Jesus was almost a character in Marvel comics. I am not lying here. Go search marvel.com for the character named ‘A Friend’. ‘A Friend’ appeared in Ghost Rider comics from 1974-1976 as written by Tony Isabella. Appearing very much like the westernised Jesus, he helps save Ghost Rider from the Devil.
Ghost Rider is Johny Blaze, cursed to become the flaming skulled motorcyclist after making a deal with the devil to save his mentor. The story with Jesus begins in Ghost Rider vol.1 Issue #9. The Devil’s scheme to take possession of Johnny’s soul has worked. Blaze is no longer protected by his girlfriends purity. Its comics in the 1970’s there was a lot demons, monsters and being dragged to Hell.
Appearing from out of nowhere this very ‘Jesus looking’ character openly rebukes the Devil. He states that Johnny’s only possible sin is despair, which is not enough to condemn Johnny Blaze. The Devil beats a hasty retreat spewing vitriol that he will not stop trying to get the soul of Johnny Blaze.
Blaze, still in Ghost Rider form asks who this person is. He replies “I am...A Friend”. With that he takes his leave. Johnny is free from the Devil but not from being the Ghost Rider. Those who have read scripture will know that “I AM” is the name God. I think Tony Isabella was dropping a big hint.
He’s Got A Friend in Jesus?
In Marvel alone there are multiple pantheons which have been represented. Thor, Hercules and Gilgamesh have all been Avengers. Many other deities have found their way into comics. There is a whole set of New Gods and Cosmic Beings in both Marvel and DC comics due to writers like the great Jack Kirby. Why not Jesus too?
From 1974 and into 1976 Johnny Blaze was troubled by who ‘A Friend’ was. Tony Isabella does a great job of showing the struggle. Blaze is sure who ‘A Friend’ is supposed to be, but he cannot bring himself to believe it. Confirmation is there for the reader to see. Blaze is now in control of these new powers. He has been set from from the Devil’s curse.
In 1976 Isabella submits the conclusion to his Ghost Rider tale. If you read Ghost Rider vol.1 #19 you will not find that story. There are two writers credited for issue #19, Jim Shooter and Tony Isabella. What happened?
Shooter Triggered
According to Isabella, Jim Shooter went and tore up parts of the finished art work. Demanding that it be re-written. Why? Because in Isabella’s story Johnny decides to believes in Jesus. As you read the issues of Ghost Rider written by Isabella it is quite obvious that Blaze is coming to the realisation that Jesus has saved him.
At the time many of Marvel comics publications had monsters, demons, even the son and daughter of Satan. Isabella saw this glut of hell in the comics and thought, why not some heaven too. Far from a subversive plan to stealth Jesus into Marvel comics. Unfortunately for Isabella, Shooter was triggered and the story was changed.
‘A Friend’ became another demon posing to deceive Blaze. When you read the comics in sequence from issues #9 to #19, that final issue is quite abrupt. If you did not know what happened it looks like Isabella was unable to end the story. In typical Marvel hero style Johnny Blaze beats the devil all on his own.
Throughout Isabella’s run on Ghost Rider there is an affirmation of community. Johnny Blaze wins by getting help from others. Wether this is his girl-friend, other heroes, ‘A Friend’, or co-workers. Johnny gets into trouble when he tries to it go alone. And in his darkest moment when all seems lost, Jesus appeared to save him.
Different Opinions
In interviews since Jim Shooter has explained he was concerned that Isabella was attempting to make Johnny Blaze overtly Christian. Isabella rejects this. Many characters in Marvel comics are believers. Matt Murdock aka Daredevil cannot escape his Catholicism. Why not Johnny Blaze?
Shooter is claimed to have asserted that having Jesus as a character in Marvel comics would make Marvel exclusively Christian. Did Thor make Marvel exclusively Norse? Hercules, Roman or Greek? There are so many cosmically over powered characters in the Marvel universe why not one more?
At a time in comics history when Hell was all around, Tony Isabella attempted to bring a bit of balance to the Marvel comics universe. He crafted a story where in midst of supernatural turmoil, the hero turns to Jesus to be saved. Jesus almost became a Marvel comics character, almost.