Ghost Rider (1973) # 66

“The Witch in the Whirlwind!”

Cover Date: March 1982
On Sale Date: December 1981

Writer: Michael Fleisher
Artist: Tom Sutton
Colorist: George Roussos
Letterer: Diana Albers
Editor: Tom DeFalco
Editor in Chief: Jim Shooter
Cover Artist: Bob Layton

While shopping at a small-town antique shop, the Quentin Carnival’s wheelchair-bound psychic, Madam Olga, purchases an ornate candle. After Johnny Blaze and Red Fowler drive her back to the carnival, she lights the candle during one of her seances, which releases a ghostly woman. After the crowd flees in fear, the ghost introduces herself as Clothilde, a witch who had been sentenced to death centuries ago and survived by sending her soul into a nearby candle. Clothilde offers to grant favors to Olga for freeing her from the candle and rushes out of the tent to find the old woman a meal. Johnny Blaze sees the wind spirit rushing past and pursues it on his motorcycle to a nearby steakhouse, where it blows inside and exits with a feast of food. Clothilde attacks Blaze, sensing his supernatural power, and he transforms into the Ghost Rider as she flings him through the air. Clothilde returns to Olga and retreats back into the candle, promising to return the next night. Johnny goes to Olga to ask about the wind witch, but she nervously denies knowing anything about it.

The next night, Olga lights the candle and Clothilde returns, using her wind power to make Olga walk again. Johnny goes to Olga’s tent and finds her inside a mystical circle, finishing a spell to free Clothilde from the candle. Clothilde reveals that she was put to death for practicing black magic and wishes only to subjugate and destroy the mortal realm. The Ghost Rider appears and creates his flame cycle as he is swept into the sky above the carnival in a fierce battle with Clothilde. Olga, paralyzed once again and realizing how she had been tricked, destroys the mystic circle, which weakens Clothilde enough to be destroyed by the Ghost Rider’s hellfire.

How fashion forward of you, GR!

CHAIN REACTION
To read my review of Ghost Rider (1973) # 66 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

Ghost Rider (1973) # 65

“The Lair of the Loan Shark!”

Cover Date: February 1982
On Sale Date: November 1981

Writer: Michael Fleisher
Artist: Jack Sparling
Inker: Tom Sutton
Colorist: George Roussos
Letterer: Diana Albers
Editor: Tom DeFalco
Editor in Chief: Jim Shooter
Cover Artist: Bob Budiansky

While performing a stunt together, Johnny Blaze saves the life of a very antagonistic Red Fowler, who resents being demoted in favor of Blaze. When he goes to his trailer Fowler is threatened by the Loan Shark and his torpedoes, to whom he owes ten thousand dollars in gambling debts. Loan Shark tells him to produce the money by the next night and uses a sword attached to his hand to cut through the wall of his trailer. That night, Johnny is unable to sleep and transforms into the Ghost Rider, who rides out into the night away from the carnival. Similarly, Red takes a ride to clear his thoughts and runs into the Ghost Rider, who chases him into a washed-out gulley. Shaken by the encounter, Red returns to the carnival and accidently sees the Ghost Rider transforming back into Johnny Blaze.

Red sleeps until the next evening and attempts to flee the carnival before the Loan Shark returns. He’s cut off and kidnapped by the Loan Shark and his men, but luckily Johnny sees what happens and follows the car to a boat on the Great Lakes Marina. Loan Shark takes Red out on the lake and prepares to kill him for welching on his debt, but Johnny interrupts and attempts to fight all of the men to save Fowler’s life. Red realizes he’s misjudged Blaze but is knocked unconscious before he can help. Johnny is forced to transform into the Ghost Rider, who fries the souls of the Loan Shark and his men, setting fire to the boat in the process. Red manages to get off the boat before it explodes and both he and Johnny wash up on the shore. Johnny takes an unconscious Red back to the carnival and when Red wakes he decides that he will keep Johnny’s secret and be his friend.

Not the last time Ghost Rider is used as an addiction metaphor.

THE ROADMAP
Red Fowler will keep hidden that he knows Johnny's identity as the Ghost Rider until Ghost Rider (1973) # 73.

CHAIN REACTION

To read my review of Ghost Rider (1973) # 65 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

I'd be haunted, too, Red!

Ghost Rider (1973) # 64

“The Kiss of Doom!”

Cover Date: January 1982
On Sale Date: October 1981

Writer: Michael Fleisher
Artist: Jack Sparling
Inker: Tom Sutton
Colorist: George Roussos
Letterer: Joe Rosen
Editor: Tom DeFalco
Editor in Chief: Jim Shooter
Cover Artist: Brent Anderson

In Hell, the demon Azmodeus again plots to seize control of the Ghost Rider, this time planning to use another demon named Rzh’arr to ensnare Johnny Blaze. At the Quentin Carnival, Johnny’s stunt practice is watched by reporter Cynthia Randolph, who later rebukes his advances toward her. When she goes to her trailer she is overcome by strange fumes and passes out. After she wakes up, she notes that she’s late for her date with Johnny, who is surprised by her turn around. He takes her on a ride out into the desert where he defends her from a trio of bikers. While this is happening on Earth, Cynthia wakes up in Hell a prisoner of Azmodeus, who reveals that Rzh’arr has taken her place.

“Cynthia” kisses Johnny, stealing part of his power and making him feel weak. She creates an image of the Ghost Rider, forcing Johnny to trigger his transformation. When the two Ghost Riders collide into one another, the real demon is knocked unconscious. “Cynthia” takes him to Hell and reveals her true demonic form while Azmodeus gloats over the captive Ghost Rider. Strapping him to the ground, Azmodeus triggers a giant pendulum scythe, which as it descends will cut away Johnny’s soul. The Ghost Rider frees himself and reclaims his power from Rzh’arr before running down Azmodeus, frying the demon with hellfire. Azmodeus uses the last of his power to send Ghost Rider and Cynthia back to Earth, where she has no memory of what happened to her. Still, she is suspicious of Johnny, and while on the ride back to the carnival she vows to herself that she won’t rest until she knows his secret.

"How do I get myself into these situations?"

THE ROADMAP
Azmodeus used the witch Tabicantra to try and claim the Ghost Rider's power in Ghost Rider (1973) # 53. He will appear again in Ghost Rider (1973) # 76.

CHAIN REACTION

To read my review of Ghost Rider (1973) # 64 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

"No, Mr. Blaze, I expect you to DIE."

Ghost Rider (1973) # 63

“If the Eyes Destroy Me!”

Cover Date: December 1981
On Sale Date: September 1981

Writer: Michael Fleisher
Artist: Luke McDonnell
Inker: Sal Trapani
Letterer: Joe Rosen
Colorist: Rob Carosella
Editor: Tom DeFalco
Editor-in-Chief: Jim Shooter
Cover Artist: Bob Budiansky

The police are in a frantic desert chase with the Ghost Rider, who plows through a moving train and leaps over a chasm before finally shaking them. Hours later, the Ghost Rider transforms back into a wasted Johnny Blaze, who laments his inability to control the demon inside him. A few miles away, the Orb and his gang hijack and rob an armored truck, planning to use the stolen money to purchase a weapon with which to finally kill the Ghost Rider.

The next morning, Blaze rides into the Quentin Carnival, which is setting up in the small town. Blaze goes to ask the owner, Ralph Quentin, for a job, interrupting the older man's meeting with a reporter for Woman Magazine named Cynthia Randolf. Though he initially blows Johnny off, a quick demonstration of his cycling skill changes Quentin's mind, and he hires Blaze on the spot. This demotes the Carnival's current stunt-rider, Red Fowler, to the position of Blaze's assistant, which angers Fowler. Meanwhile, the Orb is testing out the new weaponry designed for him by Madame Menace, which includes an improved eye laser and a heat-seeking mini-missile shaped like an eyeball that attaches to its target and burns white-hot. He tests these weapons out on several Ghost Rider robots provided by Madame Menace, which he destroys easily.

Later, Cynthia Randolph is watching Johnny practice a stunt at the Carnival and angers him with remarks about how childish she thinks he is. As he leaves, Ralph Quentin calls for his help, pointing out two men that have robbed the Carnival's box-office. Johnny chases after them, unaware that the men work for the Orb and are leading him into a trap. When the Orb attacks, Johnny quickly turns into the Ghost Rider and defeats the villain's henchmen. The Orb is unable to hit the demon with his eye laser, so he uses the mini missile, which attaches to the Ghost Rider's chest and knocks him to the ground. Laughing maniacally, the Orb launches several more missiles from his wrist-launchers, all of which affix to the Ghost Rider and begin to burn. The Orb thinks he has won, but the Ghost Rider stands up shaken but unharmed, his patience finally at an end. He quickly chases the Orb down and blasts him with hellfire, then melts all of the gang's motorcycles, leaving them stranded and near-death in the desert.

At least he's having fun!

THE ROADMAP
This issue marks the first appearance of the Quentin Carnival and its supporting cast (Red Fowler, Ralph Quentin, Cynthia Randolf, and Corky Franklin), which will remain a part of the series until its conclusion in Ghost Rider (1983) # 81.

It is revealed in Ghost Rider (1990) # -1 that Johnny was actually raised in the Quentin Carnival by his father, Barton Blaze, and later Crash Simpson. It has never been revealed why Johnny has no memory of his time with the carnival as a child, other than that perhaps he repressed the memory due to the trauma of his father dying and his mother abandoning him. Why no one at the carnival remembers Johnny in this issue remains unknown.

The Orb last fought Ghost Rider in Ghost Rider (1973) # 54 and this issue marks his last appearance in the series. Drake Shannon will appear years later in Avengers Spotlight, where he is killed by the Plant-Man's minions after a battle with Hawkeye. An "all-new" Orb will appear in Ghost Rider (2006) # 26, but he has no apparent ties to Shannon other than the costumed identity.

CHAIN REACTION

To read my review of Ghost Rider (1973) # 63 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

Ghost Rider has HAD IT with the Orb!

Ghost Rider (1972) # 62

“Menace of the Oil Jinns”

Cover Date: November 1981
On Sale Date: August 1981

Writer: Michael Fleisher
Artist: Jack Sparling
Inker: Mike Esposito
Colorist: Rob Carosella
Letterer: Diana Albers
Editor: David Kraft
Editor in Chief: Jim Shooter
Cover Artist: Bob Budiansky

A Saudi Arabian oil field is attacked by creatures made of oil, animated by the power of the Water Wizard, who is working for the megalomaniacal Sheik Abdul Hurani. The sheik is seeking control of the country’s oil reserves as the first step in conquering the entirety of the Middle East, which the Water Wizard realizes is insane but a better deal than being locked up in a hospital. Meanwhile, back in the United States, Johnny Blaze sees a news report about the oil attack and recognizes Hurani as the person that kidnapped the Water Wizard. Realizing he needs to get to Africa to stop the villains, he locates Flagg Fargo at a nearby hotel and asks him for the money for a plane ticket. Fargo does so, but only with Blaze’s motorcycle as collateral, and if he’s late paying it back the next day, he will forfeit the bike to Flagg. Blaze begrudgingly accepts the deal.

When he arrives in Saudi Arabia, Blaze travels to a nearby oil field that is under attack by the oil creatures. Hurani and the Water Wizard, watching from a nearby helicopter, are confronted by the Arabian Knight. The Knight sees the Ghost Rider racing toward the oil refinery and assumes the demon is working with Hurani. Arabian Knight attacks but realizes his mistake when he sees the Ghost Rider destroying the oil creatures. The two join forces, stopping Hurani and the Water Wizard from assaulting the royal palace. When Blaze tells the Arabian Knight about his deal with Fargo, he removes a giant ruby from Hurani’s necklace and tells him to repay the debt with it. Later, Fargo goes outside of his hotel and finds Blaze waiting for him before the deadline expired, having been given a ride by a flying carpet.

CHAIN REACTION

To read my review of Ghost Rider (1973) # 62 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

That looks awkward...

Ghost Rider (1973) # 61

“Wizardous Waters Run Deep!”

Cover Date: October 1981
On Sale Date: July 1981

Writer: Michael Fleisher
Artist: Alan Kupperberg
Inker: Sal Trapani
Colorist: Rob Carosella
Letterer: Diana Albers
Editor: David Kraft
Editor in Chief: Jim Shooter
Cover Artist: Bob Budiansky

On a hot summer day, Johnny Blaze stops in a small Indiana town to drink from a water hose and cool off his engine. This upsets some locals who quickly attack Blaze, beating on him until he turns into the Ghost Rider to save himself. After the fight, two older local gentlemen tell Johnny that the town’s water supply has dried up and the only available water is an underground spring that’s too deep to tap into. Johnny realizes that he knows someone that can help the town and rides several hours back to Chicago, where the Water Wizard is being held in a mental hospital after being fried with hellfire. When the hospital director is unwilling to release the Water Wizard into Blaze’s custody, he transforms into the Ghost Rider and kidnaps the villain. As he leaves, he passes Sheik Hurani, who has traveled from Saudi Arabia to use the Water Wizard against his enemy, the Arabian Knight.

Later, the Ghost Rider arrives back in Indiana with the Water Wizard, and Blaze explains the problem. With the townsfolk assembled, the Water Wizard starts to tap into the spring, but is interrupted by Hurani and his gunmen. Johnny turns into the Ghost Rider and defeats the gunmen, but is surprise attacked by a water creature. Ghost Rider quickly destroys the creature and turns back into Blaze, seeing that the town has its water supply once again but that the Water Wizard has escaped with Sheik Hurani. Feeling responsible for the villain’s escape, Johnny ponders on how he’s going to find him when he doesn’t know where he went.

Show some dignity, Water Wizard!

THE ROADMAP
Ghost Rider fought the Water Wizard in Chicago, leaving him on the shore of Lake Michigan with his soul fried by hellfire, in Ghost Rider (1973) # 59.

CHAIN REACTION

To read my review of Ghost Rider (1973) # 61 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

By the teeth of Allah!

Ghost Rider (1973) # 60

“To Slay a Demon!”

Cover Date: September 1981
On Sale Date: June 1981

Writer: Michael Fleisher
Artist: Herb Trimpe
Inker: Don Perlin
Colorist: Rob Carosella
Letterer: Irv Watanabe
Editor: David Kraft
Editor in Chief: Jim Shooter
Cover Artist: Herb Trimpe

While in Chicago, Johnny Blaze has his bike stolen by one of a pair of dynamite thieves. As the Ghost Rider he quickly catches up to the thief and tosses him through the window of a storefront church, interrupting the study group led by Reverend Joshua, who sees the demon outside. Joshua goes to his bedroom and reveals a tribal costume, thinking about how his ancestor had been the Destroyer of Demons in his home country, powered by a mystical amulet that had been passed down through the family lineage. Dressing in the costume, Joshua dedicates himself to finding and killing the demon he saw.

The next day, while getting his motorcycle repaired Johnny Blaze goes to the storefront church to apologize for the damage caused by the Ghost Rider. When he arrives, Reverend Joshua attacks him with mystical blasts, forcing Johnny to transform into the Ghost Rider to survive. Realizing that Joshua’s magic could destroy him, the Ghost Rider flees. Later that evening, Joshua’s daughter, Gloria, learns that her boyfriend, Ron Williamson, plans to blow up an elevated train as part of a ransom scheme against the city. She attempts to run and is accosted by Williamson’s men, but Johnny happens upon the scene and beats up the men. Gloria tells Johnny about the bomb and he transforms into the Ghost Rider to stop the explosion. When he reaches the train station, however, he is attacked by Reverend Joshua. Fighting through the pain of the Reverend’s mystic blasts, Ghost Rider discovers the bomb and hurls it into the sky seconds before it explodes, causing Joshua to realize he was wrong about the demon being evil. The next day, Reverend Joshua and Gloria say their goodbyes to Johnny, thanking him for opening their eyes.

Poor kid on the train, she's been scarred for life.

CHAIN REACTION
To read my review of Ghost Rider (1973) # 60 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

What If...? (1977) # 28

“What If Ghost Rider Were Separated From Johnny Blaze?”

Cover Date: August 1981
On Sale Date: May 1981

Writer: Michael Fleisher
Artist; Tom Sutton
Letterer: Vic Carey
Colorist: Gaff
Editor: Denny O’Neil
Editor In Chief: Jim Shooter
Cover Artist: Frank Miller

The Watcher presents an alternate reality diverging from Johnny Blaze’s battle with the wizard Azaziah, who had separated Blaze from his demonic self, the Ghost Rider. Johnny fails to destroy the wizard’s crystal of power and is instead knocked unconscious by Azaziah, who then uses a spell to bond himself to the Ghost Rider. Azaziah now has complete control of the Ghost Rider while transformed and his own magical power makes the Ghost Rider even stronger, allowing him to ride across the ocean to another continent in the span of a few hours. Meanwhile, Johnny wakes up and realizes that he has to stop Azaziah, who is headed for the Vatican in Rome.

The Ghost Rider arrives in Vatican City and storms the Vatican, taking the Pope hostage while he prepares a spell that will make him the master of every soul on the planet. Back in the United States, Blaze hijacks a plane and flies to Europe, where thirteen hours later he arrives to find the Vatican sealed off behind a wall of hellfire. Johnny steals a motorcycle and jumps over the wall of fire, but lands badly and injures himself. The Ghost Rider feels the pain in his leg as well and realizes that the bond between him and Blaze still exists. He finds Johnny and takes him inside the Vatican, chaining him to the wall before he transforms back into Azaziah. The Crimson Mage begins his spell and materializes a magical scimitar above the captive Pope, but Johnny is able to free himself and take possession of the sword. Realizing that he has only one way to save the Pope, Johnny stabs the Ghost Rider through the chest, killing Azaziah. However, due to the link between them, the act also costs Johnny his life. He dies, his actions having saved the world.

Ghost Rider (1973) # 59

“Moon Over Dark Water!”

Cover Date: August 1981
On Sale Date: May 1981

Writer: Michael Fleisher
Artist: Jack Sparling
Inker: Don Perlin
Colorist: Rob Carosella
Letterer: Ron Zalme
Editor: David Kraft
Editor in Chief
Jim Shooter
Cover Artist: Frank Miller

Ghost Rider enters Chicago, crashing through a police barricade and destroying a pursuing helicopter during the Chicago Police Department’s futile attempt to stop him. Ghost Rider is approached on the street by the Water Wizard, who creates a water monster to crush his foe. Ghost Rider laughs, destroys the monster with hellfire, and rides away, calling the Water Wizard a fool. While wallowing in self-pity, the Water Wizard is contacted by Moondark, who is still resting in another dimension after his defeat by the Night Rider. Moondark offers to give the Water Wizard enough power to destroy the Ghost Rider, but they must wait until midnight to do so.

Later, Johnny Blaze is trying to eat lunch when he’s accosted by two bikers. Johnny easily beats up the two roughnecks and leaves, only to be seen from a nearby rooftop by the Water Wizard. The Water Wizard creates another water monster, but it too is destroyed by hellfire after Blaze transforms into the Ghost Rider. Water Wizard flees and is contacted again by Moondark, who scolds the villain and tells him again to wait until midnight. 

Shortly before midnight, Johnny sees the two bikers from the restaurant chasing him, unaware that they are actually illusions created by Moondark to herd him to the edge of Lake Michigan. There, the Water Wizard uses the lake water to create another monster, but due to Moondark’s power this creature is immune to hellfire. When Water Wizard boasts that he’s the greatest evil genius of all time, Moondark becomes enraged and appears before the Ghost Rider to gloat. Ghost Rider fries Moondark with hellfire, causing him to withdraw back to his dimension and break the spell on the water creature. Ghost Rider easily destroys it and blasts the Water Wizard with hellfire, leaving the villain to be found by the police.

Ghost Rider is suitably unimpressed with you.

THE ROADMAP
Ghost Rider fought the Water Wizard in Ghost Rider (1973) # 23-24. 

Ghost Rider first fought Moondark the Magician in Marvel Team-Up (1972) # 93 and recently encountered him again in Ghost Rider (1973) # 56.

CHAIN REACTION
To read my review of Ghost Rider (1973) # 59 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

Moondark: even lamer than the Water Wizard.

Ghost Rider (1973) # 58

“Evil is the Enforcer!”

Cover Date: July 1981
On Sale Date: April 1981

Writer: Michael Fleisher
Artist: Don Perlin
Inker: Mike Esposito
Colorist: Rob Carosella
Letterer: Diana Albers
Editor: David Kraft
Editor in Chief: Jim Shooter
Cover Artist: Bill Sienkiewicz

After an encounter with a plane full of thieves in the desert, the Ghost Rider transforms back into Johnny Blaze, who is preparing for his rematch against cyclist Flagg Fargo for the world championship title. At the arena Blaze spies Fargo meeting with the Enforcer, a villain that the Ghost Rider has encountered before. Fargo sees Blaze after the Enforcer departs and takes his rival outside to meet his girlfriend. Gunshots are fired from a passing car, narrowly missing Fargo and his girlfriend, and Johnny gives chase on his motorcycle. The Enforcer reveals himself as the assassin and shoots Johnny with tranquilizer rounds, knocking him unconscious well into the next day.

Johnny wakes up thinking that Fargo must have hired the Enforcer to drug him so he would forfeit the contest. He makes it to the arena in time for the contest and performs magnificently, leading his score over Fargo’s. When Blaze has all but won, Fargo is shot by the Enforcer during a stunt, and Blaze has to drag his rival out of a fire, saving his life. Fargo’s girlfriend tells Johnny that the Enforcer is working for gamblers that had bet on Blaze and had threatened to kill Flagg if he didn’t lose the contest on purpose. Johnny gives chase after the Enforcer as the Ghost Rider and catches up to him on a mountain road, causing the villain to drive his car off the road and into a lake. The Ghost Rider departs, not seeing the Enforcer’s hand rise from the water. The next day, Blaze visits Fargo in the hospital and learns that it will be several months before they can compete against one another again. Fargo then extends his hand toward Johnny and thanks him for saving his life.

Flagg Fargo's an asshole to the bitter end.

THE ROADMAP
Johnny Blaze lost his title as World Champion of Stunt-Cycling to Flagg Fargo in Ghost Rider (1973) # 45-46 and challenged him to a rematch in Ghost Rider (1973) # 56. Flagg Fargo will appear again in Ghost Rider (1973) # 62 but Johnny will never get another chance at a rematch against him.

Ghost Rider fought the Enforcer in Ghost Rider (1973) # 22-24.

CHAIN REACTION
To read my review of Ghost Rider (1973) # 58 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

"Trank you"?  Really, Enforcer?

Ghost Rider (1973) # 57

“Where Walks…the Apparition!”

Cover Date: June 1981
On Sale Date: March 1981

Writer: Michael Fleisher
Layouts: Jim Shooter
Artist: Don Perlin
Colorist: Rob Carosella
Letterer: Diana Albers
Editor: Dave Kraft
Editor in Chief: Jim Shooter
Cover Artist: Bob Budiansky

In preparation for his upcoming rematch with Flagg Fargo, Johnny Blaze has joined the Sonny Tremont Auto Show. He goes out for a dinner meal with Sonny, Nora, and Pete, who all work for the auto show, and Pete reminds them that it’s the night “Shocks” Marley is due to be executed. At the nearby prison, “Shocks” is escorted to the electric chair while wearing his stunt racing costume, which he claims was made for him by a voodoo priestess and will bring him back from death. Right before the executioner’s switch is thrown, he swears to come back as an apparition to exact revenge. When the electric chair comes to life, Marley becomes a ghostly entity and escapes from the prison. 

Back at the diner, Johnny asks to borrow Pete’s car to go check on some engine parts. While en route, Johnny is attacked by the Apparition, who believes that Pete is driving the car. With blasts of mystical energy Marley destroys the car, and only a quick transformation into the Ghost Rider saves Johnny’s life. As Marley departs, believing he’s killed Pete, he claims that “now two must die”. Johnny returns to the Tremont property and tells his three new friends what happened, shocking them all with the knowledge of Marley’s return. Pete flees in terror and Sonny fills Johnny in on their story. “Shocks” Marley was a stunt racer for the auto show and had an unrequited crush on Nora, who was dating another racer. “Shocks” sabotaged the other man’s brakes, causing him to die in an auto crash, and the testimony provided to the courts by Sonny and Pete gave Marley a death sentence. The Apparition appears above them and blasts at Sonny and Nora, with only the quick intervention of the Ghost Rider saving them. Weakened by the Ghost Rider’s hellfire, the Apparition departs, leaving Blaze behind to explain himself. Nora doesn’t care about the Ghost Rider and kisses Johnny passionately while Sonny leaves.

The next day at the Auto Show, Nora announces a stock car stunt being performed by Sonny. However, the car is instead being driven by Johnny in an attempt to flush out the Apparition. Marley indeed appears at the top of the ramp and blasts the car, thinking he’s killed Sonny. Johnny and Nora believe that Marley is no longer a threat now that his two victims are thought dead, and the two go to their trailers to get ready for a date. Blaze realizes that he overheard Marley say “two must die” after Pete was believed to be dead, and that Nora must be on Marley’s revenge list as well. He arrives too late at Nora’s trailer, finding her dead at the Apparition’s hands, and transforms into the Ghost Rider to exact vengeance. Using his hellfire to weaken the ghostly killer, the Ghost Rider finally disperses Marley’s spirit by running through him with his hellcycle. That leaves Johnny Blaze alone with Nora’s body to mourn yet another lost love.

Uncharacteristically self-sacrificing.

CHAIN REACTION
To read my review of Ghost Rider (1973) # 57 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

Ghost Rider (1973) # 56

“The Menace of Moondark”

Cover Date: May 1981
On Sale Date: February 1981

Writer: Michael Fleisher
Artist: Don Perlin
Inkers: Mike Esposito & Crew
Colorist: Rob Carosella
Letterer: Diana Albers
Editor: Dennis O’Neil
Editor in Chief: Jim Shooter
Cover Artist: Bob Budiansky

Gina Langtree walks away from Johnny Blaze, driven away by his dual existence as the Ghost Rider. Johnny then discovers that he’s being fired from the Diamond Cowgirl Casino due to Flagg Fargo having booked shows at a competing casino. Outside the casino Johnny runs into Fargo and challenges him to a rematch for the championship title, which they schedule for two months from then. Johnny rides out into the desert and is attacked by glowing green vultures and has to transform into the Ghost Rider to survive. The Ghost Rider destroys one of the vultures and follows the rest to an underground cave.

Meanwhile, an archaeologist named Hamilton Slade has unearthed a mysterious burial urn in a nearby cave. Hamilton is the great-grandson of Lincoln Slade, who along with his brother Carter rode as the Night Rider in the old west. The urn begins to glow, and the Night Rider’s costume emerges, followed by a flash of light. Hamilton finds himself transformed into the Night Rider and summons his ghost horse, Banshee, to take him to find the Ghost Rider, who has fallen into a trap set by his enemy, Moondark. The sorcerer has lost his soul to the demon he worships and can only regain it by offering Blaze’s soul in its stead. Moondark senses an intruder outside the cave and creates several magical beasts to stop them. The Night Rider dispatches the creatures and enters the cave, distracting Moondark long enough for Johnny to transform back into the Ghost Rider. Moondark flees to another dimension, swearing to return, and Ghost Rider finds himself alone in the cave. Hamilton wakes up back at his ancestors’ burial site with no memory of becoming the Night Rider. That morning, Blaze retrieves his motorcycle and ponders how the Night Rider could have returned from the grave to rescue him.

Make a wish!

THE ROADMAP
Johnny Blaze traveled back in time to meet Carter Slade, the first Night Rider, in Ghost Rider (1973) # 50 and during the course of that issue saved Slade's life.

Hamilton Slade appears next as the Night Rider in Incredible Hulk (1968) # 265.

Ghost Rider first fought Moondark the Magician in Marvel Team-Up (1972) # 93. Moondark appears next in Ghost Rider (1973) # 59.

CHAIN REACTION
To read my review of Ghost Rider (1973) # 56 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

Legacies upon legacies...

Ghost Rider (1973) # 55

"Touch of Terror!"

Cover Date: April 1981
On Sale Date: January 1981

Writer: Michael Fleisher
Artist: Don Perlin
Letterer: Diana Albers
Colorist: Rob Carosella
Editor: Denny O'Neil
Editor In Chief: Jim Shooter

Cover Artist: Bob Budiansky

While riding through the Nevada desert, the Ghost Rider chances across a formula racing car. Desiring a challenge, the demon races the car, eventually running it off the road. When GR returns to Las Vegas, he relinquishes control back to the exhausted Johnny Blaze. Wanting nothing but sleep, Johnny decides to cut through a casino to reach his hotel room.

At that moment, the casino patrons are attacked by the villain known as Tatterdemalion, whose toxic powers can dissolve cloth and paper. Also in the crowd, however, is one Jack Russell - the Werewolf by Night - who quickly transforms and attacks the criminal. A moment later, Russell begins to scream unexpectedly and then goes into a berserk rampage. Johnny sees this, promptly transforming into the Ghost Rider. The two fight, but eventually both tire and return to their human personas.

Later, Russell tells Blaze that he's been having trouble controlling the werewolf side of his persona, and he can't explain the bouts of frenzy that he's been experiencing. That night, Blaze performs his cycle show with Russell in the crowd. Suddenly, he turns into his wolf form and goes on yet another rampage, which the Ghost Rider is barely able to stop. The next day, John asks Gina if she can lock Jack inside her garage for the night, so he won't hurt anybody. In return, Gina asks Johnny to drive her race car in that day's rest, as the driver injured his arm during the previous encounter with the Ghost Rider. Before the race, Tatterdemalion decides to steal the race car. The Ghost Rider pursues, running the car off the road and leaving the villain for dead. Unseen by the demon, the criminal crawls away from the wreckage. The next day, Jack tells Blaze that he's heading back to LA. Moments later, Gina arrives and tells Blaze that due to her fear of the Ghost Rider, she can't see him anymore.

Hobo powers activate!

THE ROADMAP

Jack Russell's search for the Tatterdemalion began in Marvel Team-Up # 93.

The Ghost Rider and the Werewolf met briefly in Marvel Premiere # 28.

Gina Langtree first appeared in Ghost Rider (1973) # 41-42, and made her reappearance in Ghost Rider (1973) # 54.

CHAIN REACTION
To read my review of Ghost Rider (1973) # 55 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

YAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

Ghost Rider (1973) # 54

“Orb of Evil…Eye of Doom!”

Cover Date: March 1981
On Sale Date: December 1980

Writer: Michael Fleisher
Artist: Don Perlin
Colorist: Rob Carosella
Letterer: Diana Albers
Editor: Dennis O’Neil
Editor in Chief: Jim Shooter
Cover Artist: Bob Budiansky

Johnny Blaze rides toward Las Vegas, where he has been offered a job stunt-riding at the Diamond Cowgirl Casino for seven nights. He’s ambushed by two gunmen firing at him from an overpass, forcing him to transform into the Ghost Rider to survive. In a fit of anger, the demon picks up Blaze’s motorcycle and hurls it at the men above, then races into the nearby town on his hellcycle to set fire to a street full of abandoned buildings. After the Ghost Rider departs, the Orb emerges from the overpass, having missed his opportunity to attack with his improved laser helmet. In the desert, the Ghost Rider relinquishes control back to Blaze, who is terrified by how out of control the demon has become. No longer having a motorcycle, he chances upon a bus heading into the city.

When he arrives in Las Vegas he goes to the casino and meets the owner, Mr. King, who gives him the money to purchase a new motorcycle. He spends the next day preparing for the week of stunt shows and that evening gives his first spectacular performance. After the show he’s approached by Gina Langtree, who calls him the name “Frank Ryder” and is surprised to see him alive. He realizes that he met Gina when he had amnesia and had completely forgotten about her after his memory returned. The two enjoy their reunion and Gina says that she’s in town with her father’s racing company for an upcoming race. They are watched from a nearby alley by the Orb, who crafts a plan to kill Blaze by using Gina as bait.

The next evening, Gina’s father asks her to take the Formula One racecar into the desert for a test drive, but when she reaches Humbolt’s Canyon the car runs out of fuel due to sabotage. The Orb kidnaps Gina while, back in Las Vegas, Johnny receives a note from Gina asking him to meet her at Humbolt’s Canyon. When he arrives at the canyon, he finds Gina tied up and a landmine in the ground ahead of him. He manages to transform into the Ghost Rider when the mine explodes, destroying his motorcycle. The Orb attacks with his helmet laser but is unable to defeat the Ghost Rider, who grabs him and burns him with hellfire. The demon is stopped from killing him by Gina, who begs him to let the villain go. Ghost Rider pauses and transforms back into Johnny Blaze, who notices the Orb’s unscarred face. The Orb reveals that he had a plastic surgeon repair the damage to his face but as his face melts into disfigurement realizes that the Ghost Rider’s hellfire has scarred him once again. The Orb tells Blaze that the Ghost Rider has won but he will return to destroy them both in time.

No throwing your toys, GR!

THE ROADMAP
The Orb last appeared in Ghost Rider (1973) # 28 and makes his next appearance in Ghost Rider (1973) # 63.

Johnny Blaze spent time in the amnesiac "Frank Ryder" and romanced Gina Langtree in Ghost Rider (1973) # 41-42.

CHAIN REACTION
To read my review of Ghost Rider (1973) # 54 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

The latest in a string of bad decisions by the Orb.

Ghost Rider (1973) # 53

“The She-Witch of Doom!”

Cover Date: February 1981
On Sale Date: November 1980

Writer: Michael Fleisher

Artist: Don Perlin

Letterer: Diana Albers

Colorist: Rob Carosella

Editor: Denny O'Neil

Editor In Chief: Jim Shooter

Cover Artist: Bob Budiansky

In Hell, the demon lord Azmodeus shows one of his demons, a lovely female named Tabicantra, a flame-image of Johnny Blaze and the Ghost Rider. Azmodeus wants the Ghost Rider to be his emissary on Earth but realizes that he must first sever the connection between him and Blaze. He sends Tabicantra to Earth so the link between man and demon can be destroyed, but it must be done within a certain frame of time, before the souls in his hourglass run out.

Later, Blaze rides on a stretch of highway, and passes a beautiful woman in a sports car. Unknown to him, the woman is Tabicantra, who comments to herself that Johnny is an extremely handsome man. Using her demonic powers, Tabicantra collapses a bridge just as Johnny crosses over. The stunt rider transforms into his demonic persona, saving himself from the crash. In Hell, Azmodeus watches the Ghost Rider survive the fall. He tells his demon hordes that Tabicantra's power weakens Blaze's control over the Ghost Rider. The more he transforms, the weaker the human persona will become, until finally the Ghost Rider will belong to Azmodeus.

Back on Earth, Blaze collects his motorcycle from the construction site it landed in after the bridge collapse. He rides to a diner, where he runs into Tabicantra. Again, the she-demon thinks about how attractive Blaze is but pushes those thoughts away as she gets back to her mission. Sometime later, Johnny has once again taken to the road, but is blocked by two semi-trucks. Suddenly, both trucks burst into flames, and Blaze doesn't have enough time to stop. He transforms into the Ghost Rider, who rides his mystical hell-cycle between the fiery trucks. On the other side, the Ghost Rider reluctantly gives control back to Blaze, who immediately sees Tabicantra trapped in a burning car. He manages to rescue her, but she faints during the ordeal. She awakens, and Johnny offers to give her a ride back to town on the back of his cycle. The two travel to the next town, stopping at a restaurant for dinner. He drops Tabicantra at the doors, leaving her to go park his bike. Though she hates to do it, the she-witch continues her mission, summoning a demonic creature to attack Blaze in the parking lot. The Ghost Rider quickly emerges and destroys the monster but refuses to relinquish control back to Blaze. Only by force of will does Johnny regain control. He returns to the restaurant, where Tabicantra ponders the situation. She knows that if Blaze becomes the Ghost Rider one more time before the hourglass runs out, he will be trapped as slave of Azmodeus forever. She decides to tell him everything, despite the fact that her master will be enraged beyond all imagining.

Azmodeus, furious that his slave would betray him, commands several demons to finish Tabicantra's job. The creatures attack Johnny, but before he can transform into the Ghost Rider, Tabicantra strikes him from behind and protects him in a force field. Realizing that only a few moments remain before the hourglass runs out, Tabicantra uses her own life-force to destroy Azmodeus' demons, resulting in her own death. Johnny awakens seconds later, confused, and unaware of what has transpired.

A frightening glimpse of things to come...

THE ROADMAP

Azmodeus returns in Ghost Rider (1973) # 64 and again in Ghost Rider (1973) # 76.

CHAIN REACTION
To read my review of Ghost Rider (1973) # 53 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

Come on Marvel, where's our Tabicantra spin-off series?

Ghost Rider (1973) # 52

“The Sirens of Kronos!”

Cover Date: January 1981
On Sale Date: October 1980

Writer: Michael Fleisher
Artist: Don Perlin
Letterer: Diana Albers
Colorist: Rob Carosella
Editor: Denny O'Neil
Editor In Chief: Jim Shooter
Cover Artist: Bob Budiansky

On a mountainside road in New Mexico, an armored military convoy transporting the new Kronos missile finds itself in a perverse game of "chicken" with the Ghost Rider. With nowhere to swerve to but open air or a rocky cliff, the demon biker instead jumps the entire hundred-yard length of the convoy, clearing it completely and leaving the startled army men behind. Moments later, the Ghost Rider relinquishes his body back to Johnny Blaze, who returns to his abandoned motorcycle and heads toward the hundred-mile-enduro-race in nearby Shelbyville. While his bike isn't customized for off-road racing, Blaze hopes the race will at least give him the chance to practice for a comeback against Flagg Fargo.

Meanwhile, on a cliff side road outside of town, a demolitions crew blow up a large boulder that had rolled down onto the road. Having used too much dynamite, the two workers fail to realize that they've disturbed a hidden tomb, and the blast has uncovered one of three sarcophaguses. A beautiful young woman emerges from the crypt, thankful that she's finally free from the prison of stone that she and her sisters had been sealed in by Lord Kronos for their evil transgressions. Unable to free her sisters, Leucosia the siren steps onto the road and begins to sing - while the departing workers hear her song and become enchanted, wrecking their truck, and leaving it behind to follow the music.

In Shelbyville, the 100-mile Enduro-Classic kicks off, and Blaze arrives a mere sixty seconds after the race starts, forcing him to ride even faster to catch up to the riders ahead of him. The rest of the pack, now a mile and a half outside the town, approach the cavern of the Sirens, and Leucosia hears the engines. Needing more help to free her two sisters, the Siren sings again, causing the bikers to stop (and some to wreck) in order to follow the music. Moments later, Blaze rounds a corner and discovers a pile of abandoned bikes, causing him to go into a skid to stop from hitting them. Hitting an oil spill, Johnny and his bike fly off the steep cliff - and though he successfully rights the bike to land it, he hits his head on a rock, knocking him unconscious. Back in the cavern, Leucosia uses the mesmerized bikers to free her sisters from their tombs.

Later, Johnny finally wakes up, surprised to find both himself and his bike in decent shape. He rides back up the mountain to find out what happened to the other bikers and is spotted by the three Sirens, Leucosia now joined by Ligea and the younger Parthenope. The Sirens sing once again, intending to seduce Johnny, but before he succumbs to the spell, he triggers the transformation into the Ghost Rider, who is immune to the song. As the demon creates his flame cycle to ride toward them, the Sirens decide that he is a demon sent by Lord Kronos to destroy them, causing them to transform into bird-like harpies and flee. As he watches the women fly away, the Ghost Rider is attacked by the mesmerized bikers, who are easily evaded by the demon's supernatural bike.

A short while later, the Sirens come across the military convoy carrying the Kronos missile, and - believing the missile to be a weapon of Lord Kronos - bring the convoy to a stop with their song. The soldiers tell them that the missile is capable of destroying a target radius of 250 miles, so the Sirens decide to use it to destroy a city with Kronos' own weapon as a fitting act of vengeance for imprisoning them. Later, Johnny finds one of the jeeps attached to the convoy and questions the two men left inside, who tell him that the last thing they remember are three women signing before everything went blank. Blaze gets a bad feeling and heads off toward the San Jethro missile range. When he gets there, he finds all of the soldiers hypnotized while the Sirens launch the Kronos missile - its destination: Albuquerque. Blaze transforms into the Ghost Rider and rides after the Sirens, who again turn into their harpy forms. While the mesmerized soldiers attempt to stop the demon, the Ghost Rider simply ignores them and rides up the side of the launching tower. When he reaches the top, he leaps off his bike into the air, blasting the three Sirens with his hellfire, causing them to fall to the ground. As the Rider falls, he creates his flame cycle beneath him and lands safely. Inside the missile control station, the men awaken and realize that the missile's been fired. In order to save the city, they push the "abort" button, which causes it to explode in the air.

Later, back in the cavern crypt, the Ghost Rider reseals the Sirens within their tomb sarcophaguses. He then places another large sheet of rock in front of the entrance before riding off, vowing that the Sirens will never again be free to use their song against mankind.

How I look when I hear trap rap.

CHAIN REACTION
To read my review of Ghost Rider (1973) # 52 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

Ghost Rider (1973) # 51

“The Diesel of Doom!”

Cover Date: December 1980
On Sale Date: September 1980

Writer: Michael Fleisher
Artist: Don Perlin
Letterer: Diana Albers
Colorist: Rob Carosella
Editor: Denny O'Neil
Editor In Chief: Jim Shooter
Cover Artist: Bob Budiansky

"Graveyard of the Plundered Dead!"

Writer: Michael Fleisher
Artist: Carmine Infantino
Inker: Mike Esposito
Letterer: Harry Blumfield
Colorist: Rob Carosella
Editor: Denny O'Neil
Editor In Chief: Jim Shooter

On a deserted stretch of mountain highway late at night, Johnny Blaze suddenly finds himself in the path of a diesel truck barreling down on him. When Johnny tries to move over to allow the truck to pass, the large vehicle hits him and knocks him over the guardrail and down the side of the cliff. With only moments to save his life, Blaze transforms into the Ghost Rider, who manages to grab onto a random ledge of rock. The demon then creates his flame cycle and rides back up the mountain, only to find the truck has vanished without a trace. Frustrated and angry, the Ghost Rider allows Blaze to regain control, who then sees a message painted on the side of the cliff in front of him that reads "To all bikers - stay off my road. Or else. - Clement". Johnny looks at his bike and discovers that the fuel tank was ruptured in the crash, so he sets off on foot to find a mechanic that can help him fix it.

Soon, Johnny comes across a young man changing the tire on his expensive sports car. The kid immediately recognizes Johnny and admits that he's a big cycle fanatic. The kid, Frederick William Mathew Mitchell the Third - or just plain "Mitch" - agrees to give Johnny a lift once his tire is changed. Someone had scattered a handful of spikes along the road, giving him a flat tire. At that moment, four armed men on motorcycles pull up, admitting that they put the spikes on the road so they could kidnap Mitch and hold him for ransom. Johnny transforms into the Ghost Rider, who makes short work of the bikers and then returns to Blaze's form, confusing Mitch. Two motorcycle policemen arrive, but Johnny realizes that something is amiss right before he's knocked unconscious. The two cops are with the bikers, and Mitch is kidnapped after all.

Several hours later, Johnny awakens to find all of the men gone and Mitch's car consumed by a fire. A diesel truck then pulls up, and the driver offers Blaze a ride - even though Johnny recognizes the rig as the one that ran him off the road. Johnny tells the trucker, Clem, about Mitch being kidnapped...but Clem tells him that the police won't save him in time and that it's up to the two of them to help. At the biker gang's hideout, the kidnappers speak via radio with Mitch's rich uncle, who refuses to pay the ransom. The gang's leader, Deever, tells his men that if the money isn't theirs by dawn then he'll slit Mitch's throat.

Meanwhile, Johnny rides with Clem, but finds it odd that the truck's radio only plays songs and commercials from several decades ago. The truck also seems able to pass under bridges that are way too low for the vehicle to make it past. When they arrive below the hideout, Clem tells Johnny that he'll have to go the rest of the way alone because he's not able to leave his truck. Johnny agrees, and once out of sight turns into the Ghost Rider, who crashes through the roof of the lodge. Deever is the only one not scared and proceeds to throw a vial of nitroglycerin at the demon. The Ghost Rider catches the vial out of the air and tosses it into his mouth, allowing it to explode with no effect, laughing the entire time. The demon then fries all of the kidnappers with hellfire.

A short while later, Johnny and Mitch herd the men into the back of Clem's truck. Clem then refuses to give the two a ride back to town, and that he has to get going before the sun comes up. Johnny and Mitch then watch as Clem's diesel truck disappears before their eyes as it drives into the sunrise. An hour later at a gas station, Johnny and Mitch are approached by the store owner, who tells them that they must be crazy for riding bike's on "Clem's road". He then tells them a story of a diesel trucker named Clement Barstow, who was clubbed to death by a biker gang 30 years ago and now haunts the highway, killing bikers and helping out good people every now and then. But as the mechanic says he thinks the story is just an urban legend, Johnny and Mitch can only look at each other in disbelief.

Mind = BLOWN!

THE ROADMAP
This issue features a Night Rider back-up story that takes place after the character's appearance in Ghost Rider (1973) # 50 and before The Ghost Rider (1967) # 4.

CHAIN REACTION
To read my review of Ghost Rider (1973) # 51 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