Cover Date: August 2023; On Sale Date: June 2023
Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Daniel Picciotto; Letterer: VC's Travis Lanham; Colorist: Guru-eFX; Editor: Darren Shan; Editor in Chief: C.B. Cebulski; Cover Artist: Ben Harvey
Inside Cypress Hills Cemetery, the Broker finds Blackout and bestows upon him enhanced powers over darkness. Elsewhere in the cemetery, Ghost Rider punishes some criminals and is approached by the Caretaker. Ghost Rider transforms back into Dan Ketch and has a conversation with the Caretaker about the Ghost Rider's mental state and the feeling of something evil in the city. Meanwhile, at the Ravencroft Institute, the Broker frees the Scarecrow and gives him enhanced power as well. The Broker later meets with his master, who has ordered Blackout and Scarecrow to fetch individuals and return them to the master alive.
In Times Square, Dan meets Stacy Dolan for dinner and the two discuss their relationship. Suddenly all of the lights go out, plunging the area in total darkness, and screams are heard. Blackout attacks Dan but is stopped by Stacy's gunfire. Dan transforms into Ghost Rider and saves Stacy, engaging in a furious battle with Blackout, who uses his enhanced power to trap the Ghost Rider in a swirl of dark energy. When Ghost Rider frees himself the darkness in the area goes away, revealing all of Blackout's victims on the street. Ghost Rider transforms back to Dan, who realizes that Stacy has been kidnapped by Blackout.
Elsewhere, at the Quentin Carnival, John Blaze finishes up his stunt show while his wife, Roxanne, and their two children walk to their trailer. They start to experience an overwhelming sense of fear before Roxanne and the kids are attacked by the Scarecrow.
THE ROADMAP
This mini-series takes place during the 1990s Ghost Rider series, but where exactly it fits in continuity is unclear due to contradictory elements.
Due to the Quentin Carnival being active and John Blaze's wife and children still being with him this story likely takes place shortly after the "Rise of the Midnight Sons" crossover and before Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 4.
Stacy Dolan will learn that Dan and Ghost Rider are one and the same during the "Siege of Darkness" crossover, specifically in Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 18.
Blackout would have last appeared in Ghost Rider (1990) # 31 where he was killed in the Arctic along with the rest of the Lilin; he will be resurrected in Ghost Rider (1990) # 41. He received his facial scarring in Ghost Rider (1990) # 3 and learned that Dan and Ghost Rider were one and the same prior to Ghost Rider (1990) # 7.
Scarecrow would have last appeared in Ghost Rider (1990) # 38 where he escaped from the Firm's hospital prison.
CHAIN REACTION
The Danny Ketch mini-series brings back two of the most successful villains from the 1990s series, Blackout and the Scarecrow, while the mystery of the Broker and his master continues to simmer in the background.
I'm not going to lie, this series works for me on just about every level. The characters are instantly recognizable as the ones I read about in the original series from decades ago, letting me settle in comfortably with familiarity. Given everything that came after for these characters its so refreshing to see Danny, Stacy, and even John Blaze in this relatively simpler time and place. The relationship between Dan and Stacy, which was the anchor for the series when it was arguably at its best, creates that instant connection for long-time readers. This comic is like a big welcoming hug of nostalgia and I'm embracing that hug with all my heart.
The other relationship in this issue is the one between Dan/Ghost Rider and Blackout, who always had such an interesting dynamic in the original series. Blackout comes off as appropriately terrifying here, though the violence is considerably toned down in comparison to modern comics and even contemporary stories from the time this series is set. The more horrific parts of the story are more implied than explicit, such as the "master" and his tendency to remove the limbs from his servants, which is particularly chilling.
The artwork by Daniel Picciotto continues to shine, though it's rough around the edges. His Ghost Rider looks great and he handles the action sequences well. The colors are also a highlight, which is a plus considering how much the story hinges around the idea of "darkness" enveloping the panels.
Overall, this continues to be a worthwhile series for longtime fans. Mackie's dialogue might be a little dated and stilted, but he's got a really engaging story going that hits all the right characterization notes. Still recommended.
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