writer: Gary Friedrich
drawn by: Mike Ploog & Jim Mooney
letterer: Shelly Leferman
editor: Roy Thomas
on stands: February 1973
In this day and age of instant gratification, it's hard to imagine waiting patiently for two months to see the continuation of a comic book storyline. And because of this, it's understandable why so much space is wasted repeating information and recapping. We see less of this in modern comics because the market has changed. Comic books are dedicated monthlies usually from the get-go, and the publishers understand that they are catering to a fanbase that is willing to jump into a storyline and/or find the necessary back issues (which is a lot easier today than it ever was before). So a lot of what goes on in these early Ghost Rider issues is forgivable on that level. Doesn't make it any less corny, of course, but it helps to read it with consideration for the audience and the pace of its day.
And this is also my way of excusing my long absence. If you've been following along, now you too know what it's like to wait two months to find out what happens next!
When last we saw our intrepid hero, a panty-clad Crash Simpson was facing off against him while Roxanne in her sacrificial get up was screaming the obligatory "Noooooo!" Johnny has quite the dilemma here since, after all, Crash raised him like a son (though fatherhood for Crash seems of little value since he's willing to kill his own daughter, but I digress). When they hesitate to kill one another (Crash being magically enchanted), Satan transports them "to the very pit of HELL!" (in big letters) so that the two can fight without all the distracting screaming and carrying on.
Ghost Rider then disarms Crash with an awkward-looking punch, and Satan conjures a giant purple monster. Ghost Rider convinces Crash this whole thing is bogus and the two flee (where they think they are going is anybody's guess since they are in hell, after all).
Ultimately, Crash sacrifices himself while slaying the big drooling dragon demon, and Ghost Rider carries him to an altar where a mysterious robed figure tells him that Crash will receive his eternal reward and Johnny must return to the world of mortals. And Johnny, being the dunce cake that he is, buys this line and goes along his merry way. Johnny wakes to find Roxanne at his side. Conveniently she has amnesia. Even more conveniently, she reminds him that they have to leave for Arizona so that he can jump the Copperhead Canyon.
And off they go, quickly dispensing with this very dispensable storyline.
But just you wait ~ there's more! (to be continued....)
drawn by: Mike Ploog & Jim Mooney
letterer: Shelly Leferman
editor: Roy Thomas
on stands: February 1973
In this day and age of instant gratification, it's hard to imagine waiting patiently for two months to see the continuation of a comic book storyline. And because of this, it's understandable why so much space is wasted repeating information and recapping. We see less of this in modern comics because the market has changed. Comic books are dedicated monthlies usually from the get-go, and the publishers understand that they are catering to a fanbase that is willing to jump into a storyline and/or find the necessary back issues (which is a lot easier today than it ever was before). So a lot of what goes on in these early Ghost Rider issues is forgivable on that level. Doesn't make it any less corny, of course, but it helps to read it with consideration for the audience and the pace of its day.
And this is also my way of excusing my long absence. If you've been following along, now you too know what it's like to wait two months to find out what happens next!
When last we saw our intrepid hero, a panty-clad Crash Simpson was facing off against him while Roxanne in her sacrificial get up was screaming the obligatory "Noooooo!" Johnny has quite the dilemma here since, after all, Crash raised him like a son (though fatherhood for Crash seems of little value since he's willing to kill his own daughter, but I digress). When they hesitate to kill one another (Crash being magically enchanted), Satan transports them "to the very pit of HELL!" (in big letters) so that the two can fight without all the distracting screaming and carrying on.
Ghost Rider then disarms Crash with an awkward-looking punch, and Satan conjures a giant purple monster. Ghost Rider convinces Crash this whole thing is bogus and the two flee (where they think they are going is anybody's guess since they are in hell, after all).
Ultimately, Crash sacrifices himself while slaying the big drooling dragon demon, and Ghost Rider carries him to an altar where a mysterious robed figure tells him that Crash will receive his eternal reward and Johnny must return to the world of mortals. And Johnny, being the dunce cake that he is, buys this line and goes along his merry way. Johnny wakes to find Roxanne at his side. Conveniently she has amnesia. Even more conveniently, she reminds him that they have to leave for Arizona so that he can jump the Copperhead Canyon.
And off they go, quickly dispensing with this very dispensable storyline.
But just you wait ~ there's more! (to be continued....)