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Essential Ghost Rider #1
Essential Ghost Rider, Vol. 1
When orphaned stunt-show star Johnny Blaze discovers his adoptive father Crash Simpson is dying of a rare blood disease, he barters his immortal soul for a miracle cure. The trade-off ultimately leaves him bound to the demon Zarathos, and their melding of spirits would manifest itself every night in the form of Ghost Rider, the most supernatural super-hero of all Collects Marvel Spotlight #5-12, Ghost Rider #1-20 and Daredevil #138.
560 pages, Paperback
First published October 10, 1976
10 people are currently reading
210 people want to read
About the author
Roy Thomas
4,479 books271 followersRoy Thomas was the FIRST Editor-in-Chief at Marvel--After Stan Lee stepped down from the position. Roy is a longtime comic book writer and editor. Thomas has written comics for Archie, Charlton, DC, Heroic Publishing, Marvel, and Topps over the years. Thomas currently edits the fanzine Alter Ego for Twomorrow's Publishing. He was Editor for Marvel comics from 1972-1974. He wrote for several titles at Marvel, such as Avengers, Thor, Invaders, Fantastic Four, X-Men, and notably Conan the Barbarian. Thomas is also known for his championing of Golden Age comic-book heroes — particularly the 1940s superhero team the Justice Society of America — and for lengthy writing stints on Marvel's X-Men and Avengers, and DC Comics' All-Star Squadron, among other titles.
Also a legendary creator. Creations include Wolverine, Carol Danvers, Ghost Rider, Vision, Iron Fist, Luke Cage, Valkyrie, Morbius, Doc Samson, and Ultron. Roy has also worked for Archie, Charlton, and DC among others over the years.
Also a legendary creator. Creations include Wolverine, Carol Danvers, Ghost Rider, Vision, Iron Fist, Luke Cage, Valkyrie, Morbius, Doc Samson, and Ultron. Roy has also worked for Archie, Charlton, and DC among others over the years.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 13, 2016
There's no denying that Ghost Rider is one of the best superheroes of all time. C'mon, people. He's a motorcycle stuntman who at night and in the presence of evil turns into a flaming-skulled vigilante with all the powers of Hell at his command who has panels like this:
It doesn't really get much better than this. Ghost Rider emerged in the early 70s in one of those curious times when hippies were on the way out and disco had yet to rear its ugly head. Marvel, in an attempt to appeal to the youth of the time decided to create a new supernatural superhero steeped in Satanism and satanic rituals, but who was a good guy. You'd be surprised at the occult undertones. Nearly every issue features some sort of scantily clad sorority girl Satanist or hideous demonic force fuckin' wit the GR. The sexual and satanic themes really stand out, but I guess that's hardly surprising given the companion comic, "Son of Satan", that Marvel was publishing around the same time.
Johnny Blaze's character develops bumpily (half the time he's portrayed as a kind of Dante-esque redneck) but it always stays interesting. Being GR is a curse until he figures out he can actually be a superhero. Everyone thinks his GR transformation is shtick for the stunt-show and they kind of laugh him off a lot.
A lot of the action takes place in out-of-the-way places for comics at the time, maybe even now. Much of the first several story-arcs takes place in the Arizona desert and Las Vegas, where he battles a scantily-clad Native American satanic college student under Satan's sway.
GR even teams up with The Thing, Hercules, and Spider-Man. Daredevil, too, which is where the volume ends.
His rogue's gallery is typical 70s shlock and awesome: Satan (of course), Snakedance, The Orb (a giant eyeball), Trapster, a great white shark, and Inferno, amongst others.
A priceless collection, even if it's not in color.
April 25, 2021
The Ghost Rider was born in the seventies when some darker characters were needed in the Marvel Universe. is stunt motorcyclist Johnny Blaze, in order to save the life of his stepfather, agrees to give his soul to "Satan" (later revealed to be an arch-demon named Mephisto).
Firstly at night and later he is around evil, Blaze finds his flesh consumed by hellfire, causing his head to become a flaming skull. He rides a fiery motorcycle and wields blasts of hellfire from his body, usually from his skeletal hands. He eventually learns he has been bonded with the demon Zarathos.
This first essential collection in B/W does contain the first 20 episodes from the Ghost Rider comic and its origin story in the pages of Marvel Spotlight #5-12, added is the closing story with Karen Page and Daredevil in Daredevil #138.
The original enemies of Johnny Blaze in his early days were mostly demons trying to deliver Blaze's soul to the demon who made the deal and they found out that this is easier said than done. The stories are not so dark when read today. McFarlanes Hellspawn is a vastly more convincing rebel against the Hells wishes but he was not yet created for another two decades. But GR is an allright read and Blaze became a superhero instead of a Hell creature or spawn.
Like always I do enjoy these straight forward collection albeit in B/W and think they give reader a payable chance to reread the beginning of Superhero stories and they do deliver in B/W the skill of its artists involved. It must have been fun drawing this skull character.
I have always had a weak spot for the two movies starring Nicolas Cage, who always puts some Elvis impersonation in his acting and with Ghost Rider they seem to gel perfectly as it is a total over the top character.
Firstly at night and later he is around evil, Blaze finds his flesh consumed by hellfire, causing his head to become a flaming skull. He rides a fiery motorcycle and wields blasts of hellfire from his body, usually from his skeletal hands. He eventually learns he has been bonded with the demon Zarathos.
This first essential collection in B/W does contain the first 20 episodes from the Ghost Rider comic and its origin story in the pages of Marvel Spotlight #5-12, added is the closing story with Karen Page and Daredevil in Daredevil #138.
The original enemies of Johnny Blaze in his early days were mostly demons trying to deliver Blaze's soul to the demon who made the deal and they found out that this is easier said than done. The stories are not so dark when read today. McFarlanes Hellspawn is a vastly more convincing rebel against the Hells wishes but he was not yet created for another two decades. But GR is an allright read and Blaze became a superhero instead of a Hell creature or spawn.
Like always I do enjoy these straight forward collection albeit in B/W and think they give reader a payable chance to reread the beginning of Superhero stories and they do deliver in B/W the skill of its artists involved. It must have been fun drawing this skull character.
I have always had a weak spot for the two movies starring Nicolas Cage, who always puts some Elvis impersonation in his acting and with Ghost Rider they seem to gel perfectly as it is a total over the top character.
April 19, 2024
Marvel Spotlight #5-8 - The tragic chronicle of Johnny Blaze opens with a mashup of fads from the early years of the 1970s. Motorcycle gangs, satanism and stunt-daredevils. The origin is a bit different than how it’s depicted in the Nicholas Cage film, and Blaze is a far less sympathetic character, he does bring it all on himself after all. So what creators Gary Friedrich and Mike Ploog deliver is very much an anti-hero, who’s been softened and repackaged over the years to make him far more palatable to sensitive audience. This original version of the Johnny Blaze Ghost Rider is dark and a real mess, the best part being, or course, the gorgeously unique art of Ploog. And it’s a sad event when he leaves.
Marvel Spotlight #9-11 - Having wrapped up the “origin” of this new Ghost Rider, it quickly becomes clear that Friedrich has little clue what direction to take this character (and this is actually the biggest hurdle this Ghost Rider will face year after year in this publication). The next few issues struggle trying to balance between the stunt-daredevil, motorcycle lifestyle and the satanism components and then throws Native American narratives and witchcraft into the mix. New artist Tom Sutton does a great job, but he’s no Ploog, so the look is very different.
Ghost Rider #1-2 - Obviously, sales on the Ghost Rider issues of Marvel Spotlight must have been good, because he graduated into his own title fairly quickly. These issues also introduce a new supernatural character, Daimon Hellstrom the Son of Satan. But he’s barely seen and his costume is not revealed at all. There’s also a lot more absurd and inexplicable reversals on character motivations (did Friedrich think no one was actually reading this?) that make no sense. On one page Ghost Rider is screaming that he can’t take it anymore and he’s begging for Satan to show up and take his soul, then when he gets what he’s asked for, he’s intending to fight Satan tooth and nail to keep his soul. So apparently he’s just taunting and teasing Satan. But it wasn’t just that. I get that he’s confused and angry, but he’s really just an idiot and hasn’t a clue what he’s doing.
Marvel Spotlight #12 - This is actually the first issue of the Son of Satan run in Marvel Spotlight, but it does also contribute to the wrap-up of the departing Ghost Rider saga. And we finally get the big reveal of Daimon Hellstrom in costume. Also, we have the same inexplicable flipping of motivations in Hellstrom that we see with Ghost Rider, so the notion that it’s just Johnny Blaze’s immaturity and inexperience doesn’t hold any weight. It’s all rather maddening and very frustrating. Herb Trimpe provides the art and this first glimpse of Son of Satan is remarkably different than how he’ll get developed by other artists in his own series.
Ghost Rider #3-11 - This is a sequence of transition. And chaos. First off we get the wrap-up, more or less, of the introduction & crossover with the Son of Satan, an ending, of sorts, with the Witch Woman, a new and more down to earth threat, more trouble with the police and then a deal to get cleared by the police, a demolition derby, Big Daddy Dawson, organized crime in Los Vegas, and another Satan pawn: Roulette. It may sound exciting, but almost none of it makes any sense whatsoever. But it’s no one person’s thought because Freidrich leaves the book, Marv Wolfman and Doug Moench give it a shot at plot and dialogue, but nothing really helps. This is just a mess and it dragging the whole concept down with it. Tony Isabella takes over the book (with #6), and Jim Mooney provide the art, and the book finally starts to get the much needed make-over. Satan shows up, and lot of ugly dangling plot threads either get excised or they get dealt with. Ghost Rider also meets Stuntmaster and the Hulk, and the Ghost Ricer gets a more interesting narrative direction.
Ghost Rider #12-20 -
Daredevil #138 -
Marvel Spotlight #9-11 - Having wrapped up the “origin” of this new Ghost Rider, it quickly becomes clear that Friedrich has little clue what direction to take this character (and this is actually the biggest hurdle this Ghost Rider will face year after year in this publication). The next few issues struggle trying to balance between the stunt-daredevil, motorcycle lifestyle and the satanism components and then throws Native American narratives and witchcraft into the mix. New artist Tom Sutton does a great job, but he’s no Ploog, so the look is very different.
Ghost Rider #1-2 - Obviously, sales on the Ghost Rider issues of Marvel Spotlight must have been good, because he graduated into his own title fairly quickly. These issues also introduce a new supernatural character, Daimon Hellstrom the Son of Satan. But he’s barely seen and his costume is not revealed at all. There’s also a lot more absurd and inexplicable reversals on character motivations (did Friedrich think no one was actually reading this?) that make no sense. On one page Ghost Rider is screaming that he can’t take it anymore and he’s begging for Satan to show up and take his soul, then when he gets what he’s asked for, he’s intending to fight Satan tooth and nail to keep his soul. So apparently he’s just taunting and teasing Satan. But it wasn’t just that. I get that he’s confused and angry, but he’s really just an idiot and hasn’t a clue what he’s doing.
Marvel Spotlight #12 - This is actually the first issue of the Son of Satan run in Marvel Spotlight, but it does also contribute to the wrap-up of the departing Ghost Rider saga. And we finally get the big reveal of Daimon Hellstrom in costume. Also, we have the same inexplicable flipping of motivations in Hellstrom that we see with Ghost Rider, so the notion that it’s just Johnny Blaze’s immaturity and inexperience doesn’t hold any weight. It’s all rather maddening and very frustrating. Herb Trimpe provides the art and this first glimpse of Son of Satan is remarkably different than how he’ll get developed by other artists in his own series.
Ghost Rider #3-11 - This is a sequence of transition. And chaos. First off we get the wrap-up, more or less, of the introduction & crossover with the Son of Satan, an ending, of sorts, with the Witch Woman, a new and more down to earth threat, more trouble with the police and then a deal to get cleared by the police, a demolition derby, Big Daddy Dawson, organized crime in Los Vegas, and another Satan pawn: Roulette. It may sound exciting, but almost none of it makes any sense whatsoever. But it’s no one person’s thought because Freidrich leaves the book, Marv Wolfman and Doug Moench give it a shot at plot and dialogue, but nothing really helps. This is just a mess and it dragging the whole concept down with it. Tony Isabella takes over the book (with #6), and Jim Mooney provide the art, and the book finally starts to get the much needed make-over. Satan shows up, and lot of ugly dangling plot threads either get excised or they get dealt with. Ghost Rider also meets Stuntmaster and the Hulk, and the Ghost Ricer gets a more interesting narrative direction.
Ghost Rider #12-20 -
Daredevil #138 -
August 2, 2010
Ghost Rider was one of those comics that was on its way out when I was just getting old enough to notice comics. My older brother collected them, and the look of the character fascinated me. They sort-of revived the character with a typical late 80s/early 90s "extreme" version, with a "cooler" looking cycle and powers, etc., but I never really had any interest. This Essential TPB puts together the character's initial appearances in Marvel Spotlight along with his own series, and it is a very interesting book-starts off as being one of the many early 1970s monster books, complete with regular appearances by Satan and another one of these monster characters, the Son of Satan, before beginning to integrate Ghost Rider into the larger Marvel universe. The book is a fun, quick read, but it is not a classic series, by any means, with mixed art, somewhat repetitive story lines, and some dull parts to the run, though seeing the writers trying to fit in as many rip-offs of popular horror films (we get Jaws and The Exorcist in rapid succession at one point) and early 70s fascination with the supernatural into the Marvel setting is very amusing at times. My love of second string loser characters has me eating up The Stuntmaster, and making me want to dig up his Daredevil appearances.
November 14, 2010
I love Ghost Rider, and all the old Marvel Horror comics from the 70's! A few issues of this have one of my favorite artsts as well, Mike Ploog. The great thing about essentials is that it cheaply combines a lot of comics, so you can get the whole story. The down side is they are all reprinted in black and white, not the color I remember them in. This volume collects Marvel Spotlight #5-12, Ghost Rider #1-20 & Daredevil #138. For continuity purposes this is pretty much the whole deal except dor a couple side stories from Marvel Team-Up and The Champions.
January 22, 2014
Ghost Rider And His Old Buddy Jesus Christ
These early Ghost Rider comics are a mixed bag. His powers are still being defined, as are his relationships with supporting characters. But some of this stuff gets really out there and fun, like when Ghost Rider is befriended by an unnamed character who is clearly Jesus Christ. Talk about an odd pair.
These early Ghost Rider comics are a mixed bag. His powers are still being defined, as are his relationships with supporting characters. But some of this stuff gets really out there and fun, like when Ghost Rider is befriended by an unnamed character who is clearly Jesus Christ. Talk about an odd pair.
October 10, 2013
The 70s were a different time. When else could you find a new superhero who got his powers by selling his soul to the devil? And have that story approved by the Comics Code Authority, no less?
January 27, 2012
The very first issue of Ghost Rider is bizarretastic. Love it. "I accidentally killed my adopted mom and my adopted dad is very sick. I guess i'll just have to start worshipping Satan!"
April 10, 2018
Ghost Rider is so cool, isn't he? Criminals fear him as he lashes them with his chains or stares into their very souls.
Well, unfortunately you will find none of that here. Instead, we get to read 500 pages of Ghost Rider being a total doofus.
So Johnny Blaze's adopted father gets a terminal illness. How does Johnny help him? Why, a Satanic ritual of course! That's no so unusual in the world of Ghost Rider, however, because apparently almost everyone is a Satanist. Go figure.
So Satan curses Blaze to spend the nights as Ghost Rider and the days in hell. Before he can finish the curse, however, Blaze's girlfriend Rocky interrupts the curse, so only half took effect. Also, Rocky is totally pure and can protect Ghost Rider from Satan (even though she whines, complains, calls Johnny a coward, and breaks up with him every five seconds for the smallest reasons. Yeah, she's a real angel...).
So anyway, badass flaming skull headed Ghost Rider spends the first few issues running away from any and all threats (which comprise mainly gang members). Every time he runs away from people he also constantly finds himself either at a dead-end or having to jump over a chasm.
Also, his powers consist of being able to shoot fire out of his finger and being a really good motorcyclist. That's it. His skull head doesn't scare anyone because everyone thinks he is wearing a dumb costume. He also takes a taxi and drives around in a pickup truck on occasion.
Besides all of that silliness, this book might have the single most ridiculous panel I have seen in comics in a long time. It is the middle of the night and Ghost Rider lays down behind some small rocks to hide from some police that are chasing him. Think about it: It is pitch black and he has a flaming skull head and they can't see him? Sheesh.
Also be prepared to have Ghost Rider's powers and story retconned and modified from issue to issue. He can't create a flaming motorcycle. Then he can (and it can stall out for some reason. Great power, huh?). Then he can't again. Then he can again.
Satan wants to kill him and Rocky. Then he saves him and Rocky for some reason. Then he wants to kill them again.
He uses his flame powers constantly but then, suddenly (and only one time) he doesn't want to because witnesses might find out he is a supernatural being (the only witnesses being a biker gang in the middle of the desert that is about to spit roast his girlfriend).
Then he meets Jesus. But then maybe it wasn't Jesus.
He turns into Ghost Rider at night. suddenly that's thrown out the window and he only turns when he is in danger for some reason.
Also, around issue 20 he gets a really thick southern twang that he didn't have before.
Reading Marvel comics from the 70's makes me wonder if Marvel Comics was just a couple of guys making up stories in their garage. There is no consistency and no quality control.
In conclusion, I would recommend these early stories for Ghost Rider completionists only.
Well, unfortunately you will find none of that here. Instead, we get to read 500 pages of Ghost Rider being a total doofus.
So Johnny Blaze's adopted father gets a terminal illness. How does Johnny help him? Why, a Satanic ritual of course! That's no so unusual in the world of Ghost Rider, however, because apparently almost everyone is a Satanist. Go figure.
So Satan curses Blaze to spend the nights as Ghost Rider and the days in hell. Before he can finish the curse, however, Blaze's girlfriend Rocky interrupts the curse, so only half took effect. Also, Rocky is totally pure and can protect Ghost Rider from Satan (even though she whines, complains, calls Johnny a coward, and breaks up with him every five seconds for the smallest reasons. Yeah, she's a real angel...).
So anyway, badass flaming skull headed Ghost Rider spends the first few issues running away from any and all threats (which comprise mainly gang members). Every time he runs away from people he also constantly finds himself either at a dead-end or having to jump over a chasm.
Also, his powers consist of being able to shoot fire out of his finger and being a really good motorcyclist. That's it. His skull head doesn't scare anyone because everyone thinks he is wearing a dumb costume. He also takes a taxi and drives around in a pickup truck on occasion.
Besides all of that silliness, this book might have the single most ridiculous panel I have seen in comics in a long time. It is the middle of the night and Ghost Rider lays down behind some small rocks to hide from some police that are chasing him. Think about it: It is pitch black and he has a flaming skull head and they can't see him? Sheesh.
Also be prepared to have Ghost Rider's powers and story retconned and modified from issue to issue. He can't create a flaming motorcycle. Then he can (and it can stall out for some reason. Great power, huh?). Then he can't again. Then he can again.
Satan wants to kill him and Rocky. Then he saves him and Rocky for some reason. Then he wants to kill them again.
He uses his flame powers constantly but then, suddenly (and only one time) he doesn't want to because witnesses might find out he is a supernatural being (the only witnesses being a biker gang in the middle of the desert that is about to spit roast his girlfriend).
Then he meets Jesus. But then maybe it wasn't Jesus.
He turns into Ghost Rider at night. suddenly that's thrown out the window and he only turns when he is in danger for some reason.
Also, around issue 20 he gets a really thick southern twang that he didn't have before.
Reading Marvel comics from the 70's makes me wonder if Marvel Comics was just a couple of guys making up stories in their garage. There is no consistency and no quality control.
In conclusion, I would recommend these early stories for Ghost Rider completionists only.
May 27, 2020
From Big Pun to blazing skulls! Man, this collection just proved that the '70s were a WILD time. F'rinstnace, where was the Comics Code Authority (CCA)? I mean, they wouldn't allow Amazing Spider-Man #s 96 to 98 about LSD in 1971 & here we were, a scant few years later with a motorcyclist who does a deal with the devil?!? With guest appearances by the Son of Satan?!?
I don't think that my 'rents would have objected, but as little kids, we just knew that these were for the older kids and adults. They rarely crossed over into the super-hero realm that we were truly into & so, we simply glossed over this (& so many other) title(s).
I am SO glad to be reading these books as an older adult! I really dig the snapshot of the time & although the protagonist often sounds like The Rawhide Kid, I knew a LOT of southwesterners who migrated to The Southland of greater L.A. & brought their way of speaking with them.
I am also fascinated by the biker lifestyle in my dotage. When these books were printed, biker "gangs" were often villains and even now, with "Sons of Anarchy" & "The Mayans", they remain a topic of interest. Blaze rode a chopper for many issues & later switched to a more upright bike.
What a wild ride! I could only give it three (3) stars where I might have gone 3.5 or 3.75, given the option.
I don't think that my 'rents would have objected, but as little kids, we just knew that these were for the older kids and adults. They rarely crossed over into the super-hero realm that we were truly into & so, we simply glossed over this (& so many other) title(s).
I am SO glad to be reading these books as an older adult! I really dig the snapshot of the time & although the protagonist often sounds like The Rawhide Kid, I knew a LOT of southwesterners who migrated to The Southland of greater L.A. & brought their way of speaking with them.
I am also fascinated by the biker lifestyle in my dotage. When these books were printed, biker "gangs" were often villains and even now, with "Sons of Anarchy" & "The Mayans", they remain a topic of interest. Blaze rode a chopper for many issues & later switched to a more upright bike.
What a wild ride! I could only give it three (3) stars where I might have gone 3.5 or 3.75, given the option.
May 26, 2021
When I was a kid in the 70s, I bought the first Ghost Rider and loved it.
It has not stood up.
To me, the most interesting facet of this collection of the early Ghost Rider comics (predominantly from Marvel Spotlight and Ghost Rider's own title) is that the creative team (writer, artist, inker) never lasted more than three issues in a row. And if we factor in letterer, I'm pretty sure never more than two.
No wonder the books have no spark. The storytelling is tired (often stupid), the villains are laughable (honestly, when Ghost Rider faces "his greatest adversaries" in one issue, I guffawed at the D-List of villains. And I thought Dare-Devil faced a weak set of villains in his first years! Stilt-Man!), the art is pathetic (had none of these artists ever seen a skull?!) and the pacing is pathetic.
The only issue remotely worth revisiting was the one penned by Steve Gerber and drawn by Sal Buscema. And "worth" is doing a lot of heavy lifting here.
It has not stood up.
To me, the most interesting facet of this collection of the early Ghost Rider comics (predominantly from Marvel Spotlight and Ghost Rider's own title) is that the creative team (writer, artist, inker) never lasted more than three issues in a row. And if we factor in letterer, I'm pretty sure never more than two.
No wonder the books have no spark. The storytelling is tired (often stupid), the villains are laughable (honestly, when Ghost Rider faces "his greatest adversaries" in one issue, I guffawed at the D-List of villains. And I thought Dare-Devil faced a weak set of villains in his first years! Stilt-Man!), the art is pathetic (had none of these artists ever seen a skull?!) and the pacing is pathetic.
The only issue remotely worth revisiting was the one penned by Steve Gerber and drawn by Sal Buscema. And "worth" is doing a lot of heavy lifting here.
October 16, 2024
I’ve been going through my comic book collection lately deciding what to keep and what to put into the yard sale pile, and while the later Ghost Rider is definitely for the yard sale, the early stuff was interesting. It was still very much about Hell and Salvation. Unfortunately, my coverage of those early issues was very spotty, and they are very expensive today.
Then I ran across this collection of not just all of the early issues, but the initial Marvel Spotlight run and a Daredevil crossover. I’ve generally avoided the Essential… collections because they’re black and white instead of the original color. But it occurred to me that if any comic were to be better in black and white than in color, it would be these dark examinations of comic book morality.
And it really is. Black and white is far more suitable than the four-color—or whatever technology they were using in the seventies—that they went with. Johnny Blaze’s skeletal form looks a lot more hellish, and the hellspawn he fights more menacing.
And the deaths a lot more real. Because people die left and right in these early issues. Roulette’s Las Vegas fire alone probably killed hundreds of people. This is a world where Satan is everywhere. Linda Littletree, the Witch-Woman; Dude Jensen, Roulette. Daimon Hellstrom, Satan’s own son! Fights were to the death and people died in them, with no hope of salvation.
But, while I wouldn’t be surprised if they retconned it later, Heaven’s numbers may be fewer but Heaven does walk the earth, too, to provide spiritual help to those in most dire need of it.
There are touches of biblicality as well, such as a demon called Legion.
There are other call-outs, to early comic book creators. In issue 14, A Specter Stalks the Soundstage!, one of Johnny Blaze’s coworkers introduces him to “Richard! Wendy!”. And while both of those are common names, in conjunction it sure sounded like Tony Isabella was introducing the creators of Elfquest. Unlike the biblical references throughout the book, he explains this reference in the very next panel: “Their names are Richard and Wendy Pini.”
The collection ends very nicely as well. It’s not a complete wrap-up, nor would you expect one in a book like this, but it is a reasonable conclusion.
After the final issue (20), it also includes a Who’s Who-like entry for Johnny Blaze and Daimon Hellstrom.
Then I ran across this collection of not just all of the early issues, but the initial Marvel Spotlight run and a Daredevil crossover. I’ve generally avoided the Essential… collections because they’re black and white instead of the original color. But it occurred to me that if any comic were to be better in black and white than in color, it would be these dark examinations of comic book morality.
And it really is. Black and white is far more suitable than the four-color—or whatever technology they were using in the seventies—that they went with. Johnny Blaze’s skeletal form looks a lot more hellish, and the hellspawn he fights more menacing.
And the deaths a lot more real. Because people die left and right in these early issues. Roulette’s Las Vegas fire alone probably killed hundreds of people. This is a world where Satan is everywhere. Linda Littletree, the Witch-Woman; Dude Jensen, Roulette. Daimon Hellstrom, Satan’s own son! Fights were to the death and people died in them, with no hope of salvation.
But, while I wouldn’t be surprised if they retconned it later, Heaven’s numbers may be fewer but Heaven does walk the earth, too, to provide spiritual help to those in most dire need of it.
There are touches of biblicality as well, such as a demon called Legion.
There are other call-outs, to early comic book creators. In issue 14, A Specter Stalks the Soundstage!, one of Johnny Blaze’s coworkers introduces him to “Richard! Wendy!”. And while both of those are common names, in conjunction it sure sounded like Tony Isabella was introducing the creators of Elfquest. Unlike the biblical references throughout the book, he explains this reference in the very next panel: “Their names are Richard and Wendy Pini.”
The collection ends very nicely as well. It’s not a complete wrap-up, nor would you expect one in a book like this, but it is a reasonable conclusion.
After the final issue (20), it also includes a Who’s Who-like entry for Johnny Blaze and Daimon Hellstrom.
“Aye, Johnny Blaze. You are not the only mortal touched by Hell’s power.”
May 30, 2025
Overall, not bad.
It was the 70s and still relatively early in the comic book timeline. The writing lost a star here. Often very cheesy or unbelievable, the dialogue was sometimes over-the-top.
The art was pretty good, but you could really tell the limited colours of the old style presses.
But I'm going to continue. The mythology of Ghost Rider was always of interest to me. I hope it gets better than the old 'deal with Satan' trope.
It was the 70s and still relatively early in the comic book timeline. The writing lost a star here. Often very cheesy or unbelievable, the dialogue was sometimes over-the-top.
The art was pretty good, but you could really tell the limited colours of the old style presses.
But I'm going to continue. The mythology of Ghost Rider was always of interest to me. I hope it gets better than the old 'deal with Satan' trope.
June 23, 2021
Typical 1970s Marvel B-list fare with stories ranging from the hokey to the ho-hum. The stories improve from the Zodiac stories onwards but they still suffer from trying to force too many subplots into too little space leading to too many holes and loose ends.
January 9, 2019
Near the end it gets a bit too confusing for my taste, but I loved it when Jesus appeared on these comics.
February 26, 2023
I am determined to be a Ghost Rider expert but boy this character starts slow. They really gloss over the whole "the main character worshipped Satan" thing pretty quick.
October 29, 2014
I hadn’t read any Ghost Rider before I picked up this collection but he always seemed like an interesting character. I like supernatural stories and I like superheroes, so this seems like a natural fit. I’m sorry to say this wasn’t the case for this book, as I found it to be rather boring and uninteresting. There just wasn’t anything in particular that grabbed my attention, and many of the early stories seem to be telling the same story over and over again. I really try my best not to skip parts when I’m reading a book but I must admit that I did skip around in this book quite a bit.
My biggest problem with the book is the writing. It just isn’t very good. The narration reads horribly. It feels to me like someone was trying to imitate Chris Claremont, but they did a very poor job. There is no spark to the words; it’s just this empty black hole that takes shape in the form of words.
Many of the things in the book I didn’t care for either. Johnny Blaze is a famous stunt person and many people know who he is. When nightfall comes and he turns into Ghost Rider he is still wearing his stuntman uniform so everyone knows that Ghost Rider is really him. Everyone thinks that’s part of the act of course, but then Johnny starts throwing fireballs around and no one thinks that strange? If that was to happen now everyone would catch it on film with their phone and it would be all over the internet. There was no internet, or cell phones, when this story was written, but come on! People have always been desperate to end up on TV and would tell that story to a news crew in a second! There are times though when Johnny is worried about using his flame powers because he doesn’t want people to know he made a deal with the devil. Forgetting the obvious fact that people wouldn’t immediately jump to the idea that having flame powers means you’re in bed with the devil (Everyone knows about the Human Torch and nobody’s ever accused him of being a Satanist) why would that even matter when a bunch of people have seen you use it in the previous issue? It just jumps around like that through the whole book and after a while you’re not really sure what is going on at all.
The one saving grace for this book is the artist Frank Robbins, who I had not heard about until I saw his work in this collection. This guy’s stuff is amazing! I’ve seen stories where they talk about how Marvel was trying to make everyone draw like Jack Kirby, and this guy must have really taken that to heart. It’s just powerful figures and bold lines: Really cool and really interesting. The only reason I would consider getting another Essential Ghost Rider would be if this guy’s art was in it, but I would just look at the pictures and not read a single word.
My biggest problem with the book is the writing. It just isn’t very good. The narration reads horribly. It feels to me like someone was trying to imitate Chris Claremont, but they did a very poor job. There is no spark to the words; it’s just this empty black hole that takes shape in the form of words.
Many of the things in the book I didn’t care for either. Johnny Blaze is a famous stunt person and many people know who he is. When nightfall comes and he turns into Ghost Rider he is still wearing his stuntman uniform so everyone knows that Ghost Rider is really him. Everyone thinks that’s part of the act of course, but then Johnny starts throwing fireballs around and no one thinks that strange? If that was to happen now everyone would catch it on film with their phone and it would be all over the internet. There was no internet, or cell phones, when this story was written, but come on! People have always been desperate to end up on TV and would tell that story to a news crew in a second! There are times though when Johnny is worried about using his flame powers because he doesn’t want people to know he made a deal with the devil. Forgetting the obvious fact that people wouldn’t immediately jump to the idea that having flame powers means you’re in bed with the devil (Everyone knows about the Human Torch and nobody’s ever accused him of being a Satanist) why would that even matter when a bunch of people have seen you use it in the previous issue? It just jumps around like that through the whole book and after a while you’re not really sure what is going on at all.
The one saving grace for this book is the artist Frank Robbins, who I had not heard about until I saw his work in this collection. This guy’s stuff is amazing! I’ve seen stories where they talk about how Marvel was trying to make everyone draw like Jack Kirby, and this guy must have really taken that to heart. It’s just powerful figures and bold lines: Really cool and really interesting. The only reason I would consider getting another Essential Ghost Rider would be if this guy’s art was in it, but I would just look at the pictures and not read a single word.
February 26, 2017
It's amazing, from these comics, to consider how popular Ghost Rider became, because these comics are not great. The art is horribly uneven, although the writing does improve once Tony Isabella comes on board.
June 21, 2009
Reprints Marvel Spotlight #5-12, Ghost Rider #1-20, and Daredevil #138. Johnny Blaze sells his soul to Satan to save his step-father but becomes Ghost Rider when the transaction is left incomplete. Ghost Rider is typical 1970s Marvel Comics. It isn't bad, it isn't good. It is bloated and pretty self-righteous at points (Jesus actually shows up to show Johnny the errors of his ways...maybe). Marvel had an interesting idea for a character that built off the gimicks of Evel Knieval but beyond having a possessed motorcyclist, they didn't seem to have much of an idea of what to do.
October 20, 2017
When he was created and drawn by Mike Ploog, the Ghost Rider was atmospheric, spooky. When he was drawn by everyone else in this collection that flaming skull just looks dumb. Given the number of writers in this book (Six) and the way the artists struggled with the concept, with the exception of Frank Robbins and Johne Byrne, it is amazing that the character lasted like he did.
November 28, 2016
I was underwhelmed. The writing is really uneven. The art also leaves some to be desired but that could be because there isn't color, always a risk with these Essential titles.
It started to pick up at the end. So I might pick up the next volume in a bit but I'm definitely taking a break first.
It started to pick up at the end. So I might pick up the next volume in a bit but I'm definitely taking a break first.
December 30, 2013
One of the weirder titles from my childhood but great morality throughout. Fun read.
February 15, 2016
Very nice 1970s Horror/supernatural comic. Great main character. Recommended
October 5, 2016
Great concept that is poorly executed. But it's nice to read these old comics, I enjoyed them very much.
July 23, 2024
I adore Tony Isabella's work across the street on Black Lightning & Hawkman, but man, his Ghost Rider run might be the single worst Marvel run of all time.
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