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Ghost Rider (comics)
Encyclopedia
Ghost Rider is the name of several fictional
supernatural
antiheroes appearing in comic book
s published by Marvel Comics
. Marvel had previously used the name for a Western
character whose name was later changed to Night Rider and subsequently to Phantom Rider
.
The first supernatural
Ghost Rider is stunt
motorcyclist
Johnny Blaze
, who, in order to save the life of his mentor, agreed to give his soul to "Satan
" (later revealed to be an arch-demon named Mephisto
). Instead, his soul bonded with the entity called Zarathos
. When utilizing Zarathos' powers Blaze's flesh is consumed by hellfire, causing his head to become a flaming skull. He rides a fiery motorcycle and wields trademark blasts of hellfire from his skeletal hands. He starred in the series from 1972-1983.
The subsequent Ghost Rider series (1990–98) featured Danny Ketch as a new Ghost Rider. After his sister was injured by ninja
gangster
s, Ketch came in contact with a motorcycle which had somehow been mystically enchanted to contain the essence of a "Spirit of Vengeance".
Johnny Blaze reappeared in this 1990s series as a supporting character
. In mid-2000s comics, Blaze again became the Ghost Rider, succeeding Ketch.
Nicolas Cage
and Matt Long
played Johnny Blaze in the 2007 film Ghost Rider
.
In May of 2011, Ghost Rider placed 90th on IGN's Top 100 Comic Book Heroes of All Time.
who originally used the name, the next known Ghost Rider appears in the Marvel comic book Marvel Spotlight
#5 (Aug. 1972), where the story and characters are credited as being created by Gary Friedrich
, aided and abetted by writer
-editor
Roy Thomas
, with artist
Mike Ploog
.
Johnny Blaze, a motorcycle stunt performer in a traveling circus, sold his soul to who he believes was Satan
but actually is the demon Mephisto
(a retcon), in order to save his stepfather, "Crash" Simpson, from cancer. Crash later dies in a motorcycle accident and Mephisto attempts to take Blaze's soul, only to be thwarted by Crash's daughter Roxanne, who had learned of the deal and had prepared a counter-spell based on selfless love. Unable to take Blaze's soul
, Mephisto has his revenge by binding Blaze with a demonic force.
Blaze then finds himself transforming into a demonic entity at nightfall, during which times he wields strange powers. He is called the Ghost Rider for his strange appearance. As time goes on, he is able to call on his demonic abilities whenever he wishes, not just at night. Eventually, he seems to have a different personality as Ghost Rider and it is finally revealed that Mephisto has forced Blaze to share his body with a demon rival named Zarathos
.
Originally, Zarathos
was stripped of his memories and so Blaze was in control whenever they transformed into Ghost Rider. But now, Zarathos' true personality has resurfaced and from then on it is a continuing battle for dominance between him and Blaze. Being a demon, Zarathos craves the punishment of sinners and so Blaze at times willingly releases him when criminals or other threats are nearby. However, it is always a struggle to force Zarathos back so that Blaze can resume his control and his human identity. At times, Zarathos tries to find ways to destroy Blaze's soul so that he may be free to enjoy complete physical existence.
The character received his own series in 1973, with Friedrich penning the first several issues, until writing was taken over by penciller
Jim Mooney
Several different creative teams mixed-and-matched until penciller Don Perlin
began a long stint with #26, eventually joined by writer Michael Fleisher
through #58. Tony Isabella
wrote a Ghost Rider story arc where Johnny Blaze became a Christian
and thereby freed himself of the curse. Isabella said that "Johnny Blaze accepts Jesus Christ into his life. This gives him the strength to overcome Satan, though with more pyrotechnics than most of us can muster. He retains the Ghost Rider powers he had been given by Satan, but they are his to use as his new faith directs him." However, the story was apparently rewritten at the last moment.
Towards the end of the run, a villain named Centurious
was introduced. Centurious was a man without a soul, making him immune to Ghost Rider's hellfire, and he had a history with Zarathos. This Ghost Rider's career ended when Zarathos fled Blaze's body in issue #81 (June 1983), the finale, in order to pursue Centurious. Now free of his curse, Blaze went off to live with Roxanne.
In the next Ghost Rider series, it would be revealed that Roxanne and Johnny eventually got married and had two children.
, again featuring Blaze as the Ghost Rider (though how this happened was not explained), debuted in 2001 under the Marvel Knights
imprint. Subtitled "The Hammer Lane," it was written by Devin K. Grayson
and penciled by Trent Kaniuga. The miniseries was ill-regarded by fans. Some elements of the series, such as Roxanne's death, have also been overturned by the later released final issue of the Dan Ketch series.
A second six-issue miniseries, by writer Garth Ennis
and artist Clayton Crain
, subtitled "Road to Damnation," debuted November 2005. This series also featured Blaze, who was now dead and in Hell, trapped in the form of the Ghost Rider. The series focused on his futile attempts at escaping from Hell. His powers here now included being able to breathe hellfire like a dragon and launching chains from his throat. Blaze's new Ghost Rider appearance is similar to Daniel Ketch's, a change that assistant editor Michael O'Connor attributes to the manifestation of Ghost Rider's powers themselves.
In July 2006, a new ongoing monthly series, titled simply Ghost Rider, began. Written by Daniel Way
with art by Mark Texeira
, it takes place after the Ennis miniseries. It features Blaze still in Hell, desperately trying to escape. At the end of the first issue, he is manipulated into returning to Earth, bringing Lucifer with him. The series then revolves around Blaze fighting Lucifer and his forces. Flashback issues also show Johnny Blaze finally dying and being condemned to Hell due to his original deal with the Devil. Roxanne's whereabouts are unknown.
In Way's last story arc, it is revealed that it was not due to Mephisto but rather because of an angel named Zadkiel
that the original Ghost Rider was born, intended to be Heaven's weapon on Earth who would fight demons, and that this angelic purpose is why the Devil could not keep him in Hell. With issue #20, writer Jason Aaron
and penciler Roland Boschi became the creative team, and reintroduced Danny Ketch, now a normal human who learns from the Caretaker that his initial transformation into the second Ghost Rider had been inadvertent.
with spiked shoulder-pads, grey leather pants, and a mystic chain that 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 relationship between the previous Ghost Rider, Johnny Blaze, and the demonic Zarathos who possessed him, Ketch and his demon — eventually revealed in #91 (Dec. 1997) to be Marvel's incarnation of the Angel of Death/Judgment — are cooperative with each other. As with Blaze and Zarathos, they can sometimes communicate through dreams or will leave messages for each other, such as writing a note or using lipstick to scribble messages on a mirror.
At the close of the series, with vol. 2, #93 (Feb. 1998), Blaze seemed to lose his children to mystical forces and Roxanne was killed, only to be transformed into the demon Black Rose; Daniel Ketch also apparently died and Noble Kale became a ruler in Hell. The following year, 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 (Jan. 2007), which reprints vol. 2, #93 and the previously unpublished #94. Note: While the trademarked cover logo reads Ghost Rider #94, the comic's postal indicia
lists the comic copyrighted as Ghost Rider Finale. The finale revealed that Roxanne's true spirit was restored and that she left her existence as Black Rose behind and returned to Blaze's side, though she suffered from heavy memory loss.
storyline, a Nicaraguan woman named Alejandra ends up becoming a Ghost Rider through a ritual performed by a man named Adam at the time with Sin (in the form of Skadi) attacks Dayton, Ohio
alongside Deathwatch
and the half-demon version of Blackout
. This Ghost Rider dispatches Deathwatch and Blackout before engaging Skadi. But when she touches Skadi's hammer, she is incapacitated and reverted to human form because according to Skadi, touching the hammer was akin to touching fear itself. Later she show us how many unknown powers the ghost rider has.
).
Each Ghost Rider entity also had abilities specific to him.
Friedrich on the above, in 2001:
Ploog recalled, in a 2008 interview:
On April 4, 2007, Friedrich sued Marvel Enterprises
, Sony Pictures
, Columbia TriStar Motion Pictures
, Relativity Media, Crystal Sky Pictures, Michael DeLuca
Productions, Hasbro
, and Take-Two Interactive
, alleging his copyright
s to the Ghost Rider character have been exploited and used in a "joint venture and conspiracy". The lawsuit
states that the film rights and merchandising
reverted from Marvel to him in 2001.
, is one third of an "Organic Medallion of Power"; the other two are Ketch and Blaze (the Medallion itself was never explained in any true detail). He possesses powers more in line with those of the Zarathos version of Ghost Rider, although he also possesses the Penance Stare and his motorcycle seemed to share characteristics with the Noble Kale version. His appearance is distinguished by a deep purple skull, large fangs protruding from his upper jaw, and backswept curved horns on the top of his skull.
In his superhuman form, Badilino was called Vengeance, and originally attempted to kill the Ghost Rider, believing him to be Zarathos. Vengeance later became the ally of Ghost Rider and Johnny Blaze. Vengeance would also take on the role of the Ghost Rider and even semi-seriously referred to himself by that name when confronted by Spider-Man shortly after the apparent death of Ghost Rider in battle with Zarathos and acolytes The Fallen. Vengeance killed himself, along with the villain Hellgate, by triggering a massive explosion through his Hellfire, the source of the mystical flames that encompass the bones of both Vengeance and Ghost Rider.
Vengeance reappears in the last four issues of Ghost Rider vol. 2, involved in Blackheart
's plans to kill Noble Kale. Vengeance aids the Ghost Rider in the ensuing battle, destroying Blackheart and ruling Hell during Ketch's absences.
The story begins in Tibet with Chinese soldiers harassing a village, questioning them about weapons that killed two of his garrison patrols. During the harassment a monk enters on a donkey. After a few exchange of words and an order to kill given by the General, the monk changes and kills the General's men while his back is turned. When the General turns back he sees the Ghost Rider and gets a penance stare for his trouble. After the attack the rider goes back to his sanctuary where he is visited by Danny Ketch. A short while later Sister Sara and Johnny Blaze arrive at the sanctuary to find out how to get back at Zadkiel. After entering, they find the monk and donkey burnt to husks.
That night the two are visited by Ketch and begins a battle with a show of power. When Blaze does the penance stare to his brother, he sees exactly what has transpired. Ketch has murdered the hosts of numerous riders for their powers. During a show of pity for the fallen, Ketch is able to return the stare on Blaze, and sends Blaze into temporary insanity. Before Ketch is able to take the power of Zarathos, he is stopped by the new caretaker Sister Sara. She rescues Blaze and they go to a safehouse. At the safehouse, during Blaze's self pity and Sara's trying to pick him back up, they are visited by two more Ghost Riders, the Arabic Molek and the Chinese Bai Gu Jing, with whom they follow to Japan.
When Blaze's team arrives in Japan, they learn Ketch has already taken the power of the rider Yoshio Kannabe. After the conquest, Ketch has another talk with Zadkiel via communications link. During the conversation Zadkiel massacres the squad of the Asura who guard the gates of heaven. Zadkiel tells Ketch to wait to attack the riders til the last ones are together. Meanwhile, elsewhere in the world, former cop Kowalski follows a contact to get a hellfire shotgun for his revenge on Blaze. After acquiring the item he is then driven to the middle of a desert to sit and wait for his chance.
After leaving Japan, Blaze's team journeys to the City of the Skulls in the Congo where the last stand would be made. There they meet the Lords of the Congo, the Ghost Riders Baron Skullfire and Marinette Bwachech, and their Phantom Riders. During the day Sara tells Molek about her new experience becoming a Caretaker, and her wonders about religion, with which she is given secret information that Molek knows about both.
As the Ghost Riders and their forces get ready for battle, Blaze has his eyes opened back up by kids going to fight. He quickly snaps out of his depression and joins the others for the final battle. During the course of the battle Baron Skullfire dies and the spirit is transferred to one of the Phantom Riders, after which Ketch creates hellfire duplicates of himself to take the powers. A wager is then made by Blaze and Ketch on a race between the brothers around the world for the fates of the powers. During the race, Blaze is critically injured by Kowalski's shotgun and Ketch takes the rider from him as his duplicates overpower the others.
Moments later Ketch returns the heaven and Zadkiel is then able to take heaven. The sound of the gates falling is enough to be felt by Spider-man's senses, and loud enough to be heard by people and everywhere including Hell and Asgard. When an injured Blaze returns to the City of the Skulls, Ketch falls from the sky and reveals that the battle for Heaven has already been decided. As more energies fall from the heavens, one strikes Kowalski and changes him into a new rider that looks a lot like Vengeance.
Ghost Rider: Trail of Tears #1-6 (April-Sept. 2007) 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.
Universe, Ghost Rider made his debut in Ultimate Comics: Avengers
Volume 2 #2. Ultimate Ghost Rider's origin is explained in "Ultimate Comics: Avengers
" Volume 2 #4. Young twenty-something couple Johnny Blaze
and Roxanne Simpson
decided on a cross-country trip across the United States. One day they came across a bar where they befriended a biker gang, who kept buying them beer. The friendship was a ruse as they killed an intoxicated Blaze as part of a satanic ritual. During the ritual they bartered their souls with Satan in exchange for wealth and power. Satan granted their request, but kept the upper hand. The deceased Blaze also made a deal, Satan
will get his soul in exchange for the assured safety of Roxanne. For twenty years Blaze trained to become the Ghost Rider, burning away his Christian baptism. and searing away anything that was soft on the inside, and was sent into the world to get his revenge. He tracks down and kills the members of the motorcycle gang—now rich and in positions of power—individually. Due to these deaths an executive order comes down from the White House, kill the Ghost Rider. The Avengers are recruited into the mission with no knowledge of the Ghost Rider except that he is 7 ft. tall and has the strength of Thor. When the Avengers were unsuccessful in stopping the Ghost Rider from killing his next target, the truth behind the Ghost Rider is learned, and the leader of the motorcycle gang is now the Vice-President. Michael Blackthorne
, the Vice President sold his soul to become a Ghost Rider aka Vengeance
himself, the two got into a fight in the city which the Avengers were unable to stop. Johnny dragged the Vice President into a church which turned them both back into human form, allowing the Punisher
to finish off the Vice President, pleading his case, Johnny was allowed to leave. He is later seen in a park with Satan watching, Roxanne, who was brought back to life with no memory of what was done. Satan agrees to let her live her life if Johnny continues to be his Ghost Rider, to which he agrees.
Zero Cochrane, who in the Marvel 2099
alternate timeline is a cybernetic take on the Spirit of Vengeance, is not a supernatural being, but 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, arguing with the AI
that empowers him.
) proclaiming it would produce its god in the flesh. That being, the Protege, is destroyed by the Celestial
Scathan the Approver. This Ghost Rider refers to himself simply as the Spirit of Vengeance, although his real name is given as Autocylus, from the planet Sarka. After answering a distress call from Firelord, the Guardians of the Galaxy help a planet in peril, this Ghost Rider eventually helps to destroy the threat. The Spirit of Vengeance joins several other powerful beings including Martinex
, Hollywood, Replica, Firelord, Phoenix IX and Mainframe. The heroes, rallied by Martinex, stay together as the new Galactic Guardians.
as one of the uninfected and appears in Marvel Zombies 3
as an infected while chasing Machine Man and is then easily decapitated.
placed Ghost Rider as the 90th greatest comic book hero of all time stating that if a hero can hinge his popularity solely on visual design, then Ghost Rider must be one of the most popular superheroes of all time while also saying the character had memorable stories over the years as well.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
supernatural
Supernatural
The supernatural or is that which is not subject to the laws of nature, or more figuratively, that which is said to exist above and beyond nature...
antiheroes appearing in comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
s published by Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
. Marvel had previously used the name for a Western
Western comics
Western comics is a comics genre usually depicting the American Old West frontier and typically set during the late nineteenth century...
character whose name was later changed to Night Rider and subsequently to Phantom Rider
Phantom Rider
The Phantom Rider is the name of several fictional characters, Old West heroic gunfighters appearing in comic books in the Marvel Comics universe...
.
The first supernatural
Supernatural
The supernatural or is that which is not subject to the laws of nature, or more figuratively, that which is said to exist above and beyond nature...
Ghost Rider is stunt
Stunt
A stunt is an unusual and difficult physical feat, or any act requiring a special skill, performed for artistic purposes in TV, theatre, or cinema...
motorcyclist
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
Johnny Blaze
Ghost Rider (Johnny Blaze)
Ghost Rider is a fictional character, an antihero in the Marvel Comics Universe. He is the second Marvel character to use the name Ghost Rider, following the Western hero later known as the Phantom Rider, and preceding Daniel Ketch.Johnny Blaze was portrayed both in the 2007 film Ghost Rider and...
, who, in order to save the life of his mentor, agreed to give his soul to "Satan
Satan
Satan , "the opposer", is the title of various entities, both human and divine, who challenge the faith of humans in the Hebrew Bible...
" (later revealed to be an arch-demon named Mephisto
Mephisto (comics)
Mephisto is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Silver Surfer #3 and was created by Stan Lee and John Buscema, loosely modeled on Mephistopheles - a character from the Faust legend.Debuting in the Silver Age of comic books,...
). Instead, his soul bonded with the entity called Zarathos
Zarathos
Zarathos is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics series Ghost Rider. He is a demonic being who tortures and devours souls. He first appears in Marvel Spotlight #5 .-Fictional character biography:...
. When utilizing Zarathos' powers Blaze's flesh is consumed by hellfire, causing his head to become a flaming skull. He rides a fiery motorcycle and wields trademark blasts of hellfire from his skeletal hands. He starred in the series from 1972-1983.
The subsequent Ghost Rider series (1990–98) featured Danny Ketch as a new Ghost Rider. After his sister was injured by ninja
Ninja
A or was a covert agent or mercenary of feudal Japan specializing in unorthodox arts of war. The functions of the ninja included espionage, sabotage, infiltration, and assassination, as well as open combat in certain situations...
gangster
Gangster
A gangster is a criminal who is a member of a gang. Some gangs are considered to be part of organized crime. Gangsters are also called mobsters, a term derived from mob and the suffix -ster....
s, Ketch came in contact with a motorcycle which had somehow been mystically enchanted to contain the essence of a "Spirit of Vengeance".
Johnny Blaze reappeared in this 1990s series as a supporting character
Supporting character
A supporting character is a character of a book, play, video game, movie, television or radio show or other form of storytelling usually used to give added dimension to a main character, by adding a relationship with this character...
. In mid-2000s comics, Blaze again became the Ghost Rider, succeeding Ketch.
Nicolas Cage
Nicolas Cage
Nicolas Cage is an American actor, producer and director, having appeared in over 60 films including Raising Arizona , The Rock , Face/Off , Gone in 60 Seconds , Adaptation , National Treasure , Ghost Rider , Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans , and...
and Matt Long
Matt Long
Matthew Clayton "Matt" Long is an American actor. He played the teenaged Jack McCallister on Jack & Bobby, the younger Johnny Blaze in Ghost Rider, and Tyler Prince in Sydney White....
played Johnny Blaze in the 2007 film Ghost Rider
Ghost Rider (film)
Ghost Rider is a 2007 superhero film written and directed by Mark Steven Johnson. Based on the character of the same name which appeared in Marvel Comics, the film stars Nicolas Cage as Johnny Blaze, a stunt motorcyclist who sells his soul to the Devil and transforms into thevigilante Ghost...
.
In May of 2011, Ghost Rider placed 90th on IGN's Top 100 Comic Book Heroes of All Time.
Johnny Blaze
After the western comics characterPhantom Rider
The Phantom Rider is the name of several fictional characters, Old West heroic gunfighters appearing in comic books in the Marvel Comics universe...
who originally used the name, the next known Ghost Rider appears in the Marvel comic book Marvel Spotlight
Marvel Spotlight
Marvel Spotlight is the name of several comic book series published by Marvel Comics as a try-out book for new characters. The first series ran for 33 issues from November 1971 to April 1977...
#5 (Aug. 1972), where the story and characters are credited as being created by Gary Friedrich
Gary Friedrich
Gary Friedrich . is an American comic book writer best known for his Silver Age stories for Marvel Comics' Sgt...
, aided and abetted by writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
-editor
Editing
Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, audible, and film media used to convey information through the processes of correction, condensation, organization, and other modifications performed with an intention of producing a correct, consistent, accurate, and complete...
Roy Thomas
Roy Thomas
Roy William Thomas, Jr. is an American comic book writer and editor, and Stan Lee's first successor as editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics. He is possibly best known for introducing the pulp magazine hero Conan the Barbarian to American comics, with a series that added to the storyline of Robert E...
, with artist
Artist
An artist is a person engaged in one or more of any of a broad spectrum of activities related to creating art, practicing the arts and/or demonstrating an art. The common usage in both everyday speech and academic discourse is a practitioner in the visual arts only...
Mike Ploog
Mike Ploog
Michael G. Ploog is an American storyboard and comic book artist, and a visual designer for movies....
.
Johnny Blaze, a motorcycle stunt performer in a traveling circus, sold his soul to who he believes was Satan
Satan
Satan , "the opposer", is the title of various entities, both human and divine, who challenge the faith of humans in the Hebrew Bible...
but actually is the demon Mephisto
Mephisto (comics)
Mephisto is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Silver Surfer #3 and was created by Stan Lee and John Buscema, loosely modeled on Mephistopheles - a character from the Faust legend.Debuting in the Silver Age of comic books,...
(a retcon), in order to save his stepfather, "Crash" Simpson, from cancer. Crash later dies in a motorcycle accident and Mephisto attempts to take Blaze's soul, only to be thwarted by Crash's daughter Roxanne, who had learned of the deal and had prepared a counter-spell based on selfless love. Unable to take Blaze's soul
Soul
A soul in certain spiritual, philosophical, and psychological traditions is the incorporeal essence of a person or living thing or object. Many philosophical and spiritual systems teach that humans have souls, and others teach that all living things and even inanimate objects have souls. The...
, Mephisto has his revenge by binding Blaze with a demonic force.
Blaze then finds himself transforming into a demonic entity at nightfall, during which times he wields strange powers. He is called the Ghost Rider for his strange appearance. As time goes on, he is able to call on his demonic abilities whenever he wishes, not just at night. Eventually, he seems to have a different personality as Ghost Rider and it is finally revealed that Mephisto has forced Blaze to share his body with a demon rival named Zarathos
Zarathos
Zarathos is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics series Ghost Rider. He is a demonic being who tortures and devours souls. He first appears in Marvel Spotlight #5 .-Fictional character biography:...
.
Originally, Zarathos
Zarathos
Zarathos is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics series Ghost Rider. He is a demonic being who tortures and devours souls. He first appears in Marvel Spotlight #5 .-Fictional character biography:...
was stripped of his memories and so Blaze was in control whenever they transformed into Ghost Rider. But now, Zarathos' true personality has resurfaced and from then on it is a continuing battle for dominance between him and Blaze. Being a demon, Zarathos craves the punishment of sinners and so Blaze at times willingly releases him when criminals or other threats are nearby. However, it is always a struggle to force Zarathos back so that Blaze can resume his control and his human identity. At times, Zarathos tries to find ways to destroy Blaze's soul so that he may be free to enjoy complete physical existence.
The character received his own series in 1973, with Friedrich penning the first several issues, until writing was taken over by penciller
Penciller
A penciller is an artist who works in the creation of comic books, graphic novels, and similar visual art forms.The penciller is the first step in rendering the story in visual form and may require several steps of feedback with the writer. These artists are concerned with layout to showcase...
Jim Mooney
Jim Mooney
James Noel "Jim" Mooney was an American comic book artist best known as a Marvel Comics inker and Spider-Man artist, and as the signature artist of DC Comics' Supergirl, both during what comics historians and fans call the Silver Age of comic books...
Several different creative teams mixed-and-matched until penciller Don Perlin
Don Perlin
Don Perlin is an American comic book artist and occasional writer best known for Marvel Comics' Werewolf by Night, The Defenders, and Ghost Rider...
began a long stint with #26, eventually joined by writer Michael Fleisher
Michael Fleisher
Michael L. "Mike" Fleisher is an American writer known for his DC Comics of the 1970s and 1980s, particularly for the characters the Spectre and Jonah Hex.-Early life and career:...
through #58. Tony Isabella
Tony Isabella
Tony Isabella is an American comic book writer, editor, artist and critic, known as the creator and writer of Marvel Comics' Black Goliath, DC Comics' first major African American superhero, Black Lightning, and as a columnist and critic for the Comics Buyer's Guide.-Marvel Comics:Before he joined...
wrote a Ghost Rider story arc where Johnny Blaze became a Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
and thereby freed himself of the curse. Isabella said that "Johnny Blaze accepts Jesus Christ into his life. This gives him the strength to overcome Satan, though with more pyrotechnics than most of us can muster. He retains the Ghost Rider powers he had been given by Satan, but they are his to use as his new faith directs him." However, the story was apparently rewritten at the last moment.
Towards the end of the run, a villain named Centurious
Centurious
Centurious is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe.Centurious was a servant of Mephisto and an enemy of Zarathos. In combating Zarathos, he became a regular foe of the first Ghost Rider.-Fictional character biography:...
was introduced. Centurious was a man without a soul, making him immune to Ghost Rider's hellfire, and he had a history with Zarathos. This Ghost Rider's career ended when Zarathos fled Blaze's body in issue #81 (June 1983), the finale, in order to pursue Centurious. Now free of his curse, Blaze went off to live with Roxanne.
In the next Ghost Rider series, it would be revealed that Roxanne and Johnny eventually got married and had two children.
Johnny Blaze returns
A six-issue miniseriesMiniseries
A miniseries , in a serial storytelling medium, is a television show production which tells a story in a limited number of episodes. The exact number is open to interpretation; however, they are usually limited to fewer than a whole season. The term "miniseries" is generally a North American term...
, again featuring Blaze as the Ghost Rider (though how this happened was not explained), debuted in 2001 under the Marvel Knights
Marvel Knights
Marvel Knights is an imprint of Marvel Worldwide, Inc. that contains material taking place within the mainstream Marvel Universe .-Production:...
imprint. Subtitled "The Hammer Lane," it was written by Devin K. Grayson
Devin K. Grayson
Devin Kalile Grayson is an American writer of comic books and novels. Titles that she has written include Gotham Knights, The Titans, the Vertigo series USER, and Nightwing.-Biography:...
and penciled by Trent Kaniuga. The miniseries was ill-regarded by fans. Some elements of the series, such as Roxanne's death, have also been overturned by the later released final issue of the Dan Ketch series.
A second six-issue miniseries, by writer Garth Ennis
Garth Ennis
Garth Ennis is a Northern Irish comics writer, best known for the Vertigo series Preacher with artist Steve Dillon and his successful nine-year run on Marvel Comics' Punisher franchise...
and artist Clayton Crain
Clayton Crain
Clayton Crain is an American comic book artist, who primarily uses digital painting techniques in his art.He is best known for his works on Ghost Rider: Road to Damnation, Venom vs. Carnage and Sensational Spider-Man Clayton Crain is an American comic book artist, who primarily uses digital...
, subtitled "Road to Damnation," debuted November 2005. This series also featured Blaze, who was now dead and in Hell, trapped in the form of the Ghost Rider. The series focused on his futile attempts at escaping from Hell. His powers here now included being able to breathe hellfire like a dragon and launching chains from his throat. Blaze's new Ghost Rider appearance is similar to Daniel Ketch's, a change that assistant editor Michael O'Connor attributes to the manifestation of Ghost Rider's powers themselves.
In July 2006, a new ongoing monthly series, titled simply Ghost Rider, began. Written by Daniel Way
Daniel Way
-Career:Way received the Xeric Foundation's Xeric Grant in 2000 for his first publication, Violent Lifestyle #1. Through Violent Lifestyle, Way was introduced to Marvel Comics editor Axel Alonso, who hired Way for a Deathlok mini-series that was cancelled prior to publication.Way's first published...
with art by Mark Texeira
Mark Texeira
Mark Texeira is an American comic book artist. Classically trained as a painter, Texeira broke into the comics field in the early 1980s.-Career:Mark Texeira was born and raised in New York City...
, it takes place after the Ennis miniseries. It features Blaze still in Hell, desperately trying to escape. At the end of the first issue, he is manipulated into returning to Earth, bringing Lucifer with him. The series then revolves around Blaze fighting Lucifer and his forces. Flashback issues also show Johnny Blaze finally dying and being condemned to Hell due to his original deal with the Devil. Roxanne's whereabouts are unknown.
In Way's last story arc, it is revealed that it was not due to Mephisto but rather because of an angel named Zadkiel
Zadkiel
Zadkiel or Hesediel is the archangel of freedom, benevolence, mercy, and the Patron Angel of all who forgive. Also known as Sachiel, Zedekiel, Zadakiel, Tzadkiel, Zedekul and Hesediel...
that the original Ghost Rider was born, intended to be Heaven's weapon on Earth who would fight demons, and that this angelic purpose is why the Devil could not keep him in Hell. With issue #20, writer Jason Aaron
Jason Aaron
Jason Aaron is an American comic book writer, known for his work on titles such as The Other Side, Scalped, Ghost Rider, Wolverine and PunisherMAX.-Early life:Jason was born in Jasper, Alabama...
and penciler Roland Boschi became the creative team, and reintroduced Danny Ketch, now a normal human who learns from the Caretaker that his initial transformation into the second Ghost Rider had been inadvertent.
Daniel Ketch
The next Ghost Rider, was a young man named Daniel Ketch, debuted in Ghost Rider vol. 2, #1 (May 1990). This Ghost Rider was nearly identical to the previous, although his costume was now a black leather biker jacketLeather jacket
A leather jacket is a type of clothing—a jacket-length coat—usually worn on top of other apparel, and made from the tanned hide of various animals. The leather material is typically dyed black, or various shades of brown, but a wide range of colors is possible...
with spiked shoulder-pads, grey leather pants, and a mystic chain that 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 relationship between the previous Ghost Rider, Johnny Blaze, and the demonic Zarathos who possessed him, Ketch and his demon — eventually revealed in #91 (Dec. 1997) to be Marvel's incarnation of the Angel of Death/Judgment — are cooperative with each other. As with Blaze and Zarathos, they can sometimes communicate through dreams or will leave messages for each other, such as writing a note or using lipstick to scribble messages on a mirror.
At the close of the series, with vol. 2, #93 (Feb. 1998), Blaze seemed to lose his children to mystical forces and Roxanne was killed, only to be transformed into the demon Black Rose; Daniel Ketch also apparently died and Noble Kale became a ruler in Hell. The following year, 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 (Jan. 2007), which reprints vol. 2, #93 and the previously unpublished #94. Note: While the trademarked cover logo reads Ghost Rider #94, the comic's postal indicia
Indicia
In philately, indicia are markings on a mail piece showing that postage has been prepaid by the sender. Indicia is the plural of the latin word indicium, meaning distinguishing marks, signs or identifying marks...
lists the comic copyrighted as Ghost Rider Finale. The finale revealed that Roxanne's true spirit was restored and that she left her existence as Black Rose behind and returned to Blaze's side, though she suffered from heavy memory loss.
Alejandra
During the Fear ItselfFear Itself (comics)
"Fear Itself" is a 2011 crossover comic book storyline published by Marvel Comics, consisting of a seven-issue, eponymous miniseries written by Matt Fraction and illustrated by Stuart Immonen, Wade Von Grawbadger, and Laura Martin, a prologue book by writer Ed Brubaker and artist Scott Eaton, and...
storyline, a Nicaraguan woman named Alejandra ends up becoming a Ghost Rider through a ritual performed by a man named Adam at the time with Sin (in the form of Skadi) attacks Dayton, Ohio
Dayton, Ohio
Dayton is the 6th largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County, the fifth most populous county in the state. The population was 141,527 at the 2010 census. The Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 841,502 in the 2010 census...
alongside Deathwatch
Deathwatch (comics)
Deathwatch is a fictional character. He is a demonic supervillain in the Marvel Universe, most notably as an enemy of Ghost Rider.-Fictional character biography:...
and the half-demon version of Blackout
Blackout (comics)
Blackout is the name of two fictional characters, both supervillains, in the Marvel Comics universe.-Marcus Daniels:-Fictional character biography:...
. This Ghost Rider dispatches Deathwatch and Blackout before engaging Skadi. But when she touches Skadi's hammer, she is incapacitated and reverted to human form because according to Skadi, touching the hammer was akin to touching fear itself. Later she show us how many unknown powers the ghost rider has.
Powers and abilities
The Ghost Rider is a human who can transform into a being with a flaming skull and supernatural powers. The motorcycles he rides can travel faster than conventional motorcycles and can perform such seemingly impossible feats such as riding up a vertical surface, across the surface of water and leaping across great distances that normal motorcycles could not match. The Ghost Riders are notoriously hard to injure by any conventional means, as bullets and knives usually pass through them without causing pain. It is possible that they are genuinely immortal; it is said that God created them and only God can destroy them. The Ghost Riders possess superhuman strength, enough to easily pick up a truck and hurl it across a room. It has been stated that Johnny Blaze as Ghost Rider can press around 25 tons (or more as seen in World War HulkWorld War Hulk
"World War Hulk" is a comic book crossover storyline that ran through a self titled limited series and various other titles published by Marvel Comics in 2007, featuring the Hulk....
).
Each Ghost Rider entity also had abilities specific to him.
- Johnny Blaze - Originally when Blaze transformed into Ghost Rider, his body changed but not the clothes he was wearing. In his new incarnation, this is different and his clothes take on a darker, more sinister appearance with a spiked leather jacket and chains. As Ghost Rider, he can cause his motorcycle to transform and surround itself with hellfire or he can create a new cycle from pure hellfire. He is also capable of projecting hellfire as a weapon. Hellfire "burns the soul" without leaving physical injuries on the victim and its effects have been seen as similar to the "Penance Stare." In his new incarnation, Blaze is now possibly the most powerful hero on Earth. During "World War Hulk" it was stated by Dr. Stephen Strange that Ghost Rider might be equally as powerful as the "Green Scar" persona of HulkHulk (comics)The Hulk is a fictional character, a superhero in the . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 ....
and could defeat him, but wouldn't because Ghost Rider only defended the innocent and the IlluminatiIlluminatiThe Illuminati is a name given to several groups, both real and fictitious. Historically the name refers to the Bavarian Illuminati, an Enlightenment-era secret society founded on May 1, 1776...
wasn't innocent. Ghost Rider also has the "Penance Stare" and mystical chain, both of which were specific to the Danny Ketch Ghost Rider. Blaze also uses a shotgun and discovered that he can discharge hellfire from the weapon when he first encountered Ketch. He also now has new abilities including hellfire breath and the ability to produce chains from either his throat or chest. He is also now able to travel between the incorporeal realms.
- Daniel Ketch - When Ketch transformed into Ghost Rider, his clothes changed with him, taking on the appearance of a spiked leather jacket with chains, gray leather pants and spiked gloves and boots. Likewise, his motorcycle underwent a radical transformation, changing from a conventional into a high-tech motorcycle (This transformation was not strictly limited to the motorcycle he found in the cemetery as he was once seen to be able to transform another cycle in "Ghost Rider/Wolverine/Punisher: Hearts of Darkness"). Along with flaming wheels that allows the bike to nearly fly across surfaces, the bike included a shield-like battering ram on the front. As the Ghost Rider, Ketch used a mystical chain which responded to his mental commands. It could grow in length, alter direction while in the air, stiffen into a staff or spear, and separate into several links which can strike like shrapnel and then return to their original form. Daniel's most famous power was the Penance Stare. By locking eyes with a target and mentally focusing, the Danny Ketch Ghost Rider was able to make the target experience all the pain they had ever inflicted on anyone else. This ability was seen to have little effect on some people who were mentally unstable (such as the being known as MadcapMadcap (comics)Madcap is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe. He first appeared in Captain America #307 . He has clashed with Daredevil, Ghost Rider, Hawkeye, Nomad, the Power Pack, Quasar and She-Hulk.-Fictional character biography:...
. Ghost Rider was also knocked out when attempting to use the Penance Stare on CarnageCarnage (comics)Carnage is a fictional character, a supervillain in the . The character first appears in The Amazing Spider-Man #344 , and was created by writer David Michelinie and artist Mark Bagley. The character is frequently depicted as an enemy of Spider-Man...
). Originally, this incarnation of the Ghost Rider could only be summoned if Danny was present when "innocent blood was spilled" (an innocent simply being threatened was not enough), at which time Danny had to touch the gas cap of his motorcycle for the transformation process to occur. Later, he was able to summon the Ghost Rider without touching the gas cap, but still needed to wait for innocent blood to be spilled. Later still, he was able to summon the Ghost Rider by willpower alone.
Origins
Thomas, Marvel's editor-in-chief at the time, described the character's genesis:Friedrich on the above, in 2001:
Ploog recalled, in a 2008 interview:
On April 4, 2007, Friedrich sued Marvel Enterprises
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
, Sony Pictures
Sony Pictures Entertainment
Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc. is the television and film production/distribution unit of Japanese multinational technology and media conglomerate Sony...
, Columbia TriStar Motion Pictures
Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production and distribution company. Columbia Pictures now forms part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Sony. It is one of the leading film companies...
, Relativity Media, Crystal Sky Pictures, Michael DeLuca
Michael DeLuca
Michael De Luca is an American movie producer and screenwriter.-Life and career:De Luca was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, the son of a worker at ConEdison. De Luca was exposed to motion pictures by his father, who would sneak the youngster into movie theaters...
Productions, Hasbro
Hasbro
Hasbro is a multinational toy and boardgame company from the United States of America. It is one of the largest toy makers in the world. The corporate headquarters is located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United States...
, and Take-Two Interactive
Take-Two Interactive
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. is a major American publisher, developer, and distributor of video games and video game peripherals. Take-Two wholly owns 2K Games and Rockstar Games. The company's headquarters are in New York City, with international headquarters in Windsor, United Kingdom...
, alleging his copyright
Copyright
Copyright is a legal concept, enacted by most governments, giving the creator of an original work exclusive rights to it, usually for a limited time...
s to the Ghost Rider character have been exploited and used in a "joint venture and conspiracy". The lawsuit
Lawsuit
A lawsuit or "suit in law" is a civil action brought in a court of law in which a plaintiff, a party who claims to have incurred loss as a result of a defendant's actions, demands a legal or equitable remedy. The defendant is required to respond to the plaintiff's complaint...
states that the film rights and merchandising
Merchandising
Merchandising is the methods, practices, and operations used to promote and sustain certain categories of commercial activity. In the broadest sense, merchandising is any practice which contributes to the sale of products to a retail consumer...
reverted from Marvel to him in 2001.
Vengeance
Michael Badilino, an ex-member of the New York City Police DepartmentNew York City Police Department
The New York City Police Department , established in 1845, is currently the largest municipal police force in the United States, with primary responsibilities in law enforcement and investigation within the five boroughs of New York City...
, is one third of an "Organic Medallion of Power"; the other two are Ketch and Blaze (the Medallion itself was never explained in any true detail). He possesses powers more in line with those of the Zarathos version of Ghost Rider, although he also possesses the Penance Stare and his motorcycle seemed to share characteristics with the Noble Kale version. His appearance is distinguished by a deep purple skull, large fangs protruding from his upper jaw, and backswept curved horns on the top of his skull.
In his superhuman form, Badilino was called Vengeance, and originally attempted to kill the Ghost Rider, believing him to be Zarathos. Vengeance later became the ally of Ghost Rider and Johnny Blaze. Vengeance would also take on the role of the Ghost Rider and even semi-seriously referred to himself by that name when confronted by Spider-Man shortly after the apparent death of Ghost Rider in battle with Zarathos and acolytes The Fallen. Vengeance killed himself, along with the villain Hellgate, by triggering a massive explosion through his Hellfire, the source of the mystical flames that encompass the bones of both Vengeance and Ghost Rider.
Vengeance reappears in the last four issues of Ghost Rider vol. 2, involved in Blackheart
Blackheart
Blackheart is a fictional demon in the . The character was created by Ann Nocenti and John Romita, Jr., and first appeared in Daredevil #270...
's plans to kill Noble Kale. Vengeance aids the Ghost Rider in the ensuing battle, destroying Blackheart and ruling Hell during Ketch's absences.
The Last Stand of the Spirits of Vengeance
Seven riders show their flaming heads for the first time in this 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, of which he needs the powers of the riders to tear down the walls of New Jerusalem and wage war on the heavens.The story begins in Tibet with Chinese soldiers harassing a village, questioning them about weapons that killed two of his garrison patrols. During the harassment a monk enters on a donkey. After a few exchange of words and an order to kill given by the General, the monk changes and kills the General's men while his back is turned. When the General turns back he sees the Ghost Rider and gets a penance stare for his trouble. After the attack the rider goes back to his sanctuary where he is visited by Danny Ketch. A short while later Sister Sara and Johnny Blaze arrive at the sanctuary to find out how to get back at Zadkiel. After entering, they find the monk and donkey burnt to husks.
That night the two are visited by Ketch and begins a battle with a show of power. When Blaze does the penance stare to his brother, he sees exactly what has transpired. Ketch has murdered the hosts of numerous riders for their powers. During a show of pity for the fallen, Ketch is able to return the stare on Blaze, and sends Blaze into temporary insanity. Before Ketch is able to take the power of Zarathos, he is stopped by the new caretaker Sister Sara. She rescues Blaze and they go to a safehouse. At the safehouse, during Blaze's self pity and Sara's trying to pick him back up, they are visited by two more Ghost Riders, the Arabic Molek and the Chinese Bai Gu Jing, with whom they follow to Japan.
When Blaze's team arrives in Japan, they learn Ketch has already taken the power of the rider Yoshio Kannabe. After the conquest, Ketch has another talk with Zadkiel via communications link. During the conversation Zadkiel massacres the squad of the Asura who guard the gates of heaven. Zadkiel tells Ketch to wait to attack the riders til the last ones are together. Meanwhile, elsewhere in the world, former cop Kowalski follows a contact to get a hellfire shotgun for his revenge on Blaze. After acquiring the item he is then driven to the middle of a desert to sit and wait for his chance.
After leaving Japan, Blaze's team journeys to the City of the Skulls in the Congo where the last stand would be made. There they meet the Lords of the Congo, the Ghost Riders Baron Skullfire and Marinette Bwachech, and their Phantom Riders. During the day Sara tells Molek about her new experience becoming a Caretaker, and her wonders about religion, with which she is given secret information that Molek knows about both.
As the Ghost Riders and their forces get ready for battle, Blaze has his eyes opened back up by kids going to fight. He quickly snaps out of his depression and joins the others for the final battle. During the course of the battle Baron Skullfire dies and the spirit is transferred to one of the Phantom Riders, after which Ketch creates hellfire duplicates of himself to take the powers. A wager is then made by Blaze and Ketch on a race between the brothers around the world for the fates of the powers. During the race, Blaze is critically injured by Kowalski's shotgun and Ketch takes the rider from him as his duplicates overpower the others.
Moments later Ketch returns the heaven and Zadkiel is then able to take heaven. The sound of the gates falling is enough to be felt by Spider-man's senses, and loud enough to be heard by people and everywhere including Hell and Asgard. When an injured Blaze returns to the City of the Skulls, Ketch falls from the sky and reveals that the battle for Heaven has already been decided. As more energies fall from the heavens, one strikes Kowalski and changes him into a new rider that looks a lot like Vengeance.
Trail of Tears
A version of Ghost Rider appeared in the miniseriesLimited series
A limited series is a comic book series with a set number of installments. A limited series differs from an ongoing series in that the number of issues is determined before production and it differs from a one shot in that it is composed of multiple issues....
Ghost Rider: Trail of Tears #1-6 (April-Sept. 2007) by writer Garth Ennis
Garth Ennis
Garth Ennis is a Northern Irish comics writer, best known for the Vertigo series Preacher with artist Steve Dillon and his successful nine-year run on Marvel Comics' Punisher franchise...
and artist Clayton Crain
Clayton Crain
Clayton Crain is an American comic book artist, who primarily uses digital painting techniques in his art.He is best known for his works on Ghost Rider: Road to Damnation, Venom vs. Carnage and Sensational Spider-Man Clayton Crain is an American comic book artist, who primarily uses digital...
. Set during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, 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.
Enemies
- AqueductAqueduct (comics)Aqueduct , originally known as Water Wizard, is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by Jim Shooter and Don Heck and first appeared in Ghost Rider #23 .-Fictional character biography:Peter van Zante enlists in the U.S...
- A former soldier who gained the power to control water and was hired to kill Ghost Rider. He would become a frequent opponent to the hero afterwards. - Black Rose - Johnny Blaze's wife revived as a servant for Blackheart and later married Ghost Rider Noble Kale.
- BlackheartBlackheartBlackheart is a fictional demon in the . The character was created by Ann Nocenti and John Romita, Jr., and first appeared in Daredevil #270...
- Mephisto's son, Blackheart created a group of Spirits of Vengeance to battle Ghost Rider in hopes of conquering Hell. Instead, Ghost Rider Noble Kale defeats him and takes over his portion of Hell. - Blackout - A LilinLilinLilin or lilim are demonic legendary creatures in Akkadian mythology and shedim in Jewish folklore.-Etymology:The following is disputed:* The masculine of lili is lilu...
that worked under Deathwatch that frequently crossed swords with Ghost Rider. After the hero burned him to disfigurement, Blackout learned his secret identity and began killing his loved ones and acquaintances. - CenturiousCenturiousCenturious is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe.Centurious was a servant of Mephisto and an enemy of Zarathos. In combating Zarathos, he became a regular foe of the first Ghost Rider.-Fictional character biography:...
- A servant of Mephisto that sought to battle Zarathos, Centurious was the head of the Firm and targeted Ghost Rider for his association to the demon. - DeaconDeacon (comics)The Deacon is a fictional Marvel Comics character. He is a zealot who believes he is doing the work of God. He has been blessed with powers and weapons from Heaven...
- An agent of Zadkiel given power in order to destroy Ghost Rider. - DeathwatchDeathwatch (comics)Deathwatch is a fictional character. He is a demonic supervillain in the Marvel Universe, most notably as an enemy of Ghost Rider.-Fictional character biography:...
- Daniel Ketch's mortal enemy. A Translord from an unknown demonic dimension posing as a crime boss in New York in an attempt to murder its residents. He would later die at the hands of Ghost Rider but be resurrected as a servant for Centurious. - Doghead - Francisco Fuentes was an acquaintance of Danny Ketch that was murdered while walking his dog Chupi. He was resurrected by Blackheart, merged with Chupi, and became his servant.
- Death Ninja - An agent of Centurious that infiltrated Deathwatch's ranks that frequently battled Ghost Rider.
- Hag and TrollHag and TrollHag and Troll are two fictional characters, demonic super villains in the Marvel Comics Universe. They were employed by Deathwatch, and were especially antagonistical with Ghost Rider.-Fictional character biography:...
- Demons under Deathwatch, they were his most loyal servants. - Kid Blackheart - The antichrist that hoped to enter Heaven and destroy it.
- Lilith - An ancient immortal sorceress from Atlantis, Lilith gave birth to the Lilin over the centuries and was imprisoned until recently. Upon her freedom, she discovered many of her kind murdered by the Spirits of Vengeance and sought their demise. Her four most loyal children are Pilgrim, Nakota, Meatmarket, and Blackout.
- Lucifer - Lucifer, like the other Hell-lords, sought to remove the human component from the Ghost Rider in hopes it became a mindless killing machine to eliminate humanity. However, Ghost Rider proved too strong and Lucifer was exiled to Perdition. Later, Lucifer would be the demon charged with torturing Zadkiel for all of eternity.
- MadcapMadcap (comics)Madcap is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe. He first appeared in Captain America #307 . He has clashed with Daredevil, Ghost Rider, Hawkeye, Nomad, the Power Pack, Quasar and She-Hulk.-Fictional character biography:...
- A lunatic cursed with immortality and enhanced healing capabilities, Madcap has fought many several of New York's heroes with Ghost Rider one of his most frequent opponents. - MephistoMephisto (comics)Mephisto is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Silver Surfer #3 and was created by Stan Lee and John Buscema, loosely modeled on Mephistopheles - a character from the Faust legend.Debuting in the Silver Age of comic books,...
- Johnny Blaze's Archenemy. A demon that posed as the devil himself to claim Johnny Blaze's soul. Mephisto is the one responsible for bringing Ghost Rider into Johnny's life. Ghost Rider, however, is able to resist the evil that overcame him long ago, and is now able to use his powers for good no matter what. Angered, Mephisto sought revenge against Ghost Rider, and now constantly tries to win his creation back. - OrbOrb (comics)The Orb is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics supervillain, primarily an adversary of Ghost Rider. Created by writer Len Wein, penciller Ross Andru, and inker Don Perlin, he first appeared in Marvel Team-Up #15 ....
- Crash Simpson's (mentor to Johnny Blaze) partner in his traveling motorcycle stunt show, Drake Shannon lost most of his face in a challenge against Crash for the business. Given an eyeball-like helmet by They Who Wield Power able to hypnotize others, he would return to try and reclaim the stunt show but was foiled by Ghost Rider. He would return as one of Ghost Rider's most frequent enemies. - ScarecrowScarecrow (Marvel Comics)The Scarecrow is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics Universe, in which he is an enemy of Captain America, Spider-Man, Ghost Rider, and Iron Man. His first appearance was in Tales of Suspense #51....
- A contortionist, Ebenezer Laughton decided to use his gifts as a thief. In time, he would turn to murder and brought into conflict with Ghost Rider and nearly killed from the encounter. The Firm turned him into an undead creature, bearing superhuman abilities and able to induce fear in others (whose fear could heal his wounds), setting him upon the Spirit of Vengeance again (becoming a frequent foe). - Steel VengeanceSteel VengeanceSteel Vengeance was a female cyborg in the Marvel Comics Ghost Rider series. She was the sister of Steel Wind who enlisted the soulless Centurious, an enemy of Ghost Rider, and his agent Reverend Styge to rehabilitate her...
- Steel Wind's sister, Sadae Tsumura gave her soul to Centurious to save her sister after an encounter with Ghost Rider left her comatose. Sadae was turned into Steel Vengeance, a cyborg bent on killing Ghost Rider. - Steel WindSteel Wind (comics)Steel Wind is a fictional character appearing in the Marvel Comics universe, she is a cyborg and mercenary who is normally employed by the Freakmaster and Centurious. She has a sister who has also become a cyborg and goes by the alias Steel Vengeance...
- Following a freak explosion, Ruriko Tsumura was remade as a cyborg by Freakmaster and challenged Johnny Blaze at the Quentin Carnival in cycling, defeating him and earning a place amongst them. However, she ran the business into the ground and battled Ghost Rider, leaving her comatose. She was rehabilitated by Centurious and used as his agent. In time, she would instead become Ghost Rider's ally. - VengeanceVengeance (comics)Vengeance is a fictional American comic book character owned by Marvel Comics. He was initially introduced as an antagonist for the Ghost Rider. Lt. Michael Badilino was the first known person to be host, now the entity is attached to Deputy Kowalski. Since his debut he has taken on the role of...
- A Spirit of Vengeance, Lt. Michael Badilino sold his soul to Mephisto to gain the power to destroy Ghost Rider (whom he blamed for the death of his family). When he learned it was instead Zarathos, he became Ghost Rider's ally (though, he occasionally this would change). - ZadkielZadkiel (comics)Zadkiel is a fictional character appearing in the Marvel Comics universe. He was a former Archangel in the service of Heaven and an enemy of the Ghost Rider.-Fictional character biography:...
- An archangel that sought to usurp Heaven due to his hatred for God's admiration of humanity. Using Ghost Rider to kill other Spirits of Vengeance to empower himself, Zadkiel took the throne and cast out Ghost Rider. The hero would return with the dead Spirits of Vengeance to defeat Zadkiel and imprison him in Hell. - ZarathosZarathosZarathos is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics series Ghost Rider. He is a demonic being who tortures and devours souls. He first appears in Marvel Spotlight #5 .-Fictional character biography:...
- A demon bound to Johnny Blaze by Mephisto to become the Ghost Rider. He would, however, come to exert control over the entity, but ultimately would be separated from Blaze in the conflict against Centurious. He would later return allied with Lilith.
Ultimate Ghost Rider
In the Ultimate MarvelUltimate Marvel
Ultimate Marvel is an imprint of comic books published by Marvel Comics, featuring reimagined and updated versions of the company's superhero characters, including Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Avengers, and the Fantastic Four. The imprint was launched in 2000 with the publication of the series...
Universe, Ghost Rider made his debut in Ultimate Comics: Avengers
Ultimate Comics: Avengers
Ultimate Comics: Avengers is a comic book published by Marvel Comics that began in August 2009 as part of the relaunch of the Ultimate Universe under the "Ultimate Comics" imprint...
Volume 2 #2. Ultimate Ghost Rider's origin is explained in "Ultimate Comics: Avengers
Ultimate Comics: Avengers
Ultimate Comics: Avengers is a comic book published by Marvel Comics that began in August 2009 as part of the relaunch of the Ultimate Universe under the "Ultimate Comics" imprint...
" Volume 2 #4. Young twenty-something couple Johnny Blaze
Johnny Blaze
Johnny Blaze may refer to:* Ghost Rider , second Marvel Comics character called Ghost Rider* Johnny Blaze, ring name of John Hennigan, professional wrestler better known as John Morrison* Johnny Blaze, alter-ego of American rapper Method Man...
and Roxanne Simpson
Roxanne Simpson
Roxanne Simpson is a fictional supporting character of the Marvel Comics superhero Johnny Blaze also known as Ghost Rider.-History:With his mother having abandoned him and his father dead, Johnny Blaze was taken in by Crash Simpson and his family. As a child, he was friends with Roxanne Simpson,...
decided on a cross-country trip across the United States. One day they came across a bar where they befriended a biker gang, who kept buying them beer. The friendship was a ruse as they killed an intoxicated Blaze as part of a satanic ritual. During the ritual they bartered their souls with Satan in exchange for wealth and power. Satan granted their request, but kept the upper hand. The deceased Blaze also made a deal, Satan
Mephisto (comics)
Mephisto is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Silver Surfer #3 and was created by Stan Lee and John Buscema, loosely modeled on Mephistopheles - a character from the Faust legend.Debuting in the Silver Age of comic books,...
will get his soul in exchange for the assured safety of Roxanne. For twenty years Blaze trained to become the Ghost Rider, burning away his Christian baptism. and searing away anything that was soft on the inside, and was sent into the world to get his revenge. He tracks down and kills the members of the motorcycle gang—now rich and in positions of power—individually. Due to these deaths an executive order comes down from the White House, kill the Ghost Rider. The Avengers are recruited into the mission with no knowledge of the Ghost Rider except that he is 7 ft. tall and has the strength of Thor. When the Avengers were unsuccessful in stopping the Ghost Rider from killing his next target, the truth behind the Ghost Rider is learned, and the leader of the motorcycle gang is now the Vice-President. Michael Blackthorne
Vengeance (comics)
Vengeance is a fictional American comic book character owned by Marvel Comics. He was initially introduced as an antagonist for the Ghost Rider. Lt. Michael Badilino was the first known person to be host, now the entity is attached to Deputy Kowalski. Since his debut he has taken on the role of...
, the Vice President sold his soul to become a Ghost Rider aka Vengeance
Vengeance (comics)
Vengeance is a fictional American comic book character owned by Marvel Comics. He was initially introduced as an antagonist for the Ghost Rider. Lt. Michael Badilino was the first known person to be host, now the entity is attached to Deputy Kowalski. Since his debut he has taken on the role of...
himself, the two got into a fight in the city which the Avengers were unable to stop. Johnny dragged the Vice President into a church which turned them both back into human form, allowing the Punisher
Punisher
The Punisher is a fictional character, an anti-hero appearing in comic books based in the . Created by writer Gerry Conway and artists John Romita, Sr., and Ross Andru, the character made its first appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man #129 .The Punisher is a vigilante who employs murder,...
to finish off the Vice President, pleading his case, Johnny was allowed to leave. He is later seen in a park with Satan watching, Roxanne, who was brought back to life with no memory of what was done. Satan agrees to let her live her life if Johnny continues to be his Ghost Rider, to which he agrees.
Ghost Rider 2099
Marvel 2099
Marvel 2099 is a Marvel Comics imprint, started in 1992, that explores one possible future of the Marvel Universe. It was originally announced by Stan Lee in his "Stan's Soapbox" column as a single series entitled The Marvel World of Tomorrow, which was being developed by Lee and John Byrne...
alternate timeline is a cybernetic take on the Spirit of Vengeance, is not a supernatural being, but 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, arguing with the AI
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is the intelligence of machines and the branch of computer science that aims to create it. AI textbooks define the field as "the study and design of intelligent agents" where an intelligent agent is a system that perceives its environment and takes actions that maximize its...
that empowers him.
The Spirit of Vengeance
This version of Ghost Rider, known as the Spirit of Vengeance, debuted in Guardians of the Galaxy, set in an alternate future of the Marvel Universe. 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 (a version of the Universal Church of TruthUniversal Church of Truth
The Universal Church of Truth is a star-spanning religious empire in Marvel Comics' fictional shared universe, known as the Marvel Universe. Composed of diverse alien species, it first appeared in Strange Tales vol 1 #178 , written by Jim Starlin.In the original stories, its seat of government was...
) proclaiming it would produce its god in the flesh. That being, the Protege, is destroyed by the Celestial
Celestial (comics)
The Celestials are a group of fictional characters that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The characters first appear in Eternals #1 and were created by writer-artist Jack Kirby....
Scathan the Approver. This Ghost Rider refers to himself simply as the Spirit of Vengeance, although his real name is given as Autocylus, from the planet Sarka. After answering a distress call from Firelord, the Guardians of the Galaxy help a planet in peril, this Ghost Rider eventually helps to destroy the threat. The Spirit of Vengeance joins several other powerful beings including Martinex
Martinex
Martinex T'Naga is a fictional character, a superhero from an alternate future version of Marvel Comics' shared universe, the Marvel Universe. Most of Martinex's adventures take place as a member of the 31st century Guardians of the Galaxy....
, Hollywood, Replica, Firelord, Phoenix IX and Mainframe. The heroes, rallied by Martinex, stay together as the new Galactic Guardians.
Marvel Zombies
He is seen in Marvel Zombies: Dead DaysMarvel Zombies: Dead Days
Marvel Zombies: Dead Days is a comic book one-shot first published in May 2007 by Marvel Comics. It was written by Robert Kirkman and drawn by Sean Phillips, with cover art by Arthur Suydam. It is part of the Marvel Zombies series. The issue is a prequel to Marvel's first Marvel Zombies limited...
as one of the uninfected and appears in Marvel Zombies 3
Marvel Zombies 3
Marvel Zombies 3 is a four-issue comic book limited series published by Marvel Comics beginning in October 2008. It is part of the Marvel Zombies series. The series is written by Fred Van Lente, penciled by Kev Walker, with covers by Greg Land.-Plot:...
as an infected while chasing Machine Man and is then easily decapitated.
In other media
Movies
- Sony PicturesSony Pictures EntertainmentSony Pictures Entertainment, Inc. is the television and film production/distribution unit of Japanese multinational technology and media conglomerate Sony...
/Columbia PicturesColumbia PicturesColumbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production and distribution company. Columbia Pictures now forms part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Sony. It is one of the leading film companies...
released a movieFilmA film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
starring Nicolas CageNicolas CageNicolas Cage is an American actor, producer and director, having appeared in over 60 films including Raising Arizona , The Rock , Face/Off , Gone in 60 Seconds , Adaptation , National Treasure , Ghost Rider , Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans , and...
as Ghost Rider on February 16, 2007. The character faces BlackheartBlackheartBlackheart is a fictional demon in the . The character was created by Ann Nocenti and John Romita, Jr., and first appeared in Daredevil #270...
and his father, MephistophelesMephisto (comics)Mephisto is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Silver Surfer #3 and was created by Stan Lee and John Buscema, loosely modeled on Mephistopheles - a character from the Faust legend.Debuting in the Silver Age of comic books,...
. Unlike in the comics, where Roxanne's spell was responsible for Blaze's control of the Ghost Rider, here it is implied that Blaze retains control of his curse because he sold his soul for another rather than for himself.
- Nicolas Cage is set to reprise his role in a sequel to the 2007 film entitled Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. In the film, the character will be recruited by a sect to take on the devil. The film has a scheduled release date of February 17, 2012.
Animation
- Ghost Rider made a cameo appearance in Spider-Man and His Amazing FriendsSpider-Man and His Amazing FriendsSpider-Man and His Amazing Friends is an animated series produced by Marvel Productions starring established Marvel Comics characters Spider-Man and Iceman and an original character, Firestar...
in "The Prison Plot" as one of the illusions shown by MastermindMastermind (Jason Wyngarde)Mastermind is a Marvel Comics supervillain, an adversary of the X-Men. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-writer Jack Kirby, he first appeared in X-Men #4 . He was given his "real name", Jason Wyngarde, by Chris Claremont and John Byrne.The original Mastermind was a mutant with the power to...
.
- Ghost Rider has appeared in the Incredible HulkThe Incredible Hulk (1996 animated TV series)The Incredible Hulk is an American animated television series starring the Marvel Comics character the Hulk. It ran two seasons, for 21 episodes, on the television network UPN from 1996 to 1997...
animated series on the UPN NetworkUPNUnited Paramount Network was a television network that was broadcast in over 200 markets in the United States from 1995 to 2006. UPN was originally owned by Viacom/Paramount and Chris-Craft Industries, the former of which, through the Paramount Television Group, produced most of the network's...
, and in the 1994 Fantastic FourFantastic Four (1994 TV series)Fantastic Four is the third animated television series based on Marvel's comic book series of the same name. Airing began on September 24, 1994, until ending on February 24, 1996...
episode "When Calls GalactusGalactusGalactus is a fictional character appearing in comic books and other publications published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist and co-plotter Jack Kirby, the character debuted in Fantastic Four #48 , the first of a three-issue story later known as "The Galactus...
." Richard GriecoRichard GriecoRichard John Grieco, Jr. is an American actor and former fashion model.-Early life:Richard Grieco was born in Watertown, New York, the son of Carolyn and Richard Grieco. He is of Italian and Irish descent. Grieco played football for Central Connecticut State University.-Career:Grieco worked as a...
provided Ghost Rider's voice on both occasions. He used the penance stare both times so it is more likely it is the Daniel Ketch version.- It was due to his usage on the UPN cartoons that caused a planned appearance on Spider-ManSpider-Man (1994 TV series)Spider-Man, also known as Spider-Man: The Animated Series, is an American animated series starring the Marvel Comics superhero, Spider-Man. The show ran on Fox Kids from November 19, 1994, to January 31, 1998. The producer/story editor was John Semper, Jr. and production company was Marvel Films...
to be rejected. The episode would have pitted Ghost Rider and Spider-Man against MysterioMysterioMysterio is the name of three fictional characters, all of which are supervillains and enemies of Spider-Man in the . The original Mysterio was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko and first appears in Amazing Spider-Man #13, although it was later retconned that the aliens seen in Amazing...
and DormammuDormammuDormammu is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Strange Tales #126 Dormammu is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Strange Tales #126 Dormammu is a...
.http://members.aol.com/drg4/semper.html
- It was due to his usage on the UPN cartoons that caused a planned appearance on Spider-Man
- Ghost Rider was also in the 1990s X-Men animated seriesX-Men (TV series)X-Men, also known as X-Men: The Animated Series, is an American animated television series which debuted on October 31, 1992, in the United States on the Fox Network as part of its Fox Kids Saturday morning lineup...
although only for 2 seconds in "The Final Decision" when XavierProfessor XProfessor Charles Francis Xavier, also known as Professor X, is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superhero known as the leader and founder of the X-Men....
was looking through GambitGambit (comics)Gambit is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superhero that has been a member of the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Jim Lee, the character first appeared briefly in Uncanny X-Men Annual #14 , weeks before a more comprehensive appearance in Uncanny X-Men #266...
's past.
Video games
- Ghost Rider is a supporting character in the 1995 side-scrollingSide-scrolling video gameA side-scrolling game or side-scroller is a video game in which the gameplay action is viewed from a side-view camera angle, and the onscreen characters generally move from the left side of the screen to the right. These games make use of scrolling computer display technology...
beat 'em upBeat 'em upBeat 'em up is a video game genre featuring melee combat between the protagonist and a large number of underpowered antagonists. These games typically take place in urban settings and feature crime-fighting and revenge-based plots, though some games may employ historical or fantasy themes...
video game, Venom/Spider-Man: Separation Anxiety. - Ghost Rider makes a cameo appearance riding up the side of a building in the "Race to the Bugle" level of the 2000 Spider-ManSpider-Man (2000 video game)Spider-Man is an action video game based upon the Marvel Comics character of the same name. It is loosely based on the 1990s Spider-Man: The Animated Series. The game was developed by Neversoft and published by Activision. Released originally for the PlayStation and Nintendo 64 in 2000, the game...
ActivisionActivisionActivision is an American publisher, majority owned by French conglomerate Vivendi SA. Its current CEO is Robert Kotick. It was founded on October 1, 1979 and was the world's first independent developer and distributor of video games for gaming consoles...
game (in What if... mode). - In the game Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street FighterMarvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighteris the fourth Marvel Comics-licensed fighting game produced by Capcom . It is a sequel to X-Men vs. Street Fighter which replaces most of the X-Men characters with characters from Marvel Super Heroes. In an attempt to balance the previous games' problems, the game engine was altered, although it...
, he can be seen among other heroes in Apocalypse's Stage. - Ghost Rider (Johnny Blaze) is featured as an unlockable character in the video game Marvel: Ultimate AllianceMarvel: Ultimate AllianceMarvel: Ultimate Alliance is an action role-playing game developed for PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox and Xbox 360 by Raven Software and published by Activision. The game was simultaneously ported to the PlayStation Portable and Wii by Vicarious Visions, and to Microsoft Windows by Beenox...
. He appears when the player is sent to Mephisto's realm, having been imprisoned prior to the player's arrival, and can only be released if one of the player's team is imprisoned in his place (Although the imprisoned hero is freed with Mephisto's later defeat). - 2K Games2K Games2K is a global developer, marketer, distributor and publisher of interactive entertainment software games. 2K Games is a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive, which also owns Rockstar Games notable for the Grand Theft Auto series...
and Climax GroupClimax GroupClimax Group is a British independent video game development company. It was founded by Karl Jeffery in 1988 and is based in Portsmouth, Hampshire....
released a gameGhost Rider (video game)Ghost Rider is a third-person game based around the movie of the same name. The game's storyline is a sequel to the movie, and was penned by Marvel writers Garth Ennis and Jimmy Palmiotti. Players can play as Ghost Rider both on foot, or on the Hellcycle. The villains are both from the movie and...
based on the Ghost Rider movie on February 13, 2007. The game is a sequel to the movie, in which players can play Ghost Rider both on foot or on the Hellcycle. - Ghost Rider is one of many downloadable costumes in the game LittleBigPlanetLittleBigPlanetLittleBigPlanet, commonly abbreviated LBP, is a puzzle platformer video game, based on user-generated content, for the PlayStation 3 first announced on 7 March 2007, by Phil Harrison at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, California...
. - Ghost Rider (Johnny Blaze) appears as a non-playable character in Dante's ending in Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two WorldsMarvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worldsis a crossover fighting game developed by Capcom. It features Capcom's own characters and characters from American comic book company Marvel Comics. It is the fifth installment of the Marvel vs...
but will be playable in the updated version Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3is a crossover fighting game developed by Capcom. It is an updated version of Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds. After the events of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami disrupted the development schedule for downloadable content for the original game, the additional content was made into a...
. Richard Grieco reprises his role.
Merchandise/toys
- In 1995, a series of Ghost Rider action figures and toy motorcycles was released by Toy BizMarvel ToysMarvel Toys is the toy division of Marvel Entertainment, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company....
. This line lasted for two series and included versions of Ghost Rider and his supporting cast, including BlazeGhost Rider (Johnny Blaze)Ghost Rider is a fictional character, an antihero in the Marvel Comics Universe. He is the second Marvel character to use the name Ghost Rider, following the Western hero later known as the Phantom Rider, and preceding Daniel Ketch.Johnny Blaze was portrayed both in the 2007 film Ghost Rider and...
and VengeanceVengeance (comics)Vengeance is a fictional American comic book character owned by Marvel Comics. He was initially introduced as an antagonist for the Ghost Rider. Lt. Michael Badilino was the first known person to be host, now the entity is attached to Deputy Kowalski. Since his debut he has taken on the role of...
. - In addition to a standalone line of Ghost Rider toys featuring Ketch's incarnation and his allies and foes, Toy BizMarvel ToysMarvel Toys is the toy division of Marvel Entertainment, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company....
produced a model kitScale modelA scale model is a physical model, a representation or copy of an object that is larger or smaller than the actual size of the object, which seeks to maintain the relative proportions of the physical size of the original object. Very often the scale model is used as a guide to making the object in...
("Advanced Level 3", the only one in that particular series) of Kale with his motorcycle. It stands 8.75 inches (222.3 mm) tall, and needs glue for completion. - Three Ghost Rider action figureAction figureAn action figure is a posable character figurine, made of plastic or other materials, and often based upon characters from a film, comic book, video game, or television program. These action figures are usually marketed towards boys and male collectors...
s appear in the Marvel LegendsMarvel LegendsMarvel Legends is an action figure line based on the characters of Marvel Comics, initially produced by Toy Biz, then by Hasbro. This line is in the scale, with spin-off lines in the , , and scale.-History:...
series, one each of Danny Ketch, Johnny Blaze, and Johnny Blaze in mid-transformation. A Vengeance figure was released in the "Legendary Riders" series. - Hasbro released a Ghost Rider figure in wave 6 of the Marvel ComicsMarvel ComicsMarvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
Mighty MuggsMighty MuggsMighty Muggs are a vinyl–plastic collectible toy series made by Hasbro. The toys resemble super deformed versions of characters from the following franchises: Star Wars, Marvel Comics, Indiana Jones, G.I. Joe, and Transformers. There is a line of smaller figures, called Mini Muggs, as well as blank...
series. - Medicom Toy Co. produced two Ghost Rider figures in conjunction with the Ghost Rider movie. One is a super-deformed vinyl collectible doll that stands five inches (127 mm) tall. The other is a 12 inches (304.8 mm) action figure.
Pop culture
- The song "Ghost Rider," written by the New York City punk/electronic band SuicideSuicide (band)Suicide is an American electronic protopunk musical duo, intermittently active since 1970 and composed of vocalist Alan Vega and Martin Rev on synthesizers and drum machines. They are an early synthesizer/vocal musical duo....
(Alan Vega and Martin Rev) appears on the band's self-titled 1977 album. The song has been covered by such bands as the Rollins BandRollins BandRollins Band was an American rock band led by singer and songwriter Henry Rollins.They are best known for the songs "Low Self Opinion" and "Liar", which both earned heavy airplay on MTV in the early 1990s...
and R.E.M.R.E.M.R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry. One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's... - In 2005, the all-girl Filipino rock band Prettier Than PinkPrettier Than PinkPrettier Than Pink is an all-female pop rock group from the Philippines. The band went professional in 1991 with original members- Lei Bautista , Annie Trillo , Gretchen Gregorio , and Vanessa Garcia . Many music enthusiasts consider the group unique among pinoy girl groups because the members...
recorded the tribute ballad "Johnny Blaze" for the CD Chop Suey (Sutton Records). - The Danish rock band The Raveonettes has a song entitled "Attack of the Ghost Riders." Lead singer Sune Rose Wagner is seen as Ghost Rider at the end of the accompanying video. The band also covered the song "Ghost Rider" on the SuicideSuicide (band)Suicide is an American electronic protopunk musical duo, intermittently active since 1970 and composed of vocalist Alan Vega and Martin Rev on synthesizers and drum machines. They are an early synthesizer/vocal musical duo....
tribute album. - In the Nickelodeon show Danny PhantomDanny PhantomDanny Phantom is an American animated television series created by Butch Hartman for Nickelodeon, produced by Billionfold Studios. The show was about a teenage half-ghost boy, who frequently saves his town and the world from ghost attacks, while attempting to keep his ghost half a secret...
one of the villains is a ghost named Johnny riding a spectral motorcycle. - In the video game Persona 3: FES and Persona 4, the player can summon a creature called Hell Biker, which bears close resemblance to Ghost Rider. This character also appears as a Fiend in the Director's Cut of Shin Megami Tensei III: NocturneShin Megami Tensei III: Nocturneis a role-playing game for the PlayStation 2. It is the third main game in the Megami Tensei series. Shin Megami Tensei III was released nine years after Shin Megami Tensei II, and was the first Megami Tensei game in the series to be released into the United States using the "Megami Tensei" name...
. - Rapper and Wu-Tang ClanWu-Tang ClanThe Wu-Tang Clan is a hip-hop group from Staten Island that consists of RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard. They are frequently joined by fellow childhood friend Cappadonna, a quasi member of the group...
member Method ManMethod ManClifford Smith , better known by his stage name Method Man is an American hip hop artist, record producer, actor and member of the hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan. He took his stage name from the 1979 film The Fearless Young Boxer, also known as Method Man. He is one half of the rap duo Method Man...
often refers to himself in his lyrics as "Johnny Blaze" (most notably in the song "How High" featuring RedmanRedmanReginald "Reggie" Noble , better known by his stage name Redman, is an American MC, rapper, DJ, record producer and actor. He came to fame in the early 1990s as an artist on the Def Jam label. He is also well known for his collaborations with Method Man, including their starring roles in films and...
) and "Ghost Rider".
Reception
IGNIGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
placed Ghost Rider as the 90th greatest comic book hero of all time stating that if a hero can hinge his popularity solely on visual design, then Ghost Rider must be one of the most popular superheroes of all time while also saying the character had memorable stories over the years as well.
Collected editions
- Ghost Rider: Resurrected (trade paperbackTrade paperback (comics)In comics, a trade paperback is a collection of stories originally published in comic books, reprinted in book format, usually capturing one story arc from a single title or a series of stories with a connected story arc or common theme from one or more titles...
, 1991; reprints Ghost Rider vol. 3, #1-7) - Ghost Rider: Danny Ketch Classic Vol. 1 (trade paperbackTrade paperback (comics)In comics, a trade paperback is a collection of stories originally published in comic books, reprinted in book format, usually capturing one story arc from a single title or a series of stories with a connected story arc or common theme from one or more titles...
, 2009; reprints Ghost Rider vol. 3, #1-10) - Ghost Rider: Danny Ketch Classic Vol. 2 (trade paperbackTrade paperback (comics)In comics, a trade paperback is a collection of stories originally published in comic books, reprinted in book format, usually capturing one story arc from a single title or a series of stories with a connected story arc or common theme from one or more titles...
, 2010; reprints Ghost Rider vol. 3, #11-20) - X-Men & Ghost Rider: Brood Trouble in the Big Easy (trade paperback; 1993; Reprints Ghost Rider Vol. 3 #26-27 and X-Men #8-9)
- Rise of the Midnight Sons (trade paperback, 1992; Reprints Ghost Rider vol. 3, #28, 31; Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance #1, Morbius #1, Darkhold #1 and Nightstalkers #1)
- Spirits of Venom (trade paperback, 1993; reprints Web of Spider-Man #95-96 and Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance #5 - 6)
- The New Fantastic Four: Monsters Unleashed [Features a "new" Fantastic Four consisting of Ghost Rider, The Hulk, Wolverine and Spider-Man]. (trade paperback, 1992; reprints Fantastic Four #347-349)
- Essential Ghost Rider Vol. 1 (trade paperback, 2005; reprints Marvel Spotlight (1971 series) # 5-12, Ghost Rider #1-20 and Daredevil #138)
- Essential Ghost Rider Vol. 2 (trade paperback, 2007; reprints Ghost Rider (1973 series) #21-50.)
- Essential Ghost Rider Vol. 3 (trade paperback, 2009; reprints Ghost Rider (1973 series) #51-65, Avengers #214, Marvel Two-In-One #80)
- Essential Ghost Rider Vol. 4 (trade paperback, 2010; reprints Ghost Rider (1973 series) #66-81, Amazing Spider-Man (1962) #274 and New Defenders (1972) #145 and 146)
- Ghost Rider Team-Up (trade paperback, 2007 ; reprints Marvel Team-Up #91, Marvel Two-in-One #80, Marvel Premiere #28, Avengers #214 and Ghost Rider #27 & #50.)
- Champions Classic Vol. 1 (trade paperback; reprints Champions #1-11.)
- Champions Classic Vol. 2 (trade paperback; reprints Champions #12-17, Iron Man Annual #4, Avengers #163, Super-Villain Team-Up #14, and Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #17-18.)
- Ghost Rider: The Hammer Lane (trade paperback, 2002; reprints Ghost Rider (2001 series) #1-6)
- Ghost Rider: Road to Damnation (Hardcover, 2007; reprints Ghost Rider: Road To Damnation #1-6.)
- Ghost Rider: Road to Damnation (trade paperback, 2007; reprints Ghost Rider: Road To Damnation #1-6.)
- Ghost Rider Vol. 1: Vicious Cycle (trade paperback, 2007; reprints Ghost Rider (2006 series) #1-5.)
- Ghost Rider Vol. 2: The Life & Death Of Johnny Blaze (trade paperback, 2007; reprints Ghost Rider (2006 series) #6-11.)
- Ghost Rider Vol. 3: Apocalypse Soon (trade paperback, 2008; reprints Ghost Rider (2006 series) #12-13, Annual #1.)
- Ghost Rider Vol. 4: Revelations (trade paperback, 2008; reprints Ghost Rider (2006 series) #14-19.)
- Ghost Rider Vol. 5: Hell Bent and Heaven Bound (trade paperback, 2008; reprints Ghost Rider (2006 series) #20-25.)
- Ghost Rider Vol. 6: The Last Stand (trade paperback, 2009; reprints Ghost Rider (2006 series) #26-32.)
- Ghost Rider Vol. 7: Trials and Tribulations (trade paperback, 2009; reprints Ghost Rider (2006 series) #33-35, Annual #2.)
- Ghost Rider: Trail of Tears (trade paperback, 2008; reprints Ghost Rider: Trail of Tears #1-6)
- Ghost Rider: Danny Ketch - Addict (Ghost Rider: Danny Ketch #1-5 and Ghost Rider Finale)