All-New Ghost Rider (2014) # 5

"Engines of Vengeance, Part 5"

Cover Date: September 2014; On Sale Date: July 2014

Writer: Felipe Smith; Artist: Tradd Moore; Letterer: VC's Joe Caramagna; Colorist: Val Staples; Editor: Mark Paniccia; Editor In Chief: Axel Alonso; Cover Artist: Tradd Moore

After taking his brother Gabe out for ice cream, Robbie Reyes is driving home and talking in his head with the spirit of Eli Morrow, who is attempting to convince Robbie to burn down all of the criminals and gangsters in his neighborhood. Robbie gets a phone call from the auto shop where he works and is asked to come in and work the next night. Robbie agrees and calls a friend to babysit Gabe, then when witnessing a fist-fight outside starts to agree with Eli's message of vengeance. Elsewhere in Hillrock Heights, the mutated gang leader Grumpy is murdered by Mr. Hyde, who tells his men that they will be executing the rest of Grumpy's gang at their other hideout the next day as a message to all other gangs in the area.

The next day, Guermo Valdez and his friends are being watched by the remnants of Grumpy's gang, who know that it was Guermo who sold them out to Zabo/Hyde. When the gangsters confront Guermo in the street, they are interrupted by Zabo's mercenary army, and a gunfight breaks out in the middle of the neighborhood. At Canelo's Auto and Body Shop, Robbie hears the news that a gang shootout is happening near his house, and realizes that Gabe's babysitter lives near there as well. The school bus from the development center, in which Gabe is riding, unknowingly drives straight into the massive firefight, causing the bus to crash onto its side. While Robbie races to the scene, Guermo's friends work to help the injured handicapped children off the bus. Guermo reluctantly helps rescue Gabe, but is attacked by the leader of Zabo's mercenaries. Gabe moves in front of Guermo to save him, but before the soldier can open fire Robbie arrives as the Ghost Rider and kills the merc with his chains. Robbie places Gabe in the trunk of his car, which transports him back to the Auto Shop for safe keeping.

Robbie watches the violence and destruction going on around him and hears both the voice of his teacher telling him to be a positive force and the voice of Eli telling him to burn everything down. The mercenaries attack Robbie, who manages to take them out easily. Then, from a helicopter overhead, Mr. Hyde jumps down and enters the fight. He thinks he recognizes Robbie, wondering why he's driving a car now, but after he quickly gets the upper hand Hyde comments that whoever he is, Robbie is “not the Ghost Rider”. Neither Robbie nor Eli know what Hyde is talking about, and before Hyde can kill him Robbie uses his car as a weapon to knock the villain off balance. Afraid of losing, Hyde takes a handful of the pink pills and shoves them in his mouth, mutating further into a monster. Zabo and Hyde fight for dominance as the mutation transforms them, with Zabo stating that Hyde has caused them to overdose. Hyde turns back into a helpless Zabo, and Robbie leaves as the police arrive at the scene.

At their hideout later, Guermo and his gang talk about how awesome the Ghost Rider was during the fight, and suddenly the Rider is standing in the room with them. Robbie sees Gabe's stolen wheelchair in the corner, beats up the gang, and takes the wheelchair back before driving away.

All-New Ghost Rider (2014) # 4

"Engines of Vengeance, Part 4"

Cover Date: August 2014; On Sale Date: June 2014

Writer: Felipe Smith; Artist: Tradd Moore; Letterer: VC's Joe Caramagna; Colorist: Val Staples; Editor: Mark Paniccia; Editor In Chief: Axel Alonso; Cover Artist: Tradd Moore

At his home, Robbie Reyes shaves his head and discovers a series of scars, which Eli tells him is a sign that the two of them are becoming one. The night before, the Ghost Rider fought the gangster Grumpy, who had ingested Dr. Zabo's strength-enhancing pills. Grumpy was far stronger than the Rider, who managed to get an upper hand against the drug dealer by using his car as a weapon. However, Grumpy mutated, growing an extra set of arms, and beat Robbie into submission before leaving.

The next day, Dr. Zabo argues with his other self, Mr. Hyde, about how to fix the problem with his mutagenic drug. He realizes that the problem is in the chemical compound, and that he must change it to make the pills work correctly, changing their color from pink to blue. At school, Robbie and his rival, thug Guermo Valdez, are asked by their teacher to help with a community outreach program, which Valdez laughs about before leaving. Meanwhile, Grumpy confers with his gang about getting more of the pink pills, his mind and body severely changed by the drug.

Robbie takes his little brother, Gabe, out for ice cream in his new car, while Guermo and his friends are approached by Zabo and his men about the whereabouts of Grumpy. Zabo offers Guermo both cash and a chance for great power by helping him, which Valdez accepts. Robbie sees Guermo on the street talking with Zabo, and despite Eli telling him to seek vengeance on his rival, Robbie resists the urge and continues on his way with Gabe. While Grumpy continues to consume the drug, Zabo comments that until he finds his pills all of Hillrock Heights will burn.

Ghost Rider (2022) # 10

"American Nightmare"

Cover Date: January 2023; On Sale Date: November 2022

Writer: Benjamin Percy; Artist: Cory Smith and David Cutler; Inker: Oren Junior; Letterer: VC's Travis Lanham; Colorist: Bryan Valenza; Editor: Darren Shan; Editor in Chief: C.B. Cebulski; Cover Artist: Bjorn Barends

In the Chicago subway system, Ghost Rider uses a flaming chainsaw to destroy a group of demons that had been slaughtering innocent humans. Meanwhile, Blackheart's plan to demonically possess humans of influence in America continues. Blackheart is confronted atop Hell's Backbone by Zeb and the other two remaining members of the Night Magicians.

Back in Chicago, Ghost Rider finishes off the last demon and descends further into the subway, where he finds Exhaust and the corrupted Talia Warroad. Johnny Blaze regains control of his body and attempts to talk Talia out of her corruption, which she shakes off just in time to save Johnny from Exhaust. The two partner up and use their magic and hellfire in a final stand against Exhaust. At Hell's Backbone, Blackheart has defeated the Night Magicians and is preparing to kill Zeb when the Ghost Rider and Talia arrive on a new motorcycle made from the body of Exhaust. Ghost Rider opens up a portal to Hell above Hell's Backbone and floods the area with hellfire, sending Blackheart back to Hell. 

Later, at FBI Headquarters in Washington D.C., Talia walks away from her job when her boss, Director Crux, shuts down her division for lack of prosecutable evidence. Talia meets up with Johnny in a park and the two decide to continue hunting down the shadows released across the country by Blackheart. Director Crux makes a call to a Dr. Diyu of Infernal Labs, who is about to perform an experiment on their newest subject: Danny Ketch. 

Ghost Rider (1990) # 38

"Blood Obligations" 

Cover Date: June 1993; On Sale Date: April 1993 

Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Mike Manley; Letterer: Janice Chiang; Colorist: Gregory Wright; Editor: Bobbie Chase; Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Mike Manley 

A woman is chased into Cypress Hills Cemetery by two carjackers, where they run into the badly damaged Ghost Rider following his battle with the Firm. Ghost Rider gives the two men the Penance Stare and heals himself of his wounds at the grave of Barbara Ketch, asking why he is linked to her and the place of his rebirth. Meanwhile, the police and FBI investigate the destruction at the Firm’s hospital, which leads them to a sealed metal door. When they start to cut their way into the room with a blowtorch, the Scarecrow is revealed to be inside with a mysterious group of creatures held captive by the Firm. 

Back at the cemetery, Stacy Dolan walks to Barbara’s grave to leave flowers and finds Ghost Rider. She draws her weapon and attempts to place him under arrest while Ghost Rider talks intimately about her and other people in Dan Ketch’s life. She receives a call on her radio about the Scarecrow at the hospital, which Ghost Rider overhears. He tells her to pull the trigger if she must, but it will not stop him from going after Scarecrow. Back at the hospital, the creatures released from the sealed room swarm over the police officers, led by Scarecrow. Ghost Rider arrives and confronts Scarecrow, leading to a brutal fight between them. Stacy arrives and shoots Scarecrow in the back; when he collapses, he is dragged into the shadows by the other creatures, who disappear with him. A few minutes later, Captain Dolan arrives with more officers, and Stacy tells him that Ghost Rider left through the back of the building. After the officers give chase, Ghost Rider emerges from a closet and thanks Stacy for hiding him. She tells him if he does turn out to be a bad guy then she will find a way to destroy him.

Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 10

"Carnival of Death, Part 2: A Storm of Vengeance"

Cover Date: May 1993; On Sale Date: March 1993

Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Adam Kubert; Inker: Bill Reinhold; Letterer: Michael Heisler; Colorist: Gregory Wright; Editor: Bobbie Chase; Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Adam Kubert

Steel Wind and her demon horde continue the assault on the Quentin Carnival, while Vengeance watches from a nearby hillside. Steel Wind attacks Ghost Rider directly, prompting Vengeance to finally enter the fray, riding through and killing human and demon alike. Just as Steel Wind is preparing to give the Rider the death blow with her sword, Vengeance grabs her arm and rips it from her cyborg body, claiming that no one is going to kill the Ghost Rider but him.

Meanwhile, Blaze attempts to pull the Carnival people together so they can have a chance of winning. Kody refuses to fight, until the demons invade the tent and grab Clara. Outside, Vengeance attacks the Ghost Rider, while Steel Wind slithers away. She spies Eli, the Carnival's crippled mechanic, a few feet away, whom she then stabs in the back with her blades. Blaze sees this and in a furious rage blows the woman away with hellfire. Eli dies, but not before handing John an envelope. John and Miranda then attempt to find her son, Timmy, but instead see Kody, who has transformed into a savage, bestial creature that is killing the surrounding demons with ease. Miranda finds Timmy's jacket on the ground, and as she cries a green mystical energy begins to pulse from her eyes.

On the other side of the battlefield, Vengeance continues to beat down on Ghost Rider, claiming that the Rider caused some sort of pain against his family. Before Vengeance can kill the Rider, however, a blast of mystical energy erupts from Miranda, obliterating the demon horde and blasting both Steel Wind and Vengeance away. Meanwhile, watching from his lair, Steel Wind's master observes the events at the Carnival. The master is then revealed to be Centurious - the Soulless Man.

Not long after, Blaze and the surviving Carnival members attempt to pull themselves back together. Miranda's son, Timmy, has disappeared and Eli - along with dozens of others - is dead. Wolf comments that they beat the demons, but John fights back tears as he asks what they actually won. All they can do now is bury their dead, their friends and family, and wait and see what tomorrow brings.

Ghost Rider (1990) # 37

“Forward to the Shadows” 

Cover Date: May 1993; On Sale Date: March 1993 

Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Bret Blevins; Inker: Fred Fredericks; Letterer: Janice Chiang; Colorist: Gregory Wright; Editor: Bobbie Chase; Editor-in-Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Bret Blevins 

At midnight in Cypress Hills Cemetery, Ghost Rider stands, silently waiting. He is eventually discovered by Heart Attack, who has been searching the cemetery for him under orders from her employer. Ghost Rider viciously beats Heart Attack, stating that he will no longer wait to be attacked by her and her ilk. He asks her why the Firm wants him, and she answers that they want to make a weapon out of him, just like they did to her. Their fight is being watched by Stern at the Firm’s headquarters, ordering his men to close in and kill both Ghost Rider and Heart Attack. He’s contacted by a mysterious individual that demands Ghost Rider be brought to him alive. After they talk, Stern swears that he will find his “master” as soon as he disposes of Ghost Rider. 

Back at the cemetery, the Firm’s soldiers attack and Heart Attack realizes that it was Stern who killed her friends, not the Ghost Rider. In the skies above the battle, the X-Man known as Archangel arrives by chance and recognizes Ghost Rider as an ally. He swoops down and assists with the fight against the Firm and the duo eventually forces the soldiers to retreat. Ghost Rider and Archangel pursue the men to a hospital that is secretly the Firm’s base of operations. While Archangel takes out the snipers on the rooftop, Ghost Rider advances through gunfire through the front door. A badly damaged Ghost Rider eventually fights his way through the building to find Stern, who he gives the Penance Stare. Ghost Rider and Archangel depart while Heart Attack sneaks inside to gain her revenge on Stern, who is suffering from the effects of Ghost Rider’s power. The mysterious “master” appears on the screen again and reaches out with mystical energy, devouring the soul of Stern and all of the Firm’s fallen men. He reveals his identity as Centurious just as Heart Attack arrives, only to be sucked into the screen by Centurious’ power. All that remains of the Firm is dust and Centurious says that it is time for all to emerge from the shadows

Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 9

"Carnival of Death, Part 1"

Cover Date: April 1993; On Sale Date: February 1993

Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Adam Kubert; Inker: Bill Reinhold & Klaus Janson; Letterer: Michael Heisler; Colorist: Gregory Wright; Editor: Bobbie Chase; Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Adam Kubert

In an unknown location, Steel Vengeance is punished by her master while her sister watches patiently. The sisters' master blames the woman for the failure at the Quentin Carnival, despite Mephisto's interference, so as an example he kills Steel Vengeance. He then instructs Steel Wind to return to the Carnival, granting her an eyeball amulet that controls the demons of Styge. He also gives the captured Deathwatch, Hag, and Troll over to another of his minions, Carver, to make some use of.

Blaze and Ghost Rider make their way back to the Carnival ruins, only to find Wolf and the other survivors brandishing guns for protection against the demons that Steel Wind left behind. Clara tells John that Miranda's son, Timmy, is alone out in the woods, prompting Blaze and Ghost Rider to search for him. Before they leave, the cripple mechanic Eli tells John that he has something to give him when he gets back.

Meanwhile, two men have a mysterious meeting. The first man, brandishing a gun, asks about the other man's offer, saying he'd give anything for "him". The other man says that it sounds as if he'd sell his soul for a chance at Ghost Rider, to which the first man agrees. The second man then reveals himself to be Mephisto, who takes the first man's soul and transforms him into a horrific creature. Creating for him a mystical motorcycle infused with the blood of the innocent, Mephisto remarks "As Ghost Rider is so fond of saying 'Vengeance will be ours." and so you are named...VENGEANCE!" This new player will be Mephisto's right arm in the upcoming events, and that his desire for vengeance against Ghost Rider will be all-consuming.

Back in Dover, Timmy walks through the deserted snow-covered streets, unaware that he's being stalked by the cannibal demons of Styge. In the woods on the outskirts of town, Steel Wind implements the eyeball amulet on the Stygian demons, doubling their number. They are to slaughter everyone but Blaze and Ghost Rider, who are to be left for her. In the city, a few of the demons have surrounded Timmy, but the boy is rescued by Blaze and the Ghost Rider. After a brief fight, the demons run away, escaping to attack the Carnival. At the Carnival ruins, Clara begins to have another vision of death, prompting Wolf and the other remaining survivors to run out and meet the demons head-on. Blaze and Ghost Rider return to find the Carnival overrun by the demons and Steel Wind, the people being slaughtered. As the two heroes race down to join the battle, another watches them from a nearby hilltop. Vengeance has arrived, and he declares himself to be the Ghost Rider's death.

Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 8

"Devil Dance"

Cover Date: March 1993; On Sale Date: January 1993

Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Adam Kubert; Inker: Bill Reinhold; Letterer: Michael Heisler; Colorist: Gregory Wright; Editor: Bobbie Chase; Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Adam Kubert

Ghost Rider and John Blaze are transported to a desert wasteland by Mephisto, who seeks to test them against his own agents.  He refers to an upcoming "war of souls" that is building, where forces will attempt to usurp his power, which he will have none of.  Mephisto disappears, and Blaze and Ghost Rider are left to wait for their motorcycles to come pick them up.  Before that can happen, they are attacked by two of Mephisto's demons, the Soulless Ones.  The two demons quickly get the upper hand against the Spirits of Vengeance, nearly killing Blaze in the process.  After a brief battle, the demons are destroyed, and Mephisto reappears.  He directs them to seek out the Soul Crystal, where they will find answers to their questions, and then he disappears.  Later, in Hell, Mephisto tells the Soulless Ones that while he cannot kill the Spirits of Vengeance he can only hope to steal their souls.  However, there is another mortal that will sell their soul to him willingly. 

"The Great Hunt, Part 2"

Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Joe Kubert; Letterer: Bill Oakley; Colorist: Gregory Wright; Editor: Bobbie Chase; Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco

Ghost Rider is dragged into the basement tunnels beneath the Natural History Museum by the Feeders, monsters who have emerged to hunt and eat humans.  Ghost Rider is taken before the oldest Feeder, who explains that they are a race that has lived hidden for centuries and adhere to their racial need to feast on human flesh.  Ghost Rider breaks free and imprisons the Feeders with his chain, all save the leader who he defeats in combat.  The eldest Feeder mocks the Ghost Rider's inability to kill, transforming into a human-like form and saying that his race are an offshoot of humanity.  Ghost Rider instead gives him the Penance Stare, then escorts the kidnapped people back to the surface.

Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 7

"A Day of Vengeance, a Day of Death!"

Cover Date: February 1993; On Sale Date: December 1992

Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Adam Kubert; Inker: Bill Reinhold; Letterer: Michael Heisler; Colorist: Gregory Wright; Editor: Bobbie Chase; Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Adam Kubert

Outside Dover, New Jersey, Ghost Rider and John Blaze ride through a vicious snowstorm on their way to the Quentin Carnival.  Blaze thinks something is wrong at the Carnival and is upset that they wasted so much time looking for Dr. Strange while dragging Hag, Troll, and Deathwatch behind them.  When they arrive at the Carnival, Blaze finds his close friends in Clara the psychic's trailer, caring for her as she's overwhelmed by visions of death.  She tries to warn Blaze about the danger, but it's too late, "they" are here.  Outside, Ghost Rider stands in the blizzard and is taken out with an explosive.  Blaze and his friends head outside, where they find Steel Vengeance and her sister, Steel Wind, in command of an army of demons.  As an act of revenge, the sisters send their "Stygian Horde" to destroy the Carnival while the women attack Blaze.  Ghost Rider emerges from the snow to rejoin Blaze, but the battle is interrupted by Mephisto, who appears as a giant and sets the Carnival on fire.  He transports Blaze and Ghost Rider away to test them, while Steel Wind and Steel Vengeance gather up Deathwatch, Hag, and Troll to take back to their master.

"The Great Hunt, Part 1"

Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Joe Kubert; Letterer: Bill Oakley; Colorist: Gregory Wright; Editor: Bobbie Chase; Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco

During a snowstorm in Manhattan, a group of monsters emerge called the Feeders.  They are starting "the Great Hunt", which involves them kidnapping people off the street and dragging them away.  Dan Ketch and his friend Donna are attacked, and Dan transforms into Ghost Rider to fight the Feeder.  He learns that the Feeders are taking the people away to eat them, and when the monster escapes Ghost Rider follows him to the Natural History Museum.  There, he is confronted by four more Feeders, who welcome him to their great feast.

Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 6

"Spirits of Venom, Part 4: Last Rites" 

Cover Date: January 1993; On Sale Date: November 1992 

Writer: Howard Mackie; Artist: Adam Kubert; Inker: Bill Reinhold; Letterer: Michael Heisler; Colorist: Gregory Wright; Editor: Bobbie Chase; Editor in Chief: Tom DeFalco; Cover Artist: Adam Kubert 

Venom, furious that Spider-Man was allowed to escape, attacks Ghost Rider in the sewer tunnels under Manhattan. Ghost Rider attempts to use the Penance Stare, but Venom’s alien symbiote causes a violent chain reaction that knocks Ghost Rider unconscious. John Blaze intervenes to save Ghost Rider but is quickly disarmed by Venom. All three are then dragged into the shadows by the Deathspawn. Meanwhile, at the Quentin Carnival, Clara Menninger is being looked after by other members of the carnival as she suffers from visions of death in the future. 

Back in Manhattan, Spider-Man emerges onto the surface with the rescued people and an unconscious Hobgoblin, who he hands off to the just-arriving Guardsmen of the Vault supervillain prison. Spider-Man then goes back down into the tunnels to find Ghost Rider and Blaze. The assembled Deathspawn, led by Hag and Troll, have imprisoned Ghost Rider, Blaze, and Venom in front of the comatose Deathwatch. They reveal that the Deathspawn are humans who gave part of their life force to allow Deathwatch to cross over from his home dimension. The Deathspawn enter Deathwatch’s body, animating it so he can feed on the heroes’ life forces, starting with Blaze. Spider-Man arrives and tries to use Blaze’s hellfire shotgun but discovers that it won’t fire. When he tosses it to Blaze, however, it works just fine as John uses it to free Ghost Rider. While Ghost Rider attempts to contain the Deathspawn within Deathwatch’s body, Blaze frees Venom to assist in helping Spider-Man, realizing that Venom would go through anyone to get his revenge on Spider-Man. Ghost Rider orders Blaze to fire his shotgun at his chain, which is wrapped around Deathwatch, creating a continuous circuit of hellfire to keep the Deathspawn trapped inside. Blaze incapacitates Hag and Troll before confronting Venom, telling him that they’re not going to let him kill Spider-Man. The Guardsmen arrive and use a sonic weapon on Venom, allowing him to be captured. Later, while Spider-Man helps the Guardsmen load up Venom and Demogoblin in their transport to the Vault, Ghost Rider and Blaze depart with Deathwatch, Hag, and Troll in search of Dr. Strange. Blaze, however, wants to get back to the carnival before the snowstorm gets worse.