Ghost Rider (1973) # 38

"The Cult of Doom"

Cover Date: October 1979

On Sale Date: July 1979

Script: Michael Fleisher
Art: Don Perlin
Letters: Diana Albers
Colors: George Roussos
Editor: Roger Stern
Editor In Chief: Jim Shooter

Cover Artist: Bob Budiansky

A cult that worships death have a nighttime meeting atop a giant cliff, performing their "death ceremony" that involves two motorcyclists committing suicide while jousting with flame throwers.  The leader of the cult intends to send a message to their critic, Senator Arthur Sterling, by executing his daughter, Karen Sterling.  She's tossed over the edge of the cliff, but is rescued by the Ghost Rider, who was passing through in the canyon below.  Ghost Rider leaves the girl with the police, who recognize her as the senator's daughter and take her home.

The next day, Johnny Blaze walks to a motorcycle shop owned by Harley Baggs, who hires Johnny on the spot as a mechanic when he sees how he's able to fix a broken cycle.  Later that day, Harley takes Johnny to a cycle rally in the desert and signs him up for the obstacle race against Johnny's wishes.  During the race, Johnny comes across members of the death cult assaulting another biker and is able to drive them off.  When he checks on the other racer, he discovers that it's actually Karen Sterling, who explains to Johnny that her father has been investigating the cult on murder charges.  She then thanks Johnny for the rescue with a kiss. 

That night, Harley is visited by members of the cult who are looking for Blaze.  They murder Harley by setting him on fire, leaving him to be discovered by Johnny.  He transforms into the Ghost Rider and chases after the cultists, unaware that they are luring him into a trap.  When he rides by on the narrow cliffside road, the cultists fire their flame throwers, destroying the cliff and sending the Ghost Rider to fall into the canyon below to his death.

With great vengeance and furious anger!

CHAIN REACTION
To read my review of Ghost Rider (1973) # 38 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