Hello readers,

To start off the summer we are coming in hot, delving into the origin of the Ghost Rider – Johnny Blaze. One of the most powerful heroes in the Marvel Universe, Johnny Blaze as the Ghost Rider possesses superhuman strength, speed, stamina, regeneration, the ability to generate, control and project mystical fire, dimensional travel, soul manipulation and another whole host of powers that puts him in the echelon of the cosmic beings. Ghost Rider’s most unique power is sin manipulation better known as the “Penance Stare” – the supernatural ability to cause any individual who stares into his eyes to see and feel every bit of pain they have ever inflicted on anyone in their entire lifetime for all eternity.

The origin story for Johnny Blaze is in Ghost Rider Volume 2 #68.

Late one night, Johnny Blaze enters a church. The only man present is a priest. Johnny asks the Priest for confession as he is feeling somber. The priest sets him down inside the confessional and Johnny tells him the story of his life. He explains in detail how he sold his soul to the Devil to save the life of his adoptive father, Crash Simpson. As a result, Johnny was bonded to a demon named Zarathos and became the Spirit of Vengeance, the Ghost Rider.

As he concludes his confession, he reveals that he knows the man behind the screen is not a real priest. He is actually a thief who murdered a priest and took his clothes. He planned on stealing gold valuables from the church when Johnny interrupted him.

The false priest runs out of the confessional and steals Johnny’s cycle. Johnny transforms into the Ghost Rider and crafts a new cycle made of Hellfire. He chases the priest across the countryside and finally forces him off the bike. The priest falls down onto the railroad tracks, and Ghost Rider sears his soul with Hellfire.

At dawn, the police arrive and find the man in a state of petrified catatonia. Johnny Blaze answers a few questions from the police, then turns and walks away.

Throughout this issue we are revealed through flashbacks what drove Johnny to sell his soul, how he came to be the Ghost Rider. Will Johnny use his new found abilities to fight back for his soul and protect mankind versus the evils of the world, or will he succumb to the darkness infused within him?

Keep reading on to find out!

Feel free to discuss the merits of Chris’s recommendation with Chris himself: chris@haltonhonda.com