Ghost Rider (1973) 23-A

"Wrath of the Water Wizard!"

Indifference marks the departure of the Ghost Rider from the ranks of the Champions. Half of the team wonders about his origins, the other half feels relief upon his exit.

A soon-to-be thorn in the side of Ghost Rider introduces himself by way of staging a daylight robbery at an investment company. The debutante villain is self-conscious at first, understandable, considering his costume.

Water Wizard, for he is so named, displays the power to create constructs from solid water. Celebrating his purloined wealth with an accomplice, is postponed by an appearance of the sinister Enforcer.

Water Wizard's lack of confidence accounts for subservience to the Enforcer's will. Suddenly, the water systems at Delazny Studios take on a life of their own, defying the laws of physics to assail Johnny Blaze. Transformation to the Ghost Rider enables Blaze to overcome the threat. Intuition abets Blaze, divining that the fleeing, fledgling felon may be connected to the Enforcer.

On-course for confrontation with studio head, Charles Delazny, leads to a second encounter with the Water Wizard. The denouement of which, forces the aquatic outlaw to run screaming like a frightened little girl. Success soon becomes a Pyrrhic victory for Johnny Blaze.

First appearance of Water Wizard.