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| Cover Artist: Fred Harper |
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Title: Fellow Travelers, Part 2: "Lightning Swords of Death"
Writer: Len Kaminski
Artist: Reggie Jones
Inker: Fred Harper
Letterer: Ul Higgins
Colorist: John Kalisz
Editor: Richard Ashford
Editor in Chief: Tom DeFalco
SYNOPSIS
Outside a seemingly-abandoned warehouse, the Ghost Rider is attacked by Izanuma, Kaze, and Kaminari - the three warriors known as the Masters of Silence. With each thinking the other are assassins, the Masters engage the Ghost Rider in battle. While the Spirit of Vengeance fights valiantly, he is eventually taken down by the three ninjas. As the Ghost Rider stands once again, he tells them that they shall not deter him from his mission of vengeance. Upon hearing this, the Masters sheathe their swords, claiming that they have much to discuss. After apologizing to the Rider, the Masters state that they have also come seeking vengeance, acting on behalf of peasants from mainland China whose sons and daughters paid criminals for the chance to emigrate to America illegally. These people were murdered en route, and the Masters have traced those who took their money to this warehouse.
After this, the Ghost Rider kicks in the door to the warehouse, where the foursome finds hundreds of ten gallon drums lining the entrance. The Ghost Rider's head begins to burn brighter as he approaches the barrels - and when he punches through one, a red liquid begins to pour out. They then hear a voice behind them, the voice of the elderly Tsin Hark atop his throne, who tells them that the liquid is a rare and precious substance of great mystic potency.
Innocent blood.
ANNOTATIONS
The names of the Masters of Silence - Izanuma, Kaze, and Kaminari - translate as "lightning, wind, and thunder".
This issue of MCP also contained stories featuring Spider-Man, Wolverine, and Spellbound.
REVIEW
I believe that there was an unofficial rule when it came to the Ghost Rider stories that ran in Marvel Comics Presents: regardless of the character, whoever was billed as the co-star of the story would have to fight Ghost Rider in the second chapter. It was as predictable as clockwork, and this second part of "Fellow Travelers" is no different as it showcases a brutal fight between the Rider and the Masters of Silence.
There's really not much more to be said about this issue. It's a big fight sequence of the stereotypical "heroes mistake each other for villains" motif, but at least with the Ghost Rider this oft-repeated scenario makes sense. I mean, he's a demon with a flaming skull that frequently beats seven shades of hell out of anyone that crosses his path - it's easy to understand why some people would think he's a villain. We do get a bit of advancement in the (rather simple) storyline at the end, with the heroes realizing that they're on the same side. Tsin Hark's introduction on the last page is fairly ominous, with the words "innocent blood" being used for maximum dramatic effect...we all know how the Ghost Rider reacts to THOSE two little words.
The artwork by Jones and Harper really shines in this chapter. You wouldn't think it when you see the rough, scratchy style of the duo, but they can illustrate one mean fight sequence. There's still a distinct lack of backgrounds, but the sheer kinetic motion of the fight between the Rider and Masters is excellent. I'm really enjoying the artwork in this story, even if I probably shouldn't due to the sheer simplicity and occasional sloppiness.
So it's a chapter that's light on plot and big on action - but what action it is!
Grade: B+
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