It's been announced today that a new Ghost Rider is coming to the Marvel Universe. Johnny Blaze, Danny Ketch, and Robbie Reyes are among those to have previously held the mantle, of course, but it's unclear who will be next to find themselves bonded with the Spirit of Vengeance.
In terms of the Ghost Rider's creative team, Benjamin Percy will be on writing duties and Danny Kim is set to illustrate the relaunched series.
Marvel Comics hasn't released any additional details. However, the cover below was accompanied by a brief blurb which reads, "Rev your engines for a new era of Ghost Rider from writer Benjamin Percy and artist Danny Kim coming in March 2024. Learn more in the coming weeks."
Earlier this year, Percy told Marvel.com about growing up as a fan of the iconic supernatural character.
"I moved all over as a kid, and I was often living in rural areas, so I rarely had a comic book shop I could visit with any regularity," he said. "But when I did get to a store, I’d be pulling back issues of Ghost Rider from the dusty bins. And at garage sales and convenience stores, I was always drawn to the horror titles. That flaming skull is the coolest design in comics."
As for his approach to mixing superheroes with horror, Percy added, "My brain is hard-wired for horror. I probably rented as many horror VHS tapes as a kid as I ate grilled cheese sandwiches, so it’s just part of my creative DNA. No matter what I’m writing - take a look at Wolverine (2020) and X-Force (2019) - it bends toward the upsetting, the dreadful, the uncanny."
The first Ghost Rider was stunt motorcyclist Johnny Blaze, who, to save the life of his foster father, agrees to give his soul to "Satan" (later revealed to be Mephisto). When he senses 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 skeletal hands.
Danny Ketch became the new Ghost Rider after his sister was injured by ninja gangsters. He gained his powers after coming into contact with a motorcycle that contained the essence of a Spirit of Vengeance and later learned that Johnny is his long-lost sibling. Years later, Robbie Reyes inherited the mantle but ditched the bike for a muscle car.
Check out this first look at the new Ghost Rider comic book series below.
GHOST RIDER #1
Written by BENJAMIN PERCY
Art by DANNY KIM
Cover by JUAN FERREYRA
On Sale March 2024