Ghost Rider # 9 - The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Illinois: Part 2

This is probably the best issue so far in this current series. It still has it's problems however. Probably the biggest problem is the fact that yet again... Ghost Rider is mistakenly identified as the criminal/villain. You can't start every story arc with Johnny Blaze being harassed by police because he just so happens to wonder in a town where a murder was just committed. The whole suspicious stranger in a small town can only be done so often.

Although I will admit that the sheriff thinking Ghost Rider is responsible makes more sense in this story arc then previous ones. The murderer in question was described as having a flaming head, so at least it makes more sense this time around. Harry O'Connor (sheriff) having a personal connection with the first victim also adds more to the supporting character, instead of just having a corrupt police officer going after Blaze because he's a stranger. He's actually looking for justice and wants to bring the murderer down.

The ongoing story of Lucifer being split into 666 pieces and each possessing a recently deceased corpse gets a twist in this arc. It was already getting kinda boring with him simply possessing normal people, here instead he's possessed the corpse of Jack O'Lantern who was killed by The Punisher in Civil War. It's kinda funny that the character had to die for him to be an important part of a story. He's actually much more menacing then ever before, and the way he toys with Ghost Rider actually doesn't come off as unrealistic. The fight scene between the two actually is pretty cool in this issue.

The artwork is actually perfect for the book. I don't think I've ever seen Jack O'Lantern ever look this cool. Ghost Rider looks more like the Danny Ketch version, but looks great none the less.

All in all, it's a step in the right direction for the series. I just hope it continues to get better.