Cover Date: October 1977
On Sale Date: July 1977
Writer: Jim Shooter
Artist: Don Perlin
Inker: Sam Grainger
Letterer: Denise Wohl
Colorist: Don Warfield
Editor: Archie Goodwin
Cover Artist: George Perez
The next day, Charles Delazny is visited by the man from the taxi, who identifies himself as Doctor Anthony Druid. Delazny is hypnotized by Druid and his thoughts give information on Johnny Blaze, who Delazny does not believe to be an actual supernatural being. Druid knows better and has come to destroy the obviously evil Ghost Rider. Later, Blaze arrives at the Studio and goes to visit Karen Page, who he finds under the hypnotic spell of Doctor Druid. When Blaze tries to leave Druid uses his mystical powers to bind him with electrical cords, taunting Johnny to release the Ghost Rider. When a crowd emerges to watch, including Roxanne and Karen, Johnny finally gives into his anger and transforms into the Ghost Rider, unleashing a blast of hellfire. Druid is unharmed and reveals his costume and cloak, while the crowd of people realize that the Ghost Rider isn't a special effect and Blaze is really a demon. Ghost Rider creates his motorcycle and flees the studio, cursing himself for transforming in front of everyone. Druid leaves to follow while Roxanne tells Roger that she has to help Johnny.
Ghost Rider travels to a nearby cemetery and rages at the fact that he can never return to his life at the studio. Druid arrives and Ghost Rider attacks him, quickly getting the upper hand as he tells Druid that he can feel the compassion draining out of him when he transforms, a fact that frightens him. He prepares to crush Druid with a tombstone but is able to stop himself at the last minute. Druid recovers and uses a magic amulet to transform Ghost Rider back into Johnny Blaze then knocks Blaze unconscious. Druid uses his mental abilities to read Blaze's mind and realizes that he's made a grave mistake, that Blaze isn't evil and in fact fought against Satan to regain his soul. Druid leaves, humbled by his mistake. Johnny wakes up alone and ponders what to do about his life. Later, Roxanne and Roger arrive at Johnny's apartment and find that his belongings are gone. Johnny is leaving Los Angeles and his life behind.
This issue confirms that the Enforcer was really the son of Charles L. Delazny, which was hinted at but not stated outright in Ghost Rider (1973) # 24.
This issue marks the last appearance of the Hollywood supporting cast in this series. Johnny Blaze joined the Stuntmaster television show production team as a stuntman in Ghost Rider (1973) # 13. After leaving Hollywood at the end of this issue Johnny won't have a supporting cast or consistent status quo until he joins the Quentin Carnival in Ghost Rider (1973) # 63.
Roxanne Simpson will appear again in Ghost Rider (1973) # 28.
A reckless Ghost Rider weaves through traffic on the Los Angeles freeway and is observed by a man in the back of a taxi. After witnessing the Ghost Rider, the mysterious man tells the driver to take him to Delazny Studios. Ghost Rider arrives at the home of Roger Cross and sees him kissing Roxanne Simpson through the window. His first instinct is to kill Cross, but he's able to restrain himself and ride away before coming to a forest where he explodes in rage over Roxanne having fallen in love with another man.
The next day, Charles Delazny is visited by the man from the taxi, who identifies himself as Doctor Anthony Druid. Delazny is hypnotized by Druid and his thoughts give information on Johnny Blaze, who Delazny does not believe to be an actual supernatural being. Druid knows better and has come to destroy the obviously evil Ghost Rider. Later, Blaze arrives at the Studio and goes to visit Karen Page, who he finds under the hypnotic spell of Doctor Druid. When Blaze tries to leave Druid uses his mystical powers to bind him with electrical cords, taunting Johnny to release the Ghost Rider. When a crowd emerges to watch, including Roxanne and Karen, Johnny finally gives into his anger and transforms into the Ghost Rider, unleashing a blast of hellfire. Druid is unharmed and reveals his costume and cloak, while the crowd of people realize that the Ghost Rider isn't a special effect and Blaze is really a demon. Ghost Rider creates his motorcycle and flees the studio, cursing himself for transforming in front of everyone. Druid leaves to follow while Roxanne tells Roger that she has to help Johnny.
Ghost Rider travels to a nearby cemetery and rages at the fact that he can never return to his life at the studio. Druid arrives and Ghost Rider attacks him, quickly getting the upper hand as he tells Druid that he can feel the compassion draining out of him when he transforms, a fact that frightens him. He prepares to crush Druid with a tombstone but is able to stop himself at the last minute. Druid recovers and uses a magic amulet to transform Ghost Rider back into Johnny Blaze then knocks Blaze unconscious. Druid uses his mental abilities to read Blaze's mind and realizes that he's made a grave mistake, that Blaze isn't evil and in fact fought against Satan to regain his soul. Druid leaves, humbled by his mistake. Johnny wakes up alone and ponders what to do about his life. Later, Roxanne and Roger arrive at Johnny's apartment and find that his belongings are gone. Johnny is leaving Los Angeles and his life behind.
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| The very first "spirit of vengeance" reference! |
THE ROADMAP
Ghost Rider last appeared in The Champions (1975) # 17, which was the last issue of that series. A later flashback in Peter Parker: the Spectacular Spider-Man # 17 will show the aftermath of the Champions' final battle that resulted in Blaze quitting the team.
This issue confirms that the Enforcer was really the son of Charles L. Delazny, which was hinted at but not stated outright in Ghost Rider (1973) # 24.
This issue marks the last appearance of the Hollywood supporting cast in this series. Johnny Blaze joined the Stuntmaster television show production team as a stuntman in Ghost Rider (1973) # 13. After leaving Hollywood at the end of this issue Johnny won't have a supporting cast or consistent status quo until he joins the Quentin Carnival in Ghost Rider (1973) # 63.
Roxanne Simpson will appear again in Ghost Rider (1973) # 28.
CHAIN REACTION
To read my review of Ghost Rider (1973) # 26 see my book Wheels On Fire: An Unofficial Guide to Marvel Comics' Ghost Rider: 1972-1983!
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| It's okay Johnny, I hate Dr. Druid too. |
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