Ghost Rider #27

Ghost Rider #27
Writing: Howard Mackie
Art: Ron Wagner

What Went Down: This is Part 4 of the unnamed X-Men/Ghost Rider crossover. For Part 3, go here. Anyways, the X-Men have freed the Brood-infected Ghost Rider and Bella Donna has just died… at least until she comes back later.

Down below the church basement, deep underground, the X-Men discover a giant collection of Brood eggs. They also find the children of the Thieves and Assassins stuck in some gunk. As the X-Men go about freeing the children, Ghost Rider and Gambit wander off to find the Brood Queen. Wolverine decides to follow them.

Gambit asks Ghost Rider why he left his bike on the surface, but the supernatural hero reassures him that the bike will show up when it is needed. Inside Ghost Rider, Dan Ketch is struggling to survive in a hell-like landscape. In the real world, Ghost Rider shows signs of fatigue, but before the X-Men can ask what’s wrong, they are attacked.

Outside New Orleans Johnny Blaze is driving on his bike and talking to a girl in a truck named Clara. Clara tells him that she has had a vision, and leads Blaze to the French Quarter where the X-Men are fighting.

In the cave, the masked killer reveals himself to be familiar with Gambit. Meanwhile, the other X-Men are busy protecting the children from more Brood. They recognize Ghost Rider’s bike driving past them on its own. As Wolverine and Gambit fight the Brood, Wolverine wounds the killer. They are about to pursue him, but the Brood Queen shows up to kill them all. Ghost Rider’s bike pulls up, and he is able to drag the queen by a chain with it. Once GR knocks the Queen through a wall, the battle can take place out in the open. Ghost Rider takes the Queen’s arm, stabs it through her head, and rips off her skin. She is able to survive this, so Ghost Rider punches her and then Johnny Blaze shows up with a shotgun to finish her off.

Afterwards, the X-Men take the Queen apart with their powers. The X-Men thank Ghost Rider and Blaze for their help. As the two motorcycles drive off, the mysterious killer watches over them from a roof and swears vengeance on Gambit, the X-Men, and Ghost Rider.

How It Was: Ahh, the climactic battle. Mackie tries to up the ante over the battle with the Brood last issue, so this issue all the heroes fight the Brood Queen. Once again there is not enough for all of the heroes to do something, so the focus shifts to Gambit, Ghost Rider, and Wolverine. Actually the fight with all of the cannon fodder Brood is a lot more exciting than the fight with Brood Queen, which is really monotonous because they have to kill her like two or three times. After tearing her skin off, they still have to shotgun blast her point blank, and even after that they have to dismantle her. Still, there is a lot of action in this issue, which is pretty nice.

Unfortunately the story ends with a lot of plot holes. The guilds’ children are rescued, but there is no resolution as to their fates since all of their families were killed or infected by the aliens. Also there is no real reason given for why the Brood picked the Guilds for their plot and whether or not it was a coincidence that they would encounter the X-Men. Then there is Johnny Blaze, who shows up at the end for no other reason then the fact that he is needed to continue Ghost Rider’s main story line in his next issue. And the identity of the killer is left a mystery as well as his connection to the Brood, which doesn’t exist.  For his identity, read the first Gambit mini-series.

Once again, the art is pretty fantastic. The Brood soldiers aren’t quite that detailed, but Wagner really makes up for it with the Dan Ketch scenes of him walking through an incredibly detailed hell with the panels shaped like broken glass. Ghost Rider, as I’ve always argued, is low on substance but still looks so cool. Of course, it’s hard to believe that Marvel would hire an artist for Ghost Rider that wasn’t great at drawing fire.

This is an adequate ending. It’s not game changing, but there’s some great action and art behind it.

B-

Ghost Rider #26

This week: more retro reviews of comics I didn't have at the time. 
 

Ghost Rider #26
Writing: Howard Mackie
Art: Ron Wagner

What Went Down: Alright, part two of the unnamed four issue crossover between the X-Men and Ghost Rider. See X-Men #8 and #9 for parts one and three. Anyways it’s Mardi Gras time in New Orleans. An unnamed member of the Thieves Guild is overseeing the festivities. A mysterious masked killer kills the thief, claiming a blood feud.

Coincidentally, Ghost Rider happens to be cruising into town. Because of all the wild costumes that people are wearing, nobody gives Ghost Rider a second thought. Through Ghost Rider’s internal monologue, the reader learns that Ghost Rider’s host and secret identity, Dan Ketch, has been fatally wounded. GR is searching for Johnny Blaze to help him. Inside his head, Dan Ketch ponders his fate and walks towards a light. Obviously he doesn’t know a lot about the afterlife.

On the outskirts of New Orleans, the X-Men Blue Team is cruising towards the city in a red convertible. The X-Men are driving because both Blackbirds are out of commission. A police officer, possibly the same one from X-Men #8, pulls them all over and draws his gun. The X-Men attack and subdue him, then blow up his patrol car, which seems like overkill to me.

In the French Quarter of New Orleans, Ghost Rider drives up to a church, searching for a place to rest. He finds the masked killer killing two more members of the Thieves Guild. After standing there like an idiot and watching the Killer kill the Thieves couple, Ghost Rider decides it’s time to actually attack the bad guy. The Killer runs away and lures GR through a door. Ghost Rider drives through and goes down an underground cave, where he encounters an army of Assassins Guild members. Unfortunately these soldiers are actually members of the alien race the Brood, so they subdue him and allow the Brood Queen to infect Ghost Rider.

Downtown, the Blue Team members admire the Mardi Gras festivities. The group meets up with Rogue and Bella Donna, who flew to New Orleans as scouts. The X-Men go to the church where they find the bodies of the two dead Thieves members. After going into the underground passage, the X-Men encounter an army of Brood aliens. After defeating a couple of soldiers, the X-Men are blindsided by the Brood-infected Ghost Rider.

How It Was: Most people wouldn’t associate the X-Men with the Ghost Rider, but at the time both were really strong selling comics. Is there any real connection between the two books in this story? Well part of this story is dealing with Gambit’s origin while the other part deals with the death of Ghost Rider’s host Dan Ketch… so no this is a random story tying both unrelated plot lines together. But it is what it is, so let’s break it down.

Ghost Rider doesn’t really come off great in this issue. He shows up during Mardi Gras, discovers a murder too late to stop it, and then gets captured and infected by the Brood. Plus the opening internal monologue that GR delivers at the beginning of the issue is really dull and over-melodramatic. Likewise, the X-Men don’t get much to do either except for attacking a traffic cop. This part feels really out of character for the X-Men, especially with Cyclops joining in on the fun.

Really the only aspect of the plot that is exciting at all is the mysterious killer. He’s got a simple but sinister design, and his jack-o-lantern features are just enough to give him a stylized look. Of course we never figure out who this character is, but that’s really a complaint for next issue. Actually, the fact that the serial killer plot line gets replaced by a Brood/body snatchers story is kind of disappointing.

The art is spectacular, from the wacky decorations and costumes of Mardi Gras to the flames coming off of Ghost Rider’s head and bike. The designs for the Assassin’s Guild costumes are also pretty awesome. Lots of great use of shadows and negative space; all the black really helps set the tone.

This is a textbook middle chapter where not a lot happens. Both of the main protagonists stand around with not a lot to do, and then eventually come together for an exciting fight in the next issue of the story.

C+

X-Men #9

X-Men #9
Writing: Jim Lee and Scott Lobdell
Art: Jim Lee and Art Thibert

Update: Click here for Part 2 and Part 4.


What Went Down: Once again, sorry I’m missing part two. This is part three of a four part crossover with Ghost Rider; I’ve never read the Ghost Rider issues, but presumably Ghost Rider randomly goes to New Orleans, encounters the Thieves and Assassins Guilds, and learns that they have been infected by the Brood before being infected himself. Also the X-Men are probably there to.  Update: After reading the issues in question, turns out I was right.  Am i good or am i good?

Anyways, the beginning of this issue starts with the Blue Squad plus Bella Donna (Gambit’s wife, or is it X-Wife—get it, ah ha ha) encountering Ghost Rider as he transforms into a half Brood/half Spirit of Vengeance. Yes, it’s Motivation for Pointless Super Hero vs. Super Hero Fight #56, the bad guy gains control over one of the parties involved.

Some Brood “slaymasters” also show up, and a very large battle ensues. Belle demonstrates some pretty impressive energy powers, which leads Gambit to question where she got them. Also, Jubilee freaks out and runs away because the Brood are supposed to be really scary, and Brood Ghost Rider is supposed to be even scarier.

The floor collapses. Afterwards Belle reveals she still has feelings for Gambit when she demonstrates concern for his wellbeing. Meanwhile, the reason you bought this comic in the 90’s—Wolverine and Ghost Rider fight for two whole pages. Ooooh. During the fight, Ghost Rider demonstrates signs that his human host, Dan Ketch, is fighting the Brood possession, so he runs away.

Elsewhere, Cyclops helps Psylocke out of some rubble, and Psylocke makes a pass at him. He responds as you’d expect; he acts incredibly uncomfortable and then pretends to ignore it.

Somehow Jubilee winds up alone, and ends up stumbling into a chamber where the aliens are holding members of the two guilds prisoner. Rogue finds her and both of them free the prisoners. They mention that the guilds’ children are being held in a different place. Then Ghost Rider shows up again.

All of the X-Men wander in to help fight Ghost Rider. Using her psi-blade, Psylocke manages to enter Ghost Rider’s mind. Surprisingly, Bella Donna goes in with her, although neither woman knows how. Together they fight the Brood essence controlling Ghost Rider, but Belle gets injured before killing it. Upon returning to the real world, Ghost Rider is back to normal, but Belle is dying. Gambit comforts her as she dies.

The comic ends with everyone striking a dynamic pose and explaining how they still have to save the captive children. Unfortunately, I don’t have Ghost Rider #27 either, so just assume that the kids get saved, and nothing monumental happens to the X-Men.  Update: click the link above.

How It Was: Well, it’s a big, dumb issue long fight scene; it’s not the best comic battle you’ll ever read, but it’s nice, light fun. The highlight of the issue is the dialogue by Scott Lobdell; he writes some exceptional funny banter, especially for the Beast and Jubilee. Moreover, he manages to convey some tragedy during the death of one-off character Bella Donna. The scene where Gambit tells her he would’ve chosen her is just perfect, as the panel cuts to both Rogue and Jubilee looking completely shocked and devastated.

The art is spectacular as always, although it’s never really clear where the fight is taking place. While it’s probably explained in the second part of the story, it would still be nice for the writer or artist to place a reminder or something. At first it looks like everyone is in a sewer, but then the floor gives out, and everybody falls into what still looks like a sewer. Furthermore, how do all the X-Men get separated when they all fall straight down through the floor?

My big problem with this issue is that it seems like an unnecessary crossover; the only reason this story exists is because the X-Men and Ghost Rider were both really popular characters at the time, and Marvel wanted to see if they could get some cross promotional action going. I guess I’ve just never really liked Ghost Rider as a character because he just comes off as a generic antihero with a really cool design, especially during the 90’s when comics were overflowing with antiheroes. Some people might say that I haven’t given the character a chance, and if I read the series regularly I’d discover how complex and interesting he is.

Here’s how I see it, when it comes to comic characters, there are certain defining stories that any fan could hand to an interested party to experience the best of what the book or character has to offer. This isn’t one of those stories, but the X-Men have a bunch of them, as do Batman, Spider-Man, etc. My point is that I don’t see a lot of people waving around any specific Ghost Rider story like X-Men fans might mention ‘The Dark Phoenix Saga’ or ‘Days of the Future Past’ or even possibly ‘Messiah Complex.’ Every story I have ever read with Ghost Rider in it, as well as the atrocious movie, has only reinforced my opinion that he was briefly popular in the 90’s because he’s visually interesting, not because there is any substance behind his character.

Man that was a heck of a tangent, but still relevant. Anywho, it’s a fight that is nice to look at, but doesn’t do anything to utilize Ghost Rider, other than to make him look even more bigger and over the top. But some nice X-character moments push this comic above mediocre.

B

X-Men #8

X-Men #8
Writing: Jim Lee and Scott Lobdell
Art: Jim Lee and Art Thibert

Quick Note: This is the start of a four part crossover, but I only have the X-Men parts. Sorry, but I’ll make it up to all of you when I review the X-cutioner’s Song, which I do own all of. The missing parts of these reviews take place in Ghost Rider #26-27 if you’re interested.

Update: Click here for Part 2.

What Went Down: We begin with Wolverine on the computer, looking for files about his past. It’s unclear whose files he’s looking at—if he were looking at Xavier’s files, surely the Professor would grant him permission, and he wouldn’t get so many “access denied” screens. Jubilee tries to talk to him, but he tells her to go away.

Bishop is getting a tour of the facilities from Storm, who still doesn’t trust him, and the Professor. When they encounter Forge, Bishop tells him that in the future he will be called Genesis; nothing ever comes of this. Forge alludes to the neglected relationship between Storm and himself, which will be brought up again over in Uncanny #289.

The Blue Team meets Bishop for the first time. He displays his characteristic hero worship, lets us know that Jubilee will be known as the last X-Man (also never goes anywhere), and informs Beast that in the future he is a well known philosopher.

When he gets to Gambit, Bishop recognizes him as Lebeau the Witness from his future; he automatically assumes that Gambit is the X-traitor alluded to in Uncanny #287. All of the X-Men ignore Bishop’s concerns, and then they all go off to have a picnic.

Wolverine somehow discovers a connection to the name Barrington. This gets resolved in a back up story in X-Men #10-11.

Next we have the beginning of a very unusual subplot where Psylocke attempts to seduce Cyclops, and Cyclops acts like a babbling idiot. To make matters worse, this begins right in front of his girlfriend Jean Grey while she is trying to discuss the possible effects of the Professor’s recent re-paralyzing, thus making her very jealous. Basically Scott ignores Jean because he is too busy staring at Betsy in her swimsuit.

Rogue apparently baked food especially for Gambit, so you know that they are getting serious. Bishop interrupts and gets in a fight with Gambit, as the cover indicates. The fight ends, I kid you not, when Gambit hits Rogue in the face with a pie, and both men start laughing so that Rogue will think they made up. After resolving that problem, a woman named Bella Donna shows up and announces that she is Gambit’s wife.

Back inside the mansion, all of the X-Men act very surprised. Gambit takes the opportunity to relay some of his past; Gambit was a thief and Belle was an assassin, he married Belle when they were young to bring the two clans together, he accidently killed her brother in a duel, and he was exiled. The Blue Team agrees to go with Gambit to help stop the infighting between the clans.

Ghost Rider shows up at the end of the issue and freaks out a traffic cop in New Orleans; this scene is very important because without it you can’t call this the first part of a crossover between the two books.

How It Was: In the span of one issue there is an awful lot going on here. We have the introduction of Bishop to the team, the revelation that Gambit might be the traitor, the revelation of Gambit’s real name, and the revelation of Gambit’s wife Belle and some of his past; it’s a heck of a lot to take in.

But that’s okay because the next issue is just a big, loud fight with the Ghost Rider, so I guess it all evens out. This issue works really well because everything going on revolves around the theme of trust. Bishop is trying to get the X-Men to trust him. In turn, Storm and Rogue try to convince him that Gambit should not be judged for actions he has not yet committed, when all of a sudden this icon from his past shows up to remind everyone how mysterious and dangerous Gambit is. Plus Belle adds some much needed drama and conflict to the Rogue/Gambit love train. There is some pretty funny dialogue in this issue that comes at Gambit’s expense.

It’s also nice to see Wolverine following up on exploring his past since it always comes back to haunt him and his friends; however, as I mentioned before it’s a little unclear exactly where he is looking for this information or what exactly he is searching for. The Cyclops/Psylocke plot continues for a while, but nothing really comes of it except for some awkward encounters; I guess there is some humor to be found in Scott’s awkward reactions.

As for the art, it has the leg up on Uncanny in that background art actually exists in it; nothing fancy, but most of the panels at least give some clues as to where the characters are. Of course, some of the trees look hastily drawn, but overall it’s a nice change of pace to see some bright outdoor scenes as opposed to the single color backdrop of past issues. Also, we get some nice designs of the X-Men in their swimwear.

This is an enjoyable issue with some really great character moments, and also some not so great ones. It’s also very important for Gambit fans. Enjoy it because the next three issues are pretty light on characterization.

B+