Ghost Rider Issue #32

1. Comic Book Analysis of Ghost
Rider Issue #32 “Fight For Life”
By: Dylan Hogue

2. Abstract
Dr. Frank Brukner has brought Dr. Strange to save and revive Dan Ketch from the
demon that has taken over his body. The only two people observing this “mystical”
operation take place are John Blaze and Dr. Brukner. Dr. Brukner and Blaze have
conflicting opinions on the type of “treatment” Strange is giving Dan Ketch. In issues
25- 31 it is described what happened… Ketch had his throat ripped out by Blackout,
then the Ghost Rider lead Blaze on a mission to save the world though a vision he had
while being Dan Ketch. His vision was of Lilith, the mother of all demons. They were to
fight her and all children of hers, but come to find that Dr. Strange had manipulated
them all. Going on in another realm, Dr. Strange arrived through Ghost Rider to save
Ketch. Dr. Strange must attempt to get rid of any left over material that the Lilith left
over. While this is occurring, “The Firm” finds out that Ghost Rider is in a specific area
and set out a squad to capture him. At the same time Ketch is fighting the taint left by
Lilith. From the outside view Blaze and Brukner see something going wrong and don’t
know what to do. They were told to leave the two body figures alone. As this is
occurring, The Firm has arrived to capture the Ghost Rider. Blaze and Brukner retrieve
the bodies and begin to fight off the villains, while Ketch becomes free of the Lilith
taint. Ghost Rider arises to fight off The Firm to make sure Ketch lives. Dr. Strange
comes back with Ketch going under a very painful transformation, but is living and
back to humanity. The Firm is now in the hands of Mr. Stern…

3. Over Arching Theme
Personally, I believe the over arching theme in this issue is complexity. The ideas in this
comic are complex in many ways. Beginning with the illustrations of the characters,
the different use of blends and colors really causes the eyes to veer off the correct
reading path. Additionally, facial expressions of each character are in very fine detail
the whole way down to simple chin hair stubble. The complexity continues with the
flow of panels and the different types of panels used on different pages. Lastly,
understanding the idea of what is actually going on in the comic itself. This comes with
the use of words in the context and the different conversations occurring from page to
page.

4. Concept 1
To the left, John Blaze and Dr. Brukner
are in conflict over what Dr. Strange is
doing to Dan Ketch. Blaze goes
outside to have a cigarette and finds
an intruder, trying to find the body of
“The Ghost Rider” What is shown
here is subject to subject panel
transitions

5. Concept 2
To the left Blaze and Ghost Rider are driving to
fight Lilith and her sons after Ghost Rider had
the prior issue. Here shows the complexity of
the panel art and transition.
Above, McCloud explains the
idea of action to action panel
transition. This is where the
subjects are involved in a
series of actions are
occurring.

6. Concept 3
In this scene Blaze and Brukner are attempting to
flee from “the Firm.” they are unsure whether to
leave the body, which was said not to be touched
during the process of Dr. Strange. There is a series
of events occurring in the panels as they move from
one to another.
Above, McCloud explains the idea of a plot driven
transitions, this is said to clarify segments in a
scene.

7. Concept 4
In this example McCloud is explains the different views of
images can be taken. In specifically, this is getting above a
scene.
This is an image of Dr. Strange taking Dan Ketch back to
free him of this curse Lilith casted on him. This angle is
taken from above as he is flying upward or through a
portal. Once again the complexity of the different uses of
angles changes through out the whole issue.

8. Concept 5
To the right McCloud is
simply explaining the
idea of flow in the
transitions of panels.
To theft is just an
example of the
complexity of the
transitions between
panels and how to follow
them.

9. Concept 6
This is an example from the comic
where Dan is trying to undergo the
process that Dr. Strange, showing
the different positions his body is
taking.
McCloud is describing the idea of
the characters in comics having
different feature that will alert you
that something is going on, such
as, having over exaggerated traits.

10. Concept 7
This is a scene in the comic where
Dr. Strange is conducting
something on Ketch. This shows
the formation of a body taking on
contact to the stomachs area.
McCloud is explain how the body
of characters should take on the
form of the action that is being
used against them.

11. Concept 8
To the left Is an example
of facial expressions
McCloud described in
his text. Specifically this
is showing a sense of
anger.
This is just an example
of an angered facial
expression from the
comic. Note the detail
in he face that really
give it the mad look.

12. Concept 9
This is just another example of the use of
facial expressions that McCloud gives from
his text. This in specifically is the use of
surprise.
This is an example of a surprised facial
expression from the comic. Blaze is
caught off guard by “The Firm” as he
is trying to decide what to do with the
body of “Ghost Rider.”

13. Concept 10
This is the Ghost Rider
showing his stance of
outward power overtop
of one of “The Firm.”
note the vivid colors
around the Ghost Rider.
This is an example of
body position being
able to describe the
mood of a person. This
is an outward position
of power.

14. Concept 11
This is an image of Blaze and Brukner fighting
off the fire power of The Firm. This is showing
a montage of how the words match what the
picture is showing.
This is how McCloud explains the
idea of words and picture match
in a pictorial way, a montage.

15. Concept 12
This is where McCloud defines
the idea of a word specific
image. The focus is more on the
words rather than the image
itself.
This is an example of Blaze
talking with a close up on his
mouth and more of a focus
on what he is saying. Note
the detail in the drawing of
his face and the background
of what he is talking about.

16. Concept 13
This is an example from
the comic where timbre is
used to explain a part of
the scene with words. Not
the explosion that is
occurring and the
vividness of the colors.
This is an
example of how
McCloud explains
the use of text
and connecting it
to sounds.
Specifically, this is
timbre, which
explains the
sound and the
shape of letters
create a sense of
that noise while
connecting it to
the scene.

17. Concept 14
This is the opening panel of
the issue. This clearly
depicts Blaze and Brukner
looking on at Dr. Strange
attempting to fix the Ghost
Rider. This is able to clearly
show what the comic is
going to explain throughout
the story. Note the art work
in the picture and the detail
of each character.
This is where McCloud
explains choice of image.
The image should be able
to be quickly identified to
what is going on and be
able to explain what is
happening without
words.

18. Concept 15
This is an example of a movement
to movement transition. This is
complex in a way that there are no
actual panels, but the eye must
follow down the page to see the
process of images.
This is where McCloud explains
the idea of movement to
movement transitions. More
precisely, this is where an action
occurs over a pan of many panels
or images.

19. Concept 16
This is just an example of a
character from The Firm,
dressed in his battle gear.
This complex image creates
a memorable wardrobe and
look.
McCloud explains the
concepts of character
design. Visual distinction is
an aspect of character
design. Being to create a
memorable face and
wardrobe.

20. Concept 17
This is where
McCloud discusses
the way of adding
unrest to the body
language. Just by
simply adding a small
tilt to the way of the
body can show that
gesture or feeling.
This is an example of Blaze
taking a step outside to smoke
and clear his mind from an
disagreement. You can tell he is
trying to relax or stressed out
by the body gesture.

21. Conclusion
This comic was a great read in general. In many way
this comic was able to catch the reader (myself) off-
guard. The vividness of the color scheme was
beautiful. The illustrations of each character were
awesome and how superhero's should be drawn,
big, muscular, and mean looking. For one to read
this they must pay close attention to how each page
flows as each page changes panel types. Some have
simple box type panels and others are separated by
a flash, or not separated and just given in a type of
order.

22. References
• Ghost Rider Issue 32
• “Making Comics” Scott McCloud, 2006