BRONZE AGE MINUTE: Ghost Rider #35

Marvel; April 1979
Cover by Bob Budiansky and Josef Rubinstein

Title: “Deathrace!”
Synopsis: On a suddenly stormy night, Ghost Rider finds himself in a series of motorcycle races against Death himself.

Writer: Jim Starlin
Layouts: Starlin
Finishes: Steve Leialoha and friends

Review: A confession: This reviewer has never been fond of Ghost Rider. Jim Starlin, on the other hand, has often been a favorite, and this comic is a fine example of the master craftsman’s work. The story is a slight one – Death challenges Ghost Rider to three races – and Starlin gets as much mileage as possible out of the notion of “cheating Death.” But it’s the total package that makes this issue, and Starlin’s artistic storytelling chops are on full display. Steve Leialoha’s inks give the art a less-polished look, but the end result is still quite nice.

Grade: A-

Cool factor: You can’t go wrong with Starlin doing Death. And that Bob Budiansky cover is pretty cool, too.

Notable: Referred to as a “classic” in The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide.

Character quotable: “I’ve had it with your game, so you can just … EAT HELLFIRE!” – Ghost Rider, somehow thinking Death might be bothered by such a thing

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