| Ghost Rider | |
|---|---|
Johnny Blaze as Ghost Rider on the cover
of Marvel Spotlight #5 (August 1972). | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Marvel Spotlight #5 (August 1972) |
| Created by | |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego |
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| Species | Human/demon hybrid |
| Team affiliations |
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| Notable aliases |
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| Abilities |
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Ghost Rider is the name of multiple superheroes appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
Marvel had previously used the name for a Western character whose name was later changed to Phantom Rider. The first supernatural Ghost Rider is stunt motorcyclist Johnny Blaze, who agrees to give his soul to "Satan" (later revealed to be an arch-demon named Mephisto) to save the life of his foster father. At night and when around evil, Blaze finds his flesh consumed by hellfire, causing his head to become a flaming skull. He rides a fiery motorcycle and wields blasts of hellfire from his body, usually from his hands. He eventually learns he has been bonded with the demon Zarathos. Blaze is featured in the series Ghost Rider (vol. 2) from 1972 to 1983.
The subsequent Ghost Rider series (1990–1998) features Danny Ketch as a new Ghost Rider. After his sister was injured by gangsters, Ketch comes in contact with a motorcycle that contains the essence of a Spirit of Vengeance. Blaze reappears in this 1990s series as a supporting character, and it is later revealed that Danny and his sister were Johnny Blaze's long-lost siblings. In 2000s comics, Blaze succeeds Ketch, becoming Ghost Rider again. In 2014, Robbie Reyes becomes Ghost Rider as part of the Marvel NOW! initiative. In 2024, Parker Robbins becomes Ghost Rider in the miniseries Ghost Rider: Final Vengeance.
In May 2011, Ghost Rider placed 90th on IGN's "Top 100 Comic Book Heroes" list.
Nicolas Cage starred as the Johnny Blaze incarnation of the character in the 2007 film Ghost Rider and its 2012 sequel, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. Gabriel Luna and Tom McComas portray the Robbie Reyes and Johnny Blaze incarnations in the fourth season of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) television series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., with Henry Simmons and Clark Gregg portraying new incarnations Alphonso Mackenzie and Phil Coulson. Ryan Gosling will portray the character in the upcoming MCU film Ghost Rider (2028).
Following the Western comics character who originally used the name, the first superhero Ghost Rider, Johnny Blaze, debuted in Marvel Spotlight issue #5 (August 1972), created by Marvel editor-in-chief Roy Thomas, writer Gary Friedrich and artist Mike Ploog. He received his own series in 1973, with penciller Jim Mooney handling most of the first nine issues. Several different creative teams mixed-and-matched until penciller Don Perlin began a considerably long stint with issue #26, eventually joined by writer Michael Fleisher through issue #58. The series ran through issue #81 (June 1983). Blaze returned as Ghost Rider in a 2001 six-issue miniseries written by Devin Grayson; a second miniseries written by Garth Ennis in 2005, and an ongoing monthly series that began publication in July 2006. Johnny Blaze was the son of Naomi Blaze and Barton Blaze. Naomi was the previous Ghost Rider.
The next Ghost Rider, a young man named Daniel "Danny" Ketch (Johnny Blaze's long-lost younger brother), debuted in Ghost Rider (vol. 3) #1 (May 1990). This Ghost Rider was nearly identical to the previous, although his costume was now a black leather biker jacket with spiked shoulder-pads, grey leather pants, and a mystic chain he wore across his chest, which responded to his mental commands and served as his primary melee weapon. His new motorcycle resembled a futuristic machine and the front of it could lower to serve as a battering ram. Like the original Ghost Rider's bike, the wheels were composed of mystic hellfire. Unlike the relationship between the previous Ghost Rider and the demon with which he was bonded, Ketch and his demon — who in (vol. 3) #91 (December 1997) is revealed to be Marvel's incarnation of the Angel of Death/Judgment — are cooperative with each other. At the close of the series with (vol. 3) #93 (February 1998), Ketch apparently died. The following year, however, Peter Parker: Spider-Man #93 (July 1999) revealed Ketch was still alive. Nearly a decade later, Marvel published the long-completed final issue as Ghost Rider Finale (January 2007), which reprints the last issue and the previously unpublished Ghost Rider (vol. 3) #94.
During the 2011 storyline "Fear Itself", a Nicaraguan woman named Alejandra Jones becomes Ghost Rider through a ritual performed by a man named Adam. Though she demonstrates many previously unknown powers of the Ghost Rider entity, she is deprived of its full power when Johnny Blaze takes back most of this power in (vol. 7) #9. Jones was killed by Carnage during the Absolute Carnage event.
In 2014, a new character took on the Ghost Rider mantle: a Mexican-American resident of East Los Angeles named Roberto "Robbie" Reyes, who drives a black classic muscle car reminiscent of a modified 1969 Dodge Charger rather than a motorcycle. Reyes was created by writer/artist Felipe Smith and designed by Smith and artist Tradd Moore.
After witnessing the massacre of her tribe on an Arizona mountain in the 1800s, the Apache Kushala summons a fearsome Spirit of Vengeance. She uses it to exact revenge on those who took her family and friends, and learns to coexist with the inner demon that has just awakened—known as Spirit Rider. Kushala was created by Robbie Thompson and Javier Rodríguez and made her debut in Doctor Strange and the Sorcerers Supreme #1 (2016).
During World War II, a soldier named Sal Romero operated as Ghost Rider after being reanimated as one after his death in order to protect someone named Leo. The Mother of Horrors summons Romero and other monsters to look for the Fractured Son, only for him to remain with Leo.
In 2024, a new character took on the Ghost Rider mantle: Parker Robbins, the supervillain "the Hood", in the miniseries Ghost Rider: Final Vengeance.
The Ghost Rider is a human who can transform into a skeletal superhuman wreathed in ethereal flame and given supernatural powers. The abnormal motorcycle he rides can travel faster than any conventional vehicle and perform impossible feats such as riding up a vertical surface, across water, and leaping across great distances that normal motorcycles cannot. The Ghost Riders are virtually indestructible and notoriously hard to injure by any conventional means, as bullets and knives usually pass through them without causing pain (knives are shown to melt while in their body). It is possible that they are genuinely immortal, as it is said that God created them and only God can destroy them. Despite being composed of bone and hellfire, the Ghost Riders possess formidable superhuman strength, enough to easily pick up a truck and hurl it across a road. It has been stated that Johnny Blaze as Ghost Rider can bench press around 25 tons (50,000 lbs) (or more as seen in World War Hulk). Each Ghost Rider entity also had abilities specific to him or her.
Naomi Kale is the mother of Johnny Blaze, Danny Ketch, and Barbara Ketch.
Noble lived in the 18th century and grew up with his abusive father, Pastor Kale, and his younger brother Dante.
Noble fell in love with a black girl named Magdelena. Because of the color of her skin and his father's religious views, the couple kept their love secret. They were forced to tell Pastor Kale when Magdelena bore Noble's child. Noble and Magdelena were then married.
Shortly after the marriage, Magdelena discovered that Pastor Kale was a servant of Mephisto. To cover up Magdelena's findings, Pastor Kale accused her of witchcraft and had her burned at the stake. Knowing that Noble would object, Pastor Kale had him drugged, tortured and beaten.
Before Magdelena died, she used a curse to summon demons called Furies, who avenge wronged women. Fearing death, Pastor Kale struck a deal with Mephisto. In return for his safety, Mephisto would receive Noble's soul. Mephisto realized that Noble was attached to a piece of the Medallion of Power and he activated the piece to transform Noble into the original "Spirit of Vengeance". Noble destroyed the Furies, then killed himself after Mephisto attempted to force him into eating his son. Following Noble's death, Mephisto and his brother Uriel made a compromise that prevented Noble's soul from entering Heaven or Hell, remaining in the void.
The Ghost Rider of 1,000,000 B.C. was a caveman who gained heightened intelligence and the capability of speech due to the Celestial Progenitor influencing human evolution. He was approached by a mysterious stranger who possessed similar gifts, only to witness the stranger transform into a beast and kill his tribe. The boy was forced to survive on his own, though he does befriend a woolly mammoth. After almost dying in the harsh environment, he was approached by Mephisto, who bonded him with a Spirit of Vengeance. The Rider, along with his mammoth, eventually caught up with the man who killed his tribe, who turns out to have been the first Wendigo. Afterwards, Ghost was approached by Odin and Lady Phoenix to join the prehistoric Avengers.
During the 11th century, a Native American chieftain from the Sioux nation named Hellhawk sported the powers of the Ghost Rider. He was part of Thor's Avengers of 1,000 A.D.
During the 17th century, Hellhawk developed a rivalry with Noble Kane. He was later killed by Narcosis to serve as a warning to Mephisto by Belasco to keep his Spirits of Vengeance out of Limbo.
During Edo period Japan, the famed swordsman Musashi Miyamoto possessed the powers of the Ghost Rider and was known as the Ghost Ronin. He would assist the time-displaced Avengers when they fought against Mephisto throughout time.
Seven Riders were introduced in a story arc by writer Jason Aaron and artist Tan Eng Huat. Daniel Ketch returns with a new mission: to collect the powers of all the Ghost Riders for the angel Zadkiel to prevent the corruption of the powers with their human hosts. Zadkiel has other motives he keeps to himself, for which he needs the powers of the riders to tear down the walls of New Jerusalem and wage war on the heavens.
A version of Ghost Rider appeared in the 2007 miniseries Ghost Rider: Trail of Tears by writer Garth Ennis and artist Clayton Crain. Set during the American Civil War, it finds Confederate officer Travis Parham avenging the murders of his friend, an ex-slave named Caleb and Caleb's family. Parham meets a horse-riding Ghost Rider who seeks the same men. Eventually, Parham learns about the deaths instrumental in helping set forth the Spirit of Vengeance.
During the 19th century, an unnamed Ghost Rider was active during the American frontier. He targeted anyone who killed Native American women and children or who cut off their scalps.
In an alternate reality where Thanos conquered all the universe, the Punisher signed a demonic deal with Mephisto and became the Ghost Rider. By the time he returned to Earth, Thanos was already gone and everyone on Earth was dead. Roaming endlessly and undying with no one to kill or love, the Ghost Rider spent the next countless years alone. He eventually began to lose his mind when even Mephisto fell silent to his calls. When a badly injured Galactus arrived on Earth seeking help against Thanos, Ghost Rider offered Earth to him in exchange for Galactus empowering him with the Power Cosmic.

Zero Cochrane, who in the Marvel 2099 alternate timeline is a cybernetic take on the Spirit of Vengeance, is a cybernetic being with a digitized copy of Cochrane's mind. He encounters a futuristic counterpoint to Michael Badilino's Vengeance. The Ghost Rider of 2099 appears to drop out of existence during the consolidation of the 2099 books into a single title called 2099 World of Tomorrow. He subsequently appears in the 2099 "epilogue" book Manifest Destiny.
In Infinity Warps, Ghost Rider is fused with Black Panther. Prince of Wakanda T'Challa was an arrogant boy who, because of his conflict with his father, was exiled from his place. He went to America and encountered Jericho Simpson (fusion of Brother Voodoo and Crash Simpson) who became his new father figure and gave T'Challa a new name as Johnny Blaze. During a stunt performance, he sensed his father T'Chaka dying and got distracted which resulted in his own death. He was then revived by Zarathos, half-sister of Bast and offered to him powers in exchange of eating the souls of sinners. At first, he was reluctant. When battling his father's killers, he accepted the offer and became Ghost Panther.
Ghost Rider is seen in Marvel Zombies: Dead Days #1 (May 2007) as one of the uninfected; he then appears briefly in "Marvel Zombies" at the point in which the zombie heroes of New York are making their assault on the Silver Surfer. He later appears in Marvel Zombies 3 as an infected while chasing Machine Man and is then easily decapitated.[volume and issue needed]
During the original "Old Man Logan" story arc that took place on Earth-807128, there is a scavenging biker gang called the Ghost Riders where they ride their versions of the Hell-Cycle. They attacked Logan and nearly beat him before they were killed by Hawkeye. Logan later fought some Ghost Riders and killed several of them, as one of them had their arm eaten by Bruce Banner Jr.
An alternate universe of Ghost Rider, with elements of Doctor Octopus, was introduced in the storyline "Devil's Reign". This version has chain-like tentacles.
Autolycus, known as the Spirit of Vengeance, debuted in Guardians of the Galaxy as a member of the Galactic Guardians. He has the ability to traverse space and fire spike projectiles from his forearms. This Ghost Rider is a religious zealot, embittered toward a church proclaiming it would produce its god in the flesh.
On Earth-11638, Spider-Man is called the Amazing Spider; he is rich, powerful, and popular, and none of his loved ones has died. Peter runs Parker Technologies, where his Uncle Ben spurs him to be his best. Upon inventing a portal technology, he unknowingly brought Earth-616's Spider-Man, Deadpool, and Hulk to Earth-11638. During a scuffle with Spider-Man in the Amazing Spider's lair, the Amazing Spider is rendered comatose. While comatose, the Amazing Spider encounters Bruce Banner, who helps him return to life as the Ghost Spider.
In the Ultimate Marvel Universe, Ghost Rider made his debut in Ultimate Comics: Avengers (vol. 2) #2. Ghost Rider's origin is explained in Ultimate Comics: Avengers (vol. 2) #4. During a cross-country trip across the United States, Johnny Blaze and Roxanne Simpson come across a bar where they befriend a biker gang, who ply them with beer. The gang's friendly demeanor is a ruse, as they kill the intoxicated Blaze as part of a Satanic ritual. During the ritual, they barter their souls with Satan in exchange for wealth and power. Satan grants their request, but maintains the upper hand. The deceased Blaze also makes a deal that Satan will get his soul in exchange for the assured safety of Roxanne. For 20 years, Blaze trains to become the Ghost Rider, burning away his Christian baptism, and is sent into the world to take revenge. He tracks down and kills the members of the motorcycle gang — now rich and in positions of power – individually. In response to these deaths, the White House issues an executive order to kill the Ghost Rider. When the Avengers are unsuccessful in stopping the Ghost Rider from killing his next target, the truth behind the Ghost Rider's selection of targets is learned. The Vice President of the United States, Robert R. Blackthorne is revealed to be the former leader of the motorcycle gang, who sold his soul to become a Ghost Rider, also known as Vengeance.
In the second volume of the series in issue #45, "What If Barbara Ketch Became Ghost Rider", Daniel Ketch's sister Barbara becomes the Ghost Rider after Danny is killed in the graveyard. In this version, Barbara is more vicious and ruthless as Ghost Rider. Eventually, Doctor Strange and Spider-Man team up to try to stop her with the help of Johnny Blaze.
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