*Marvel: It’s not every day we get the first appearance of a major Marvel hero! Ghost Rider had been the title of a short-lived Western series of the 1960s (derived from a Golden Age original), and in 1972, writer Gary Friedrich and artist Mike Ploog reinterpreted the cowboy trope with the nearest modern equivalent – a motorbike rider! In the wake of ‘Easy Rider’ and adding in lashings of the then-popular Satanic possession movies, they came up with Johnny Blaze, stunt-rider turned emissary of Satan, having sacrificed his soul to save his loved ones. But this being a Code Approved Marvel comic, Johnny’s battle of wills with his demonic master usually led to his actions coming down on the side of good, despite Old Nick’s best efforts. Ghost Rider went on to 80+ issues of his original series after a successful run in Marvel Spotlight and remains a mainstay of the Marvel Universe today. This copy of Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider’s very first appearance in try-out title Marvel Spotlight #5 is a beautiful higher grade copy, with a glossy, reflective cover with strong colour. Tight and flat with staples firm at spine and centrefold and supple off-white pages. Wear is limited to very faint stress marks at lower staple which do not break colour and the merest suggestion of wear at lower and right edges. From an original owner collection, bought new in 1972 on a New York newsstand, and carefully preserved ever since. High resolution images are available on request.
PICTURED: MARVEL SPOTLIGHT #5 VF £1,800