Random Happenstance

Yesterday's Ghost Rider guest spot was late in his series--possibly close to the end--and today we've got one I think earlier in his popularity: from 1992, Deathlok #10, "Wake Up! It's Time to Die!" Written by Gregory Wright, pencils by Denys Cowan, inks by Mike Manley.

Michael Collins has been living a nightmare since becoming trapped in the Deathlok cyborg, which is now a more literal nightmare with the arrival of Nightmare! He's been trapped in the demon's realm, while the cyborg is running amuck on a nightmare program of Michael's fears, of what damage Deathlok could reek without him. After innocent blood is spilled, Ghost Rider intervenes to stop Deathlok, the penance stare instead also sends the Rider to Nightmare's realm.

The Deathlok cyborg then escapes the cops and makes repairs, with the assistance of Jesus, one of his friends, who may not realize things were amiss. Meanwhile, Nightmare, who still calls the Rider Zarathos despite his protests to the contrary, makes a big show of not letting him escape with Collins, when that was exactly what he wanted: the Rider escaped with a faux-Collins, the real one was still a prisoner!

While the fight resumes, Nightmare tortures Collins with visions of his family: his son missing the point of his pacifism and embracing death-laser-carnage, and his wife looking hot, since as Deathlok he was not expecting a lot of intimacy. Still, he has the inner strength to fight his way back to reality, mid-fight! The Rider suspects a trick, but as Deathlok Collins asks for the penance stare, and is burned...with the shame of his minor past crimes, he's lived a pretty good life. (The penance stare wouldn't leave me lobotomized, but...I wouldn't ask for it, either.)

While the Ghost Rider pretty much rides off without so much as a sorry, Nick Fury has shown up by now, and knew the score. S.H.I.E.L.D. puts him back together, since the Rider had torn him up more than he let on. I think that was to clear up the last few issues, but okay.