Ghost Rider (2019) Issue 2

 

-Cover Artist - Aaron Kuder & Dean White

-Writer - Ed Brisson

-Artists - Aaron Kuder, Craig Yeung, John Lucas, Luciano Vecchio

-Colourist - Jason Keith

Ghost Rider vs Ghost Rider!

We open with Johnny Blaze walking through the streets, continuing his hunt for demons who have escaped Hell. Although Danny’s mother visited him at her grave and told him that something’s wrong with Johnny, that he’s going mad with power, Johnny is clearly being methodical in his use of the Spirit of Vengeance. He describes to himself (and the reader) that as he walks Earth, he can sense the sins of everyone around him, but that none of them deserve the fate that awaits in Hell, not like the prey he’s after.

Still, a Ghost Rider rampage, sending scores of demons back to hell catches the attention of the police, including Danny’s ex-girlfriend, Stacy. A regular at Danny’s bar is the latest victim of the Spirit of Vengeance (rather, a demon who had possessed him), and this news hits him pretty hard, especially after his spectral experience he had the night prior.

When that very evening, Johnny Blaze is raising Hell on a cruise ship, Danny goes to intervene. What happens is the Ghost Rider vs Ghost Rider battle we’ve been waiting for. Danny does everything he can to save who he believes are innocents, and Johnny is furious that his brother is defending demons looking to spread their evil on Earth.

In the end, the King of Hell overpowers Danny, strips him of the Spirit of Vengeance, and throws him off a bridge, leaving him to drown.

This issue especially highlights the differences between Johnny Blaze and Danny Ketch as Ghost Riders. Johnny has clearly embraced his role to the max, even visibly influenced by his new title as King of Hell. Danny’s relationship with the Spirit of Vengeance is more like Bruce Banner’s relationship with the Hulk, something holding him back, keeping him from living the life he really wants.

So what’s going on here? Who’s in the right? Has Johnny Blaze been too influenced by his crown? There’s definitely plenty of evidence to support that idea, not the least of which is his new look. A crown of horns burns from the top of his skull. I don’t buy it though.

Throughout this issue, we see that Lilith is working behind the scenes, pulling her strings to rally more support. She sees herself as Mephisto’s true successor, and is poised to take the throne right out from under the Ghost Rider. Speaking of Mephisto, I doubt he’s sitting quietly out of the picture. I think there’s much more going on here than we’ve been let to see yet.

Either way, we’ve got lots of this story left to go and I’m looking forward to seeing where it’ll take us.