- "I still can't believe I'm actually able to form things from fire! But the only important thing now is how horsepower matches up to firepower!"
- ―Johnny Blaze
| "Wheels on Fire" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Ghost Rider | |
| Title: | "Wheels on Fire" |
| Volume: | 2 |
| Number: | 3 |
| Cover price: | .20 |
| Cover date: | December, 1973 |
| Publisher: | Marvel Comics |
| Credits | |
| Chief: | Roy Thomas |
| Writers: | Gary Friedrich |
| Pencilers: | Jim Mooney |
| Inkers: | John Tartag |
| Cover artists: | John Romita, Sr. |
| Cover inker: | John Romita, Sr. |
| Cover letterer: | Gaspar Saladino |
| Colorists: | George Roussos |
| Letterers: | Tom Orzechowski |
| Editors: | Roy Thomas |
| Navigation | |
| Previous: | Ghost Rider #2 |
| Next: | Ghost Rider #4 |
"Wheels on Fire" is the title to the third issue of the second Ghost Rider comic book series published by Marvel Comics. The story was written by Gary Friedrich with artwork by Jim Mooney and inks by John Tartaglione. It was colored by George Roussos and lettered by Tom Orzechowski. The cover art illustration was rendered by John Romita. The story was edited by Roy Thomas. This issue shipped with a December, 1973 cover date and carries a cover price of .20 cents per copy.
Plot[]
Johnny Blaze, the Ghost Rider returns to Earth from Hell with Witch Woman with some help from the Son of Satan, but finds himself stranded in the desert, where he eventually passes out. Johnny awakens inside of a hospital.
Meanwhile, Big Daddy Dawson of the Ruthless Riders finds Roxanne Simpson. He pursues and captures her, and decides to use her as bait to extort money out of Johnny Blaze. Dawson brings Roxanne to the hospital, but night has fallen, and Johnny Blaze has transformed into the Ghost Rider.
The Ghost Rider and Big Daddy Dawson chase each other through the streets of Phoenix, Arizona. Ghost Rider closes in on Dawson and projects Hellfire from his finger-tip, which causes Dawson to crash into an eighteen-wheeler, seemingly killing him. The Ghost Rider flees the scene as police vehicle sirens ring in the air.
Appearances[]
Featured characters
Supporting characters
Villains
- Big Daddy Dawson (Dies)
- Satan (In flashback only)
Minor characters
Organizations
- Craig Simpson's Daredevil Cycle Show (In flashback only)
- Hell-Steeds
- Ruthless Riders
Races & Animals
Locations
- Hell (In flashback only)
Items
Vehicles
Powers
Miscellaneous
Notes & Trivia[]
- The character of Johnny Blaze was created by writers Gary Friedrich & Roy Thomas and artist Mike Ploog. He first appeared as the title story in Marvel Spotlight #5 in August, 1972.
- The tagline to this issue is "It's Hell on wheels... when Johnny Blaze conjures up a sensational new cycle!"
- This issue carries the approval stamp of the Comics Code Authority.
- Inker John Tartaglione is credited as John Tartag in this issue.
- This issue is reprinted in black and white in the Essential Ghost Rider, Volume 1 trade paperback collection in 2005.
- This issue is reprinted in Original Ghost Rider #11 in May, 1993.
- This issue is reprinted in full color in Marvel Masterworks: Ghost Rider, Volume 1 hardcover collection in 2019.
- This issue is reprinted in the Ghost Rider Epic Collection: Hell on Wheels trade paperback from 2022.
- The events of this issue follows those of Marvel Spotlight #12.
- The personality of Johnny Blaze is dominant in the Ghost Rider form with no evidence of the presence of Zarathos.
- With some guidance from Witch-Woman, Johnny Blaze learns that he has the ability to summon a new flaming Hell Cycle at will.
- This is the third and final appearance of Big Daddy Dawson. He first appeared in Ghost Rider #2. He appeared last in Marvel Spotlight #12. He seemingly dies in this issue after his motorcycle crashes into an eighteen-wheeler.
- Roxanne Simpson is also referred to as Rocky Simpson in this issue.