Cover Date: December 1993; On Sale Date: October 1993
Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Ron Garney; Letterer: Janice Chiang; Colorist: Gregory Wright; Editor: Bobbie Chase; Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Ron Garney
At the entrance to Cypress Hills Cemetery, reporter Linda Wei gives an update on the strange mist pouring out of the graveyard. Her cameraman is grabbed and killed by a demonic creature, but Linda is saved by Ghost Rider and Blaze. Learning that the creature is one of the Lilin that had been exiled to another dimension, the Midnight Sons enter the cemetery to find answers. At the spot where Lilith and Zarathos had been defeated a fissure has opened to the Shadow Side, which is the source of the mist and the return of the Lilin. The Midnight Sons are attacked by Zarathos and Lilith, forcing them to retreat further into the cemetery. They are rescued by the Caretaker, who leads them into the tunnels below.
Meanwhile, the Lilin attack a nearby police precinct that is housing victims of the corrosive mist. When Blackout threatens the life of a child outside, Michael Badilino transforms into Vengeance and joins the fight against the Lilin. Ghost Rider and his allies emerge onto the street and see Captain Dolan and his daughter Stacy firing their guns at the Lilin, and when Stacy is threatened by Blackout Ghost Rider cones to her defense. The Caretaker tells them that they must escape before Zarathos gets his hands on the Medallion of Power. Dr. Strange arrives and protects them behind a mystical shield before teleporting them away to his Sanctum Sanctorum, escaping just as Zarathos smashes through the shield.
THE ROADMAP
This is the second chapter of the "Siege of Darkness" crossover; continuing from Nighstalkers (1992) # 14 and continuing into Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 143.
Ghost Rider and Blaze had their battle with Zarathos in the conclusion to "Road to Vengeance: The Missing Link" in Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 16.
Michael Badilino became Vengeance in Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 9.
CHAIN REACTION
Sigh. “Siege of Darkness”.
With the disappointing “Road to Vengeance” finally over, yet another crossover was the last thing readers were looking forward to. So, in the market for extremely diminishing returns, Marvel unleashed the 17 headed beast that was “Siege of Darkness”. In theory, giving the conclusion to the Lilith story in a crossover was a solid idea. It could tie up all the thematic elements that began in “Rise of the Midnight Sons” and allow the line to start fresh.
Because of that idea at the core, the first half of the crossover is actually a solid piece of storytelling. The bits that damn it to being so forgettable come in the back half, when the focus turns to Zarathos and the Fallen. This particular issue comes off strong despite the attention paid to the Caretaker and the Medallion of Power, which almost immediately puts me into sleep mode.
I suppose it’s that the comic really sells just how badly Ghost Rider screwed up at the end of the last crossover, which puts the Midnight Sons on the defensive as they run for their lives. “Siege of Darkness” lacks cohesion between chapters, but here at least the threat is given appropriate weight. The mist is an overwhelming aspect of the story, literally engulfing everything around it, which is a nice touch.
Ron Garney, easily the best artist working on the crossover, gets to shine with a fairly action heavy issue. His work brings with it a sense of familiarity, as he is the only artist from “Rise of the Midnight Sons” that is still involved with the titles. I’m not so keen on the computer color enhancements, which gives the colors a washed out look that does it no favors, but that’s a common problem with most Marvel comics of the time.
Two chapters in, “Siege of Darkness” is hanging together competently, even if the details are a little dull.
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