Warning: SPOILERS for Ghost Rider #2
He may have once been ruling the streets as Ghost Rider, but things haven't gone well for Danny Ketch since. Marvel's new Ghost Rider series has returned to find Danny's girlfriend having broken up with him, as he now lives in his bar where he drinks himself to death to avoid dealing with it all. With that baggage, the Spirit of Vengeance is only adding to his burden. Somehow, Ketch's situation goes from bad to worse, after encountering fellow Ghost Rider Johnny Blaze.
In Marvel's Ghost Rider #2, Johnny is back from Hell, where he still rules after the imprisonment of Mephisto. The original Ghost Rider is hunting down the demons who escaped Hell and intends on bringing them back, no matter what the cost. And while Blaze is doing the right thing sending demons back to Hell, his thirst has put innocent bystanders at risk. Which mean's it's Danny's job to talk some sense into his brother... and their ensuing fight to the death costs Danny the most.
It would be an understatement to say Johnny Blaze has gone power-mad in hunting demons. And even if Danny doesn't understand his mission, Blaze's recklessness and thirst from Hell don't make him a forgiving person. So when Danny tries to get in the King of Hell's way, Blaze has had enough. As Danny tells his brother something is wrong with him, Blaze strips the Spirit of Vengeance, and throws Danny off a bridge into the water below.
It's unclear whether Danny can survive, since he's seemingly powerless and extremely vulnerable. But even if he does, his incarnation of the Ghost Rider is over and done with, commanded by the King of Hell himself. The twist ending is a cruel one, since Danny finally gets his wish of being free from the Spirit of Vengeance, but it's come at quite the cost. Blaze is running around New York City bringing down sinners and demons. Ketch was his only foil. Now, he's powerless in his pursuit and if he's sent to Hell, he's under the control of his brother. Blaze got what he wanted. He can remain unchallenged (for now) and complete his tasks without interference. Will Ketch stay down as Blaze continues as the King of Hell? Where this story goes next is unclear, but something big is about to happen. Taking out a Ghost Rider is a bold move with serious repercussions. It will be fascinating to see how Blaze's quest and Ketch's apparent demise play out.
- Ghost Rider #2 (2019)
- Writer: Ed Brisson
- Art by: Aaron Kuder, Craig Yeung, John Lucas, Luciano Vecchio, Jason Keith
- Cover by: Aaron Kuder
- GHOST RIDER VS. GHOST RIDER! It had to happen... Johnny versus Danny! But who does Mephisto have his money on?
- Out now in comic shops.