Ghost Rider is the name of multiple superheroes appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
Marvel had previously used the name for a Western character whose name was later changed to Phantom Rider. The first supernatural Ghost Rider is stunt motorcyclist Johnny Blaze, who agrees to give his soul to "Satan" (later revealed to be an arch-demon named Mephisto) to save the life of his foster father. At night and when around evil, Blaze finds his flesh consumed by hellfire, causing his head to become a flaming skull. He rides a fiery motorcycle and wields blasts of hellfire from his body, usually from his hands. He eventually learns he has been bonded with the demon Zarathos. Blaze is featured in the series Ghost Rider (vol. 2) from 1972 to 1983.
The subsequent Ghost Rider series (1990–1998) features Danny Ketch as a new Ghost Rider. After his sister was injured by gangsters, Ketch comes in contact with a motorcycle that contains the essence of a Spirit of Vengeance. Blaze reappears in this 1990s series as a supporting character, and it is later revealed that Danny and his sister were Johnny Blaze's long-lost siblings. In 2000s comics, Blaze succeeds Ketch, becoming Ghost Rider again. In 2014, Robbie Reyes becomes Ghost Rider as part of the Marvel NOW! initiative. In 2024, Parker Robbins becomes Ghost Rider in the miniseries Ghost Rider: Final Vengeance.
In May 2011, Ghost Rider placed 90th on IGNs "Top 100 Comic Book Heroes" list.
Nicolas Cage starred as the Johnny Blaze incarnation of the character in the 2007 film Ghost Rider and its 2012 sequel, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. Gabriel Luna and Tom McComas portray the Robbie Reyes and Johnny Blaze incarnations in the fourth season of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) television series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., with Henry Simmons and Clark Gregg portraying new incarnations Alphonso Mackenzie and Phil Coulson. Ryan Gosling will portray the character in the upcoming MCU film Ghost Rider (2028).
Publication history Johnny Blaze
Following the Western comics character who originally used the name, the first superhero Ghost Rider, Johnny Blaze, debuted in Marvel Spotlight issue #5 (August 1972), created by Marvel editor-in-chief Roy Thomas, writer Gary Friedrich and artist Mike Ploog. He received his own series in 1973, with penciller Jim Mooney handling most of the first nine issues. Several different creative teams mixed-and-matched until penciller Don Perlin began a considerably long stint with issue #26, eventually joined by writer Michael Fleisher through issue #58. The series ran through issue #81 (June 1983). Blaze returned as Ghost Rider in a 2001 six-issue miniseries written by Devin Grayson; a second miniseries written by Garth Ennis in 2005, and an ongoing monthly series that began publication in July 2006. Johnny Blaze was the son of Naomi Blaze and Barton Blaze. Naomi was the previous Ghost Rider.
Danny Ketch
The next Ghost Rider, a young man named Daniel "Danny" Ketch (Johnny Blaze's long-lost younger brother), debuted in Ghost Rider (vol. 3) #1 (May 1990). This Ghost Rider was nearly identical to the previous, although his costume was now a black leather biker jacket with spiked shoulder-pads, grey leather pants, and a mystic chain he wore across his chest, which responded to his mental commands and served as his primary melee weapon. His new motorcycle resembled a futuristic machine and the front of it could lower to serve as a battering ram. Like the original Ghost Rider's bike, the wheels were composed of mystic hellfire. Unlike the relationship between the previous Ghost Rider and the demon with which he was bonded, Ketch and his demon — who in (vol. 3) #91 (December 1997) is revealed to be Marvel's incarnation of the Angel of Death/Judgment — are cooperative with each other. At the close of the series with (vol. 3) #93 (February 1998), Ketch apparently died. The following year, however, Peter Parker: Spider-Man #93 (July 1999) revealed Ketch was still alive. Nearly a decade later, Marvel published the long-completed final issue as Ghost Rider Finale (January 2007), which reprints the last issue and the previously unpublished Ghost Rider (vol. 3) #94.While the trademarked cover logo reads Ghost Rider #94, the comic's postal indicia lists the comic copyrighted as Ghost Rider Finale.
Alejandra Jones During the 2011 storyline "Fear Itself", a Nicaraguan woman named Alejandra Jones becomes Ghost Rider through a ritual performed by a man named Adam. Though she demonstrates many previously unknown powers of the Ghost Rider entity, she is deprived of its full power when Johnny Blaze takes back most of this power in (vol. 7) #9. Jones was killed by Carnage during the Absolute Carnage event.
Robbie Reyes
In 2014, a new character took on the Ghost Rider mantle: a Mexican-American resident of East Los Angeles named Roberto "Robbie" Reyes, who drives a black classic muscle car reminiscent of a modified 1969 Dodge Charger rather than a motorcycle.Montgomery (October 13, 2013). "NYCC 2013: All-New Ghost Rider" Marvel.com. Reyes was created by writer/artist Felipe Smith and designed by Smith and artist Tradd Moore.Under The Hood Of The ALL-NEW GHOST RIDER Character Design and is without a doubt the trashiest version of ghost rider every created.(February 10, 2014). .
Kushala After witnessing the massacre of her tribe on an Arizona mountain in the 1800s, the Apache Kushala summons a fearsome Spirit of Vengeance. She uses it to exact revenge on those who took her family and friends, and learns to coexist with the inner demon that has just awakened—known as Spirit Rider. Kushala was created by Robbie Thompson and Javier Rodríguez and made her debut in Doctor Strange and the Sorcerers Supreme #1 (2016).
Sal Romero During World War II, a soldier named Sal Romero operated as Ghost Rider after being reanimated as one after his death in order to protect someone named Leo. The Mother of Horrors summons Romero and other monsters to look for the Fractured Son, only for him to remain with Leo.Incredible Hulk Vol. 4 #1-8
Parker Robbins
In 2024, a new character took on the Ghost Rider mantle: Parker Robbins, the supervillain "the Hood", in the miniseries Ghost Rider: Final Vengeance.Ghost Rider: Final Vengeance #1–6
Powers and abilities The Ghost Rider is a human who can transform into a skeletal superhuman wreathed in ethereal flame and given supernatural powers. The abnormal motorcycle he rides can travel faster than any conventional vehicle and perform impossible feats such as riding up a vertical surface, across water, and leaping across great distances that normal motorcycles cannot. The Ghost Riders are virtually indestructible and notoriously hard to injure by any conventional means, as bullets and knives usually pass through them without causing pain (knives are shown to melt while in their body).Ghost Rider (2007 film) It is possible that they are genuinely immortal, as it is said that God created them and only God can destroy them.Ghost Riders: Heavens On Fire #6 Despite being composed of bone and hellfire, the Ghost Riders possess formidable superhuman strength, enough to easily pick up a truck and hurl it across a road. It has been stated that Johnny Blaze as Ghost Rider can bench press around 25 tons (50,000 lbs) (or more as seen in World War Hulk).All-New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z #4 Each Ghost Rider entity also had abilities specific to him or her.
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 different 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. His 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", Doctor Strange said Ghost Rider might be as powerful as the "Green Scar" persona of Hulk and could possibly defeat him. During this series, Doctor Strange also states that Ghost Rider protects only the innocent, which none of the Illuminati are. In later appearances, Blaze possesses the "Penance Stare" and wields a mystical chain, both of which were originally specific to Danny Ketch. Blaze also uses a shotgun and discovered that he can discharge hellfire from the weapon when he first encountered Ketch. Now, he also has new abilities including hellfire breath, the ability to produce chains from either his throat or chest, and the ability to travel between incorporeal realms.
Danny Ketch When Ketch transformed into Ghost Rider, his clothes changed with him, taking on the appearance of a spiked leather jacket with chains with a collar, gray leather pants, and spiked gloves and boots. Likewise, his motorcycle underwent a radical transformation, changing from a conventional one into a high-tech motorcycle. This transformation was not strictly limited to the motorcycle he was found in the cemetery with as he was once seen able to transform another cycle in "Ghost Rider/Wolverine/Punisher: Hearts of Darkness". Along with flaming wheels that allow 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. Ketch's most famous power is the Penance Stare, which makes the target experience all the pain they had ever inflicted on anyone else.
Robbie Reyes The ghost of Eli Morrow, who inhabits Robbie's body, is not a true Spirit of Vengeance. Regardless, he gives Robbie several abilities similar to that of other Ghost Riders, including the power to manifest and control chains ending in thin knives or sickles.All New Ghost Rider #5. Marvel Comic. The black muscle car that Morrow's ghost initially inhabits is linked to Robbie's Ghost Rider form, allowing him to instantly teleport to or merge with the car. The car can also be driven remotely, and Robbie's Ghost Rider form can pass harmlessly through it, allowing it to drive into foes. The car's trunk, when opened, acts as a portal, allowing the Ghost Rider to transport anything, including people, to any location. Though it is initially unknown if Robbie's Ghost Rider form possesses the divine powers of his predecessors, he eventually displays the ability to use the Penance Stare during a battle with Star Brand.Marvel Legacy #1 Eli is able to take full control of Robbie's body when the teen gives in to his negative emotions, signified by a pallid skin tone and both of his eyes turning orange. His Ghost Rider form also displays the ability to change into a more powerful and demonic form when Robbie is sufficiently angered.Robbie Reyes: Ghost Rider #5
Other Spirits of Vengeance Naomi Kale Naomi Kale is the mother of Johnny Blaze, Danny Ketch, and Barbara Ketch.
Noble Kale Noble lived in the 18th century and grew up with his abusive father, Pastor Kale, and his younger brother Dante.
Noble fell in love with a black girl named Magdelena. Because of the color of her skin and his father's religious views, the couple kept their love a secret from the world. They were forced to tell Pastor Kale when Magdelena bore Noble's child. Noble and Magdelena were then married.