Well, I’m back at last, Unspokenites. I apologize for the long delay in getting to this third part of the story. I blame global warming personally. Okay. That was lame. Would you believe that I barely survived an alien plague? Fine. I was being lazy. Happy now? Geez! You guys are relentless! Anyway, let’s shift the focus from me to the Spirits of Vengeance storyline. This part was originally presented in “Web of Spider-Man” #96. Enjoy!

In the inky depths beneath Manhattan, Spider-Man fought for air! He and the priest were so swarmed with the deadly Deathspawn that it was as if they were drowning in them! Suddenly, using his superior strength, Spidey broke through! Using this freed hand, he triggered one of his web-shooters, shooting a webline onto an overhead pipe. He then pulled himself and the priest to freedom! (I won’t make a “Braveheart” joke here. The Scottish people may thank me by ceasing all haggis cooking. Ugh!) Pulling them both up, Spider-Man spied a crack in the pipe. This gave him a desperate idea. He yanked with all of his might until the pipe burst and water came shooting down over the Deathspawn at an alarming rate! This disoriented them enough for Spidey to slip through another tunnel.

At this moment, Venom was crawling through yet another winding tunnel. Below him, he spied Doppelganger, Demogoblin, and a terrified Hobgoblin. Demogoblin had Hobgoblin pinned to a wall. The demon spoke of how it would tear the taint of it’s own demon blood from the Hobgoblin’s veins, leftover from when he himself had possessed his body! He would then slay every demon until only he was left to transcend to a higher being! (Can I just say here that Demogoblin might just benefit from some help with his metal health issues? Because he’s nuttier than a salted nut-roll!) Hobgoblin begged for the creature to see reason! He begged for his life! Uninterested in this exchange, the Doppelganger turned and spied a quietly approaching Venom! It attacked immediately and the two creatures began to tear one another apart!

Meanwhile, in yet another part of the sewers, Ghost Rider and Johnny Blaze were having their own problems with this invasion of Deathspawn creatures. As they battled, Ghost Rider ensnared one of the beasts around it’s throat with his chain! Blaze attempted to end it’s unholy life with his hellfire shotgun, but the Rider had other ideas. He would terrify it with his Penance Stare, making the creature feel all of the pain it had ever caused others by looking into his cold eyes, and then it would be more apt to lead the heroes to the trapped humans. Staring into the frightened monster’s eyes, he began his terrible stare! But the Deathspawn merely exploded! Another plan would have to be conceived. (Umm, yeah! I know you’re only reading this and can’t actually see my shocked face, but damn! That’s definitely one for the books, folks! It felt so bad, it literally blew up! I’m still in shock!)

Just then, Spidey and the priest rounded the corner and almost ran right into Ghost Rider and Blaze as they fought the countless Deathspawn horde! With barely a word spoken between them, the web-slinger threw himself into their fight to help! The captive people were everywhere it seemed, free of their prison, but now in immediate danger! The heroes agreed that they needed to separate the victims from the Deathspawn somehow. Spider-Man instantly formulated a plan. He shot two twin lines of webbing overhead, catching the cracked ceiling over them all. He then instructed Blaze to fire at the largest crack, making it even bigger. Spidey then ordered Ghost Rider to throw his chain into the same area. When it took hold, the two pulled with all of their superhuman might as Blaze continued firing! The effect was that the ceiling collapsed, separating the humans from the deadly Deathspawn attackers by tons of concrete rubble! (Ah, teamwork. Not unlike the X-Men. Well, when Wolverine isn’t slowing things down by trying to get into Jean Grey’s panties. Hairy little pervert.)

While the captives begin their escape, Spider-Man and the others suddenly hear a blood-curdling scream! That’s when Spidey realizes that Hobgoblin is not amongst the other victims! He states that he must rescue the criminal before the Demogoblin has his way with him! Blaze argues that the other people’s lives mean more than Hobgoblin’s. He should leave him to die. Spider-Man looks to the priest. Both agree with a nod. No life is more important than any other. The wall-crawler crawls off to save one of his deadliest foes as the priest says a prayer for him. (Respect goes to Spidey here. I’d not only leave Hobgoblin behind, I’d post pics of his demise of Facebook. I take lots of medication…..)

Just as Demogoblin raises one razor-sharp clawed hand to end Hobgoblin’s life, webbing pins the claw to a wall as a foot connects with the demon’s jaw! The unholy one falls but orders the Doppelganger to protect him while he finishes his grisly work! The near-mindless creature growls and attacks Spider-Man from behind! But a well-placed fist from behind drops the Doppelganger! It’s Venom! Venom won’t allow anyone to kill Spider-Man but himself! That moment is when all hell breaks loose! All present combatants are now beating each other to a pulp! Spidey seizes this chaotic moment to advance upon Demogoblin! He beats the creature within an inch of it’s cursed life until the demon can no longer stand! But before this can go any further, the Deathspawn erupt from beneath Demogoblin and drag him downward with shadowy claws! (It seems as if you can’t even trust Hell’s forces in this day and age! Sheesh!)

Spider-Man reaches down to help the Hobgoblin to his feet. The man all but begs for prison at this point! But Spidey had forgotten all about the murderous Venom! Done with his prey, the many-limbed Doppelganger, he now attacked his true target, Spider-Man! The two had done this dance too many times. So much, that they nearly knew one another’s every fighting technique! But the fight is suddenly interrupted by a chain around Spidey’s symbiotic attacker’s throat! It was of course Ghost Rider! The Spirit of Vengeance demanded that Spider-Man flee with the innocents and make sure they got to safety! Begrudgingly, he does so. An enraged Venom then faces the Rider. This insult would not stand!

To be concluded…..

Dedicated to the memory of my stepfather, Bob Metz. Ten years have passed since the night you left this world behind. And you will be missed by those who loved you for all time. Rest in peace.

Fierce rage built up in him, ready to overflow like lava from an erupting volcano. Only his steel will stood between him and completely losing himself to it. If he were to succumb, would anyone be safe from his wrath? But enough about me quitting smoking this month. I should probably get on with the subject to this month’s article. This article will be the first of four as I take a look back at a personal favorite storyline of mine from my youth, “Spirits of Venom”! This narrative concerns part one which was originally presented in “Web of Spider-Man” #95. Enjoy the coming chaos, Unspokenites!

A storm raged overhead as Spider-Man swung upon his webline. In his other hand, he carried the bound form of one of his most relentless foes, the Hobgoblin! Hobgoblin struggled in his web cocoon but to no avail. He was trapped. As he relaxed his taxed muscles, he complained to his wall-crawling enemy about how this was all unnecessary. The man he had tried to kill was only a contract to be fulfilled after all. It was nothing personal. Plus in the end, he had only defended himself. These words stung Spider-Man and he let go of his captive! He let him fall several stories before catching him at last. He then roared into the face of the assassin about how the taking of any life couldn’t be any more personal and he’d see the goblin punished for what he had done! Then, Spidey continued his swinging, heading to the nearest police station. This had all not gone unnoticed however. They were being watched from a distance…..(Seems like Spidey’s in a really bad mood. Grum-pee! What is it about attempted murder that strikes a nerve in most superheroes? Go figure. He just needs a calming cigarette. Sorry. I’m doing my best here.)

The two beings that were witnessing this scene were far from your usual bystander on the street. No. These two perched instead upon the head of a gargoyle statue that was affixed atop a tall building. One of them was known as the hellish Demogoblin! The other had no known name. He was a savage doppelganger of Spider-Man himself! (How’d these two monstrosities meet? I blame online dating sites personally.) The Demogoblin spoke to his growling comrade about how he and the Hobgoblin used to be one being, but now he and the other “sinner” who carried him must be slain! He would kill the Hobgoblin but he’d save Spider-Man for the Doppelganger to do with as it wished! This terrible twosome then began their pursuit! Spidey’s spider-sense suddenly warned him of danger! He immediately let go of his webline and he and the Hobgoblin began to plummet! A smart move, as the six-armed Doppelganger narrowly missed with its many claws! The wall-crawler then fired another web upwards and swung both of them to the top of an adjacent building. That’s when the demonic Demogoblin made his grand entrance!

Riding atop his hellfire glider, he decreed that all sinners would be sent into the pits of firey Hell by his righteous hand, starting with the two before him! (Okay. So it’s become apparent to me that the Demogoblin is in need of some serious therapy! Am I wrong?!) He continued by stating that all who aided the sinner, Hobgoblin, would burn as well! Still carrying the ensnared Hobgoblin, Spidey threw a kick at the Doppelganger, sending it crashing into the Demogoblin and stunning them both! Obviously at a disadvantage, Spider-Man shot another web and swung away in hasty retreat! He didn’t get far, as the Doppelganger fired a web of his own! Only this one has it’s own unique razor-webbing and it sliced right through Spidey’s line! This sent both he and Hobgoblin into a forced nosedive towards the pointed peak of a church roof!

Several blocks away and beneath the streets of Manhattan, two other heroes were on a quest of their own. Ghost Rider turned his flaming head, searching for his evil prey as Johnny Blaze, the man who was the Spirit of Vengeance before him, followed with his hellfire shotgun in hand. They were hunting evil creatures called Deathspawn and they were last seen entering these sewers. Suddenly, Blaze aimed upwards as he sensed something watching them from above! That’s when Venom dropped from the ceiling! (Damn! Who else is in this issue?! Why not add in Archie and Jughead while you’re at it?!) Ghost Rider and Blaze both assumed that Venom was here for them. That’s why they were surprised when he leaped past them to the killers that were hiding in the shadows! They were more human looking versions of these Deathspawn and as Venom tussled with them, more apparition-like creatures crept out to attack the dark heroes!

Meanwhile, Spider-Man and Hobgoblin had survived their fall. Spidey achingly pulled the goblin inside of the church through an unlocked window with sore arms. Hobgoblin once again stated how much easier this would all be if the web-slinger were to cut him free. Spider-Man of course declined. Their conversation was interrupted by the sudden appearance of a priest carrying a flashlight in shakey hands. He called out for them to reveal themselves in a frightened voice. Spider-Man stepped from the shadows, immediately putting the priest’s nerves at ease. Spider-Man asked for help. But before he could even finish his sentence, the priest agreed. He knew the goodness in this hero’s heart and was happy to be of service. (Finally! A bit of good luck for Spidey. I get tired of the whole “misunderstood hero” thing. The guy’s been around since 1962 for God’s sake! Yet he looks to be about 20 to 25 years old…..Comics are weird.)

The priest led them to the catacombs beneath the church to hide from their attackers. After, he then returned to the church’s main floor. But upon his arrival, he was terrified as he was standing face-to-face with the fanged Demogoblin and his many-limbed cohort! The priest ordered them to leave. This was hallowed ground and it would not abide their evil! Growing increasingly impatient, the Doppelganger lept towards the priest’s throat, ready to draw blood one way or another! But the Demogoblin would have none of this! Wasn’t this a man of God not unlike himself? No. The priest would live. He caught the beast by one of it’s arms and forced it back! Instead, he force the priest to lead them to their prey! Terrified, he began to lead them downstairs. Spidey’s luck held however and he noticed the trio before he could be attacked from behind. He made his presence known so that the Demogoblin would forget the priest. It worked! Too well, apparently, because the goblin threw a flaming pumpkin bomb towards Spider-Mans masked face! (Speaking of mental problems, can you imagine how much therapy this priest is gonna need after this night? Hell, you’d think any average person would need some strong meds just to live in a comic universe!)

In the sewers, Ghost Rider, Blaze, and Venom were having trouble of their own! For every Deathspawn they struck down, two more seemed to materialize! Venom, always a loner, soon tired of this and went after his original prey, the human-looking twin Deathspawn! Blaze fired his mystical weapon at the ceiling of the sewers, creating a large hole for them all to escape from. But Venom only cared about his own mission. He webbed up the two villains and escaped from the hole alone! In the church, Demogoblin threw the priest towards Spider-Man to exchange for Hobgoblin! Spidey caught him just as Venom burst through a recent hole that exploded from the catacombs floor! (Aaaand both stories have now intersected. Excellent storytelling. And the writer of this comic isn’t that bad either. ) Venom then spied his longtime arch-nemesis and leaped towards the wall-crawler, forgetting his webbed-up prize from moments ago! However, the Doppelganger would not be denied Spider-Man’s blood! It threw itself full force into Venom and the two monsters clashed in the shadows!

Demogoblin approached Spider-Man, ready to collect Hobgoblin! But this was interrupted as hellfire erupted from the large hole in the floor! Out came Ghost Rider, Blaze, and a horde of fleeing Deathspawn! When the Demogoblin spied Ghost Rider emerging from the sewers below, his fanged mouth spread into an awkward smile! He would slay an actual demon this night! Calling Ghost Rider by his supposed true demon name, he attacked the Spirit of Vengeance! To make matters worse, the still-bound Hobgoblin was being drug into the sewers by the evil wraiths! Ghost Rider and Demogoblin followed, entangled in battle! The same thing for Venom and Doppelganger as they fell in next! Blaze cleared the church catacombs of any remaining Deathspawn spirits with his hellish rifle! He then jumped in as well! (Whee! Sounds like fun! And less dangerous than most amusement park rides too!)

Only Spider-Man and the priest remained now. The rest of the combatants had already vanished into the sewers. Spidey spoke of his wife and family awaiting him at home. If he jumped in as well, there was a good chance he’d never come out alive again. The priest replied that he had already saved countless lives in his superhero career. There was no need to prove anything else. He should follow his heart. Spider-Man thanked the priest before he lept into the abyss and most probably his own certain doom.

to be continued…..

Dedicated to my nephew, Blade Miller, one of the strongest men I know.