Essential Ghost Rider, Vol. 1 (Marvel Essentials)
by Roy Thomas, Michael Ploog, Jim Mooney, Tom Sutton, Herb Trimpe, Gary Friedrich, John Byrne, Gerry Conway, Len Wein, Marv Wolfman
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Book Summary Information
Author: Gary Friedrich, Gerry Conway, Herb Trimpe, Jim Mooney, John Byrne, Len Wein, Marv Wolfman, Michael Ploog, Roy Thomas, Tom SuttonEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2006-12-20
ISBN: 0785118381
Number of pages: 560
Publisher: Marvel
Book Reviews of Essential Ghost Rider, Vol. 1 (Marvel Essentials)
Book Review: Roaring down the highway to nostalgia
Summary: 5 Stars
When I found out that the Ghost Rider was getting the "Essential" treatment, it made this Marvelite's day. I've been a fan of old skull-head since childhood, although the Rider I grew up with was the Dan Ketch version. As I got older, I became more curious about the original Ghost Rider, Johnny Blaze, and as I read those comics I found him even more to my liking. It seemed like Ketch was in a coma or something all the time, while Blaze was very much aware of (and tormented by) the demon within him. This essential volume collects the Hell-spawned biker's earliest adventures.
You know the plot if you've read the summary: to save his dying stepfather, stunt cyclist Johnny Blaze makes a deal with the devil that goes terriby awry. Now, not only has Blaze lost his stepdad, but he periodically turns into a flaming-skulled spirit of vengance! The plot expands from there as Ghost Rider squares off against the likes of the devilish Son of Satan, the seductive Witch Woman, the Orb, and even Satan/Mephisto himself.
The biggest complaint by far in the above reviews has been the comic's insconsistency. This can be traced back to the fact that Marvel really didn't know what they wanted to do with Ghost Rider for a while. They first played him strictly as a horror character like Werewolf by Night or Dracula (especially during the Marvel Spotlight comics, in my opinion the best part of this collection). Soon, though, they decided to try writing him as a semi-traditional superhero like Daredevil or Spider Man. Whether or not this worked out is up to debate, but it DOES make an interesting read. For what it's worth, they later returned the Rider to his horror roots, and the segment of Ghost Rider from around issue 50 to the end is (in this reviewer's opinion) the best comic run ever published. I can only hope they collect this segment in future "Essential Ghost Rider" volumes.
Back to this volume, though... It has quite a bit to brag about, too. The quality of the artwork remains high throughout; I only wish it were in color. (We have to take the good with the bad, I guess.) The plots are fantastic for the most part -- there is a noticeable drop in quality near the end, largely caused by two writers giving in to the temptation to "erase" parts of the story written by their predecessors that they weren't happy with (I'm looking at you, Tony Isabella). The resulting confusion is annoying, but it isn't bad enough to detract much from what is still a fantastic reading experience. Overall, I couldn't be happier with this book.
Although "Tomb of Dracula" might have been more popular in its day, and "Werewolf by Night" and "Monster of Frankenstein" may be more emblematic of the horror genre, the fact remains that "Ghost Rider" has outlasted all of them. The original comic lasted longer than they did (10 years versus TOD's 7), and it has managed to spawn a new series (the afore-mentioned Dan Ketch Ghost Rider) and an upcoming movie. Although this "Essential" doesn't contain the BEST part of the Rider's adventures, it is still essential reading for those who wish to discover what this whole "motorcycle-riding demon from Hell" thing is all about.
Try it, then buy it. I doubt you'll be disappointed.
Summary of Essential Ghost Rider, Vol. 1 (Marvel Essentials)
When orphaned stunt-show star Johnny Blaze discovers his adoptive father Crash Simpson is dying of a rare blood disease, he barters his immortal soul for a miracle cure. The trade-off ultimately leaves him bound to the demon Zarathos, and their melding of spirits would manifest itself every night in the form of Ghost Rider, the most supernatural super-hero of all! Collects Marvel Spotlight #5-12, Ghost Rider #1-20 and Daredevil #138.Children's Books
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