Ghost Rider #79

Ghost Rider #79, published by Marvel Comics in April 1983, serves as a poignant conclusion to the original Johnny Blaze series. Written by J.M. DeMatteis with artwork by Bob Budiansky and Danny Bulanadi, the issue brings the long-running struggle between the protagonist and the demon Zarathos to a final, definitive head. It was produced during a transitional era for Marvel, where creators were increasingly tasked with wrapping up lengthy character arcs to allow for editorial refreshes.

The aesthetic of this issue reflects the grittier, darker tone that was beginning to permeate Marvel's supernatural titles in the early eighties. The cover, featuring a striking depiction of the Spirit of Vengeance, is often praised for its dramatic composition and classic horror-fantasy style. While the series would eventually see a long hiatus before the character's 1990s resurgence, issue #79 remains a significant milestone for longtime readers as it successfully resolved the central curse that had defined Blaze's existence since the title's inception.