The story of the Medallion of Power was much more interesting. I enjoyed the story of the Blood, the ancient wars and battles, the original Midnight Sons, and their quest to destroy Zarathos.
Zarathos itself is an ancient word, derived from Zarathustra, the Persian Prophet of Zarastrianism. They were known as the "Fire Worshippers" Fire in their philosophy was purifying.
The Asian philosophy angle would have been great. In Persian, Central Asian & Arab tradition there are stories of 'Jinn" or those elemental people made of 'smokeless' fire who live among us but we are unable to see them. They can bring an omen of death, even an omen of vengeance, and can be known to possess human bodies and cause them to do supernatural things. Some were aligned with the devil (ie. Zarathos), and others aligned with mankind (Spirits of Vengeance).
So many ancient battles have been fought in the Steppes of Central Asia. Ancient battles between the different Scythians, their panthenon of different Gods, and relationships with ancient kingdoms. This is where the first horses were domesticated and used in warfare, and the original Midnight Sons did have horses, swords, and bows. Its where the writer of Conan even got his material for many of Conans adventures.
Even the story of the "Patriarch" makes more sense in this part of the world, most tribes had a patriarchal structure, and the culture of the blood, and blood affiliation & loyalty would fit into the mythos of the Scythians and their descendants across Asia. In some Central Asian languages, the local word for Scythians - Sakai, means a BLOOD relative.
Fire in essence in the Zarastrian thought is a purifier, and I think the Penance Stare, being the hellfire unleashed to the soul made perfect sense.
I think the history of Ghost Rider and a slight resemblance to real history is much more interesting than a story of a wussy son cursed by a gypsy.
I could write a whole history on the Spirit of Vengeance character based on just the word Zarathos alone!
