Ghost Rider: Vengeance Unbound

CREATOR Q&A: HOWARD MACKIE

In 2006, former Ghost Rider writer Howard Mackie participated in a "question and answer" session on the Superhero Hype forums about his work on the Spirit of Vengeance in the 1990s. This Q&A was gathered together into one article by Jake Umberger and sent to me to post on Vengeance Unbound!

9/28/06 BigGun: was it your intention for the comic to be accessible to kids? Or would you rather have had it w/ over the top blood and violence? Do you think they can stay true to the tone of the book w/ just a PG13 rating?

HM: Let's keep in mind the time in which GHOST RIDER was created... there really was no choice... it was a Code Approved book set in the Marvel Universe. I knew the playground, and market, at which the book was being marketed. Besides, you had a flaming skull, dressed in leathers... did you need anything over the top? So, YES, I think a PG13 rating will work fine for this movie and bring in more younger viewers... which could help the whole sequel thing.

FlameHead: Spider-Man #93. What was up with that? Some say it was your attempt to erase the latter part of Ghost Rider's history in the 90's. Is this the case?

Hm: Here's the thing... after I left GHOST RIDER I decided not to read the book. Nothing against Ivan, but I had poured a lot of myself into the book... and I just know what happens when another writer takes over. So, I heard about the Noble Kale stuff, but I chose not to care...mostly. When the book was cancelled Ralph Macchio (my Spider-Man editor) came to me and asked if I would get Ghost Rider/Dan Ketch to a place that he/they could be picked up in the future. Issue #93 was the result.

That's how I remember it.

10/2/06 NDX: I've been out of touch with comics for a while. What are you up to now, Howard?

HM: Been mostly out of comic books for a number of years... done a little here and there... been writing some kids books... and just doing whatever it takes to make ends meet.

NDX: And I don't know if you mentioned this or not, but have you been following the new series? Or the Ennis/Crane series (I won't even bother asking about Hammer Lane)? If so, what did you think of those?

HM: Honestly, have not looked in on GR much since I stopped writing the book...kinda hard to do. No offense to anybody's work...I am a BIG Ennis fan... just the way it is.

Midnyte Sun: How awesome would it be to have a new 6 issue comic featuring Dan Ketch and the Spirit of Vengeance written by Howard Mackie and penciled by Ron Garney!

HM:Thanks for the kind words, but it unlikely that you will ever see another GR series from me

NDX: Something that's been bothering me since... 1995, I believe. Siege of Darkness. Why the hell did it have to be 17 issues? For a somewhat self-contained crossover (Midnight Sons characters only, unlike stories like Onslaught and House of M) the amount of issues needed to portray to story in 2 months was excessive. Some of the stories could have really been removed altogether. Plus I can't find back issues for **** now.

HM: If we can only get Editor Bobbie Chase to answer this one, because I AGREE. I HATED doing that massive of a crossover back then... actually; I wasn't the biggest fan of giving up some degree of control over the direction I wanted to take with GR by the creation of the MIDNIGHT SONS. GHOST RIDER is a clear example of a book that was victim of its own success. When I first pitched the proposal for the series it was the toughest sell ever. Very few in sales and marketing thought it would work. I won't bore you with the details of a story I've told over and over again in interviews, but the bottom line is that once GR launched, and was successful... EVERYONE wanted to take credit and wanted a piece of it. SO... you get a 17 PART X-OVER!!!! Sorry.

Burnforever: Did you like the direction the title took after you leave it?
Of course i mean the Ivan Velez Jr's work. You would go in a different way?

HM: Didn't read it. Nothing against Ivan, or his work, just a personal choice of mien.

Burnforever: And why didn't you ever write THE new GR origin tale in your title run?

Then again, congrats for you work and thanks again!
GR4EVR!

HM: Was asked not to do it early on.... then didn't get around to it... and then left the book.

The Joker: Ok, I have a question now, about something I read on Wikipedia actually, trying to think of questions to ask (it worked!)...

"It has been speculated that Mackie was the writer who was credited as "X" in Marvel's The Brotherhood series (2001), though this has never been confirmed by the company; the identity of "X" remains unrevealed (though in 2005 Marvel Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada said "he was W. Mark Felt")."

So...was it you?

HM: Never read the series, so... I don't know.
This question frequently comes up, and I think it's hysterical that a book that was published like 5 years ago, and had no impact on anything, is still discussed.

Riding Ghost: Why did you think it was necessary to create a different GR than the Blaze GR? (or was it someone else's idea?)

HM: Back when I was working on staff as an editor Marvel was looking to resurrect the GHOST RIDER title. They solicited for proposals with the caveat that it NOT involve Johnny Blaze. I think the feeling was it was too soon after the previous series had been cancelled and they wanted to try something completely different. I initially did NOT submit a proposal. My buddy, and mentor, Mark Gruenwald knew I was a big fan of the initial series and pushed me into submitting a proposal. I did... and after a lot of back and forth and back and forth... I got the gig. I wanted Blaze, so, as soon as possible... he returned.

As far as I was concerned, my Ghost Rider was Zarathos and the differences were intended to be all about the hosts and how they influenced him. I'm sure you will point out all the places that I contradicted that statement in my writing... please don't... it will only make me cringe.

InVictus: This truly is a revelation! I always thought the line of development was to keep GR origin as mysterious as possible, but...it really makes sense now. I really wish i could have this revelation in the GR continuum...

HM: Mysterious as possible... until it is deemed otherwise necessary.

Chris Wallace: Actually there is something I've wanted to ask you about; your feelings on that whole Noble Kale story. You seemed bound & determined to undo it w/GR's appearance in Spider-Man, but I never heard anything else about it afterward.

HM: I thought I answered this on the previous page. I was not bound and determined to undo anything Ivan had created... even though it did not resemble what I had in mind... I wrote the Spider-Man story at the request of Ralph Macchio in order to leave GR in a neutral place... Marvel had plans.... they changed... so it goes.

Chris Wallace: It sounds like the editors had their collective foot on your neck a lot. I've heard many a writer say as much w/regards to things like the dreaded Clone Saga. Then I'm reminded of my excitement at learning that you were taking over the Spider-titles... (Having so thoroughly enjoyed Name of The Rose & The Anniversary Syndrome) but I was less than thrilled with the results. (e.g., Venom in the Sinister 6) How much of that was your doing & how much was editorial decisions?

HM: Look, I worked some really fantastic editors up at Marvel, but it was a different time and different place...I'm still not complaining. Editorial had a very strong influence on everything that came out, and often that was a good thing. Where it got sketchy was when people outside of editorial (i.e. marketing... the suits) started calling the shots. My feeling is that they were all a bunch of frustrated creators and wanted to have their mark on the books. The truth is they knew squat about how to create (or sell) comic books. It was marketing that had a three month cross over in the Spider-man titles turn into the Clone Saga. I kid you not about the 3 months... I just found my original note book and was amazed myself. Honestly, writers do NOT look for gimmicks to boost sales--at least none that I worked with or respected. Though I do remember that when GR took off EVERYBODY wanted to have him guest star in their book-- I even had one TOP writer call me up, and say, "Hey, I want to use Ghost Rider this month. Tell me about him. What does he do?" To which I replied, "Read the &$^^# book!"

Did that answer your question?

Chris Wallace: It does. It tells me that, as suspected, I unfairly badmouthed you for 6 years. "Damn that Mackie" was sort of my signature phrase at one point. I apologize & assure you it will never happen again.

HM: Not necessary. YOU were not alone, and I will not make any excuses, or try to pass the buck... bottom line is it was MY name that appeared first in the credits. If I didn't like things... I could have left. In terms of the Clone stuff... we just always thought we could make a difference, make it a little better and then would be nit-picked and nudged. Oh well...old news

Chris Wallace: So what's next for you?

HM: Not sure. Main stream comics seem to be very closed to me. As best I can tell my name has been stricken from the books of Marvel lore...funny, they never complained when the books were selling 500,000 copies a month! I'm doing a little stuff here and there, got lots of irons in the fire, doing some work for Moonstone, shopping around some children's books I've written, and whatever else it takes to get through the to the next day.

Flamehead: Wow, it really sounds like you and Marvel had a big falling out. Sad to hear if that's the case. You have quite a few fans out there and it seems strange to me that a company like that would forget such things. Having said that, I'm very unfamiliar with how the inner workings of a comic company operate. It's sad to hear though. I'd love to have your influences within Marvel. Perhaps we'd get more of the Supernatural Verse back....

HM: Not a "big falling out"... certainly not on my part. A new regime took over, I was considered part of the old regime, and I was gently guided toward the door. Once I was out the door it seemed to me that things became very Orwellian and I became a Un-Person. I have pitched a few projects to Marvel over the years (several of them of the supernatural vein) and do not think they have even been read. Though, I do recall being told early on that supernatural books are too hard to sell. Who knows?

Flamehead: Hmm, how do you feel about that, by the way?(How Marvel tried to drop the Ketch Storyline) Do you have a hard time letting go of characters that you had so much input on?

HM: Yes

InVictus: Hello, this morning actually I had a revelation, a question I forgot long time ago and it came suddenly to my mind. Where the medallion image comes from? Only a stylized skull? Did you discuss it with Saltares? Or it is his creation only? I always wondered where did that symbol come from…

HM: As best as I can recall the design of the medallion was all Javier... I asked for something on the gas cap... and he ran by his initial design... I LOVED it! So, you'll have to hop over to Javier's thread to ask where it came from.

Chris Wallace: For that matter, what brought about the Penance Stare & the chain? I love those elements but I have wondered what inspired them?

Also, at what point was it decided that GR would not kill? Seems a bit of a contradiction between "Release her or die!" and "I will not take a human life."

HM: Penance stare and chain was my creation. I wanted GR to have a few more tricks up his sleeve other than hellfire... we made a decision early on that we did not want him to be able to project hellfire like Blaze. I wanted something really creepy, painful and horrifying... that's how the Penance Stare came to be. Remember, my version of GR was all about VENGEANCE, not justice or retribution. So, I thought that worst thing that could happen to bad guy was to relive and feel the pain of their victims over, and over, and over again.

The chain? He was a biker; wearing leathers and riding a motorcycle... seemed like a natural.

Midnyte Sun: If I remember correctly, this was a question that was asked in one of the chain mails in the comics. I think the comic letterer (a woman whose name I forgot) created the design for the medallion of power

HM: If it was said in the letters pages that Janice created the medallion symbol... it was wrong. As I said above, it Javier. Janice DID create the stylized word balloons for GR...Much to the chagrine of every letterer who had to letter a page of GR dialogue after her.

10/10/06 Midnyte Sun: So are you happy with the new movie coming out? Would you see it?

HM: As I posted somewhere on this board, I have FINALLY gotten to see the movie trailer(s) and am very excited about seeing the movie. Everything I saw reminded me of every GHOST RIDER story I ever read, wrote or imagined. Love that Caretaker (my favorite creation) is being used. SO, yes... I will see it.

Mr. Nick: I've always thought the Penance Stare was a wonderfully poetic and original power.

HM: Thanks... that WAS the intent.

Mr. Nick: Especially in an age of 'heroes' who just rip baddies to bits with their bare hands/swords/claws whatever

HM: Would have been way TOO easy of a way to go with Ghost Rider.

Chris Wallace: Who was/is your favorite GR artist, & is there anyone you would have liked to work with but never got the chance?

HM: Yeah... right! And why don't you ask me which one of my children I like better! In the course of my run on GHOST RIDER (and my career at Marvel) I was very fortunate to be able to work with the very best artists available at the time. C'mon... Javier and Tex will always hold special places in my heart on GR. THEY are the guys that helped me turn he vision into a reality. But... Lee Weeks, Ron Wagner, J.R. Jr., Ron Garney, Joe Kubert (yes, I got to work with JOE KUBERT) and every other artist that I EVER worked with taught me something new about comic books and story telling. I really could NOT pick a favorite. Really.

Never got to write something for John Buscema (though I did work with him as an editor) There were TONS of other artists that I would have loved to have worked with, but never had the chance.

NDX: Where did you come up with the ideas for Zodiak and Skinner (a personal favorite)? And why kill Zodiac off so early in the series?

HM: These types of questions are difficult for writers to answer. Ideas come to you all the time. Ideas for characters, for stories, etc... you just hold tight as to the ideas as they fly through your head and hope for the best. SKINNER was one of my personal favorites as well

NDX: Why was Suicide's story never resolved? Just left up in the air after the opening to issue

HM: In terms of Zodiac and Suicide... it was a long time ago... I really do not remember, but I am guessing that editorial had a problem with Suicide's name, and wanted him out of the book asap.

FlameHead:was Lilith and her Lilin (well, at least her lilin because Lilith has been around for a while. Not the version we know and love but, her none the less) you're creation as well Howard?

HM: Lilith and her brood was a group creation... all the writers of the Midnight's Sons books contributed to their creation. It was so long ago that I honestly cannot remember who created which parts. I do recall Dan Chichester and I being a big part of it. Our Lilith had nothing to do with characters that appeared with the same name. We took her straight from non-Biblical myths which say that Adam had a wife before Eve, and that she was evil, mated with the Devil and spawned a race of demons...we called the Lilin.

FlameHead: Yeah, I guess you guys all had to come together at times to make sure that the Midnight Son's were all traveling down the same path. Tough job to do, no doubt but, I thought it was handled very well... at the start. It kinda got crazy towards the end but, I still loved every minute of it.

HM: We came together lots and lots of times... and usually had a pretty good time. While it was fun... WRITING by committee is never the most effective way to make good comics.

FlameHead: I read in the 'Ghost Rider and the Midnight Son's Magazine" that Bobbie Chase had a lan intrigal part with either getting the MS books on the go or ensuring that they stayed around for a while. Can you speak about her (and that) a little?

HM: Bobbie was, and still is, a good friend. SHE was the first GR editor... helped me set a direction for the book... and was then the MS editor. Good editor and a better friend.

HM on his favorite GR Villains I would have to say that the two characters I enjoyed the most (of all my comic work) were Scarecrow(who I did not create) and Skinner (who I did). They were about much more than that which appeared on the surface. And... They allowed me to write true horror stories within the framework of the super-hero genre.

Chris Wallace: ANY creator who throws himself into the mix w/the fans like this deserves respect. Whatever we have to say, be it good or bad, we get to say to HIM. That's cool. When I think of how some people in the biz are getting ripped to shreds on these boards, I'd love for them to come on this site & defend themselves or even just respond at all.

HM: Thus far everyone here has been nice. I can handle criticism... you don't like something I've written? I understand. It's when people post on boards and start slamming the creator that I get pissed. I have been asked to criticize fellow writers work in the past... and I just won't do it. I know what it's like to be on the other side of the bad press. It really pisses me off when there is an attitude of,"Man BLANK suck! He's purposefully screwing up OUR character!" I'm telling you... all writers set out to write the best damned story they can write. They are usually just as passionate (if not MORE so) than you guys. You may not like the story/direction they have written, but NEVER assume it was done with eh intent of somehow screwing up the character.

FlameHead: I got a question for ya, about the process of creating comics. How exactly does the structure of it all work? Do you write the 'script' and give it to the artists to draw or is it a little visa versa to that... or is a complete collaboration panel by panel? Or...

HM: There are TWO distinctly different ways to write a comic book--with lots of variations within both.

The first, and the one I am the most familiar with, is what was always referred to as the MARVEL METHOD. That is... the WRITER writes out a PLOT for the artist. It is basically a story summary with some samples of dialogue, broken down page by page, or scene by scene (one of those variations I mentioned earlier.) I have seen plots be as short as a page, or as long as 22 plus pages. Depends on the writer and the amount of detail, description, motivation, dialogue they put in. This method leaves lots of room for collaboration between the writer and the artist. Some of my favorite scenes in my Ghost Rider stories were because the artist added a little something extra for me to pick up on. The artist then breaks the story down into all the pretty pictures/panels/pages... and the pages are sent back to the writer for scripting. As noted earlier, this leaves room for the writer to pick up on any happy accidents in the pictures. With the wrong chemistry between writer and artist it can be a tough process, but that didn't happen too often.

The other method is FULL SCRIPT. The WRITER writes out the story as if it were a movie script. Every panel on every page is described down to the last detail. The artist draws what he is told. When it leaves the writer's hands he is done. I felt this process was too cold and less organic. I prefer the first.

Chris Wallace: What recommendations would you have for an aspiring writer such as myself-as far as not only stringing ideas together into a worthwhile story but tips on getting my foot in the door. As it is I'm actually considering finding a few like-minded people & trying to start a company of my own.

HM: That door has always been very tough to squeeze through, and mroe so today. If I had ANY advice these days it would be start small OR very big! The most likely way is to work you way up through the smaller, independent publishers, get your work seen and move your way up. OR get a hit TV series or movie deal... seems like both Marvel and DC are looking toward Hollywood.

Then again, if I knew so much I'd be working, right?

Chris Wallace: and as far as slamming creators, I'll admit I'm as guilty of this as anyone-as I stated before, you among them. But bearing your remarks in mind, I'll buy that the passion is there. But couple that with what you said before about business decisions conflicting with the storytelling process, surely you can see how in many cases, the fans end up feeling betrayed. When you take a comics staple such as Spider-Man & undo everything about him that endeared him to the fans, it leads us to wonder if the powers that be understand our passion at all.

HM: I will not defend my, or anyone else's, Spider-Man stories, but I will say... until you have done it month after month, trying to keep sales up, trying to do SOMETHING that hasn't been done in the past 40 YEARS... you have no idea what it's like. You are ALWAYS going to piss someone off... and it is IMPOSSIBLE to write monthly comics that work within the framework of 40 years of diverse(often contradictory) continuity. Whether it's CLONES or the love children of GWEN and NORMAN... sometimes you've got to try something different just to shake up the apple cart.

The "personal betrayal" thing too often leads to personal attacks. Those, in my opinion, do not help ANYONE. Best thing to do is vote with your pocketbook/wallet. If you do not like a direction a book is taking... do not keep buying it.

Chris Wallace: If, for the sake of argument, you could have the character of your choice right now, who would you be writing & what would you do with them?

HM: Hmmm? Good question. Not sure exactly who, but it would be some character that was NOT in the spot light. Not a top character from either Marvel (did the Spider-Man thing) or DC (though I was always a big ATOM fan!). I do like the horror genre...wouldn't mind getting my hands on GR again (though it might feel too much like going back)... I always liked Morbius... let me think on that one.

FlameHead: Oooh... Morbius. What an amazing 32 issues that was. Did you enjoy what they did with the character in the 90's Howard?

HM: Sure, I liked it, but I would want ot get back to square one with the character.

FlameHead: Also, I got to say, if you did GR again a lot of people would **** themselves. Just so you know. It would be awesome to see a mini or one shot even. I can understand what you mean by 'going back' though maybe you just need to get those lingering thoughts and ideas out of your head? Hmm...

HM: Then you guys should start a groundswell movement... call, write, e-mail, post to Marvel's web site... and tell them what you want... and, unfortunately, it still won't happen. Sorry, but thank you so much for the kind words.

NDX: as a writer, what influenced your work throughout the years?

HM: Everything... everything I ever read, watched, and experienced...everything I ever lived though (and the few things that I almost DIDN'T live through)... I am a reader of everything...fiction, non-fiction, comic books, Sci-fi, horror, classics, magazines, blogs, etc...That ALL gets filtered through one's mind and comes out on the printed page. Specific to my run on GR...? I grew up in Brooklyn... Cypress Hills... it was filled with cemeteries... I spent plenty of time in them. Need I say more?

NDX: and since I tend to ask this of everyone at one point, do you enjoy other artists that don't work as illustrators? And who might they be?

HM: Yes I do. There are too many to name without forgetting some, or insulting others. Just off the top of my head... J.M.DeMatteis, Archie Goodwin, Denny O'Neil.

Flamehead: It may be silly but, I had no idea that Cypress Hills was a real place. I should have guessed so because Marvel keeps their universe within the real world but, it never occurred to me about that particular place. Makes total sense that you wrote about it

HM: If you ever run into anyone who knows the Cypress Hills section of Brooklyn, the first thing they say is, "Oh... by the cemetery?" It is real... the cemeteries are a predominant feature... and I spent the better part of my youth hanging in (always respectfully) them. The stories I could tell of real life/spooky experiences...

Flamehead: This may be a question for Jarv but, do you know if the artists used any of the real imagery of the cemeteries there in their work?

HM: Yes... when I knew the series was going to be a go, the first thing I did was go back to the old neighborhood with a camera... those pictures were forwarded along to Javier and Tex... I seem to recall some of them showing up in some issues.

Man-Thing: Have you ever written any supernatural novels?

HM: Nope! But Clive Barker once complimented me on GHOST RIDER/WOLVERINE/PUNISHER: HEARTS OF DARKNESS. And... am writing a werewolf short story for a small anthology book.

FlameHead: HOD was amazing Howard, by the way. It's one of the best stories featuring Ghost Rider out there. GR, Punisher and Wolvie make the greatest team and you captured that beautifully.

My favorite part was when Ghost Rider took off his gloves and beat the living (dead) **** out of Blackheart with his bare boney hellfire covered hands. That was awesome and I'm kinda hoping they use that in the movie.

HM: HOD was a a personal favorite of mine... and this is going to sound like a pun... it was where I really got to take the gloves off. I meant in my writing.

Flamehead: Speakin' of good ideas, who's idea was SwitchBlade (to, for a couple of moments shift away from GR, if I may) and/or the Midnight Masacre ark. Man that was some incredible stuff. It's actually the arc that began my obsession with the Midnight Sons and the supernatural verse of the marvel world.

Was that a collective type thing?

HM: I really couldn't tell you who specifically came up with the idea for Switchblade (I know it wasn't ME), but the Midnight Massacre storyline would have been born out of one of the many group meetings we were having in those days as we given more and more pressure by Marketing to come up with big, promotable events... thank goodness THAT kind of thing doesn't happen any more, right?

“we made a decision early on that we did not want him to be able to project hellfire like Blaze”. Could you elaborate on that?

HM:I'm a big fan of the original (JB) and really enjoyed the frying of souls from the hellfire blasts. Although there were moments I enjoyed from the Ketch run I truly missed the hellfire blast thing as well as the creating of his motorcycle by fire, also the way he would laugh with glee as he was frying someone's soul. But mostly the frying of souls I missed. Don't get me wrong, the penance stare is cool and I know it has the same effect on victim as the hellfire blasts, but why could he never ever use hellfire???

Fettstyl:Out of all the heroes and villains that shoot stuff from their hands, GR made the most sense, I mean he's a freaking flaming skeleton, it ain't a stretch to have him shoot fire from his hands, yet he's the one who had that power stripped from him instead of others. It just never sat well with me. I would just like a little insight into the reasoning behind that.

Thanks for taking the time to answer questions, it's truly very cool of you.

HM: There were a couple of things at play back then... First, it is real important to remember that the first GHOST RIDER series was cancelled due to low sales, so if when we re launched as many things as possible had to be different. As I have recounted here, and in other places, it was still a difficult sell. I was looking for a different angle on GR meting out vengeance, and that's were the penance stare came from. It also had some limitations, and when writing comic books limitations are GOOD.

Flamehead: I can completely understand how hard of a sell you must have had. Ghost Rider has always been a gamble, so it's seems. Maybe that's what's so intriguing about him. Who knows?

What was it that finally gave you the green light on the project?

HM: E.IC. Tom, DeFalco, tired of us being jerked around by the sales department, and having faith in the strength of the proposal, said (and I paraphrase), "Screw 'em!" and gave it a green light. Of course, after the book was launched, and started to sell out, everyone in sales began trying to take credit for it's success.

Flamehead: I do have another question. What was it that made you leave the project in the end? Was it your choice or were you forced out?

HM: I was done... probably a year or so sooner would have been a better time to leave... but when the book changed editors... I was done. I had lots of other work, and... I was done. I think I hung around for as long as I did, because I was afraid to let go. I don't want someone else coming along and changing things...hmmm?

The68pie: I have tres questions for you mr. mackie

1. What do you think about the Ghost Rider 2099 series?

2. If (your) Ghost Rider was still kicking in 2006 with the whole Civil war going on, what side do you think he would take?

3. and finally, what was up with the Dark Design ? the story rushes too much, and the illustrations were just not up to par with what that kind of comic should be, though I loved the whole innocent blood concept in the story. But blackheart wearing a trench coat?! And going to marry Lucy?! Not to mention the fact the little town formed into a giant metropolis with every townsfolk bearing automatic weaponry.

HM: 1.I really did not follow the whole 2099 universe when it came out. Len Kaminsky was my assistant editor at one time, so I read a few issues and liked them.

2. I have not read ANY of the Civil Wars stuff. That said... (my)Ghost Rider would never take sides unless innocent blood was spilled.

3. it's been a long time since I've looked at the DARK DESIGN, but from what I've been reading on this web site, all I can say is... I am sorry.

Reaper: Of course, in hindsight the second series didn't last much longer. Not to lay that at your doorstep because GR was doing just fine at the point that you left according to my recollection.

HM: Sales had already begun to decline... As they had throughout the industry.

Reaper: I've figure a lot of the problem with GR comes about when the image of GR is depended upon more than the stories (someone else somewhere said that, I just agree with it).

HM: Totally agree... the image is the HOOKI, but there has got to be something beneath the flaming skull.

Reaper: That is incredible!! It is so good to hear some reasonable explanation about that. THAT is what should be revealed in the upcoming final issue they are putting out. That would fix everything. Man that would be great.

HM: Think it's is too late for that to happen even if it was desired. Honestly, I am not sure that there is any room for the existence of the Dan Ketch that I created in the current GR mythos.

Reaper: Though I would guess that if for some crazy reason he had too, it would be on the registration side simply because that's the law, and technically when you break the law its a crime/sin.

HM: Nah! Ghost Rider (as I wrote him) didn't care about the law or sins as perceived by humans. It was all about innocence and vengeance. Push came to shove... he'd shove back and there would no way to register him.

Canadian rider: One question I always had ... if you could have any antagonist for the GR from any comic ... who would you have liked to have put him up against? From any company? Thanks!

Hm: Over the years I certainly have got Ghost Rider go up against anyone I wanted to at Marvel... although... Ghost Rider going on a rampage and really taking it to Dr. Doom, the Red Skull, Norman Osborn, the King Pin, Kang, and every other major player at Marvel could be fun. I mean for him to really cut loose with hell fire and the penance stare... to leave the broken and empty ... yeah... that would be fun.

Caliber: Hi Howard, I know you said you were out of comics for some time but what do you think of Marvel now, and the direction its heading?

HM: Secondly, I do not really read comics right now, and I feel it is unfair to comment specifically on things of which I do not have first hand knowledge-- though that does NOT seem to stop some of my peers. What I will say, based upon interviews I have read with editors, chiefs and publishers in which they say are very proud to state that comics are not for kids any more...is that they are missing a real bet. Comics were always for kids...kids of ALL ages... but at their best did not talk down to these kids. SO an 11 year old and a 40 year old could (and should have been able to) enjoy Ghost Rider. If you do not hook kids when they are 11... Your market is quite literally going to DIE! I sometimes get the impression that editors, creators and publishers are embarrassed of the medium and its roots... that's a real shame... and seems like bad business to me.

But what do I know?

Twighlightpro101: Hi, Howard. Long time fan of your work on Spider-man and Ghost Rider, but I have one really big question for you on how exactly did you approach Dan Ketch? I mean, how exactly did you explore him as a writer and further his development before you left the series?

HM: That is a good, and tough, question. Dan Ketch gave me opportunities as a writer that i didn't have anywhere else. He was entirely conceived by me...there was not 30 years of continuity to explore and rationalize as with most characters in the MU. SO... Dan is the most like me. I've done a few interviews (one for the DVD extras) and I realized just how much of ME was in Dan. Everything from being raised by his mother in Brooklyn to having this thing dwelling within you (I was diagnosed with cancer just before the series launched) ... that is all me. So... was there "an approach”? Nah! Just cutting open a vein and bleeding onto the page.

Ixnay Unbound: whose idea was it to turn John Blaze into a cyborg during the "Road to Vengeance" storyline?

HM: It happened long enough ago that truthfully do not remember, but I would LOVE to blame someone else...anyone!! Why not just have him jump a shark cage on water skis? Canadian Rider: It seems like Marvel has always had a problem with Ghost Rider and his cross-over's into other comics. HM: There seems to be an unwritten rule about the character in a comic not being made to look bad by someone "crossing-in".

Canadian Rider: Did you ever write cross-over's for other books and did they have a policy on that?

When you are in somebody else's sand box is best to play nice. You do your research, know what is going on with the character in your book, and then write them the correct way. I KNOW there were writers(or editors) that wanted Ghost Rider to guest star in their titles at the time just for the sales boost... they didn't do their research... and it showed. Oh well...

The68pie: have a couple of Questions for you Howard.

1.) Why didnt Ghost Rider and Blaze appear in the Secret Defenders like the advertizements in the comics said they would?

2.) would you consider the Blazing Skull to be a Spirit of Vengeance?

3.) What do you think about the new Ghost Rider mini and a Garth Ennis creating a new host for the spirit of vengeance?

HM: 1.) I don't know.

2.) No.

3.) I haven't read it, but... why not?

HM on the Movie I saw the GR movie a couple of weekends ago with Bobbie Chase (my editor on the GR comic) and it was a surreal experience for both of us. I don't think I can be the best critic/reviewer of a character I was so close to for so long....but I did find myself being transported back to my youth as a comic book character I had loved for so long materialized on the screen. I found myself in the awkward position of looking for my own fingerprints on the characters and story on the screen. I was particularly taken with how effectively Mark utilized the PENNACE STARE in the resolution of the story. All in all it was a fun ride. Glad I am back posting, but I am not sure how long it will last.

Thanks to Howard for taking the time to answer that onslaught of questions, and extra special thanks to Jake for gathering all the threads up into one fantastic article that I was proud to add to the site!

VENGEANCE UNBOUND
HOME l CREATOR INTERVIEWS
CREATOR Q&A: HOWARD MACKIE In 2006, former Ghost Rider writer Howard Mackie participated in a "question and answer" session on the Superhero Hype forums about his work on the Spirit of Vengeance in the 1990s. This Q&A was gathered together into one article by Jake Umberger and sent to me to post on Vengeance Unbound! 9/28/06 BigGun: was it your intention for the comic to be accessible to kids? Or would you rather have had it w/ over the top blood and violence? Do you think they can stay true to the tone of the book w/ just a PG13 rating? HM: Let's keep in mind the time in which GHOST RIDER was created... there really was no choice... it was a Code Approved book set in the Marvel Universe. I knew the playground, and market, at which the book was being marketed. Besides, you had a flaming skull, dressed in leathers... did you need anything over the top? So, YES, I think a PG13 rating will work fine for this movie and bring in more younger viewers... which could help the whole sequel thing. FlameHead: Spider-Man #93. What was up with that? Some say it was your attempt to erase the latter part of Ghost Rider's history in the 90's. Is this the case? Hm: Here's the thing... after I left GHOST RIDER I decided not to read the book. Nothing against Ivan, but I had poured a lot of myself into the book... and I just know what happens when another writer takes over. So, I heard about the Noble Kale stuff, but I chose not to care...mostly. When the book was cancelled Ralph Macchio (my Spider-Man editor) came to me and asked if I would get Ghost Rider/Dan Ketch to a place that he/they could be picked up in the future. Issue #93 was the result. That's how I remember it. 10/2/06 NDX: I've been out of touch with comics for a while. What are you up to now, Howard? HM: Been mostly out of comic books for a number of years... done a little here and there... been writing some kids books... and just doing whatever it takes to make ends meet. NDX: And I don't know if you mentioned this or not, but have you been following the new series? Or the Ennis/Crane series (I won't even bother asking about Hammer Lane)? If so, what did you think of those? HM: Honestly, have not looked in on GR much since I stopped writing the book...kinda hard to do. No offense to anybody's work...I am a BIG Ennis fan... just the way it is. Midnyte Sun: How awesome would it be to have a new 6 issue comic featuring Dan Ketch and the Spirit of Vengeance written by Howard Mackie and penciled by Ron Garney! HM:Thanks for the kind words, but it unlikely that you will ever see another GR series from me NDX: Something that's been bothering me since... 1995, I believe. Siege of Darkness. Why the hell did it have to be 17 issues? For a somewhat self-contained crossover (Midnight Sons characters only, unlike stories like Onslaught and House of M) the amount of issues needed to portray to story in 2 months was excessive. Some of the stories could have really been removed altogether. Plus I can't find back issues for ** now. HM: If we can only get Editor Bobbie Chase to answer this one, because I AGREE. I HATED doing that massive of a crossover back then... actually; I wasn't the biggest fan of giving up some degree of control over the direction I wanted to take with GR by the creation of the MIDNIGHT SONS. GHOST RIDER is a clear example of a book that was victim of its own success. When I first pitched the proposal for the series it was the toughest sell ever. Very few in sales and marketing thought it would work. I won't bore you with the details of a story I've told over and over again in interviews, but the bottom line is that once GR launched, and was successful... EVERYONE wanted to take credit and wanted a piece of it. SO... you get a 17 PART X-OVER!!!! Sorry. Burnforever: Did you like the direction the title took after you leave it? Of course i mean the Ivan Velez Jr's work. You would go in a different way? HM: Didn't read it. Nothing against Ivan, or his work, just a personal choice of mien. Burnforever: And why didn't you ever write THE new GR origin tale in your title run? Then again, congrats for you work and thanks again! GR4EVR! HM: Was asked not to do it early on.... then didn't get around to it... and then left the book. The Joker: Ok, I have a question now, about something I read on Wikipedia actually, trying to think of questions to ask (it worked!)... "It has been speculated that Mackie was the writer who was credited as "X" in Marvel's The Brotherhood series (2001), though this has never been confirmed by the company; the identity of "X" remains unrevealed (though in 2005 Marvel Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada said "he was W. Mark Felt")." So...was it you? HM: Never read the series, so... I don't know. This question frequently comes up, and I think it's hysterical that a book that was published like 5 years ago, and had no impact on anything, is still discussed. Riding Ghost: Why did you think it was necessary to create a different GR than the Blaze GR? (or was it someone else's idea?) HM: Back when I was working on staff as an editor Marvel was looking to resurrect the GHOST RIDER title. They solicited for proposals with the caveat that it NOT involve Johnny Blaze. I think the feeling was it was too soon after the previous series had been cancelled and they wanted to try something completely different. I initially did NOT submit a proposal. My buddy, and mentor, Mark Gruenwald knew I was a big fan of the initial series and pushed me into submitting a proposal. I did... and after a lot of back and forth and back and forth... I got the gig. I wanted Blaze, so, as soon as possible... he returned. As far as I was concerned, my Ghost Rider was Zarathos and the differences were intended to be all about the hosts and how they influenced him. I'm sure you will point out all the places that I contradicted that statement in my writing... please don't... it will only make me cringe. InVictus: This truly is a revelation! I always thought the line of development was to keep GR origin as mysterious as possible, but...it really makes sense now. I really wish i could have this revelation in the GR continuum... HM: Mysterious as possible... until it is deemed otherwise necessary. Chris Wallace: Actually there is something I've wanted to ask you about; your feelings on that whole Noble Kale story. You seemed bound & determined to undo it w/GR's appearance in Spider-Man, but I never heard anything else about it afterward. HM: I thought I answered this on the previous page. I was not bound and determined to undo anything Ivan had created... even though it did not resemble what I had in mind... I wrote the Spider-Man story at the request of Ralph Macchio in order to leave GR in a neutral place... Marvel had plans.... they changed... so it goes. Chris Wallace: It sounds like the editors had their collective foot on your neck a lot. I've heard many a writer say as much w/regards to things like the dreaded Clone Saga. Then I'm reminded of my excitement at learning that you were taking over the Spider-titles... (Having so thoroughly enjoyed Name of The Rose & The Anniversary Syndrome) but I was less than thrilled with the results. (e.g., Venom in the Sinister 6) How much of that was your doing & how much was editorial decisions? HM: Look, I worked some really fantastic editors up at Marvel, but it was a different time and different place...I'm still not complaining. Editorial had a very strong influence on everything that came out, and often that was a good thing. Where it got sketchy was when people outside of editorial (i.e. marketing... the suits) started calling the shots. My feeling is that they were all a bunch of frustrated creators and wanted to have their mark on the books. The truth is they knew squat about how to create (or sell) comic books. It was marketing that had a three month cross over in the Spider-man titles turn into the Clone Saga. I kid you not about the 3 months... I just found my original note book and was amazed myself. Honestly, writers do NOT look for gimmicks to boost sales--at least none that I worked with or respected. Though I do remember that when GR took off EVERYBODY wanted to have him guest star in their book-- I even had one TOP writer call me up, and say, "Hey, I want to use Ghost Rider this month. Tell me about him. What does he do?" To which I replied, "Read the &$^^# book!" Did that answer your question? Chris Wallace: It does. It tells me that, as suspected, I unfairly badmouthed you for 6 years. "Damn that Mackie" was sort of my signature phrase at one point. I apologize & assure you it will never happen again. HM: Not necessary. YOU were not alone, and I will not make any excuses, or try to pass the buck... bottom line is it was MY name that appeared first in the credits. If I didn't like things... I could have left. In terms of the Clone stuff... we just always thought we could make a difference, make it a little better and then would be nit-picked and nudged. Oh well...old news Chris Wallace: So what's next for you? HM: Not sure. Main stream comics seem to be very closed to me. As best I can tell my name has been stricken from the books of Marvel lore...funny, they never complained when the books were selling 500,000 copies a month! I'm doing a little stuff here and there, got lots of irons in the fire, doing some work for Moonstone, shopping around some children's books I've written, and whatever else it takes to get through the to the next day. Flamehead: Wow, it really sounds like you and Marvel had a big falling out. Sad to hear if that's the case. You have quite a few fans out there and it seems strange to me that a company like that would forget such things. Having said that, I'm very unfamiliar with how the inner workings of a comic company operate. It's sad to hear though. I'd love to have your influences within Marvel. Perhaps we'd get more of the Supernatural Verse back.... HM: Not a "big falling out"... certainly not on my part. A new regime took over, I was considered part of the old regime, and I was gently guided toward the door. Once I was out the door it seemed to me that things became very Orwellian and I became a Un-Person. I have pitched a few projects to Marvel over the years (several of them of the supernatural vein) and do not think they have even been read. Though, I do recall being told early on that supernatural books are too hard to sell. Who knows? Flamehead: Hmm, how do you feel about that, by the way?(How Marvel tried to drop the Ketch Storyline) Do you have a hard time letting go of characters that you had so much input on? HM: Yes InVictus: Hello, this morning actually I had a revelation, a question I forgot long time ago and it came suddenly to my mind. Where the medallion image comes from? Only a stylized skull? Did you discuss it with Saltares? Or it is his creation only? I always wondered where did that symbol come from… HM: As best as I can recall the design of the medallion was all Javier... I asked for something on the gas cap... and he ran by his initial design... I LOVED it! So, you'll have to hop over to Javier's thread to ask where it came from. Chris Wallace: For that matter, what brought about the Penance Stare & the chain? I love those elements but I have wondered what inspired them? Also, at what point was it decided that GR would not kill? Seems a bit of a contradiction between "Release her or die!" and "I will not take a human life." HM: Penance stare and chain was my creation. I wanted GR to have a few more tricks up his sleeve other than hellfire... we made a decision early on that we did not want him to be able to project hellfire like Blaze. I wanted something really creepy, painful and horrifying... that's how the Penance Stare came to be. Remember, my version of GR was all about VENGEANCE, not justice or retribution. So, I thought that worst thing that could happen to bad guy was to relive and feel the pain of their victims over, and over, and over again. The chain? He was a biker; wearing leathers and riding a motorcycle... seemed like a natural. Midnyte Sun: If I remember correctly, this was a question that was asked in one of the chain mails in the comics. I think the comic letterer (a woman whose name I forgot) created the design for the medallion of power HM: If it was said in the letters pages that Janice created the medallion symbol... it was wrong. As I said above, it Javier. Janice DID create the stylized word balloons for GR...Much to the chagrine of every letterer who had to letter a page of GR dialogue after her. 10/10/06 Midnyte Sun: So are you happy with the new movie coming out? Would you see it? HM: As I posted somewhere on this board, I have FINALLY gotten to see the movie trailer(s) and am very excited about seeing the movie. Everything I saw reminded me of every GHOST RIDER story I ever read, wrote or imagined. Love that Caretaker (my favorite creation) is being used. SO, yes... I will see it. Mr. Nick: I've always thought the Penance Stare was a wonderfully poetic and original power. HM: Thanks... that WAS the intent. Mr. Nick: Especially in an age of 'heroes' who just rip baddies to bits with their bare hands/swords/claws whatever HM: Would have been way TOO easy of a way to go with Ghost Rider. Chris Wallace: Who was/is your favorite GR artist, & is there anyone you would have liked to work with but never got the chance? HM: Yeah... right! And why don't you ask me which one of my children I like better! In the course of my run on GHOST RIDER (and my career at Marvel) I was very fortunate to be able to work with the very best artists available at the time. C'mon... Javier and Tex will always hold special places in my heart on GR. THEY are the guys that helped me turn he vision into a reality. But... Lee Weeks, Ron Wagner, J.R. Jr., Ron Garney, Joe Kubert (yes, I got to work with JOE KUBERT) and every other artist that I EVER worked with taught me something new about comic books and story telling. I really could NOT pick a favorite. Really. Never got to write something for John Buscema (though I did work with him as an editor) There were TONS of other artists that I would have loved to have worked with, but never had the chance. NDX: Where did you come up with the ideas for Zodiak and Skinner (a personal favorite)? And why kill Zodiac off so early in the series? HM: These types of questions are difficult for writers to answer. Ideas come to you all the time. Ideas for characters, for stories, etc... you just hold tight as to the ideas as they fly through your head and hope for the best. SKINNER was one of my personal favorites as well NDX: Why was Suicide's story never resolved? Just left up in the air after the opening to issue HM: In terms of Zodiac and Suicide... it was a long time ago... I really do not remember, but I am guessing that editorial had a problem with Suicide's name, and wanted him out of the book asap. FlameHead:was Lilith and her Lilin (well, at least her lilin because Lilith has been around for a while. Not the version we know and love but, her none the less) you're creation as well Howard? HM: Lilith and her brood was a group creation... all the writers of the Midnight's Sons books contributed to their creation. It was so long ago that I honestly cannot remember who created which parts. I do recall Dan Chichester and I being a big part of it. Our Lilith had nothing to do with characters that appeared with the same name. We took her straight from non-Biblical myths which say that Adam had a wife before Eve, and that she was evil, mated with the Devil and spawned a race of demons...we called the Lilin. FlameHead: Yeah, I guess you guys all had to come together at times to make sure that the Midnight Son's were all traveling down the same path. Tough job to do, no doubt but, I thought it was handled very well... at the start. It kinda got crazy towards the end but, I still loved every minute of it. HM: We came together lots and lots of times... and usually had a pretty good time. While it was fun... WRITING by committee is never the most effective way to make good comics. FlameHead: I read in the 'Ghost Rider and the Midnight Son's Magazine" that Bobbie Chase had a lan intrigal part with either getting the MS books on the go or ensuring that they stayed around for a while. Can you speak about her (and that) a little? HM: Bobbie was, and still is, a good friend. SHE was the first GR editor... helped me set a direction for the book... and was then the MS editor. Good editor and a better friend. HM on his favorite GR Villains I would have to say that the two characters I enjoyed the most (of all my comic work) were Scarecrow(who I did not create) and Skinner (who I did). They were about much more than that which appeared on the surface. And... They allowed me to write true horror stories within the framework of the super-hero genre. Chris Wallace: ANY creator who throws himself into the mix w/the fans like this deserves respect. Whatever we have to say, be it good or bad, we get to say to HIM. That's cool. When I think of how some people in the biz are getting ripped to shreds on these boards, I'd love for them to come on this site & defend themselves or even just respond at all. HM: Thus far everyone here has been nice. I can handle criticism... you don't like something I've written? I understand. It's when people post on boards and start slamming the creator that I get pissed. I have been asked to criticize fellow writers work in the past... and I just won't do it. I know what it's like to be on the other side of the bad press. It really pisses me off when there is an attitude of,"Man BLANK suck! He's purposefully screwing up OUR character!" I'm telling you... all writers set out to write the best damned story they can write. They are usually just as passionate (if not MORE so) than you guys. You may not like the story/direction they have written, but NEVER assume it was done with eh intent of somehow screwing up the character. FlameHead: I got a question for ya, about the process of creating comics. How exactly does the structure of it all work? Do you write the 'script' and give it to the artists to draw or is it a little visa versa to that... or is a complete collaboration panel by panel? Or... HM: There are TWO distinctly different ways to write a comic book--with lots of variations within both. The first, and the one I am the most familiar with, is what was always referred to as the MARVEL METHOD. That is... the WRITER writes out a PLOT for the artist. It is basically a story summary with some samples of dialogue, broken down page by page, or scene by scene (one of those variations I mentioned earlier.) I have seen plots be as short as a page, or as long as 22 plus pages. Depends on the writer and the amount of detail, description, motivation, dialogue they put in. This method leaves lots of room for collaboration between the writer and the artist. Some of my favorite scenes in my Ghost Rider stories were because the artist added a little something extra for me to pick up on. The artist then breaks the story down into all the pretty pictures/panels/pages... and the pages are sent back to the writer for scripting. As noted earlier, this leaves room for the writer to pick up on any happy accidents in the pictures. With the wrong chemistry between writer and artist it can be a tough process, but that didn't happen too often. The other method is FULL SCRIPT. The WRITER writes out the story as if it were a movie script. Every panel on every page is described down to the last detail. The artist draws what he is told. When it leaves the writer's hands he is done. I felt this process was too cold and less organic. I prefer the first. Chris Wallace: What recommendations would you have for an aspiring writer such as myself-as far as not only stringing ideas together into a worthwhile story but tips on getting my foot in the door. As it is I'm actually considering finding a few like-minded people & trying to start a company of my own. HM: That door has always been very tough to squeeze through, and mroe so today. If I had ANY advice these days it would be start small OR very big! The most likely way is to work you way up through the smaller, independent publishers, get your work seen and move your way up. OR get a hit TV series or movie deal... seems like both Marvel and DC are looking toward Hollywood. Then again, if I knew so much I'd be working, right? Chris Wallace: and as far as slamming creators, I'll admit I'm as guilty of this as anyone-as I stated before, you among them. But bearing your remarks in mind, I'll buy that the passion is there. But couple that with what you said before about business decisions conflicting with the storytelling process, surely you can see how in many cases, the fans end up feeling betrayed. When you take a comics staple such as Spider-Man & undo everything about him that endeared him to the fans, it leads us to wonder if the powers that be understand our passion at all. HM: I will not defend my, or anyone else's, Spider-Man stories, but I will say... until you have done it month after month, trying to keep sales up, trying to do SOMETHING that hasn't been done in the past 40 YEARS... you have no idea what it's like. You are ALWAYS going to piss someone off... and it is IMPOSSIBLE to write monthly comics that work within the framework of 40 years of diverse(often contradictory) continuity. Whether it's CLONES or the love children of GWEN and NORMAN... sometimes you've got to try something different just to shake up the apple cart. The "personal betrayal" thing too often leads to personal attacks. Those, in my opinion, do not help ANYONE. Best thing to do is vote with your pocketbook/wallet. If you do not like a direction a book is taking... do not keep buying it. Chris Wallace: If, for the sake of argument, you could have the character of your choice right now, who would you be writing & what would you do with them? HM: Hmmm? Good question. Not sure exactly who, but it would be some character that was NOT in the spot light. Not a top character from either Marvel (did the Spider-Man thing) or DC (though I was always a big ATOM fan!). I do like the horror genre...wouldn't mind getting my hands on GR again (though it might feel too much like going back)... I always liked Morbius... let me think on that one. FlameHead: Oooh... Morbius. What an amazing 32 issues that was. Did you enjoy what they did with the character in the 90's Howard? HM: Sure, I liked it, but I would want ot get back to square one with the character. FlameHead: Also, I got to say, if you did GR again a lot of people would themselves. Just so you know. It would be awesome to see a mini or one shot even. I can understand what you mean by 'going back' though maybe you just need to get those lingering thoughts and ideas out of your head? Hmm... HM: Then you guys should start a groundswell movement... call, write, e-mail, post to Marvel's web site... and tell them what you want... and, unfortunately, it still won't happen. Sorry, but thank you so much for the kind words. NDX: as a writer, what influenced your work throughout the years? HM: Everything... everything I ever read, watched, and experienced...everything I ever lived though (and the few things that I almost DIDN'T live through)... I am a reader of everything...fiction, non-fiction, comic books, Sci-fi, horror, classics, magazines, blogs, etc...That ALL gets filtered through one's mind and comes out on the printed page. Specific to my run on GR...? I grew up in Brooklyn... Cypress Hills... it was filled with cemeteries... I spent plenty of time in them. Need I say more? NDX: and since I tend to ask this of everyone at one point, do you enjoy other artists that don't work as illustrators? And who might they be? HM: Yes I do. There are too many to name without forgetting some, or insulting others. Just off the top of my head... J.M.DeMatteis, Archie Goodwin, Denny O'Neil. Flamehead: It may be silly but, I had no idea that Cypress Hills was a real place. I should have guessed so because Marvel keeps their universe within the real world but, it never occurred to me about that particular place. Makes total sense that you wrote about it HM: If you ever run into anyone who knows the Cypress Hills section of Brooklyn, the first thing they say is, "Oh... by the cemetery?" It is real... the cemeteries are a predominant feature... and I spent the better part of my youth hanging in (always respectfully) them. The stories I could tell of real life/spooky experiences... Flamehead: This may be a question for Jarv but, do you know if the artists used any of the real imagery of the cemeteries there in their work? HM: Yes... when I knew the series was going to be a go, the first thing I did was go back to the old neighborhood with a camera... those pictures were forwarded along to Javier and Tex... I seem to recall some of them showing up in some issues. Man-Thing: Have you ever written any supernatural novels? HM: Nope! But Clive Barker once complimented me on GHOST RIDER/WOLVERINE/PUNISHER: HEARTS OF DARKNESS. And... am writing a werewolf short story for a small anthology book. FlameHead: HOD was amazing Howard, by the way. It's one of the best stories featuring Ghost Rider out there. GR, Punisher and Wolvie make the greatest team and you captured that beautifully. My favorite part was when Ghost Rider took off his gloves and beat the living (dead) out of Blackheart with his bare boney hellfire covered hands. That was awesome and I'm kinda hoping they use that in the movie. HM: HOD was a a personal favorite of mine... and this is going to sound like a pun... it was where I really got to take the gloves off. I meant in my writing. Flamehead: Speakin' of good ideas, who's idea was SwitchBlade (to, for a couple of moments shift away from GR, if I may) and/or the Midnight Masacre ark. Man that was some incredible stuff. It's actually the arc that began my obsession with the Midnight Sons and the supernatural verse of the marvel world. Was that a collective type thing? HM: I really couldn't tell you who specifically came up with the idea for Switchblade (I know it wasn't ME), but the Midnight Massacre storyline would have been born out of one of the many group meetings we were having in those days as we given more and more pressure by Marketing to come up with big, promotable events... thank goodness THAT kind of thing doesn't happen any more, right? “we made a decision early on that we did not want him to be able to project hellfire like Blaze”. Could you elaborate on that? HM:I'm a big fan of the original (JB) and really enjoyed the frying of souls from the hellfire blasts. Although there were moments I enjoyed from the Ketch run I truly missed the hellfire blast thing as well as the creating of his motorcycle by fire, also the way he would laugh with glee as he was frying someone's soul. But mostly the frying of souls I missed. Don't get me wrong, the penance stare is cool and I know it has the same effect on victim as the hellfire blasts, but why could he never ever use hellfire??? Fettstyl:Out of all the heroes and villains that shoot stuff from their hands, GR made the most sense, I mean he's a freaking flaming skeleton, it ain't a stretch to have him shoot fire from his hands, yet he's the one who had that power stripped from him instead of others. It just never sat well with me. I would just like a little insight into the reasoning behind that. Thanks for taking the time to answer questions, it's truly very cool of you. HM: There were a couple of things at play back then... First, it is real important to remember that the first GHOST RIDER series was cancelled due to low sales, so if when we re launched as many things as possible had to be different. As I have recounted here, and in other places, it was still a difficult sell. I was looking for a different angle on GR meting out vengeance, and that's were the penance stare came from. It also had some limitations, and when writing comic books limitations are GOOD. Flamehead: I can completely understand how hard of a sell you must have had. Ghost Rider has always been a gamble, so it's seems. Maybe that's what's so intriguing about him. Who knows? What was it that finally gave you the green light on the project? HM: E.IC. Tom, DeFalco, tired of us being jerked around by the sales department, and having faith in the strength of the proposal, said (and I paraphrase), "Screw 'em!" and gave it a green light. Of course, after the book was launched, and started to sell out, everyone in sales began trying to take credit for it's success. Flamehead: I do have another question. What was it that made you leave the project in the end? Was it your choice or were you forced out? HM: I was done... probably a year or so sooner would have been a better time to leave... but when the book changed editors... I was done. I had lots of other work, and... I was done. I think I hung around for as long as I did, because I was afraid to let go. I don't want someone else coming along and changing things...hmmm? The68pie: I have tres questions for you mr. mackie 1. What do you think about the Ghost Rider 2099 series? 2. If (your) Ghost Rider was still kicking in 2006 with the whole Civil war going on, what side do you think he would take? 3. and finally, what was up with the Dark Design ? the story rushes too much, and the illustrations were just not up to par with what that kind of comic should be, though I loved the whole innocent blood concept in the story. But blackheart wearing a trench coat?! And going to marry Lucy?! Not to mention the fact the little town formed into a giant metropolis with every townsfolk bearing automatic weaponry. HM: 1.I really did not follow the whole 2099 universe when it came out. Len Kaminsky was my assistant editor at one time, so I read a few issues and liked them. 2. I have not read ANY of the Civil Wars stuff. That said... (my)Ghost Rider would never take sides unless innocent blood was spilled. 3. it's been a long time since I've looked at the DARK DESIGN, but from what I've been reading on this web site, all I can say is... I am sorry. Reaper: Of course, in hindsight the second series didn't last much longer. Not to lay that at your doorstep because GR was doing just fine at the point that you left according to my recollection. HM: Sales had already begun to decline... As they had throughout the industry. Reaper: I've figure a lot of the problem with GR comes about when the image of GR is depended upon more than the stories (someone else somewhere said that, I just agree with it). HM: Totally agree... the image is the HOOKI, but there has got to be something beneath the flaming skull. Reaper: That is incredible!! It is so good to hear some reasonable explanation about that. THAT is what should be revealed in the upcoming final issue they are putting out. That would fix everything. Man that would be great. HM: Think it's is too late for that to happen even if it was desired. Honestly, I am not sure that there is any room for the existence of the Dan Ketch that I created in the current GR mythos. Reaper: Though I would guess that if for some crazy reason he had too, it would be on the registration side simply because that's the law, and technically when you break the law its a crime/sin. HM: Nah! Ghost Rider (as I wrote him) didn't care about the law or sins as perceived by humans. It was all about innocence and vengeance. Push came to shove... he'd shove back and there would no way to register him. Canadian rider: One question I always had ... if you could have any antagonist for the GR from any comic ... who would you have liked to have put him up against? From any company? Thanks! Hm: Over the years I certainly have got Ghost Rider go up against anyone I wanted to at Marvel... although... Ghost Rider going on a rampage and really taking it to Dr. Doom, the Red Skull, Norman Osborn, the King Pin, Kang, and every other major player at Marvel could be fun. I mean for him to really cut loose with hell fire and the penance stare... to leave the broken and empty ... yeah... that would be fun. Caliber: Hi Howard, I know you said you were out of comics for some time but what do you think of Marvel now, and the direction its heading? HM: Secondly, I do not really read comics right now, and I feel it is unfair to comment specifically on things of which I do not have first hand knowledge-- though that does NOT seem to stop some of my peers. What I will say, based upon interviews I have read with editors, chiefs and publishers in which they say are very proud to state that comics are not for kids any more...is that they are missing a real bet. Comics were always for kids...kids of ALL ages... but at their best did not talk down to these kids. SO an 11 year old and a 40 year old could (and should have been able to) enjoy Ghost Rider. If you do not hook kids when they are 11... Your market is quite literally going to DIE! I sometimes get the impression that editors, creators and publishers are embarrassed of the medium and its roots... that's a real shame... and seems like bad business to me. But what do I know? Twighlightpro101: Hi, Howard. Long time fan of your work on Spider-man and Ghost Rider, but I have one really big question for you on how exactly did you approach Dan Ketch? I mean, how exactly did you explore him as a writer and further his development before you left the series? HM: That is a good, and tough, question. Dan Ketch gave me opportunities as a writer that i didn't have anywhere else. He was entirely conceived by me...there was not 30 years of continuity to explore and rationalize as with most characters in the MU. SO... Dan is the most like me. I've done a few interviews (one for the DVD extras) and I realized just how much of ME was in Dan. Everything from being raised by his mother in Brooklyn to having this thing dwelling within you (I was diagnosed with cancer just before the series launched) ... that is all me. So... was there "an approach”? Nah! Just cutting open a vein and bleeding onto the page. Ixnay Unbound: whose idea was it to turn John Blaze into a cyborg during the "Road to Vengeance" storyline? HM: It happened long enough ago that truthfully do not remember, but I would LOVE to blame someone else...anyone!! Why not just have him jump a shark cage on water skis? Canadian Rider: It seems like Marvel has always had a problem with Ghost Rider and his cross-over's into other comics. HM: There seems to be an unwritten rule about the character in a comic not being made to look bad by someone "crossing-in". Canadian Rider: Did you ever write cross-over's for other books and did they have a policy on that? When you are in somebody else's sand box is best to play nice. You do your research, know what is going on with the character in your book, and then write them the correct way. I KNOW there were writers(or editors) that wanted Ghost Rider to guest star in their titles at the time just for the sales boost... they didn't do their research... and it showed. Oh well... The68pie: have a couple of Questions for you Howard. 1.) Why didnt Ghost Rider and Blaze appear in the Secret Defenders like the advertizements in the comics said they would? 2.) would you consider the Blazing Skull to be a Spirit of Vengeance? 3.) What do you think about the new Ghost Rider mini and a Garth Ennis creating a new host for the spirit of vengeance? HM: 1.) I don't know. 2.) No. 3.) I haven't read it, but... why not? HM on the Movie** I saw the GR movie a couple of weekends ago with Bobbie Chase (my editor on the GR comic) and it was a surreal experience for both of us. I don't think I can be the best critic/reviewer of a character I was so close to for so long....but I did find myself being transported back to my youth as a comic book character I had loved for so long materialized on the screen. I found myself in the awkward position of looking for my own fingerprints on the characters and story on the screen. I was particularly taken with how effectively Mark utilized the PENNACE STARE in the resolution of the story. All in all it was a fun ride. Glad I am back posting, but I am not sure how long it will last. Thanks to Howard for taking the time to answer that onslaught of questions, and extra special thanks to Jake for gathering all the threads up into one fantastic article that I was proud to add to the site!	Howard Mackie Writer on Ghost Rider, Spirits of Vengeance, Blaze: Legacy of Blood, and Marvel Comics Presents 1990-1996 Issues Reviewed: Ghost Rider # 1 Ghost Rider # 2 Ghost Rider # 3 Ghost Rider # 4 Ghost Rider # 5 Ghost Rider # 6 Ghost Rider # 7 Ghost Rider # 8 Ghost Rider # 9 Ghost Rider # 10 Ghost Rider # 11 Ghost Rider # 12 Ghost Rider # 13 Ghost Rider # 14 Ghost Rider # 20 Ghost Rider # 28 Ghost Rider # 29 Ghost Rider # 33 Ghost Rider # 34 Ghost Rider # 39 Ghost Rider # 41 Ghost Rider # 42 Ghost Rider # 46 Ghost Rider # 47 Ghost Rider # 49 Ghost Rider # 50 Ghost Rider # 51 Ghost Rider # 69 Ghost Rider/Blaze # 1 Ghost Rider/Blaze # 2 Ghost Rider/Blaze # 9 Ghost Rider/Blaze # 10 Ghost Rider/Blaze # 12 Ghost Rider/Blaze # 22 Ghost Rider/Blaze # 23 MCP # 64 MCP # 65 MCP # 66 MCP # 67 MCP # 68 MCP # 69 MCP # 70 MCP # 71 MCP # 90 Peter Parker # 93