Ghost Rider #3: Restore Hell to Her Past Glory

Ghost Rider #3 is here! Picking up right after Johnny Blaze left Danny Ketch to drown following their magnificent and fiery clash in the last issue,  we see how the traumatic situation impacts both brothers and what the plan for moving forward really looks like.

When a series starts off with an action-packed fueled rollercoaster first and even second issue, I can’t help but worry about what I’ve come to see as the third issue slump. A lot of these 5-6 issue arcs are structured in a way where the narrative weight falls around issue #3 when a lot of storytelling elements must occur to initiate the next act. Ghost Rider #3 is an example of this slump in action, unfortunately.

While there are a lot of new developments unfolding, this issue turns out to be rather inconsequential. Seeing Danny struggle to decide what needs to be done in the wake of such danger especially without the Spirit of Vengeance backing him up is without a doubt the highlight of the book. However, all of the events essentially result in the concrete establishment of what’s coming in the next issues. That effectively makes Ghost Rider #3 purely a set up issue.

I understand that these types of issues are a product of the method of storytelling and might even suit the arc much better in a collected trade format. However, as a single issue, it’s difficult not to be disappointed. There are a couple of strong visuals where the tight script allowed for a chance to shine, but it’s mostly packed with dialogue filled panels as the story catches up to speed and lays the groundwork for what’s to come. And in all honesty, a fill-in artist at only the third issue in the series didn’t exactly inspire a lot of hope. It is what it is.

Yes, it’s exciting that we are going to see Johnny come face to face with Mephisto in Vegas, and I can’t wait to see how Danny plans to confront him. But none of that happens this issue, instead, it promises it’s coming very soon. I am certainly here for the ride and hopeful that this doesn’t become a trend, but after two such incredibly strong issues this one simply doesn’t maintain the momentum.