Ghost Rider #4 (August 1990)

J-Max was challenged to review 30 issues of Ghost Rider in (roughly) 30 days. Should J-Max succeed he shall earn his freedom (probably not). However should he fail in this task then he shall be subjected to an attack by Bees... DEADLY BEES.

So let's join him for his review of Ghost Rider #4

Featuring MR HYDE!

Credits: Howard Mackie (writer), Javier Saltares (artist), Gregory Wright (colourist), Mark Texeira (inker) 

Overview: Ghost Rider has his first dealing with the extended universe in this issue as he battles a cowardly, power mad, C grade Marvel villain: Hyde. At the same time, Dan decided to dispose of the bike and the dangers it possesses for him and his family.


Review: In many ways reviewing monthly comic books is like reviewing a canvas: the world and its characters are being painted before your eyes at a pace that is very gradually revealing. It is impossible to skip ahead, especially if your fellow blogger has locked away all your comics stubbornly refusing to release them until a day in advance. Most of the time, you find yourself relying on faith that sketchy, brushed over details will finally have more layers added. Thankfully, faith is not something Dan Ketch has in abundance.

The last issue had Dan running to the Graveyard stating he was going to do something only to not do anything at all when the power within the motorcycle was dormant until a boy had died. Realising how little control he has over the power, how it gives him amnesia when he is in the form and how the violence the being deals out is often excessive, he comes to a firm decision: with the villains and canisters out of the picture, he wants no further part in the dangers the bike brings into his life even if, somewhere deep within him, he feels excited by it.

In an undisclosed part of New York, we see an incident in a bar where a C grade Captain America/Hulk villain - Dr Zabo - is being humiliated as he tries to procure sex from a woman - perhaps a prostitute. He is shown in a very poor light, bragging about himself and what he can offer her, only to be attacked first; by her and then; a biker gang leader who physically throws him from the premise. He picks himself up, sulks that if it wasn’t for his head injury he would have won, sneaks back inside, and bottles the gang leader before fleeing the scene.

Eventually, all the character are lead into confronting each other. Dan is trying to dispose of the bike by sealing it in the basement locker of a friend’s showroom, insisting he is after top security. This showroom is then attacked by the biker gang when Zabo secretly breaks in to hide amongst the stored bikes. Dan’s friend is knocked unconscious when he defends his business and Dan, in typical fashion, is too scared to help before he is embarrassingly pushed and sealed within a locker alongside his unconscious friend. Naturally, in order to do anything about the current situation and save his friend, he needs to take a leap of faith and use the bike.

What makes this issue interesting is the contrast between Zabo and Dan. Both are weak characters yearning for a hidden power to solve their problems as they lack the ability or conviction to deal with them in any other way. However, this is where the similarities end. Zabo is a megalomaniacal coward who uses his powers to fuel his own ego; creating chaos and destruction. Where Dan, of course, wants to defend those around him who he couldn’t defend otherwise. The issue has both characters seeking their power back resulting with Dan fully coming to terms with what he now is. 

The extended universe is introduced fantastically here; it really serves as fuel for the story and the characters within it rather than feeling contrived in anyway. The effects of the last arc are also made tangible. In the beginning, the rider stops a racially motivated attack only for the thugs to state rather comically, "Oh no, not him!” Ghost rider has become an urban legend thanks to the numerous news reports dished out by none other than The Daily Bugle among others. However, most of the headlines seem to be painting the creature in a positive light. Perhaps Jameson feels a sense of affinity with the riders brutal, take no prisoners attitude.

In the same scene, we are given a criminals perspective of what it is like to be hunted by Ghost Rider. He picks off a gang of three, one at a time, driving them screaming into the darkness before appearing again, following a silent pause; full speed and inches away, the thug nowhere to be seen. When the last man remains, the monster stands towering above him on a cargo box like the visage of death and says, “It’s time for you to join your friends.” When this book's writing is as good as the artwork, as it is in this issue, I almost feel sorry for these criminals.

This is easily the best issue so far and I really like this new proactive protagonist. Here’s hoping the upswing continues and that Captain America and The Hulk aren’t going to show up in these gritty alleyways anytime soon.

Quote of the issue: Thug: "Get away! Leave me alone! I didn’t do nothing!"
Ghost Rider: "Then you have nothing to worry about!"

The way we were: The comic ends with an ad for Arachnophobia the movie "eight legs, two fangs and an attitude." 

Editor Note: Hey Guys hope you're enjoyed J-Max's review, Why not drop him an encouraging message below (he REALLY doesn't like bees), Please check out the rest of the reviews HERE or if you're feeling brave why not join in his adventure HERE. 

Ghost Rider #3 (July 1990)

J-Max was challenged to review 30 issues of Ghost Rider in (roughly) 30 days. Should J-Max succeed he shall earn his freedom (probably not). However should he fail in this task then he shall be subjected to an attack by Bees... DEADLY BEES.

So let's join him for his review of Ghost Rider #3


Featuring BLACKOUT, DEATH WATCH AND KINGPIN

Credits: Howard Mackie (writer), Javier Saltares (artist), Gregory Wright (colourist), Mark Texeira (inker) 

Overview: The search for the missing briefcase concludes. 



Review: This issue begins with a rhetorical question, “Where could anyone be safer than within the secured walls of a police station?” Leading me to believe that last issues Terminator poster may have foreshadowed more than just a home invasion scene.

We find our briefcase thief interrogated by police officers. It seems its contents have been removed, placed in different areas, and promptly forgotten about. Two of the capsules have already been recovered from the cemetery. Yep. The cemetery. Come on!? Who in their right mind steals a briefcase from a gang of ninjas who, moments ago, murdered a courier owned by a crime syndicate; finds out what they had stolen was mysterious canisters then, rather than leave it and run, decides to scatter its content at random locations of the crime scene? Gee, that won’t make the villains angry...you think? So, Deathwatch does the obvious. Shows up, kills the police, and begins executing the girl’s friends until she brings all the canisters back. And rightly so!

Following this startling suprise, it turns out the stolen canisters are biological agents. They contain a gas which results in a "slow and torturous death" its toxins devouring both "mind and body." Deathwatch wants to unleash it for two reasons. The first; he is being paid to do so by an unknown organization. The second; for its damaging effects on the area because quote, "for one with my sensitivity to death that will be ecstasy." In a very small space of time, Mackie has managed to craft two undeniably twisted freaks for villains. They are the best elements of the comic so far, I love to hate them, and I cannot wait for Ghost Rider to show up and penant stare the pair of them.

Unfortunately, Dan's powers only seem to work when innocent blood is spilled. So, we have to wait until at least one of the children HAS been executed before he can intervene. This is easily his biggest flaw. Ghost Rider is a redeemer. An elemental force rather than a hero; only summoned in times of tragedy. To resolve the situation, The Kingpin's army intervenes led by a butler. He and Deathwatch aim to prevent a firefight by engaging in perhaps the craziest defusion sequence I have ever read. Namely, being overly polite to each other with titles such as "Sir" and "Gentleman" whilst backing away slowly. Blackout, having none of this, slashes the butler's throat and makes a run for it with the capsules. This scene should be funny. However, given it’s following up a scene where a young offender had just been murdered it comes across as badly judged and insincere at best.

Just like last issue, Ghost Rider turns up at and has a violent confrontation with Blackout, this time ending with the villain being scarred, when he attempts to sink his fangs into Ghost Riders neck, and the capsules being permanently sealed. Before Blackout fleas, he swears vengeance and there is a poignant moment between the two which seemingly goes unnoticed. Both Ghost Rider and Blackout are killers, both of them are forces of nature compelled by urges to commit horrific actions and both of them are pawns of a tyrant. Afterall, the one who inadvertently profits from all of this is The Kingpin. We also find out that Blackout isn't a real vampire, but uses mechanical fangs. Perhaps he simply took the moniker due to his bloodlust and out of some sense of irony for his own weakness to sunlight? I have no idea. The comic hasn't told me yet.

For all its faults, this issue at least competently wraps up a story arc. However, character writing definitely seems to be an issue with this series. The villains are far more interesting than the hero himself and Dan is just unlikeable. He really needs to take a more active role than saying “I won’t sit by and watch more people get killed.” Before doing exactly that from a bush waiting to transform into The Ghost Rider.   

Week 1 Summary: The art is fantastic, the vilains dislikable, the story has good surface level philosophical areas that I hope are developed further later. I love to hate the villains BUT I wish they were fleshed out more. The book ultimatly ends up being about violence for violences sake which can only be resolved by further violence.

Quote of the issue: “Do what? Are you mad?" - Blackout ponders Deathwatch's plan to retreat

The way we were: A full page teaser advert for the movie Dick Tracy.


Editor Note: Hey Guys hope you're enjoyed J-Max's review, Why not drop him an encouraging message below (he REALLY doesn't like bees), Please check out the rest of the reviews HERE or if you're feeling brave why not join in his adventure HERE.