Essential Ghost Rider, Vol. 4

Essential Ghost Rider #4

by Michael Fleisher, Peter B. Gillis, Tom DeFalco

Despite his posession by the demon Zarathos, Johnny Blaze seems to have found a home among the performers of a traveling carnival--but his adventures don't stop there! Get a ringside seat as the Spirit of Vengeance battles ghosts, misshapen freaks and his deadliest villains yet--including the Circus of Crime, Null the Living Darkness, Centurious, Nightmare, Steel Wind and Mephisto! See Johnny and Zarathos separated; learn the truth behind Ghost Rider's origins; and witness the return of Roxanne Simpson, and the closest Johnny has ever come to a happy ending! Guest-starring the Son of Satan and the Defenders! COLLECTING:
Ghost Rider (1973) #66-81, Amazing Spider-Man (1962) #274, New Defenders (1972) #145-146

Genres: Comics, Fantasy, Superheroes

432 pages, Paperback

First published March 10, 1986

About the author

Michael Lawrence Fleisher's comic-book writing career spanned two decades in which he authored approximately 700 stories for DC, Marvel, and other comics publishers. His work on series such as The Spectre and Jonah Hex is still highly regarded, as is his work on the Encyclopedia of Comic Book Heroes. After a widely reported libel case his comic output declined, with his last published comic assignment appearing in the UK anthology 2000AD in 1995.

Reviews

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very annoying that my reviews have been merged without me knowing nor the original issues listed.

Ghost Rider V2 #76
Mephisto loves his deals (🕷️👩‍❤️‍👨😈💔👵👍) This time he makes a bet with Asmodeus and it involves (of course) Johnny Blaze and Zarathos aka Ghost Rider! There is a marathon of sorts that forces the demon and mortal to work together to reach the end. The silly part about all of this is that the two beings don’t even learn to hate each other a little less. And that brings their downfall...or at least the continuation of their shared existence.


??
The retelling of Johnny Blaze’s origin story! I liked how they bookmarked the recap, it felt different to other origin updates.


Ghost Rider V2 #77
The origins of Zarathos revealed! Kind of a mediocre origin compared to others Marvel has created. It was also surrounded by a story that involved plots from earlier issues that I didn’t read. I mostly skimmed those parts. I did like the inclusion of Nightmare and am interested to see where that goes.


Ghost Rider V2 #78
Actual rating 3.5 stars.
I was excited to see more of Nightmare’s abilities and what he could really do. However, I think in this ish it was slightly lacking in that aspect. I will say that it did really well in dredging up all the people Johnny would be feeling guilty about. Ghost Rider has never really been my favourite series to read but I’m hoping that with the end of this story, things could change for the better.


Ghost Rider V2 #80
Actual rating 3.25 stars
Roxanne is back and needs Johnny’s help. Little do they know that was all part of Centurious’ plan! I really liked the fact that they tied Centurious with Zarathos’ origins (I had wondered what happened to the prince). I also really liked how Roxanne was shown to be fierce and took no crap from Johnny.


Ghost Rider V2 #81
The last issue of the second volume of Ghost Rider BUT the first series to feature Johnny Blaze (you're welcome for the history lesson 😁).
The story was just alright. It wasn't too over the top or really exciting. I suppose Centurious’ plan was a sound one. Something I didn’t like was the fact that Zarathos was so weak he couldn’t even stand but then suddenly he had enough strength to change everything? Also how did Centurious get sucked into the Crystal of Souls when he doesn’t have a soul?
I do like this happy ending but for me, it’s bittersweet because I know that Johnny’s happiness/freedom doesn’t last.

[Joe Kucharski · Rating 4 out of 5]

J.M. DeMatteis and Bob Budiansky close out Johnny Blaze's initial tenure as the Rider with some cool, clever stories and beautiful art. These two creators elevated the Ghost Rider title from the "villain of the month" format that it had sluggishly become and ended the run with originality and style.

This is Bronze Age Marvel greatness.

[Pedro Espada · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesantes historias que enriquecen los poderes y motivaciones de Johnny,muy parecido al tormento de Bruce Banner con Hulk,en el contexto de las típicas ferias ambulantes de la América profunda de los 70. Broche de oro a la batalla entre Zarathos y Johnny Blaze fundamental para enriquecer la mitología del Motorista fantasma.

[Jdetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

J.M. DeMatteis and Roger Stern arrive at the end of the run to make the book better than it ever had been, right before it gets cancelled. It's still better than the title probably deserved.

[Jon Snow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really, most of this was great; I think they really developed who the Ghost Rider was and gave him more of a character. As always when it comes to super hero comics, there were a few stupid issues, but overall it was pretty good.

[Little Timmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very nice 1970s Horror/supernatural comic. Great main character. Recommended