Marvel's Original Ghost Rider Returns in Explosive New Series
Warning! Potential spoilers for Ghost Rider #1 by Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics has revealed the next creative team to take on Ghost Rider, as Benjamin Percy and Cory Smith will be tackling a new series starring the Spirit of Vengeance next year. On Wednesday, Marvel revealed that Johnny Blaze's Ghost Rider would be starring in a brand new comic that's being teased as the character's"most explosive era yet."
Earlier this week, Marvel Comics declared next year the "Year of the Vengeance," promising more tales of different Ghost Riders in 2022. Only one Ghost Rider currently stars in their own series; Kushala, the Spirit Rider, has an eight-part Infinity Comic, Ghost Rider: Kushala, on Marvel Unlimted. Meanwhile, Robbie Reyes is a key part of the Avengers. The Ghost Rider of 1,000,000 BCE has shown up in both the Avengers and Eternals comics. Elsewhere, Johnny Blaze and Danny Ketch starred in the last Ghost Rider titled book, which was canceled after seven issues. Marvel's first big announcement as part of its "Year of Vengeance" is a new Blaze book that promises horror and action.
In a press release, Marvel Comics revealed Benjamin Percy (Wolverine) and Cory Smith (Conan The Barbarian) are teaming up for a new Ghost Rider ongoing series. The series will take Johnny Blaze back to his seemingly "perfect life," with his wife and two kids. But, when the small-town auto shop mechanic sleeps, he has nightmares of monsters. Then, when he's awake, he sees "bloody visions." Marvel teases that there's a "spirit in him that's begging to break out." Check out the cover for issue one by Kael Ngu.
Percy, who's currently writing both X-Force and Wolverine for Marvel Comics, said that his horror roots meant that he was very familiar with Ghost Rider. He called the hero "the most heavy metal character in all of comics" while teasing a "terrifying future packed with mystery, action, and shadow-soaked emotion."
Ghost Rider is arguably the best designed, but inarguably, the most heavy metal character in all of comics. It would be badass to write this series at any point in my life, but launching on the 50th anniversary feels especially (un)holy. Cory Smith is killing it on art, and we're going to honor the past while burning rubber into a terrifying future packed with mystery, action, and shadow-soaked emotion. Prepare yourself for the ultimate in road horror.
Smith also expressed enthusiasm about taking on the Ghost Rider, as he said the character has always been a favorite of his and that the project is a "dream come true."
I'm incredibly excited to be riding shotgun with Ben Percy as we bring Ghost Rider screaming into his 50th anniversary,” Smith adds. “As a comic nerd and a horror nerd, Ghost Rider has always been a favorite of mine so this project is a dream come true. Johnny Blaze, the Spirit of Vengeance is BACK. We're firing on all cylinders and I can't wait for everyone to see the hellfire we're bringing! It's about to get crazy!
From the accounts of Percy and Smith, it seems Ghost Rider's new series is going to be one hell of a ride for the hero. Hopefully, more Ghost Riders also pop up in the series, as the main arc focuses on Blaze's adventures. Readers will see Johnny Blaze and the Spirit of Vengeance back in action when Ghost Rider #1 by Marvel Comics arrives in comic book stores in February 2022.