this and attempts to flee on his motorcycle, but is stopped when Hellstrom uses his trident to draw the hellfire out of the Rider's body. Hellstrom leaves the Ghost Rider in the desert, unable to speak or move ever again while the sand swallows every last trace of him.

So long, Crash!

THE ROADMAP

This story deviates from events in Marvel Spotlight (1972) # 5.

 

In normal continuity, Ghost Rider met the Son of Satan in Marvel Spotlight (1972) # 12.

 

Ghost Rider shouldn't have his skull cycle, as he didn't gain it until Ghost Rider (1973) # 11.

 

This issue also had stories featuring Spider-Woman and Captain Marvel becoming villains as well.

CHAIN REACTION
To read my review of What If...? (1977) # 17 see my book Wheels On Fire: An Unofficial Guide to Marvel Comics' Ghost Rider: 1972-1983!

Wheels On Fire: An Unofficial Guide to Marvel Comics' Ghost Rider From 1972-1983: Munn, Chris, Ishizaki, James, DeMatteis, J.M.: 9798702991832: Amazon.com: Books

So long, Roxy!