Avengers (2018) # 22

"Challenge of the Ghost Riders, Part 1: Exorcism at Avengers Mountain"

Cover Date: September 2019; On Sale Date: July 2019

Writer: Jason Aaron; Artist: Stefano Caselli; Colorist: Jason Keith
Letterer: VC's Cory Petit; Assistant Editor: Shannon Andrews Ballesteros; Associate Editor: Alanna Smith; Editor: Tom Brevoort; Editor in Chief: C.B. Cebulski; Cover Artist: Stefano Caselli

While driving his younger brother Gabe to school, Robbie Reyes loses control of the Hell Charger. Speaking to him through the car, a malevolent spirit threatens Gabe and races out of control until it stops in front of the school. Only Robbie heard the voice and it makes him decide to take the car out into the desert and destroy it. When he returns home, however, the car is waiting for him in pristine condition. 

Later, at Avengers Mountain, Robbie asks his teammates to help him exorcise the demon out of the car, even if it means he will no longer be the Ghost Rider. While Captain America and Captain Marvel talk to Robbie, Black Panther and Blade examine the car's engine. Robbie explains that the car had been possessed by his uncle, Eli Morrow, who was a Satanic serial killer, but he hadn't heard his voice in months. Blade tells him that the origins of the Spirits of Vengeance are still clouded in mystery, that some say they come from Heaven and others say from Hell.  When Robbie attempts to transform so tests can begin, the car comes to life and attacks. It is only stopped by the supernatural expert called in by the Black Panther: Daimon Hellstrom, the Son of Satan. 

Before starting the exorcism, Hellstrom gives Blade the Breathing Gun, which is capable of killing demons, and instructs him to kill both Hellstrom and Robbie if the exorcism goes wrong. Hellstrom begins the exorcism, but minutes later Robbie and the Hell Charger disappear.  Robbie wakes up on the freeway in Hell that he has experienced before and is confronted by Johnny Blaze, the King of Hell, who offers to take the Ghost Rider power away from Robbie by racing him for it.

Absolute Carnage: Symbiote of Vengeance # 1

Cover Date: November 2019; On Sale Date: September 2019

Writer: Ed Brisson; Artist: Juan Frigeri; Letterer: VC's Joe Caramagna; Colorist: Dono Sanchez-Almara; Editor: Chris Robinson; Consulting Editor: Devon Lewis; Senior Editor: Jordan D. White; Editor-in-Chief: C.B. Cebulski; Cover Artist: Phillip Tan

In a small Nicaraguan village, former Ghost Rider Alejandra Jones finds the people she's been protecting under attack by Carnage, who is there to claim the Symbiote Codex attached to Alejandra. Meanwhile, at the Fadeaway Pub in New York, Danny Ketch is visited by the spirit of his brother, Johnny Blaze, who is now the King of Hell. Johnny asks Danny to go help Alejandra, since he can't leave Hell to help her himself. Danny reluctantly agrees to help.

Danny arrives in Nicaragua shortly after and finds a family hiding inside a store. The family's young daughter tells him about Alejandra fighting to protect them, and they soon see her outside battling Carnage. Danny transforms into the Ghost Rider and joins the fight, but is unable to stop Carnage from killing Alejandra. Carnage absorbs her Codex and temporarily gains powers similar to the Ghost Rider. Alejandra wakes up in Hell and finds Blaze, who tells her about the Codex and why Carnage wanted it. She demands that Blaze send her back to Earth to help the village, but the only way he can is to have her spirit possess someone.

Back on Earth, Danny gives Carnage the Penance Stare, but it backfires and incapacitates Danny instead. Blaze sends Alejandra to possess the daughter of the family that Danny met and she leads the villagers to fight back against Carnage, saving Danny in the process. Alejandra says goodbye and relinquishes the girl's body. She finds herself back in Hell, where Blaze introduces her to other past Ghost Riders, telling her "welcome home".

Marvel Comics Presents (2019) # 6

"Fadeaway"

Cover Date: August 2019; On Sale Date: June 2019

Writer: Ed Brisson; Artist: Juan Frigeri; Letterer: VC's Joe Caramagna; Colorist: Andres Mossa; Editor: Chris Robinson; Editor-in-Chief: C.B. Cebulski; Cover Artist: Arthur Adams

Danny Ketch sits in his bar, The Fadeaway, and drinks to dull the pain of the transformation he knows is coming.  The Ghost Rider emerges and rides to Cypress Hills Cemetery, where he finds a funeral gathering interrupted by Wallow, who is feeding off the dark secrets of the mourners.  Ghost Rider is unable to touch the ghostly Wallow, who escapes to a nearby bus.  Ghost Rider follows Wallow onto the bus and transforms back into Danny, who offers up his own misery to feed Wallow.  When Wallow begins he has to turn solid, which gives Danny time to transform back into Ghost Rider and give the ghost the Penance Stare.  This sends Wallow to Hell, where he's confronted by Johnny Blaze, the new King of Hell.

Avengers (2018) # 17

"The Kingdom of the Vampires"

Cover Date: June 2019
On Sale Date: April 2019

Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: David Marquez
Letterer: VC's Cory Petit
Colorist: Erick Arciniega
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Associate Editor: Alanna Smith
Editor-in-Chief: C.B. Cebulski
Cover Artist: David Marquez

While Dracula is deposited at Chernobyl to live out his remaining days, a Russian prison has been transformed into a new vampire army by the Shadow Colonel. The Legion of the Unliving have defeated the Winter Guard and are seeking Dracula's location. The Avengers arrive with Thor's Asgardian dog Thori, who attacks the hellhound Sarge. Blade fights the Shadow Colonel and is nearly killed when Ghost Rider arrives to rescue him. Blade decapitates the Shadow Colonel, but the Legion of the Unliving escape with his body when She-Hulk explodes with gamma energy. Only Sarge is left behind to be imprisoned in Avengers Mountain. Blade decides to stay with the Avengers and Robbie Reyes asks him to help exorcise his car. This makes Johnny Blaze, the King of Hell, laugh on his throne, stating that he'll be seeing Robbie soon. Finally, at Chernobyl, the Legion of the Unloving bring the Colonel's body to Dracula, who set the vampire war in motion in order to gain a new homeland for his people.

Avengers (2018) # 16

"A Fistful of Blood"

Cover Date: June 2019; On Sale Date: April 2019

Writer: Jason Aaron; Artist: David Marquez; Letterer: VC's Cory Petit; Colorist: Erick Arciniega; Editor: Tom Brevoort; Associate Editor: Alanna Smith; Editor-in-Chief: C.B. Cebulski; Cover Artist: David Marquez

Robbie Reyes is in Hell, trapped in a traffic gridlock on a never-ending freeway. He calls out for someone, anyone, to help him, even the Devil. On cue, a mysterious person that Robbie recognizes arrives, warming him about making deals in Hell.

On Earth, the Ghost Rider fights the Avengers, holding his own against Thor, Captain Marvel, and Captain America. The rest of the Avengers, including Blade, fight against the Shadow Colonel and his Legion of the Unliving. When the fight starts going against him, Ghost Rider prepares to unleash the Penance Bomb, which causes Robbie immense pain in Hell. Only the timely intervention of Blade saves them, as he bites the Ghost Rider's throat and sucks out the magical sickness that allowed the vampires to control him. Robbie, now back in control and on Earth, begs Captain America to forgive him, saying it wasn't his fault.

Meanwhile, in Russia, the Red Widow interrogated Dracula by killing off the vampire lord's concubines. Later at the Russian prison, the Shadow Colonel releases blood bombs inside the cells to transform the prisoners into new vampires for their army. When the Avengers get word of what's happening they head off to Russia, leaving Robbie behind. He neglected to tell them who it was he saw in Hell: Johnny Blaze, greatest of the Ghost Riders and new King of Hell.

Avengers (2018) # 15

"The Battle for the Throne of the Damned"

Cover Date: May 2019; On Sale Date: March 2019

Writer: Jason Aaron; Artist: David Marquez; Letterer: VC's Cory Petit; Colorist: Erick Arciniega; Editor: Tom Brevoort; Associate Editor: Alanna Smith; Editor-in-Chief: C.B. Cebulski; Cover Artist: David Marquez

The Shadow Colonel and his hellhound Sarge make their breakout attempt of Avengers Mountain, fighting their way through the Avengers. The Shadow Colonel is joined by the monstrous Ghost Rider, who is now under the vampire's control. They escape the Mountain in the Hell Charger and eventually lose the pursuing Avengers. Blade tells them that if they want to find the Shadow Colonel they first have to find Dracula.

In a Russian prison, Iron Man has done just that, breaking into the facility to speak to the captive Dracula. When Iron Man threatens to take Dracula back to the Avengers, the vampire lord uses his mental powers to start a riot in the prison. Iron Man joins the Winter Guard in stopping the riot and leaves the prison empty handed.

Meanwhile, in Madripoor, a group of vampires are slaughtered by the Legion of the Unliving. The Shadow Colonel leads Ghost Rider to a vault that contains a group of vampires children and orders the Rider to kill them. When Robbie attempts to exert control and defy the order, the Colonel recites a spell that causes him pain. The Avengers arrive and the Colonel uses another spell that forces Ghost Rider to attack them.

Avengers (2018) # 14

"The Fall of Castle Dracula"

Cover Date: April 2019; On Sale Date: February 2019

Writer: Jason Aaron; Artist: David Marquez; Letterer: VC's Cory Petit; Colorist: Justin Ponsor & Erick Arciniega; Editor: Tom Brevoort; Associate Editor: Alanna Smith; Editor-in-Chief: C.B. Cebulski; Cover Artist: David Marquez

A vampire civil war has broke out in Romania, as the Shadow Colonel and his Legion of the Unliving sack Castle Dracula in search of the vampire lord. While Captain Marvel and Blade rescue a plane hijacked by fleeing vampires, Iron Man and Black Panther exterminate a group of vampires in the Wakandan Vibranium mine. At the Monster Metropolis beneath Manhattan, She-Hulk and Ghost Rider also fight vampires, but Robbie is approached by a demon boy that calls him a monster, stating that he has known all of the Ghost Riders since the very first one before disappearing and leaving Robbie very confused. Back in Romania, Captain America and Thor protect the human population from the vampires. They are approached by the Shadow Colonel and his hellhound Sarge, who surrender themselves.

Later, at Avengers Mountain, Blade interrogates the Shadow Colonel, who breaks free and starts fighting the Avengers. Elsewhere in the mountain, Robbie Reyes is found by Sarge, who invokes a spell that transforms Robbie into a monstrous version of the Ghost Rider. Meanwhile, on the Russian border, an elderly Dracula arrives, asking for amnesty from the Winter Guard.

Doctor Strange: Damnation (2018) # 4

Cover Date: July 2018; On Sale Date: May 2018

Writers: Nick Spencer & Donny Cates; Artist: Rod Reis & Szymon Kudranski; Letterer: Travis Lanham; Colorist: Rod Reis; Editor: Nick Lowe; Assistant Editor: Kathleen Wisneski; Editor-in-Chief: C.B. Cebulski; Cover Artist: Rod Reis

The Midnight Sons, led by Wong, fight against the demons of Mephisto in Las Vegas, including the Avengers that are possessed by Spirits of Vengeance. Mephisto arrives on the Ghost Rider's motorcycle with Johnny Blaze's dead body in tow. Unknown to Mephisto, though, Blaze's death was all part of Wing's plan. Blaze has now claimed the throne of He'll and is able to free the soul of Dr. Strange and take control of the possessed Avengers. Mephisto opens a fissure in the ground and Wong falls into He'll. He's found by Blaze, who has been in Hell for far longer than has passed on Earth die to Hell's faster rate of time. Blaze uses his power to send the souls of the Avengers into Strange, who uses the power upgrade to defeat Mephisto. The devil escapes back to Hell, but Las Vegas and the Avengers are freed from the forces possessing them. In Hell, Mephisto us found by Blaze, who confronts him with a force of Ghost Riders from the past, present, and even other dimensions. Mephisto reappears in chains in front of Strange and Wong in Las Vegas, presented as a gift from Blaze. Wong imprisons Mephisto in a mystical cell inside the penthouse of the demonic casino left behind.

Later, Strange meets with Blade, Elsa Bloodstone, Brother Voodoo, and Moon Knight to make a plan to rescue Johnny Blaze from Hell. When Blade comments that no one else would willingly go to Hell with them, Strange produces photos of his candidates, including Scarlet Witch, Doctor Doom, and Daimon Hellstrom among others.

Damnation: Johnny Blaze - Ghost Rider (2018) # 1

Cover Date: June 2018; On Sale Date: April 2018

Writer: Christopher Sebela; Artist: Phil Noto; Letterer: Travis Lanham; Colorist: Phil Noto; Consulting Editor: Nick Lowe; Editor: Kathleen Wisneski; Editor-in-Chief: C.B. Cebulski; Cover Artist: Clayton Crain

Mephisto has killed Johnny Blaze, separated him from the Ghost Rider, and sent both falling down into Hell.  When they arrive, Blaze convinces the Spirit of Vengeance to help him with his plan, which getting to Hell was only the first part of.  After making their way through a demonic welcoming committee they arrive at an arena, where Blaze defeats the most sinful soul within in order to gain attention of a group of deceased supervillains.  He attempts to convince them to help him overthrow Mephisto but they refuse; they do, however, provide him with a map to Mephisto's throne.  

The Spirit of Vengeance produces a pair of motorcycles for them and the two depart on a race across Hell, chased by Mephisto's horde.  Eventually, Blaze is able to convince the Spirit to merge with him once again, allowing Johnny to regain control of the Ghost Rider.  While being chased by a demonic train, one of the supervillains named Mammomax arrives and agrees to help, destroying the train and buying Blaze time to enter Mephisto's tower.  He finds the throne and takes a seat, claiming rulership of Hell for himself, which was all part of the plan to stop Mephisto.

Doctor Strange: Damnation (2018) # 3

Cover Date: June 2018; On Sale Date: April 2018

Writers: Nick Spencer & Donny Cates; Artist: Szymon Kudranski; Letterer: Travis Lanham; Colorist: Szymon Kudranski; Editor: Nick Lowe; Assistant Editor: Kathleen Wisneski; Editor-in-Chief: C.B. Cebulski; Cover Artist: Rod Reis

Prior to the trip to Las Vegas, Wong has a conversation with Johnny Blaze about his role in the plan to defeat Mephisto.  Blaze states that he can feel Mephisto's power growing and that he'll do whatever it takes to stop him.  Later, the Midnight Sons attempt to keep Blade alive under the possessed Thor's hammer while Wong confronts the possessed Doctor Strange.  The ghost dog, Bats, realizes that since Strange doesn't have a soul at the moment he can possess him, taking control of the doctor's body. 

The possessed Avengers attack again and Wong reunites with the Midnight Sons.  While the battle rages, the Ghost Rider makes his way up the side of Mephisto's tower on his hellcycle.  When he reaches the penthouse, he confronts Mephisto for their final battle.  Mephisto, however, just blows out the Ghost Rider's hellfire, lifting Johnny's curse.  He then kicks Blaze out the window, allowing him to fall to his death.

Doctor Strange: Damnation (2018) # 2

Cover Date: May 2018; On Sale Date: March 2018

Writers: Nick Spencer & Donny Cates; Artist: Szymon Kudranski; Letterer: Travis Lanham; Colorist: Szymon Kudranski; Editor: Nick Lowe; Assistant Editor: Kathleen Wisneski; Editor-in-Chief: C.B. Cebulski; Cover Artist: Rod Reis

While Doctor Strange is tortured in Mephisto's infernal casino, Wong and Bats the ghost dog go about assembling their team of Midnight Sons to go into Las Vegas.  Wong gathers Blade, Elsa Bloodstone, Iron Fist, Moon Knight, Doctor Voodoo, and Man-Thing before picking up their last recruit.  They find Johnny Blaze at a desert gas station, and he initially refuses to help them rescue Strange until Wong says that Mephisto has brought Hell to Earth.  Later, at the destroyed Sanctum Sanctorum, Wong goes over the plan to rescue Strange with the team.

When they teleport into Las Vegas, they immediately begin fighting demons and are eventually attacked by the Avengers that have been transformed into Ghost Riders.  Blade finds himself trapped under the possessed Thor's enchanted hammer, and only the intervention of the Scarlet Spider keeps the Midnight Sons from being overwhelmed.  Wong and Bats, having left their team on their own, quickly discover that Doctor Strange has also been possessed by one of Mephisto's Ghost Riders.

Doctor Strange: Damnation (2018) # 1

Cover Date: April 2018; On Sale Date: February 2018

Writers: Nick Spencer & Donny Cates; Artist: Rod Reis; Letterer: Travis Lanham; Colorist: Rod Reis; Editor: Nick Lowe; Assistant Editor: Kathleen Wisneski; Editor-in-Chief: C.B. Cebulski; Cover Artist: Rod Reis

Following its total destruction by Hydra, a group of Avengers (Falcon, Thor, Hawkeye, Black Panther, and Captain Marvel) stand on the outskirts of Las Vegas to commemorate the people who died.  Doctor Strange appears and uses his magical power to resurrect the city and all of its inhabitants just as they were before the city was destroyed.  The celebration is interrupted by a tower erupting from the ground into the sky, while a demonic carnival barker invites them to enter the Hotel Inferno casino.  Strange tells the other Avengers that he will handle the situation and goes inside the casino, where he's greeted by Mephisto.  The Hell Lord explains that Las Vegas and its citizens appeared in Hell after its destruction and became part of his realm; when Strange's spell brought the city back it also allowed Mephisto to spread Hell to Earth.  Mephisto takes Strange to the hotel vault, where he has captured the souls of everyone in Las Vegas that has sinned, transforming the people outside into demonic creatures.  Outside, the Avengers attempt to hold back the possessed people but quickly fall into bickering with one another.  With their sins laid bare, the Avengers are each transformed into flaming skulled Ghost Riders.  Mephisto wagers the fate of the city on a game of poker with Doctor Strange, who accepts though his own soul is on the line.

Elsewhere, Strange's ghost dog companion Bats goes to the home of Wong, Strange's former partner, to tell him that the Doctor is in trouble.  Wong reluctantly agrees to help, but admits that they'll need more muscle to stop Mephisto.  He uses magic to locate a team of heroes with the experience they need: Blade, Moon Knight, Else Bloodstone, Doctor Voodoo, Man-Thing, Iron Fist, and to lead them: the Ghost Rider.

The Road to Hell

"Wheels On Fire" was released a few months ago and has been fairly successful (at least to the point where I can't believe people are actually buying it, I just wanted a book on my shelf with my name on it), and I'm currently working on the follow-up volume! "The Road to Vengeance" will be focusing on the first half of the 1990s era, featuring a look back at Ghost Rider (1990) # 1-46 and accompanying titles/crossovers/specials of the era (think "Spirits of Vengeance", "Hearts of Darkness", "Rise of the Midnight Sons", etc...). It should be out by the end of the year and will hopefully include some special guest contributors!

As visitors to the blog may have noticed, I've removed the reviews for the comics that were included in "Wheels On Fire". I'll be doing the same for the reviews that are going to be included in the second volume, once it gets closer to publication.  So, what to do in the meantime?

Artwork by Aaron Kuder

I figured a big gap that needs to be filled is the most recent run of Ghost Rider comics, which I didn't get to spend any time looking at before the blog went on hiatus at the end of 2019. So I'll be going through those comics over the next few weeks here on the blog to at least put some new content on here.  First I'll be re-presenting a few previously posted reviews before diving into the meat of the Brisson/Kuder/Frigeri run, which I am extremely excited to finally get to talk about! 

Come to think of it, the "King of Hell Saga" is pretty lengthy and started way back in 2018, so maybe I'll start there?

Upcoming Comics: Spring 2021

While a lot of Ghost Rider material was released while the blog was dormant (including the entirety of the Ed Brisson series), not much is on the horizon in coming months.  Here's what to expect for April, May, June, and July 2021!

APRIL 2021

GHOST RIDER: ROBBIE REYES - THE COMPLETE COLLECTION TPB
Written by FELIPE SMITH & SEBASTIAN GIRNER
Penciled by TRADD MOORE, DAMION SCOTT, KRIS ANKA, DANILO S. BEYRUTH, CASPAR WIJNGAARD & FELIPE SMITH
Cover by FELIPE SMITH

Robbie Reyes is the newest Ghost Rider — with a twist! He's got a sweet ride, but the car is haunted by a vengeful spirit named Eli, and it's hell on wheels! When Robbie's East L.A. neighborhood is overrun by Mr. Hyde's drug-fueled gang violence, can he use this new power to put vengeance in overdrive — or will he submit to Eli's darkness? When Johnny Blaze shows up, hellfire sparks will fly in a street race to eternal damnation! And when Robbie learns a shocking truth about his absent parents, will it push him over the edge? Plus: A mysterious crash landing brings Robbie face-to-face with Amadeus Cho, X-23 and Silk! And Ghost Rider goes metal in a wild "What If" featuring music, monsters and Marvel! Collecting ALL-NEW GHOST RIDER (2014) #1-12, GHOST RIDER (2016) #1-5 and WHAT IF? GHOST RIDER (2018) #1. 432 PGS./Rated T+ …$39.99

JUNE 2021

SAVAGE AVENGERS #21
GERRY DUGGAN (W) • PATCH ZIRCHER (A) • Cover by VALERIO GIANGIORDANO

Nightmare comes for the Marvel Universe and the Doctor is out, but luckily, Conan and Ghost Rider are IN. Flaming skulls are things Conan usually extinguishes with swords, but he’s vaguely okay with Johnny Blaze. 32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

MARVEL MASTERWORKS: GHOST RIDER VOL. 3 HC
Written by ROGER MCKENZIE & JIM SHOOTER with GERRY CONWAY, DON GLUT, DON PERLIN, JIM STARLIN & BILL MANTLO
Penciled by DON PERLIN & DON HECK with GIL KANE, TOM SUTTON, JIM STARLIN & FRANK ROBBINS
Cover by RICH BUCKLER

Ghost Rider blazes a trail of vengeance into his third Marvel Masterworks edition! The demon biker faces a myriad of enemies, from Gladiator and the Eel to the Enforcer and the Water Wizard. His travels across America’s back roads and the supernatural worlds beyond bring him into the orbit of the mystical Doctor Druid, Dormammu and Doctor Strange — while a road trip to the Mojave Desert finds him in a team-up with Hawkeye and Two-Gun Kid against the fearsome Manticore! And just wait’ll you see the truly offbeat Death-Riders from Beyond! This Masterworks finishes things up with a tale by the great Jim Starlin — and a fearsome joining of Ghost Rider, Man-Thing, Morbius and Werewolf by Night as the Legion of Monsters! Collecting GHOST RIDER (1973) #21-35 and MARVEL PREMIERE #28. 312 PGS./Rated T …$75.00

JULY 2021

SAVAGE AVENGERS #22
GERRY DUGGAN (W) • PATCH ZIRCHER (A) • Cover by VALERIO GIANGIORDANO

Conan and Ghost Rider get to the bottom of Nightmare’s machinations and his werewolves’ origins…and Johnny Blaze isn’t the first Ghost Rider that Conan has encountered – he knew one back in Hyboria that rode around on a GIANT SPIDER. This chapter proves you can’t spell “flashback” without the “AAH!” 32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99





WHEELS ON FIRE - An Unofficial Guide to Marvel Comics' Ghost Rider is ON SALE NOW!

So the blog has been pretty dormant for a long time now, and here's the reason why!  WHEELS ON FIRE is the first collected volume of the Vengeance Unbound critiques of Ghost Rider comics, focusing on the books published between 1972 and 1983. It includes all of the reviews I wrote over the years from that era in time and many that were never posted on the blog! Featuring a cover illustration by James Ishizaki and a foreword by comics legend J.M. DeMatteis, WHEELS ON FIRE is a great resource for Ghost Rider fans old and new!

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