Ghost Rider #1
Ghost Rider #1 (September 1973) marks the graduation of Johnny Blaze from a tryout strip into a full ongoing series — a vote of confidence by Marvel that the supernatural antihero could anchor his own book after breaking out in Marvel Spotlight #5–11. Beyond establishing the Ghost Rider's solo mythos, the issue quietly plants the seed for an entire second supernatural franchise: Daimon Hellstrom, the Son of Satan, appears here for the first time in comics history, lurking in shadow before spinning off into his own celebrated run in Marvel Spotlight #12. The issue therefore sits at the junction of two of Marvel's most consequential Bronze Age horror properties, both of which reflect the era's broader fascination with the occult and the relaxing of Comics Code restrictions on supernatural content.
In "The Ghost Rider," a mysterious white-clad rider on horseback terrorizes frontier settlements, causing tribes to scatter and local forces to mobilize against him. A decoy squad is organized to capture the ghost-like figure, with plans to set a trap at a hideout, though the rider's nocturnal activities make him difficult to apprehend. The story follows the efforts of lawmen and an inventor who has created a "sing-song projector" device as part of their scheme to stop the mysterious rider. The narrative culminates in a bank robbery attempt, with the ghost rider's involvement suggesting he may be behind the criminal activities plaguing the region.
In "A Woman Possessed!", Daimon Hellstrom is summoned to exorcise a demon possessing Linda Littletrees, while Johnny Blaze struggles to survive after a violent confrontation with the police. The line between supernatural terror and human cost blurs as two heroes face a crisis that tests their limits.
ComicBooks.com Value
Show all 15 grades ▾
Find on ebay
Read it digitally
Sell my copy
Have this issue — or a whole collection? Get a fair offer from us, skip the marketplace fees and the hassle.
We Buy Collections ▸History
Writer Gary Friedrich — who had co-created Johnny Blaze alongside Roy Thomas and Mike Ploog in Marvel Spotlight #5 (1972) — scripted this debut issue, which picks up directly from the events of Marvel Spotlight #11 and is titled 'A Woman Possessed!' Pencils were handled by Tom Sutton with inks by Syd Shores; Gil Kane supplied the dynamic cover (inked by Joe Sinnott) showing the Rider pulling a wheelie while fleeing police. Editor Roy Thomas was already planning Daimon Hellstrom's solo future: Stan Lee had pushed for a book literally starring Satan, and Thomas redirected that energy toward a half-demon protagonist, assigning Friedrich and artist Herb Trimpe to develop the character who debuted in the shadows of this very issue.
Trivia · 8 facts
- First issue of Ghost Rider's self-titled ongoing series (vol. 2, 1973–1983), which ran for 81 issues and continued the story directly from Marvel Spotlight #11.
- Contains the first comics appearance of Daimon Hellstrom (Son of Satan), seen partially obscured/in shadow; his face and identity are fully revealed in Ghost Rider #2 and Marvel Spotlight #12 the following month.
- Written by Gary Friedrich; interior art by penciller Tom Sutton and inker Syd Shores; cover art by Gil Kane with inks by Joe Sinnott; edited by Roy Thomas.
- Story titled 'A Woman Possessed!' — Johnny Blaze races to save a demon-possessed woman (Linda Littletrees), establishing the occult-exorcism tone that would define early Ghost Rider adventures.
- Mephisto appears in this issue in his recurring role as 'Satan,' continuing the villainous thread from the Marvel Spotlight run.
- Also establishes first appearances of the Hellstrom Mansion location (Fire Lake in Greentown, Massachusetts) and Greentown Cemetery — settings that recur in Son of Satan stories.
- The issue's narrative continued simultaneously across two titles: Daimon Hellstrom's story crossed over directly into Marvel Spotlight #12 (October 1973), making this part of an early Marvel cross-title storytelling experiment.
- Reprinted internationally including in the Australian Yaffa/Page Ghost Rider #1 (1977), in Essential Ghost Rider Vol. 1 (2005), and in the Ghost Rider Epic Collection: Hell on Wheels (2022).
Full credits
Reprints
↩ Reprints Ghost Rider #1 (1973), Ghost Rider #2 (1973), Ghost Rider #3 (1973)
Key issues in Ghost Rider
Reviews
Reader reviews
No reader reviews yet.