Ghost Rider (Title Character) / Characters

WARNING: There are unmarked spoilers on these sheets for all but the most recent comics.

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Main Ghost Riders and Spirits of Vengeance

Johnny Blaze

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/99adf29228a4e8c686a34d47da18b742.jpg

Alter Ego: Johnathon "Johnny" Blaze

Notable Aliases: Ghost Rider, Bonehead, Brimstone Avenger, Brimstone Biker, Brother Blaze, The Burning Man, Devil, Frank Ryder, Ghost Toasty, J.B., Johnny-Cakes, Matchstick, Skullhead, Spirit of Vengeance, The Riding Ghost, "Whore of Heaven"

First Appearance: Marvel Spotlight #5 (May, 1972)

"Time will put its mark on me more than I'll ever put a mark on time. But right now, while I'm here, I'm going to do my damnedest to honor the ones who came before me. To protect the innocent, to keep on fighting through the long days and the longer nights. Those who survive, carry the dead with us, which means my legacy will one day belong to somebody else. There are no beginnings or ends, so even if people won't remember my name in a thousand years... my spirit will endure. Asphalt crumbles. Metal rusts. Flesh rots. Ink fades. But vengeance is forever."

—Johnny, perfectly summing up the mindset of a seasoned wielder of the Spirit of Vengeance.

Johnny Blaze, a motorcycle stuntman, became bound to the Spirit of Vengeance known as Zarathos after making a deal with Mephisto to spare the life of his surrogate father. With the power to control hellfire and to inflict pain on those he deems evil with his Penance Stare, Johnny seeks vengeance as Ghost Rider.

He later became King of Hell, but abdicated after he realized that the position was corrupting him (specifically the Damnation Stare, the more powerful version of the Penance Stare that the King of Hell gets). He was purged of this corruption courtesy of Danny and Caretaker.

The Ace: He's called the "World's Greatest Motorcyclist" for a good reason. Although other Ghost Riders have shown the ability to perform amazing stunts on their vehicles, only Johnny can rightfully claim to be skilled enough to do such feats without the need to transform into his fiery alter-ego, let alone resort to any supernatural handicaps. He is simply that good, honed through years and years of training.
Anti-Hero: Of the Unscrupulous Hero and Pay Evil unto Evil variety. He actually started off as a Classical Anti-Hero back in the 70s, with Zarathos being solely responsible for the Ghost Rider's crueler acts. When he returned as a depowered, shotgun-wielding Badass Normal in the 90s, Johnny was re-imagined as a jaded, more cynical demon hunter, utilizing harsher methods to dispose of his enemies, sometimes with sadistic glee. These traits would persevere in most of his modern-day portrayals, to the point where it's sometimes hard to distinguish who is currently on the driver's seat, him or Zarathos. Taken to a new level in the 2019 series, which sees Johnny adopting an unforgiving, cruel attitude as the King of Hell. It's heavily implied that the more he spends time in Hell, the more evil he grows, thanks to the throne's demonic influence over him.
Badass Normal: Became one for awhile after ditching Zarathos. During that time, Johnny only had his veteran combat prowess and hellfire shotgun to see him through the worst situations. Usually, that was all he needed.
Bash Brothers: With Daimon Hellstrom. While they've had their disagreements in the past, Johnny has a great working relationship with the infamous Son of Satan, teaming up with him more times than any other Marvel hero to great effect. He actually tends to get along with Hellstrom more than he does his own younger brother, Danny.
Big Brother Mentor: To Ketch during times when they're on good terms with each other, specifically the early days of Danny's stint as GR.
Blood Knight: Johnny feels the most alive when he's in the middle of carving through enemies, and he knows it. Zarathos even admits that it's the primary reason he's glad to just sit back and watch Johnny take full control of the Ghost Rider most of the time. The sheer sadistic creativity that Mr. Blaze can unleash upon his foes is a sight to behold!
Brought Down to Badass: Whenever he's split up from Zarathos. It never lasts long, but during those times, Johnny still proves he can be a fearsome warrior if the situation calls for it. This is best demonstrated in the Damnation crossover saga, which sees the separated Blaze and Zarathos managing to form an effective two-man fighting team against the onslaught of hell's denizens before they eventually fuse back together.
Brutal Honesty: Blaze is not one to mince his words when putting down others, especially when directed at a much weaker opponent who wants to kill him. For example, his first ever encounter with the anti-heroine Elektra (seen in Elektra: Black, White & Blood) saw the then-villainous woman targeting him for assassination under Kingpin's orders. After failing to dissuade her with words, Blaze coldly remarks that Elektra is in way over her head as he proceeds with the No-Holds-Barred Beatdown, all the while mocking her ineffective attempts to hurt him with her weapons before ending their one-sided fight with a Penance Stare.
Johnny Blaze (Ghost Rider mode): You are a small child playing in a world that is not your own. You should stop now or I will make you stop forever.
Chain Pain: His signature weapon. All Riders carry one as part of their innate arsenal, and Johnny uses his to great effect since he can brandish the hellish chain both as a human and as a Ghost Rider. His reign as the King of Hell also saw Johnny summoning multiple chains from the ground up to ensnare and torture his foes with.
Character Development: A long-form one that has taken over fifty years worth of the character's presence in the 616 Universe since his debut in The '70s. Johnny originally started out as a Classical Anti-Hero who tried to do the best he could but slowly turned jaded over time, thanks in part to the dark influence of Zarathos/the Spirit of Vengeance. When he returned in the The '90s, he became an angry and perpetually self-loathing '90s Anti-Hero noted for being the period where he was at his most selfish and shortsighted, which lasted all the way through the turn of the millennium. By The New '10s, he began to exhibit a more resigned Older and Wiser personality after some self-reflection and gaining wisdom from the mistakes he made during his previous phase while still lowkey resenting his GR powers and his own inner darkness. Then came The New '20s, which saw Johnny finally learn to embrace his role as a Ghost Rider to its fullest and transition into the best version of himself yet, as chronicled in the first ten issues of his 2022 comic book. In the man's own words:
Johnny Blaze: If this is going to be my life — if I'm going to make the most of my time here on this rock — I need to stop calling the Spirit a curse... and accept instead that it's a part of me. An ugly, mean, complicated part of me, but a part of me nonetheless. It's not something I can hate or blame or excuse away. It's who I am. There isn't Johnny Blaze and the Spirit of Vengeance. There's the Ghost Rider. We're the Ghost Rider. Forged together in hellfire. We're not the good guy in any story. We're the monster. And sometimes, a monster is what you need to fight other monsters.
Circus Brat: He grew up in a travelling carnival and his dad was the star attraction, who taught him everything he knows about death-defying motorcycle stunts.
Combat Pragmatist: For all the great powers at his disposal, Johnny's not above resorting to cheap shots whenever it comes in handy, such as planting his boot on a (possessed) Black Panther's royal family jewels.
Dark Is Not Evil: Yes, he has a flaming skull. Yes, he made a deal with Mephisto. Yes, he has Tough Spikes and Studs. But make no mistake - he's a good guy (albeit a very morally grey Anti-Hero, given his penchant towards cruel punishments and the unscrupulous methods he uses to vanquish evil).
Deadpan Snarker: It's pretty easy to tell which personality is in control just by listening to the way GR talks. When he's all threats and business-like, it's Zarathos. When he's mixing the threats with a good dosage of verbal smackdown, it's Johnny Blaze.
Deal with the Devil: What started his mess, though in later dealings he's managed to get the better of Mephisto.
Death Glare: Almost literally. The Penance Stare burns your very soul with varying intensity depending on your crimes. The King of Hell story line also introduces the even more powerful Damnation Stare as part of Johnny's arsenal, used exclusively on demons. Unlike the Penance Stare, however, this version has the added side effect of corrupting his mind the more he uses it, pushing him towards anger and becoming more evil because of it.
The Drifter: Johnny stands out from other bearers of the GR mantle due to his nomadic lifestyle, a preference gained from being raised in a traveling carnival. His adventures have taken him everywhere from famous big cities to lesser known small towns, and is one of the few superheroes to actively defend civilians living in some of the more overlooked corners of civilization.
Johnny Blaze: I live nowhere. My home is built of blacktop. I can't stop moving... because the trouble never ends. I've given up on things ever being different. This is my life until my death.
Friend to All Children: One of Johnny's most enduring traits, partially borne from having once been a father himself. Notably, even at his darkest, most selfish phase during the final years of his '90s Anti-Hero characterization, he was still capable of genuinely courageous and heroic deeds whenever a child needed saving, and would never even consider putting them in harm's way for his own benefit. One such example was during the "Heaven's on Fire" story arc from the mid-2000s run, which saw Johnny meeting Baron Skullfire and other Ghost Riders for the first time as they were gearing up to save both themselves and the world from the corrupted archangel Zadkiel's army. Johnny made it clear that he couldn't care less for the Riders' cause and almost left them to fend for themselves, but changed his mind as soon as he saw young children among those helping Baron Skullfire's resistance movement, having realized that to abandon the other Riders meant he would've condemned those children too. As of his modern day Older and Wiser portrayals, just seeing kids smile and being happy is enough to keep Johnny motivated to continue his role as a Ghost Rider no matter how harsh and grueling the lifestyle can be.
Good Is Not Nice: Everything Johnny Blaze does alongside his Spirit of Vengeance is born out of righteous goodness and to protect the innocent, but that often goes hand on hand with horrifically punishing the wicked. Clean-cut heroes like the Avengers tend to fear him and disapprove of his more brutal methods, while fellow blood-spillers like Wolverine, Blade, and the Punisher hold him in higher regard.
Good Is Not Soft: Innocents have nothing to worry about from him... usually. Bad guys, on the other hand, are always in for a world of pain.
Heroic Build: The man is seriously ripped underneath all that leather. He somehow keeps this shape even when transformed into a burning skeleton.
Hooks and Crooks: Johnny's chain is distinguished by the cruel-looking hook attached at the end of it.
I Am What I Am: Related to Character Development above. Johnny comes to this path-redefining epiphany in the 2022 series when he realizes that being Ghost Rider is more than just a "curse" or a "burden" to him, but an integral part of his own nature as a person. While brutal, monstrous, and oftentimes harrowing, he concludes that bearing the mantle also brings out the best in him in his never-ending drive to protect the innocent and destroy the worst of evils, no matter what it takes.
Improbable Weapon User: Apart from his signature chain, Johnny also displays a habit of picking up just about anything lying around that he could set on fire and brandish as a weapon — from conventional ones like scythes and pickaxes to chainsaws and even giant books.
Morph Weapon: Johnny can transform his chains (and sometimes even his bike!) into whatever alternate form he wishes by melting and remolding the metal with the power of hellfire.
Multi-Melee Master: Besides the chains' whipping action, Johnny has also brandished the occasional flaming sword, a scythe, and a war hammer among others by channeling his hellfire's morphing abilities. His Hell Hammer in particular is shown to rival Mjolnir itself.
Neck Lift: He's fond of doing this to defeated opponents, usually as a gesture of dominance, and sometimes to get them into eye level for his Penance Stare.
Offhand Backhand: A variation. Under orders from Kingpin, Elektra once tried to assassinate him by sneaking into his apartment while he was apparently passed out drunk, beer bottle still in hand. As soon as she stepped within striking range, Blaze suddenly got up and backhand smashed the bottle across Elektra's face, revealing that he's been awake and ready for her the whole time.
Pay Evil unto Evil: He doesn't relish in the carnage as much as Zarathos/the Spirit of Vengeance does, but Johnny isn't afraid to admit that he, too, gets a kick out of sadistically inflicting pain upon murderers, serial killers, and other sorts of nasty individuals that cross his path. Take for example, that time he, in his human form, casually ripped apart a guy's arms with a soft smile on his face.
Post-Modern Magik: His hellfire shotgun — a common modern day weapon that fires mystical bullets made of brimstone.
Prophetic Name: Yes, the man named Blaze would get fire powers.
Required Secondary Powers: The Healing Factor, since Johnny only becomes Nigh-Invulnerable when he's in GR mode, and the fact that the Painful Transformation itself would've killed him many times over without it. As a human, he's taken a lot of punishments over the years: from a point blank shotgun blast to the chest, to being run over by a speeding vehicle, to getting his head caved in with a tombstone, and all he ever really needs is for the hellfire to kick in and let him eliminate all surrounding threats before transforming back to normal, good as new like nothing happened.
The Resenter: He resented Darkstar when he was member of the Champions because she was easily welcomed to the team, while his infernal powers made them be wary of him.
Resurrective Immortality: Johnny has been "killed" on at least two occasions by receiving fatal damage before he could regenerate his wounds, leading to him being Dragged Off to Hell. Both times, he's able to cheat death: first by literally fighting his way out, and the second by taking over Hell itself before relinquishing his position later on then returning to the surface like nothing happened.
Revenge is Sweet: Sometimes, when his target happens to be a villain who angered him on a very personal level, Johnny can be seen cracking a satisfied smirk upon sending them to oblivion, best seen when he vanquishes Zadkiel at the end of 2006's Heaven's on Fire miniseries, and after getting revenge on Blackheart for trying to entrap him in a Lotus-Eater Machine at the end of the 2022 run's first arc.
Scarily Competent Tracker: Ghost Riders in general are this thanks to the Spirits of Vengeance having a natural ability to "sense" evil presence across a wide range. When that alone isn't enough, Blaze himself is a cunning and sharp-eyed man with a knack for investigative work - using all the tools and resources he can get hold of to keep tabs on his targets and learn their behavioral patterns and travel trajectories as he relentlessly hunts them down.
Seen It All: Throughout his existence, Blaze has endured one type of nightmarish ordeal after another, so much that by the time he's fully settled into the role of a Ghost Rider, practically nothing fazes him anymore. As he puts it best in the Damnation crossover arc:
Johnny Blaze: I'd died before. Been to hell before. There's nothing—this world or the next—I'm afraid of anymore. I'm the kid of a hick carny who wound up tied to the saddle of a monster. Gone up against the worst anything ever threw at me. What the hell do I got to be afraid of anymore?
Super-Empowering: Apart from being able to transform any inanimate object or vehicle he touches into flaming tools of destruction, Johnny has also demonstrated the ability to grant other living beings temporary increased strength and durability by engulfing them in his own hellfire, so long as they have the body to endure it. In one story, for example, he made Mammomax powerful enough to bulldoze a colossal train demon with a single, hellfire-imbued charge.
Took a Level in Jerkass: See Anti-Hero above.
Tough Spikes and Studs: Some artists depict Johnny with spikes on his outfit, making him look even more intimidating.
Unscrupulous Hero: There's no question that Mr. Blaze is strictly on the side of good and is willing to do everything in his power to stop the forces of hell and other malignant entities from claiming the world for themselves. His methods, however, can leave a lot to be desired. Maiming/brutalizing other superheroes who annoy him or get in his way? No problem (as Doctor Strange can attest to, time and time again). Torturing villains to the point of breakdown and/or death? He may feel a little sick afterwards, but he'll do it again anyway. Threatening or outright mugging civilians (especially other motorcyclists) who have something he wants? Nothing he'll lose sleep over if it means making his job easier.
Unwilling Roboticisation: To save his life. It was more like a cast than making him a permanent cyborg. He's long since ditched it after regaining his hellfire powers.
Vitriolic Best Buds: This is Johnny and Zarathos' modern day relationship, more or less. Best exemplified in 2018's one-shot title, Damnation: Johnny Blaze - Ghost Rider. Zarathos disapproves of Johnny constantly involving himself in more heroic pursuits and lets his host know it every chance he gets with disdainful scorn. Still, he also admits to find great enjoyment in their adventures together, especially in watching the many creative ways that Johnny kills their enemies with.
Zarathos: I never said there wasn't enjoyment to be had from your little games. I only disagree with how often you throw yourself into other people's wars and how little you pay attention to ours. Never with your methods.
- Johnny, for his part, has grown to accept Zarathos as but an extension of his own inner bloodlust, one that grants him the power to cut loose whenever necessary. At the end of the day, both entities agree that they're at their strongest when united as one.
Johnny Blaze (Ghost Rider mode): Slipping back into the saddle was like going home again. The walls might be bleeding and it might be on fire, but it's all mine. The two of us were trapped in hell, but together we were faster, stronger, terrifying.
Would Hit a Girl: Blaze isn't the type of guy to hold back when someone comes at him with hostile intent, regardless of the opponent's gender. Elektra Natchios found this out the hard way when she accepted a hit on Blaze without even doing her homework first to see what kind of man he is and what he's capable of. Cue a largely one-sided beatdown that ended with a battered and brutalized Elektra receiving a painful taste of the Penance Stare.

Zarathos

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/c2fc19d6867ca0aad135dc4a5731cc00.jpg

Alter Ego: Zarathos

Notable Aliases: Ravager of Souls, Living Spirit of Vengeance, Ghost Rider

First Appearance: Marvel Spotlight #5 (May, 1972)

"You play with the Wind - and use it to toss Toys at me? I AM NOT IMPRESSED!"

Zarathos fought the ancient Spirits of Vengeance and corrupted a number of their overseers, the Blood into his "Fallen". Although he promised them increased power, in actuality Zarathos was using their powers to further augment himself. After gaining power and worshipers, Zarathos then challenged Mephisto for ownership of his realm. Mephisto tricked Zarathos by having Centurious. Centurious' lack of a soul rendered him immune to many of Zarathos' power. With his followers abandoning him, Zarathos was easily defeated.

On occasion, Mephisto would forcibly bond Zarathos to mortals as a mockery of the Spirits of Vengeance. On one such occasion, he bonded Zarathos to carnival stunt cyclist Johnny Blaze, transforming him into the Ghost Rider.

Arch-Enemy: Centurious, the man without a soul.
Bald of Evil: He does not have skin for hair follicles to grow from
Double Knockout: His battle with the Danny Ketch/Noble Kale Ghost Rider seemed to be a Mutual Kill but vengeance spirits and angels are hard to kill, even for each other.
Fallen Angel: After the retcon he became an angel corrupted by Hell.
Nineties Antihero: Has become one because of retroactive continuity; though almost all his major enemies being worse than he was makes it a little easier to swallow, there are still some really questionable things he did in older comics.
Nominal Hero: That's what happens when you decide to turn a villain into a hero without justifying or having them atone for any of their past actions.
Red Baron: He's called the Spirit of Vengeance for a reason.
Retcon: From an evil demon to a misguided angel (he was fighting demons and such, just doing it wrong).
The Rival: To Mephisto, who after he defeated him had fun watching him struggle for control of human hosts who didn't want anything to do with him.
- Rival Turned Evil: More like rival turned good, though this took awhile.
Skull for a Head: His head is a skull wreathed in flames.
Technicolor Fire: Blue fire when free, orange when he has a human host.
Teeth-Clenched Teamwork: After he stops being evil, this is his relationship with Johnny Blaze as Ghost Rider.
Villain Teamup: With Lilith.

Danny Ketch

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/e75d0aee19a1acb7bafae9ba71f8655b.jpg

Alter Ego: Daniel "Danny" Ketch

Notable Aliases: "Bony", "Captain Nicotine", "Danny Boy", Dan Ketch, Ghost Rider, Ghostie, "Heaven's Harlot", The Rider, the Riding Ghost, Spirit of Vengeance, The Wheeler, Spirit of Corrupion

First Appearance: Ghost Rider (Vol. 3) #1 (May, 1990) ^noteAs Ghost Rider; Ghost Rider (Vol. 9) #4 (January, 2020) ^noteAs Spirit of Corruption

"I am Ghost Rider, The Spirit of Vengeance!"

When innocent blood is spilled, a Spirit of Vengeance is born. Dan Ketch transforms into Ghost Rider and nothing will stop him from inflicting pain on all those who have inflicted it on innocent beings. Eventually, Ketch learned to control these transformations. However, it was later revealed that his ancestor was Noble Kale. After some time away, he returned working for Zadkiel.

Currently, he is now the Spirit of Corruption courtesy of a deal with Belasco and now has to deal with some new powers though they were able to save Johnny from the corruption of being King of Hell.

The Alcoholic:
- Under Jason Aaron and Si Spurrier, Danny's use of the Ghost Rider powers is a very obvious metaphor for substance abuse.
- Under Ed Brisson, Danny is also an alcoholic outright. He drinks to distract himself from being Ghost Rider and numb the pain of the transformation.
Anti-Hero: Pragmatic Hero, I Did What I Had to Do type. Started out as Pay Evil unto Evil type of character.
Colour-Coded for Your Convenience: When Zarathos came back, was retconned into a good at heart angel and started making Blaze's Ghost Rider more like Danny's, Danny's dropped Noble Kale and got a new spirit with blue flames so the two could be told apart more easily. This was removed at the end of the story line and Danny has since gone back to regular flames.
Death Glare: The first to use the penance stare.
Decoy Protagonist: Of the 1990s comic. Unlike the dual role shared between Johnny Blaze and Zarathos, Ketch was strictly portrayed as Noble Kale's tag-along host, and never did a whole lot throughout the book's run. Instead, he spent most of it either dead or hiding away while Kale and Blaze took care of everything. To wit, Danny wasn't even around for the formation of the Midnight Sons, and kept falling by the wayside as the book focused more and more on Kale and his mysterious origins.
Face–Heel Turn: Spent quite a bit acting as Zadkiel's Lieutenant and Chief Enforcer during the 'Heaven's on Fire' story arc, during which Danny hunted down the other Ghost Riders, either killing or Depowering them until only he and Johnny were left.
Flechette Storm: The chain was initially unique to him and he still possess a greater control over it than the other riders, even to the point of breaking it into its individual links and launching them as a cutting barrage. He could also make it into a makeshift spear as well as a dagger and sword.
Mistaken Identity: Blaze attacks him because he thinks he is Zarathos, the demon that Mephisto put in him, then helped Dan with his situation to make up for it. Dr. Strange and Nightmare also attacked him for the same reason. Vengeance comes after him thinking he is John Blaze.
Mode Lock: Blackout tried to kill him by ripping his throat out. All that did was force Noble Kale to take over in the Ghost Rider form permanently for about a year, and thus give him more incentive to kick Blackout's ass. Danny was eventually brought back thanks to the aid of Dr. Strange.
Playing with Fire: He was the first to gain the ability to manipulate natural flames, allowing him to burn that which hellfire cannot.
Revenge: Why he accepted being a Ghost Rider so quickly.
Tough Spikes and Studs: As Ghost Rider, he wore a jacket with spikes on the sleeves and shoulders.
Unwitting Pawn: To Zadkiel and Anton Satan.

Noble Kale

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/89d0e8882ee4ab0e89456715c69c1ab1.jpg

Alter Ego: Noble Kale

Notable Aliases: Ghost Rider, Riding Ghost, Puritan Avenger, Angel of Death

First Appearance: Ghost Rider (Vol. 3) #1 (May, 1990)

A distant ancestor of Blaze and Ketch from the 18th century. He became the Ghost Rider in order to defend his hometown from the Furies, but killed himself when his son was offered to him as a sacrifice.

Curse: As a result of both Uri-El and Mephisto claiming his soul, he's forced to wander between the worlds a spirit. He typically possesses the first born of a certain family to turn them into Ghost Riders, becoming a kind of curse to them too.
Deal with the Devil: His soul was offered to Mephisto by his own father!
Our Angels Are Different: He becomes one in realms like Mephisto's hell, specifically an angel of death. He was originally intended to be made into one by Uri-El before Mephisto got in the way.
Our Spirits Are Different: He was once a man, now he is a spirit of vengeance. Danny Ketch is his most recent host.
Power Incontinence: When on Earth without a host.
Put on a Bus: During the Zadkiel mess.
Rerouted from Heaven: Thanks a lot, dad.
Satan Is Good: When he took over hell, until the demons rebelled and kicked him out.
Yank the Dog's Chain: Anything good that happens to him will be overturned or have unintended negative consequences without fail.

Naomi Kale

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Alter Ego: Naomi Kale

Notable Aliases: Clara Blaze, Ghost Rider

First Appearance: Ghost Rider (Vol. 2) #78 (March, 1983)

Naomi is the real mother of Johnny Blaze and Dan and Barbara Ketch. She also found a way to tap into some of the power of Noble Kale but was killed by Mephisto.

Good Smoking: Still not good for her but her rider form didn't have to worry about cardio.
It Runs in the Family: The mother of Johnny Blaze and Danny Ketch. A descendant of Noble Kale, as well as his last host before Danny Ketch.
Out-Gambitted: She made a deal with Mephisto to end the 'Curse of Noble Kale', that Noble would possess the firstborn child of each generation and turn them into Ghost Riders. Mephisto managed to turn two of her children into Ghost Riders anyways (the third, Barbara, got killed first) by choosing to interpret the curse she wanted gone as Noble Kale possessing the firstborn, and only the firstborn, of each generation. Noble possessing her younger child, Danny? Totally fair game. And as for her eldest child, John, Mephisto bound him to Zarathos, who has no relation to Noble Kale but just so happened to grant similar powers.
Spanner in the Works: After death her spirit continues to subtly mess with Mephisto and Blackheart's plans.

Alejandra Jones

Alter Ego: Alejandra Jones

Notable Aliases: Ghost Rider, Guardian Fantasma

First Appearance: Ghost Rider (Vol. 7) #1 (July, 2011)

Alejandra was raised by a mysterious man named Adam in a South American tomb until she was 18, when she was forcibly bonded to the Spirit of Vengeance by an undead man referring to himself as the Seeker under Adam's employ. Alejandra was part of Adam's plan to undo sin on Earth, which would leave every human as a mindless drone, but she was stopped and later tutored by Johnny Blaze, the original Ghost Rider.

Affirmative-Action Legacy: A mixed-race Caucasian/Mexican woman.
Back for the Dead: Wasn't seen since being deformed by hellfire at the end of Rob Williams' run, but was brought back to die in the Absolute Carnage event.
Bizarre Sexual Dimorphism: In contrast to her original incarnation, Alejandra's transformation in Ghost Racers is rather subdued as she just grows a skull-print mask that covers the lower half of her face. This is in stark contrast to her fellow (and chiefly male) Spirits of Ignition who all look like demonic skeletons of varying make.
Boring, but Practical: Her main strategy in Ghost Racers is to hang back as her rivals duke it out, wait for a prime opening, and activate all her Nitro Boost charges at once to get ahead. This makes her one of the least popular of the racers, but it is a valid tactic given that the point of the competition is to place first, not blow up the other indestructible contestants.
Curbstomp Battle: John and Dan, for different reasons, were not as powerful as Ghost Riders when they started out as they were later in their careers. Alejandra was at full power from day one and had a habit mowing through their old enemies and people they wouldn't have been able to beat head on. She nearly kills Skadi, which would have ended the Fear Itself crossover before it began. This stops once she runs into Blackheart though.
Distaff Counterpart: Well more like one to Danny Ketch than John Blaze, relishing the chance to take vengeance on the guilty but she spent her time playing off John Blaze.
Passing the Torch: She got the torch from John Blaze, who quickly regretted it when Mephisto informed him.
Sinister Scythe: Introduced when she cuts Deathwatch and Blackout with it.
Unwitting Pawn: To Adam, who wanted to use her powers to take over the world, for admittedly philanthropic reasons.

Robbie Reyes

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Alter Ego: Roberto "Robbie" Reyes

Notable Aliases: Ghost Rider, La Leyenda, The Legend of Hillrock Heights, Roast Rider, Robot Racer, Skeleton Driver

First Appearance: All-New Ghost Rider #1(March, 2014)

A talented young mechanic with a penchant for anything with an engine and electronic music, but above all else he loves his little brother Gabe. When his plan to get Gabe out of East L.A. goes fatally awry, he is resurrected by the Spirit of Eli Morrow into the supernatural being, the All-New Ghost Rider!

Affirmative-Action Legacy: Latino-American.
- Neither he nor Eli know what or who the Ghost Rider is at first though, until Johnny Blaze explains it to them.
Anti-Hero: Of the Nominal Hero variety, though he becomes a more classic Anti-Hero later on.
Back from the Dead: He gets shot to death and set on fire in his first issue, but immediately comes back as the new Ghost Rider.
Badass Driver: He wasn't the first Rider not to be a rider by this point though, just the first to be a main character.
Badass Normal: Subverted - before getting powers he tries to protect his brother from some bullies with his bare hands, but is unable to do anything once they pull out a gun and gets beaten up.
Big Brother Instinct: Nearly everything he does is motivated by his desire to protect his brother.
Civvie Spandex: His racing jumpsuit coincidentally looks like Johnny Blaze's original outfit.
Cool Car: 1969 Dodge Charger.
Death Glare: Manifests the Penance Stare in Marvel Legacy #1, much to his surprise, as it hadn't been a part of his powerset before.
Didn't Think This Through: His plan to get Gabe and himself out of East LA? Steal a racing car and win an incredibly large prize in an underground street race. Once the cops start chasing him, he suddenly realizes that if he gets arrested, Gabe will be left completely alone, with nobody to take care of him.
- Freak Out: Result of above realization.
Hidden Depths: Seems to be a quiet, antisocial tough guy at first, but it quickly becomes apparent he cannot take the conditions he and his brother must live in and probably had to quickly grow up. Also, early advertising emphasized "cool underground street racer". Turns out it's not something he does for fun, but a desperate way to earn money to give him and his brother a better life.
Implacable Man: He can teleport wherever his car is. The vehicle itself can explode and transport itself elsewhere, and it is inexplicably capable of ambushing opponents during fights since it can drive itself. It confounds people who've beaten entire armies of Ghost Riders.
Naïve Newcomer: For the 2018 Avengers. All the others are veterans, and while they respect Robbie's capabilities, they also remind him that he's got a long way to go, training him in the process.
Nice Guy: By the time of his Avengers membership, he'd much rather avoid conflict if he can.
Odd Friendship: Develops one with Odin, of all people, relating back to the Stone Age Avengers.
Parental Abandonment: If Eli is to be believed, Robbie and Gabe were abandoned by their parents.
Pretty Boy: Both males and females in-universe have made comments on how Robbie is really easy on the eyes. Two biker thugs even called him this before trying to mug him. You can imagine how that turned out for them.
Promotion to Parent: He's taking care of his twelve year old brother.
Red Oni, Blue Oni: Eli might say harsher things, but it's Robbie who has the flaring hot temper.
Sugar-and-Ice Personality: Cold and aloof with most people, anything but when it comes to his brother.
Thou Shalt Not Kill: He's highly against killing, even refusing to kill criminals. At the end of his first book, he agrees to kill only the worst of the worst, and only to satisfy Eli and keep him from going after Gabe again.
Took a Level in Badass: In The Avengers (Jason Aaron), he realises that he can make anything his ride. This includes a dead Celestial. It's indicated that in terms of raw power, he's perhaps the strongest Rider yet (with the possible exception of the Cosmic Ghost Rider, who's also a Herald of Galactus) - though as Carol Danvers reminds him after the dead Celestial thing, while training him/helping him understand his powers, saving the world like that once is just the start.
Trash Talk: Deconstructed. His status as The Quiet One among the Ghost Riders makes him remarkably bad at this when he tries.

Eli Morrow

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Alter Ego: Elias W. "Eli" Morrow

Notable Aliases: Spirit of Eli

First Appearance: All-New Ghost Rider #1 (March, 2014)

The mysterious human spirit that brings Robbie Reyes back to life and inhabits his body, granting Robbie the powers of the All-New Ghost Rider.

Bitch in Sheep's Clothing: He originally presents himself as an ally and mentor to Robbie. In reality, he's just using the boy to get revenge on his killer, take over his body and satisfy his own blood lust.
Evil Uncle: Turns out he's Robbie's uncle Elias, and directly responsible for Gabe's disabilities.
Evil Versus Evil: He's violent and depraved, but prefers to vent his fury on the wicked.
Hollywood Satanism: His brand of Satanism is a Religion of Evil.
Humans Are Bastards: With very few exceptions, in his opinion.
Miles Gloriosus: Tries to promote himself as a powerful and diabolical entity that can fulfill Robbie's desires, but transforming him into a Ghost Rider is arguably the only thing he hasn't been haplessly incompetent at doing. And seeing as Robbie's powers turn out to come from an actual Spirit of Vengeance, he didn't even succeed in that.
The Mirror Shows Your True Self: Manifests to Robbie as a reflection of his Ghost Rider form, while he's human.
Politically Incorrect Villain: He's made several derogatory comments about Gabe's disabilities.
Revenge: Plays this card a lot, while tempting Robbie.
Would Hurt a Child: Has possessed Robbie's brother, manipulated him, and even used him to fight. It's also implied that he caused Gabe's disabilities in the first place, when he pushed his mother down the stairs when she was pregnant with him.

Prehistoric Ghost Rider

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Alter Ego: Ghost

Notable Aliases: Rider, Spirit of Vengeance

First Appearance: Marvel Legacy #1 (September, 2017)

Perhaps the very first Ghost Rider, an unnamed young boy from the year 1,000,000 B.C once witnessed his entire tribe devoured by a primordial cannibal beast - what would one day be known as a Wendigo. Forced to wander the harsh lands alone, with only a friendly mammoth companion for company, this young boy would have died if not for the intervention of the demon Mephisto, who offered him a deal - his soul, in exchange for the power to enact vengeance on the one who had destroyed his family. The boy accepted the deal, and had his spirit imbued with immense hellish power, which he then imbued on his mammoth to create a new hellish steed, and deliver vengeance on the Wendigo in the name of all its innocent victims. From that day onward, he swore to use this power to punish the wicked and protect the innocent, later going on to join the Prehistoric Avengers to face down a rogue Celestial, amongst other threats.

Dreadlock Warrior: Before he was a Ghost Rider, he had his hair in dreadlocks.
Mammoths Mean Ice Age: Fitting for an inhabitant of the Ice Age, he rides a mammoth that's on fire.
Monster Progenitor: The first Spirit of Vengeance and one of the most powerful, he generates hellfire so intense it melted a mind-controlled Wolverine, true adamantium bones and all, to sludge and he overpowered Ghost Goblin who had previously slaughtered over 470 Ghost Riders.
No Name Given: His true name wasn't known by neither Odin nor Lady Phoenix.
War Elephants: Just like Shoba Mirza thousands of years later, he rides a wooly mammoth instead of an elephant.

Caleb

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Notable Aliases: Ghost Rider

First Appearance: Ghost Rider: Trail of Tears #1 (April, 2007)

A post Civil War era Ghost Rider. Caleb was a former slave who bartered his soul to avenge his family.

Antebellum America: He was a self-freed black man living in the Antebellum South during The American Civil War. After the war, his family is hounded by a lynch gang who are styled after the proto KKK of the time.
Anti-Hero: Borderline Villain Protagonist at points; he doesn't care how many innocents die, as long as he gets the men he's after.
Blood Knight: A particularly notable case, even amongst the other Ghost Riders. The only thing making him a hero is that the men he's hunting are even worse.
Cold-Blooded Torture: If he has the luxury, he prefers to make his enemies suffer before they die.
Deal with the Devil: Like all Ghost Riders, though his was made with spirits from his ancestors' homeland in order to protect his family. Unfortunately for him, this Spirit of Vengeance doesn't protect, it can only take revenge. As such, Caleb is given the power only after he is dead, so that he can hunt down his family's killers.
Forced to Watch: He's forced to watch as his sons are nailed to a tree and shot to death, all the while taunted as to how he couldn't save them. While this is going on he can hear his wife being raped just a few feet away from him, before she too is killed with a knife. Only then do his captors kill him.
Nominal Hero: He is only concerned with his own personal vengeance. If innocents get in the way, so be it.

Demon Rider

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Alter Ego: Kushala

Notable Aliases: Sorcerer Supreme, Sindr

First Appearance: Doctor Strange and the Sorcerers Supreme #1 (October, 2016)

A Sorcerer Supreme from the past with the powers of the Spirit of Vengeance.

Flaming Skulls: Like the Ghost Riders, she can turn her head into a flaming skull.
Magical Native American: She was Native American, was a Sorcerer Supreme and carrier of the Spirit of Vengeance.

Parker Robbins

See The Hood

Variations

Cosmic Ghost Rider

Frank Castle

Alter Ego: Francis "Frank Castle" Castiglione

Notable Aliases: Black Queen, Cosmic Ghost Phoenix Rider, Fredo Castiglione, Ghost Rider, Punisher, Spirit of Vengeance, The Rider

First Appearance: Thanos (Vol. 2) #13 (November, 2017)

Formerly The Punisher of a universe where Thanos killed literally every other living being. Upon his death, he made a deal with Mephisto, becoming the Spirit of Vengeance, then received the Power Cosmic on top of that from Galactus, although he and Galactus were defeated by the Mad Titan. He then became the Black Hand of Thanos before being killed by the Silver Surfer. He was then 'escorted' out of Valhalla by Odin and sent back in time. It's a lot, we know.

See Cosmic Ghost Rider

Vengeance (Michael Badilino)

Michael Badilino

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Alter Ego: Michael Badilino

First Appearance: Ghost Rider (Vol. 3) #21 (January, 1992) ^noteAs Michael Badilino; Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance #9 (April, 1993) ^noteAs Vengeance; Code of Honor #1 (January, 1997) ^noteChronologically

When Daniel Ketch became the new Ghost Rider, Michael Badilino believed him to be the same demon that had destroyed his family. He led a task force to destroy Ghost Rider, but failed repeatedly to do so. In frustration, he turned to Mephisto, trading his soul in exchange for the power to destroy the Ghost Rider. Mephisto made the deal, but only unlocked Badilino's inner strength using the "Medallion of Power". In his superhuman form, Badilino was called Vengeance, and originally attempted to kill Ghost Rider, believing him to be Zarathos. Eventually, Vengeance was won over to the side of good when Ghost Rider was proven not to be the demon Zarathos, the one truly responsible for Badilino's hatred.

Badilino returned to life in the aptly named Ghost Rider: Return of Vengeance one-shot in 2020, after escaping Hell with the help of a couple demons.

Antihero Substitute: He even got to team up with another example of this trope, during Venom's original run as the Lethal Protector.
Bad with the Bone: His chain was made of bones.
'90s Anti-Hero: Meant to be the "edgier" counterpart to Danny Ketch/Noble Kale, a walking skeleton wearing a spiky jacket on fire who caused the worst imaginable pain in people just be looking at them... yeah it was only a little plausible because 90s Ghost Rider was a little nicer than the Blaze version and thus apparently not hardcore enough for the 90s.
Resurrective Immortality: As seen in the Return of Vengeance one-shot, Badilino manages to cheat death (and eternal damnation) by fighting his way out of Hell, much like Johnny Blaze before him.
Shaped Like Itself: As a spirit of vengeance he went by the creative moniker of Vengeance.
Spikes of Villainy: Bigger where Ghost Rider already had spikes and also spikes coming out of his head.
Unwitting Pawn: As caretaker explained, he sold his soul to Mephisto for power he was already going to get anyway. Blackheart also mocks him for being easy to manipulate. The Lilin also had him going for awhile.

Vengeance (Kowalski)

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Alter Ego: Kowalski (first name unrevealed)

Notable Aliases: Deputy Kowalski

First Appearance: Ghost Rider (Vol. 6) #21 (May, 2008)

A a former deputy sheriff of New Beulah Police Force who uncovered the Secret of highway 18. He was the first Ghost Rider created after Zadkiel temporarily took over Heaven. Most recently he has been seen in combat with the Secret Avengers.

Playing with Fire: Has flaming breath and a flaming head
Post-Modern Magik: Used the Caretaker's Hellfire Gun.
Revenge: Against Ghost Rider for ruining his life.

Phantom Rider

Phantom Rider I (Carter Slade)

First Appearance: Ghost Rider #1 (February, 1967)

Carter Slade, the first man to wear the mask, debuted in Ghost Rider #1 (Feb. 1967). He battled evil while dressed in a phosphorescent white costume, complete with a full-face mask, cape, and the requisite white hat. Slade received his outfit and his white horse from Flaming Star, a Native American medicine man. He recruited a young sidekick named Jamie Jacobs whom helped him during his missions. Eventually, Carter was killed in a gunfight. Jamie Jacobs vowed to follow in the foodsteps of his friend and mentor.

See Marvel Comics: Western Characters

Other Ghost Riders

Bai Gu Jing

Alter Ego: Bai Gu Jing

Notable Aliases: Ghost Rider

First Appearance: Ghost Rider (Vol. 6) #29 (January, 2009)

Bai Gu Jing was a Ghost Rider of few words, but her actions spoke in volumes. A skilled fighter, Bai gave her all when the last of the Ghost Riders waged war against a corrupt Daniel Ketch and the Black Host–rogue angels in the service of Zadkiel. Unfortunately, even with the combined powers of her fellow warriors Molek, the Baron Skullfire and his lover, Marinette Bwa Chech, and the infamous Johnny Blaze, Bai Gu Jing was overcome by hellfire Avatars of Ketch, and her powers were forcibly stolen from her. It has yet to be revealed if she survived the process.

Action Girl: She's a female Ghost Rider, so it comes with the territory.

Hyborian Age Ghost Rider

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First Appearance: Savage Avengers #21 (June, 2021)

In Savage Avengers, Conan the Barbarian ends up fighting Johnny Blaze as Kulan Gath curses New York with magical nightmares. Conan recounts that Johnny's not the first Ghost Rider he's met. Conan had been paid to kill a tyrant king but the Ghost Rider of the Hyborian Age had already done the deed and so he kept the money.

Giant Spider: This Ghost Rider uses a destroyer-size giant spider as his mount and the monster can impale humans with any of its legs.

Knuckles O'Shaughnessy

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Notable Aliases: Ghost Rider

First Appearance: Ghost Rider (Vol. 6) #33 (May, 2009)

The details of how this mysterious Spirit of Vengeance came to be are known only inside the mind of Caretaker. However, this particular Ghost Rider didn't work alone. He had a partner known as the Undead G-Man, and together, they took out the Skin and Bones Club – at least on one occasion – before they could murder an innocent man.

Batter Up!: His weapon is a bat with nails.
Fighting Irish: If the name wasn't indicator enough, his hat and bat sure do.

Ghost Flyer

Notable Aliases: Ghost Rider

First Appearance: Ghost Rider (Vol. 6) #33 (May, 2009)

High in the skies over Germany during World War I, young American pilots gave up their lives in service of their country. When these poor souls cried out for vengeance, the Ghost Flyer was there, and he took no prisoners. Using a biplane of his own, this Spirit of Vengeance soared into battle taking on every challenger-possibly including the Red Baron himself. Further exploits of this otherwise mysterious character reside within the mind of the living library of the Ghost Rider, Sara, the new Caretaker.

Ace Pilot: He pilots a ghost plane and he's very good at it.

Hellhawk

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Notable Aliases: Chief Hellhawk

First Appearance: Ghost Rider (Vol. 6) #33 (May, 2009)

In the 17th century, Chief Hellhawk formed an intense rivalry with Noble Kale, a Pilgrim Ghost Rider. In 1654 C.E., Hellhawk was killed by Necrosis, the Spirit of Corruption, on orders from Belasco to send a message to Mephisto to keep his Spirits of Vengeance out of Limbo.

Horse of a Different Color: When he was a member of the 1000s Avengers, instead of a horse, he rode a skeletal bison.
Really 700 Years Old: He served as Ghost Rider for several centuries, from the Middle Ages until his death in 1654 by the Spirit of Corruption.
The Rival: Had an intense rivalry with pilgrim Ghost Rider Noble Kale.

Nima

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Alter Ego: Nima (unrevealed if this is first or last name)

Notable Aliases: Ghost Rider, Khrag 'Thung, The Guru Dragpo, The Wrath of the Four Heavens, The Blood Drinker, He who seeks vengeance in our name

First Appearance: Ghost Rider (Vol. 6) #28 (December, 2008)

Modeled after a wrathful deity of Tibetan Buddhism, this Spirit of Vengeance was tailored to the customs of the part of the world he was stationed in.

In the Ngari Prefecture to Tibet, he was known as Khrag 'Thung, the Guru Dragpo, the Wrath of the Heavens, the Blood Drinker, "He who seeks vengeance in our name", or Ghost Rider.

He attacked and destroyed two garrisons of Chinese soldiers, prompting a general to attack a village to find those responsible. Nima came and offered the soldiers to flee back to China or face his wrath, and finally attacked them.

Hellish Horse: His horse has a necklace of skulls.
Warrior Monk: He's a tibetan monk with the powers of the Spirit of Vengeance.

Shoba Mirza

Alter Ego: Shoba Mirza

Notable Aliases: Ghost Rider, Hindi Witch, Shobha Mirza

First Appearance: Ghost Rider: Danny Ketch #1 (December, 2008)

Shoba met Dan Ketch at a time when he was at the lowest point in his life. Shoba desperately needed a Ghost Rider to lead the other Ghost Rider’s and heard Dan was possibly the greatest of all time – although she wouldn't have known it from the drunken stupor she found him in. Knowing he was more interested in her looks then his sense of duty, Shoba left Dan to sober up while she dealt with the threat of Verminus Rex on her own. What she didn't know was Dan had his friend Mary Le Bow exorcise the Ghost Rider entity from his body, and without his powers, Dan wouldn’t have been much help anyway.

Dan didn't know much about where his powers came from, but an agent of Zadkiel changed all that. The minion showed Dan he wasn't alone. There were other Spirits of Vengeance out in the world, and Verminus Rex was stealing their powers for himself. Shoba was next on his list, and Dan was stunned when he witnessed her transformation into a Ghost Rider. Dan, much like a drug addict, had been given small doses of the power he once held to make him pledge his allegiance to Zadkiel, and this time was no different. Ketch used the excuse of helping Shoba to get another fix, and his request was granted. Unfortunately, Dan was sloppy, too engrossed in his quest for power instead of focusing on the big picture, and Shoba was taken prisoner. Dan searched for her night after night, but it was Shoba that found him again once she escaped Rex's dimension. Wounded beyond repair, the entity inside her threatened to take control, and Shoba begged Daniel to rescue her. He wasn't sure what to do, but like a parasite, Ketch leeched her powers into himself. Shoba's human half had been saved, and she thanked Dan even as she passed away in his arms.

Multi-Armed and Dangerous: Based on the mythical Asura, when in Ghost Rider mode she has four arms.
War Elephants: She rides a skeletal flaming elephant.

Yoshio Kannabe

Alter Ego: Yoshio Kannabe

Notable Aliases: Yokai-Raida, Ghost Rider, The Most Fearsome of all the Bakemono Monster-Spirits, The Flaming Spirit Cyclist, Captain in the Lord of Death's Bosozoku, The Avatar of Hell

First Appearance: Ghost Rider (Vol. 6) #30 (February, 2009)

Yoshio Kannabe was a Japanese Ghost Rider who was guided by a 'Caretaker'. After serving as a Ghost Rider for an unknown period of time his Caretaker died and Yoshio discovered Danny Ketch, another Ghost Rider, standing over his body. Ketch claimed that the old man had committed suicide rather than admit to him where his power truly came from, Yoshio did not believe him and the two entered into battle. Ketch easily defeated him and removed his Spirit, seemingly leaving him insane. His appearance was that of an oni demon with a flaming skull. He wielded an oni kanabō (metal club) made of hellfire.

Carry a Big Stick: Wields a kanbo, a spiked mace associated with the Oni of Japanese mythology.
Oni: His Ghost Rider form looks like a flaming Oni-head.

Shark Rider