ABANDONED BROTHERS, ADAMANTIUM, & ANGST -
GHOST RIDER VOLUME 10
Part Two
Welcome to the second half of Blood Work's overview and analysis of Ghost Rider Volume Ten, written by Ben Percy, edited by Darren Shan, with artwork primarily by Cory Smith. In Part One we discussed issues one through ten, comprising roughly half of the story.
For that whole post, click on the link here: GHOST RIDER VOLUME TEN (2022): PART ONE
In Part Two we'll tackle the rest of the volume and the tie-in issues. We've covered the first two story arcs, which wasn't perfect, but had a lot of good elements in it. Now let's dive into the rest.
Issue ten ended with a tease for the next story arc, revealing the return of Johnny Blaze's brother and Blood Work's personal favorite Ghost Rider: DANNY KETCH
The third story arc begins...
Cory Smith takes a break for issue eleven, artist David Wachter filling in as the guest artist, and he does a great job here. Johnny and Talia take to the road towards Savannah, Johnny riding the villain Exhaust as a motorcycle (apparently Exhaust is a motorcycle? This was not setup very well and is rather strange to see). This issue's sole goal is resolving Exhaust's story. There is some preachy narration again here, about looking inward and trying to fix our own failings before judging others. This biblical sentiment is coupled with a Nietzschean philosophy of those who do battle with monsters becoming monsters themselves. The end of this thought process has Johnny deciding to make a conscious effort to better himself, to let go of the things ruining his life and those he cares about, even if it means getting rid of things in his life that he enjoys; thus the choice to bury Exhaust and let go of the darkness inside himself. It's a genuinely heroic sentiment, one that's universally relatable and an evergreen philosophy.
The end of issue eleven sees Johnny and Talia arriving at last at Savannah, Georgia to a massacre. Savannah was one of the towns Blackheart had infested with his demons, the narrative flowing naturally from the previous story arc into the next. Issue twelve showcases Savannah decimated, littered with bodies and crawling with demons. Cory Smith returns to art duties and tops himself here with some of the finest art in the series yet. Ghost Rider uses a flaming sword to hack apart a cemetery full of demons in a visual feast for the eyes. We learn here that a different Ghost Rider was responsible for the massacre. Talia performs a magic rite to once again invade Johnny's mind and sees an image of Johnny's brother, Danny Ketch, corrupted. Just a side comment here: This method of Talia's to invade Johnny's mind is visually more interesting than an exposition dump, I'll grant the writer and editor that. But it leaves Talia's character feeling obtrusive, invasive, and thieving. In short, it only leaves us with another negative impression of her.
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| Cory Smith's incredible artwork! |
Issue thirteen opens with a scene from months ago in which Danny Ketch is confronted by Dr. Diyu, a woman working on the science of Hell. She convinces Danny to join her project, to sign over his body to her for research. In return she'll grant him freedom from the Ghost Rider. Flash forward to the present and Johnny and Talia follow the trail to yet another massacre in Myrtle Beach where the lone survivor describes a Ghost Rider-like figure as the culprit. Flash back to the past with Danny and Dr. Diyu where she forces him to battle a hulking demon. After defeating the demon, fed up with her crap, Danny prepares to leave. By telling him a sob story about how her little brother was taken by demons, Dr. Diyu successfully manipulates Danny into helping her, even when it's apparent to us readers that Dr. Diyu is obviously up to no good.
The old saying, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me," comes to mind. I think we need to add, "Fool me three times, shame on the writer and editor." For a man who was manipulated and controlled by the angel Zadkiel in his last significant appearance, and then used again by the demon Belasco in his previous appearance, Danny comes across ridiculously naïve, borderline stupid. When we first meet Danny in this arc he does feel like himself, so credit to the writer for capturing Danny's character fairly well. But having him fall for the same trick for a third time is so very unoriginal and tired, as if Marvel editorial only knows how to tell one story with him every time.
There are panels here referencing both story arcs where Danny was manipulated too, almost shining a light on how little thought the writer and editor put into coming up with this redundant played-out storyline. If not for Cory Smith's incredible artwork, this would be far more frustrating than it already is.
Taken by itself, the writer and editor handle this story with Danny well here. But as a reader, if you've read the previous volume (let alone any more volumes featuring Danny), this story is more than played out. Also, the characterization of Danny's Ghost Rider is strange and not at all like Noble Kale should be. Stranger still, at one moment in the issue Danny appears comfortable with the Ghost Rider and quick to let him out, and then a few pages later is seemingly afraid of Ghost Rider. There's no mention of Noble Kale's name either. For that matter, for this entire series there's been no mention of Zarathos' name either nor has Zarathos been acting like he should either.
Issue fourteen reveals more about the experimentation being done to Danny. This is very much a riff on the classic WEAPON X storyline featuring Wolverine by Barry Windsor-Smith, following the same beats, with mirroring imagery. Dr. Diyu evokes thoughts of the Professor who headed the Weapon X Project and even Dr. Diyu's assistant looks somewhat like Cornelius. When Danny is locked in the room with the hulking demon mirrors Logan's battle with the bear. Danny is even picked up at a bar just like Logan was. When Danny is set loose, his Ghost Rider is wearing almost the exact same helmet and battery pack hanging from his hip. Cory Smith's amazing artwork aside, this is a blatant rip off of the Weapon X story, injecting the barest amount of originality. In summary, not only is it repeating the same story Danny has been through two times over previously, but it is a bold faced theft of the Weapon X story.
Here, during the experimentation scenes, they address Danny's previous persona from Volume Nine, the Spirit of Corruption. It isn't explained away in any real detail, instead treated rather ambiguously, but from the images we're left inferring that Dr. Diyu's experimentation on Danny has cured him of the Spirit of Corruption and returned him to his classic Ghost Rider persona. Again, it comes across as virtually no effort or thought was put into this from the writer or editor, but at least it was addressed. At the very least, this story arc, if nothing else, fixed the problems dealt to Danny's character in Volume Nine and did away with the Spirit of Corruption (something I personally disliked).
By the end of issue fourteen Dr. Diyu has nearly killed Danny by abusing his Ghost Rider power. Johnny and Talia arrive at the facility and Dr. Diyu panics and jumps inside a mech-suit (almost an AT-ST). Issue fifteen starts with Dr. Diyu stealing Danny's Ghost Rider and empowering her mech suit with it, leaving Danny practically dead when Johnny and Talia find him. Dr. Diyu passes through a portal into Hell to go rescue her brother. Johnny transforms into Ghost Rider and follows Dr. Diyu into Hell. Again, I'm sounding like a broken record here, but Cory Smith's artwork is incredible throughout this whole arc, especially here. Dr. Diyu finds her brother, but he's become a demon himself. Danny's Ghost Rider frees itself from Dr. Diyu's mech suit and leaves her stranded and helpless in Hell, her own brother about to kill her.
Danny's Ghost Rider finds Johnny's Ghost Rider and it is then implied that both Ghost Riders maybe brothers as well. If we needed more evidence that these two Ghost Riders are not Zarathos or Noble Kale, this is it. The two Ghost Riders merge into one and they leave Hell. Once back on Earth, Johnny returns Danny's Ghost Rider to him, saving his brother's life. The final panel has Johnny reunited with Danny, Danny's eyes opening. This finishes the third story arc in the series and, sadly, is the last issue that Cory Smith fully illustrates himself in the series. Compared to the first two story arcs in the series, this one accomplishes very little, but does manage to clean up another mess left by Volume Nine. Sadder still, the volume only goes down from here.
Issue sixteen is a cool one-and-done story. It follows events in three different time periods featuring Johnny Blaze, Danny Ketch, and Robbie Reyes encountering the same hitchhiker. The hitchhiker possesses the bodies of the Ghost Riders, using their power to kill a cult of skinners, and then leaves. The artwork here is by Chris Campana and he does a fine job, but Cory Smith is certainly missed. Strangely, the issue doesn't address the fallout of the last story arc, Johnny and Danny having seemingly gone their separate ways for some unknown reason. There's a brief mention that Dr. Diyu's lab was destroyed, but nothing else. Disappointingly, this is the last Danny will appear in the volume as well. The epilogue sets up the next story arc.
The following arc is the crossover with the Wolverine book, also written by Ben Percy. The story picks up in a special one-shot issue titled Ghost Rider - Wolverine: Weapons of Vengeance Alpha. Then the story continues in Ghost Rider #17, Wolverine #36, and finishes in another one-shot special called Ghost Rider - Wolverine: Weapons of Vengeance Omega. Geoff Shaw provides the artwork for all four issues here and does a fine job.
This story also takes place in multiple time periods, one set during the early days of Johnny Blaze's time as Ghost Rider, still trying to be a stunt cyclist for the Crash Simpson stunt show (this would place it somewhere during the first ten issues of Ghost Rider Volume Two published in the early 1970s) before he left Roxanne. The other time period being set in the present continuity. This retcon chronicles the first meeting of Johnny Blaze and Wolverine as they track down a demonic possessed mutant. This story feels unconnected to the greater narrative of the volume nor does it carry through to the final story arc of the volume. Back in the day, this would've been a one-issue story, a fun piece of filler between the central story arcs (coincidentally, all of these issues came out within a month of each other, so it was over and done with in the span of one issue). Overall, there isn't much to dig into here. Wolverine becomes a Ghost Rider briefly, that's about it.
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| This cover was by legendary Ghost Rider artist, Mark Texeira |
Issue eighteen begins the final arc of the series. Carlos Nieto provides the artwork for issues eighteen, twenty, and twenty-one while Cory Smith and Brent Peeples share art duties on issue nineteen. This story arc shifts focus to Talia Warroad, exploring her past, present, and, ultimately, her future. This story arc also takes place across two time periods, this being the fourth time in the volume that the writer and editor have utilized this narrative structure. Also similar to the last arc, there is no reference to the previous story arc nor natural flow from one to the other. There is no plot thread laid down prior that this story arc follows from. The story just begins. For this being the final arc and the "culmination" of the volume it seems to carry little weight. By shifting focus heavily on to Talia's character, what weight it does carry is entirely dependent on the reader's attachment to her character. And just what is the reader's attachment to her character by this point?
HEROIC OR DESPICABLE?
Full discloser: the writer and editor have done very little to imbue Talia Warroad with anything positive.
Who is Talia Warroad? Her first act upon meeting Johnny is to drug him, cuff him to a bed, and mind-rape him. She kisses him without consent and later forces herself sexually upon him multiple times. She's forward with her advances yet never do we actually see Johnny himself initiating any reciprocation (he says he cares for her in issue ten but his actions rarely show it). And she never apologizes for her actions. Multiple characters validate her by saying "she's got balls," as in she's bold and brave (not that she literally has a pair of testicles) essentially telling the reader "like this character!" And on several occasions she forces Johnny's change into Ghost Rider, in effect, using Johnny and Ghost Rider for her own ends. When she and Johnny have their first real conversation she claims she has no guilt or shame, nor denial of her darkness yet it is revealed later that her actions contributed to the death of her parents. She justifies her actions as "sometimes you have to do bad things to make things good," implying the ends justify the means, a mentality that can be used to justify any act no matter how villainous. Maybe this personality is appealing to some, but it paints an image of an egotistical, sociopathic, self-centered, and abusive character.
This final story arc explores her backstory, devoting the lion's share of story to revealing her past. The half of the story in the past depicts her as a child seeing demonic entities in her room and her parents not believing her. This leads her down a path of hair dye, gothic fashion, and rebellious behavior. When her parents seek the help of Doctor Strange (demonstrating that they do in fact believe her) she refuses his help. She falls in with a delinquent crowd of "Lost Boys" types led by a boy named Stefan (who may or may not be Mephisto). Stefan teaches her black magic and tries to convince her to fully embrace the dark side (which she confessed to having done so earlier in the second story arc). Her hatred of her parents coupled with Mephisto's power endangers her parents and stains their home with demonic presences. When her parents are killed because of Stefan's dark magic, Talia leaves Stefan and again refuses Doctor Strange's offer of guidance and help.
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| Talia Warroad takes the spotlight, Ghost Rider struggling to stay relevant in his own comic |
In the present, while on the road Talia gets wind of a Mephisto worshipping cult that sounds eerily similar to her experience with Stefan. Johnny and Talia set out to track the cult down. They come across a town where the children have been corrupted and have killed all of the adults (a la Children of the Corn). After freeing the children of demonic control, they continue across the country until arriving at the cult's central compound. Once again, Talia sexually uses Johnny to complete a spell allowing them access to the compound, but not before she belittles his trauma in favor of her own trauma (demonstrating her inability to look beyond herself). Johnny meekly forces her to see that, despite her trauma, it doesn't justify her actions or warped views of life.
After fighting off demonic trees they get inside where Talia indeed finds Stefan, once more with children under his demonic thrall. Ghost Rider rescues the kids by literally "eating their sin," which isn't a power of his (or at least isn't a power of Zarathos'), while Talia confronts Stefan. Talia's solution is to condemn Stefan to Hell, stating that if she can do that she'll be able to die with no regrets. She says she's afraid of her parents' ghosts, but then expresses no regrets for contributing to their deaths. Nor does she try to rescue their souls from Hell, never once expressing a want to save anyone. She sacrifices nothing of herself in her attempt to solve the problem that, arguably, she herself created and instead runs away from her misdeeds by needlessly letting herself fall into Hell as well. She doesn't atone for her sins, but rather accepts them by saying, "My past has caught up with me." Johnny tries to reach her, but she makes no attempt to reach for him. Bizarrely, Johnny never expresses a desire to rescue her from Hell afterward.
Taking all of Talia's character into account across this whole volume, she comes across as rather despicable. Yeah, she's helping Johnny eradicate demons across America, but in the end it comes out that she's only doing it to get back at Stefan and not for any heroic or altruistic motivation. By centering the final story arc on her, the book's finale feels hollow, with no heart or emotion. The reader is almost glad to see Talia's character go. But then, with this final story arc centering on her rather than Johnny, it leaves another troubling impression... namely that this book wasn't about Johnny Blaze. Johnny is treated like the sidekick in this final story arc, left to carry on Talia's mission in the wake of her death. His final sentiments are of self pity, in that anyone whoever gets close to him is destined for death. Self pity is what we're left with rather than motivation or, god forbid, hope. Volume Ten of Ghost Rider ends on a sour dismal note.
THE BONUS ISSUES
There's a Ghost Rider Volume Ten Annual featuring Johnny, Talia, and Elsa Bloodstone battling Parker Robbins: The Hood while he takes over Salem, Massachusetts on Halloween night. Ben Percy writes while featuring artwork by Danny Kim, the next future ongoing Ghost Rider artist. The story is a one-off with no connections to the ongoing narrative, coming across as a lighthearted seasonal Halloween special. Talia shows off boss level powers and abilities, at far greater levels than previously depicted, and is validated by Elsa Bloodstone as a strong capable woman who can take care of herself and doesn't need Johnny's help (which is something Elsa, if written to character, would never say nor give a crap about). Johnny is left to lasso a pumpkin-headed kaiju while Elsa and Talia take care of The Hood. All in all, this issue is inconsequential unless you're a fan of Talia and want to see her power on full display.
And there's a one-shot anniversary special issue titled Ghost Rider: Vengeance Forever, also written by Ben Percy with artwork by Juan Jose Ryp. This is an anthology style story featuring many characters at various points in the history of Ghost Rider. The framing sequence of the story features Johnny Blaze getting a full torso tattoo. Each tattoo tells a different Ghost Rider story. There's a glimpse of a prehistoric Ghost Rider bear, a female Ghost Rider being burned at the stake by pilgrims (during what appears to be a witch trial), a western Ghost Rider named Jimmy Underhill (to my knowledge this is a new Ghost Rider never before seen, yet is a reference to Ghost Rider's western cowboy roots) which we spend WAY too much time with considering he's not a part of the Ghost Rider publication history.
Then we get a short story with Danny Ketch battling Blackout set in the Volume Three era. There's a brief image of Mephisto and Lilith, Mother of Demons before showcasing a small story with Vengeance (Michael Badilino), Morbius, and Blade battling Dracula (an homage to the Midnight Sons). There's a scene with Robbie Reyes battling the Scarecrow in a cornfield (these two characters never met before nor would they have considering Robbie is based out of Los Angeles). And finally we get a glimpse into the future where Zero Cochrane a.k.a. Ghost Rider 2099 battles Zadkiel (again, two characters that haven't met before). As Johnny rides away after finishing his tattoo there is a last little panel featuring Frank Castle a.k.a. Cosmic Ghost Rider. The only ones left out of this special are both female Ghost Riders, Alejandra Jones and Kushala (strangely the one female Ghost Rider we do see in here is wholly original), then Wileaydus Autolycus (the original Cosmic Ghost Rider), Carter Slade (Marvel's very first Ghost Rider), and the Blazing Skull (not a Ghost Rider, but significant to the Ghost Rider legacy in Marvel publication). Plus the thousands of other Ghost Riders that writer Jason Aaron produced.
They managed to pack a lot in here and some of it is a welcome sight to see. Still, ultimately this issue is only skin deep, like a tattoo, and carries no narrative significance to the overall volume. Even the tattoos that Johnny receives are never referenced again, Johnny shedding his skin at the very end as he transforms into Ghost Rider (almost as if the writer is sending a meta-message that even he acknowledges that this is a "throw-away/cast-off" issue.
HIGHLIGHTS AND DISAPPOINTMENTS
You know I'm going to say it again; the artwork by Cory Smith is the star of this volume, shining brighter than any other aspect of the book. His contribution to this book can't be understated or undervalued. Yes, certain character designs were overdone, but that may not be his fault, rather it could've been direction from either the writer or editorial. His artistry of the character Exhaust is the sole reason why that character stands out. And his rendition of the corrupted Danny Ketch Ghost Rider is amazing. Johnny Blaze Ghost Rider looks great too, but the design is too bulky and KISS inspired. Dave Wachter and Chris Campana deliver standout artwork with each of their fill-in issues. Geoff Shaw's artwork for the Wolverine crossover is fine too, but by the time we get to Carlos Nieto's art in the last story arc, which is fine, the book has declined significantly in artwork.
The first three story arcs basically serve to clean up the messes left by Volume Nine. These story arcs flow naturally from one to the other and feel like equal parts of a greater narrative being woven. Yet they're far from perfect. Writer Ben Percy and editor Darren Shan insert political takes on America in the first ten issues, which don't really fit nor make sense with the plot. They push Talia Warroad yet can't seem to get her over in any endearing or meaningful way, and they break the tone and feel of the book with the goofy Hell's Backbone Rally story beat. And then they heavily borrow from Barry Windsor-Smith's Weapon X storyline for the third story arc, borderline plagiarizing, while simultaneously repeating a tired storyline for Danny Ketch for the third time. And the next two story arcs seem utterly divorced from the previous arcs and overarching narrative.
MISSED OPPORTUNITIES
Intriguing elements were set up in the first two story arcs that were inexplicably dropped. Zeb and The Council of Night Magicians was an interesting concept that could've led to bigger picture narrative beats, such as their purpose of monitoring the balance between light and shadow. Yet after issue ten these characters are forgotten completely. Also, what happened to Blackheart after issue ten? Also, what happened to Danny Ketch after issue fifteen? Johnny is finally reunited with Danny and Danny is cured of the Spirit of Corruption. Clearly Danny is too naïve to wander about on his own, so then why did Johnny just let him go? Or did he? We don't know because it is completely ignored by the following story arc. The one-off story in issue sixteen showcased a terrifying new character in the Hitchhiker and his cult of skinners while teasing a future team-up of Johnny, Danny, and Robbie Reyes which wasn't followed up on either.
And for what? A Wolverine crossover that bore absolutely no relevance to the ongoing narrative. And a major shift in focus to Talia Warroad which undercut Johnny's story and the overall narrative. And somehow painted Talia in an even more irredeemable light. Now, there's a chance that these characters and plot elements could be picked up in a future volume, but what Marvel has teased about the next volume suggests a different plotline altogether.
THE END?
Volume Ten comes to an end after twenty-one issues... or does it? Before the final issue of Volume Ten was even released Marvel announced Ghost Rider Volume Eleven was coming in March of 2024. Ben Percy was announced as the writer once more with artist Danny Kim (the artist of the annual we discussed above). The tease is that Johnny Blaze will lose the Spirit of Vengeance and a new character will become the Ghost Rider... again... because we need more Ghost Riders... Anyone wanna place bets that it'll be Talia Warroad? Has this announcement excited anyone?
WHAT TO EXPECT?
And Ben Percy continues writing too? This leads one to believe that Volume Ten isn't really ending, only continuing with a brand new #1 issue to boost sales. But with the same writer? Volume Ten certainly worsened in quality the longer it went on and if that downward trend continues into Volume Eleven we could be in store for another abysmal run on the level of Volume Nine or worse. Not to mention a repeat of past storylines where Johnny lost the Ghost Rider before (a storyline done to death even more times than Danny Ketch being manipulated by a badguy). And then we have to suffer the trope of yet a new Ghost Rider who is destined to fail before they've even debuted, only to have Johnny Blaze brought back once again as the central Ghost Rider to get the title back on track again. This is our negative outlook on this.
Now, for a more optimistic perspective; Ben Percy and Darren Shan could surprise us and do something really interesting with this setup. Perhaps the story begins with the Ghost Rider being taken by force and the new Ghost Rider is completely villainous. Johnny has to get the Ghost Rider back before terrible harm is done by this new Ghost Rider. Teaming with Danny Ketch, Vengeance (Michael Badilino), Morbius, Blade, and the Darkhold Redeemers, the reunited Midnight Sons go after this evil Ghost Rider. Danny Kim pencils the first few issues, but then Cory Smith returns for the second story arc and finale. Now, this is a story that would get us excited.
Which way do you think Ghost Rider Volume Eleven will go?
THE VERDICT
In summary, looking at this volume as a whole, it's not the worst volume of Ghost Rider, but it is far from the best. The key contributions of this volume to the overall Ghost Rider mythos is the cleaning up of Volume Nine's mess and Cory Smith's outstanding artwork. The writing and editing is all over the place, from glimpses of genius to outright uninspired plagiarism. There are times when the writer and editor demonstrate knowledge of the Ghost Rider mythos and other times where they don't. The first sixteen issues comprise the best of the volume. The rest feels rather superfluous and hollow.
KEY MOMENTS FOR THIS VOLUME
1) NEW POWERS
*Ghost Rider uses a flaming chainsaw & a flaming sword (multiple times throughout Volume Ten)*
*Ghost Rider "eats" people's sins (Ghost Rider Volume Ten #21)*
*Ghost Rider can see a dead enemy's memories via his flaming stare (Ghost Rider Annual 2023)*
2) MAJOR ENEMIES
*Blackheart (Ghost Rider Volume Ten #5 - #10)*
*Exhaust (Ghost Rider Volume Ten #7 - #11)*
*Dr. Diyu & Infernal Labs (Ghost Rider Volume Ten #10 - #15)*
*The Hitchhiker & the Church of the Flayed (Ghost Rider Volume Ten #16)*
*Bram & Father Pike (Orchis member), the demon Bagra-Ghul (Weapons of Vengeance crossover)*
*Stefan & the Cult of Mephisto (Ghost Rider Volume Ten #18 - #21)*
*The Hood (Parker Robbins) & The Spirit of Halloween (Ghost Rider Volume Ten Annual 2023)*
5) ALLIES - GUEST STARS
*Talia Warroad (Ghost Rider Volume Ten #1 - #21)*
*Zebadiah & the Council of Night Magicians (Ghost Rider Volume Ten #1 - #10)
*Danny Ketch (Ghost Rider Volume Ten #10 - #16)*
*Wolverine (Weapons of Vengeance crossover)*
*Elsa Bloodstone (Ghost Rider Volume Ten Annual 2023)*
And this is where I'll leave you for now. Thanks for following with us on this analysis of Ghost Rider Volume Ten. I know it was long but hopefully it was worth it.
For more Ghost Rider articles, check out the posts below!
And as an extra bonus, here's one last bit I observed while reading Ghost Rider Volume Ten.
This is a little aside diatribe for those interested, discussing a problem plaguing comic books, now more than it has in the past. It's a problem woven through the first ten issues of this volume of Ghost Rider. Thankfully it doesn't persist much beyond issue ten. Really, this is just a product of simple ham-fisted writing or editing, nothing more. But we'll go into it anyway.
ALLEGORY OR PROPAGANDA?
The United States in the Marvel Universe isn't the same United States in real life. It certainly mirrors the real America, but it is a fictional rendition of America. In the Marvel Universe there have been world-ending villains, planet-devouring aliens, monsters, demons, and more. While the America in Marvel mirrors the real America, it would be a very different country given what it has had to deal with and combat over the history of Marvel. Logically, the America of Marvel would be dealing with different issues and problems.
Blackheart states, "This country was already a place of nightmares. Nobody even noticed we showed up." Spoken by the son of the devil, this line can be interpreted as lies spouted for the purpose of sowing discord and to shatter people's faith in their country. But this is not the first time the book has voiced this pessimistic sentiment of America in this volume, previously stated through Johnny Blaze himself as well as through the omniscient narrator. Across issues nine and ten there's a narration about how society ignores or turns its back on the country's problems, mowing our lawns, going about our daily lives like everything is fine when it's not.
The narration goes on to say that "you can't simply blast a hellfire shotgun and take down what's deeply embedded, structural, systemic." One could take this as Ghost Rider describing how deeply rooted the demonic infestation is or, given the sentiments already presented earlier, this comes across as more indictments against the real America. Blackheart saying it is one thing, but having it said multiple times throughout, and through our protagonists as well, appears as though the writer himself is projecting his political sentiments, using this book as a platform for one-sided rhetoric. And the implication is that the cure for what ails America lies in people like Talia Warroad, a self-centered sociopath. At least, by the end of issue ten, the narrator explicitly says that Blackheart IS the root cancer that's metastasizing across the country, yet this feels like it was tacked on at the last minute.
Also, for a character like Johnny Blaze, given what he's experienced and what he's seen, it makes little sense for him to dwell on the problems of America when he's fully aware of the problems plaguing life itself on a divine scale. He knows the war between Heaven and Hell is real and ongoing. He's been to Hell. He's seen the inner machinations of demons and devils and their dark designs for humanity and the world at large. Greater than our earthly struggles, he's aware of the greater threat to our immortal souls. He's been at the heart of a battle for humanity's soul against supernatural horrors dwarfing any evil created by mankind. He intimately knows the true evil at work and has placed himself in opposition to cosmic horrors and dark forces threatening to consume all existence. For someone like this to take a moment, amid widespread demonic infestation, and bemoan the state of the union seems utterly moronic and horribly out of touch with what's really going on around him
The United States of America is not a perfect country nor has it ever been. This country has many problems, but what country doesn't? And, as far as I've read, the America of the Marvel Universe isn't dealing with the same problems that the America of today is. I'm not saying that comic books shouldn't tackle difficult subjects like the problems with America, but that it should fit with the world created therein and be a natural progression of the story being told. At the very least, set up this particular version of America in the story..
Science fiction and fantasy have often been used as allegorical tools for expressing social commentary. When used deftly the reader doesn't notice. When employed bluntly it becomes jarring, with the author's opinions and biases become fully transparent, taking the reader out of the story. Especially when only one side of the argument is explored. Sadly, this has become fairly typical of Marvel of late and a reason, one of many, why I don't buy nearly as many current Marvel comics books as I used to. Whether your personal politics align with the author's or not, this ham-fisted approach only serves to diminish the story being told, ruining the escapism and making it feel disingenuous or worse: like propaganda for one side of the aisle. And it doesn't matter which side of the aisle, right or left, it still has the same result.
Why the writer and editor placed any emphasis on this is a mystery. It isn't followed through in any meaningful way, it doesn't play into a greater overarching plot to follow, and it doesn't fit with the story or the Marvel universe as we know. Instead of giving this subject any time or thought at all, they could've applied that energy and effort into crafting a more cohesive narrative, servicing the characters, and better structuring the story to allow for more satisfying conclusions (I'm looking at you, finale battle with Blackheart).
All right, I'm done talking about Ghost Rider Volume Ten... until we break down Ghost Rider Volume Eleven that is...
Until then...
KEEP THE FIRES BURNING, MY FELLOW RIDERS
