The Original Ghost Rider

Howdy, pardners!  I have some real spooky tales to tell y'all.  They're all about a scary cowboy hero with a name you've all probably heard of.  His real name is Marshal Rex Fury, and he also went by the name of The Calico Kid.  However, as life changes so does one's destiny.  Rex Fury was slated to become the masked hero The Ghost Rider.  He was created by artist Dick Ayers and published in issues of "Tim Holt" (yes, a comic named after the actor) by Magazine Enterprises.  Eventually this frightening hero got his own comic book, which lasted 14 issues. 

Here is The Ghost Rider's first origin story (there are two of 'em) from "Tim Holt" #11 (November 1949).  The character Sing-Song is a racist portrayal of an Asian, so if this offends you, please don't read it. 

This story doesn't really explain why Rex Fury is all white or where he got his white horse.  Stuff like that had to be saved for the alternate origin story in "The Ghost Rider" #1 (August 1950)!  For those who enjoy monsters mixed with The Old West you won't be able to resist the next story.  It features a guest appearance from the Frankenstein monster! 

Here is "The Ghost Rider Vs. Frankenstein" from "The Ghost Rider" #10 (November 1952).

If that didn't give ya the willies, then maybe this next one will!  The Devil himself stars in "The Devil Deals in Death!" from "The Ghost Rider" #12 (May - June 1953). 

And here's a super neato ad for a Ghost Rider mask! 

I hope y'all enjoyed these tall tales.  When The Ghost Rider was revived by Marvel Comics in the late 1960s, they got original artist Dick Ayers to draw a nearly identical character with a different secret identity.  Then when a new Ghost Rider appeared, this time as a Satanic-influenced motorcycle riding character, the Western character was first renamed Night Rider, then Phantom Rider.  Marvel has a habit of waiting until a character name is in public domain so they can use it and elements from that character to create a new character that doesn't have the charm of the original.  In my opinion, anyway.  This, unfortunately, is why it's hard to find good information on Golden Age comic characters that have been revived by modern comics companies.  If you do a search for a character you will always get results for the modern versions. 

Again, thank you to all the scanners and uploaders who were kind enough to share these stories.  Y'all have a right nice day, ya hear?                  

The Doctor Will See You Now

Doctor Jim Bradley, pretty upset at all the crime victims that come into Mercy Hospital, decides to do something about it.  Using a truth serum, he injects it into people to get to the bottom of criminal activities.  This is one doctor that won't take things lying down! 

Doctor Nemesis made his first appearance in "Lightning Comics" Vol. 1 #6 (April 1941), published by Ace Magazines.  He is another hero who wears a minimalist costume, if you can call it that.  I'm unsure of who created the character, as he is now mixed up and identified as a Marvel Comics character, due to Marvel using the name for a new, unrelated character that has nothing to do with the original Golden Age version.  The first story I'm going to share with you is signed "B. Currie".  I have no idea who that is.  I do know that the good doctor had a total of twelve appearances.  The final four appearances of Doctor Nemesis were in "Super-Mystery Comics" and he had his name abbreviated as Dr. Nemesis. 

I guess I should warn people the stories I'm about to share are pretty gruesome!  Here is "Lightning Comics" Vol. 3 #1 (June 1942).  (I wish this splash was connected together.)

If everyone is still with me, I have another shocking story to share with you!  This one also comes with a warning, not just for the appearance of the zombie-like victims in the story, but also due to its racist content.  The villain X2 is an exaggeration of an Asian in appearance, and he clearly is anti-American.  If this offends you, please don't read it.  Here is "Super-Mystery Comics" Vol. 4 #1 (January 1944). 

I hope everyone enjoyed this article, despite the violence and racism displayed in the stories I chose.  I could have played it safe and chose stories more geared for those whose modern sensibilities want everything squeaky clean.  But these stories are good examples of the attitudes American writers and artists had during this period, and I am not a censor.  America was involved in a war with the Axis powers and not many people here had any sympathy for the people in Germany, Japan or Italy.  Thankfully we gotten past that and are now at peace with these countries.

Thank you once more to all the scanners and uploaders.  Please scan and upload the remainder of the Doctor Nemesis stories, as I am one fan who wants to read them all.