Ghost Rider, Vol. 1 (1973-1983)

A terrible storm rages. Inside a church, Johnny asks the priest to hear his confession. He explains his life - how his father died, and how Crash and Mona Simpson raised him. How Mona died, and on her deathbed extracted a promise that Johnny quit the dangerous stunt riding game. How Johnny couldn't keep that promise, and how he and Roxanne fell in love. How Crash Simpson became ill and Johnny made a deal with Mephisto to save him from the disease. Crash didn't die of cancer, but he did die riding. And Mephisto came to claim Johnny. Only Roxanne's pure love drove the demon away. But he got his: Johnny found himself bound to a demon, who emerged and created Ghost Rider! And the last part of the story is how Johnny came across a man left for dead in a ditch... a priest waylaid, his clothing stolen by his murderer. Ghost Rider emerges, a skeletal hand shattering the confessional lattice! The thief escapes, stealing Johnny's bike, but Ghost Rider does not need Johnny's bike. He chases down the murderer, cross country and along roads, finally seizing him near the railroad tracks. The next day rescue workers load a man into an ambulance, his mouth gaping as if to scream, and as if he'd run out of screams. And Johnny Blaze rides away...