Issue(s): Ghost Rider #25
Cover Date: Aug 77
Title: "Menace is a man called Malice!"
Credits:
Jim Shooter - Writer
Don Heck - Penciler
Tony DeZuniga - Inker

Review/plot:
This standalone story has Ghost Rider going up against a foe called Malice (unrelated to the many other Malice entities in the Marvel universe; this is this one's only appearance).

Kind of like with Water Wizard last issue, Jim Shooter seems to be trying to "explain" villain-speak to us, which makes the character seem a little more human (although it's still kind of awkward).

Malice just has a bunch of gadgets and not much motivation, so he's not very interesting, but what is interesting is the continued exploration of Johnny's demonic side. We see here that he finds himself lapsing into demon-speak even when he knows Malice can't hear him.

And later he acts like a true spirit of vengeance, really for the first time.

Indeed the MCP list this as being the first non-behind the scenes appearance of Zarathos. I only list Zarathos appearing when he's a separate physical entity, but it's clear that this is the start of a change for the Ghost Rider.

Quality Rating: C-

Historical Significance Rating: 3 - Ghost Rider starts becoming more demonic

Chronological Placement Considerations: N/A

References: N/A

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A