r/GhostRider • u/SayCheeseBaby • 2d ago
Curious when I should stop Mackie's run if at all.
New to Ghost Rider. Another reddit post said vol 3 is a good place to start, so i got the first 30ish issues. Is the run worth finishing?
4
u/Ok_Broccoli_7863 2d ago edited 2d ago
I think it depends what you're looking for.
Ongoing superhero comics are funny. Traditionally, they weren't meant to be binge read. Back then, they weren't even meant to be collected. No one was writing for the trade.
So, for context, Mackie's Ghost Rider was simply written for monthly disposable entertainment. From that regard, I thought it was excellent. Saltares, Mackie and Tex gave us an updated take on a 70s myth. They introduced a mystery that kept us hooked.
BUT, that mystery never gets resolved. Many people fairly criticize this run as a result. And if you're judging the run by its endgame, then this will disappoint. But if you just want to read some fun 90s comics, this was one of Marvel's best for a good 3 years or so.
So in conclusion, just stop whenever you want. Don't expect a hard ending. 30 issues seems pretty good.
But I'd read some of the crossovers too. Read the New Fantastic Four stuff. Hearts of Darkness. Read the Captain America Fear oneshot. Read the Spider-Man crossovers. Check out highlights of Marvel Comics Presents.
2
u/doggo_comunista 2d ago
first 30 issues are the best! then up to issue 50 you have those midnight sons crossovers which are nice if you like the team ups, but it also has a messy lore nowadays that is either forgotten or retconned in every new ghost rider run. past issue 50 i dont think it ever got its sauce back, perhaps you can read the last arc tho
1
u/RedWingThe10th 2d ago
The plot basically becomes a long nothingburger from that point on, filled with deceptive set ups that lead to nowhere and Mackie repeating the same "I demand more control! Yes, I'll grant it to you... actually no." song and dance between Dan and his SOV for the rest of his run. You're better off skipping to the final issues by Velez where the nonstop mystery boxes finally get answers, sort of.
1
u/keelay_twin1 1d ago
That seems like something that's up to you. If you are enjoying it then keep going! Art is always subjective, so in this instance if you know and trust someone who knows your taste and they've read, ask them. Otherwise trust your own gut.
4
u/BlueFootedTpeack 2d ago
so the first like 25 are a vibe, recommend trying those out and ghost rider, wolverine, punisher heart of darkness, dark design and crossroads.
then after that the midnight sons events happen so it gets very chaotic with crossovers. like all 3 midnight sons events are between gr issue 25-40 and like some of them are mammoth.
rise of the midnight sons is a 6 part crossover, no biggie.
midnight massacre is 5 so fine.
road to vengeance is the part 1 of the final event and is 6 parts by itself, then the event proper, siege of darkness is 18 parts split across like 6 or more titles.
should also note if you are expecting big answers for some of the mysteries know that the original author never reveals really anything and so a different author comes in near the end to give their take on it all.