Ghost Rider, Vol. 2 (1990-1998) #5A (Marvel Comics 1990)

This issue delivers the explosive opening chapter of Ghost Rider’s landmark 1990 crossover clash with the Punisher, headlined by a highly collectible cover drawn by Jim Lee. Titled “Getting Paid!” and structured as part one of two, the storyline pits the fiery spirit of vengeance against Frank Castle’s uncompromising war on crime. Writers and artists track exactly why this particular installment remains a standout: Howard Mackie’s script explores the friction between two protagonists who share a protective goal but actively despise each other’s methods.

The creative execution pairs Mackie’s tight pacing with pencils by Mark Texeira and inks by Javier Saltares, capturing the gritty, high-contrast visual style that defined early 1990s Marvel comics. Readers receive 32 pages of full-color storytelling that moves steadily toward its inevitable physical confrontation. The Punisher arrives determined to eliminate every criminal threat through conventional warfare, while Ghost Rider operates under supernatural rules of retribution that leave little room for earthly jurisdiction. That ideological collision drives the narrative forward without relying on lengthy exposition.

Issue Specifications

• Title: Ghost Rider, Vol. 2 (1990-1998) #5A
• Publisher & Year: Marvel Comics, 1990
• Creative Team: Writer: Howard Mackie | Pencils: Mark Texeira | Inkers: Javier Saltares | Cover Artist: Jim Lee
• Format: 32 pages, fully colored

Collectors and long-time readers value this volume for anchoring a defining run for the antihero while bridging street-level toughness and supernatural justice. Whether you are completing a Ghost Rider backlist, assembling first-print run copies, or seeking a streamlined Punisher guest appearance, this issue provides a focused, action-heavy entry point into one of the publisher’s most memorable character dynamics.