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A new Ghost Rider is coming to Marvel Comics, as the publisher teases a fresh era for the Spirit of Vengeance. Ever since the mammoth-riding caveman hero of 1,000,000 BC, there has been a Ghost Rider in Marvel lore, and now a new hero will take up the mantle.
In a new press release, Marvel has revealed that March 2024 will see the beginning of a new Ghost Rider series from Benjamin Percy and Danny Kim. So far, very little is known, but Marvel has shared Juan Ferreyra's cover, along with the phrase "Who is the new Spirit of Vengeance?"
Currently, the Ghost Rider title is held by its most iconic and original bearer, the former stunt driver Johnny Blaze. However, as Blaze tangles with the Cult of Mephisto, things are about to change. Marvel says:
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.
A New Ghost Rider Takes the Mantle
Johnny Blaze's Fight Against the Cult of Mephisto Will Have Consequences
The Spirit of Vengeance is an ancient spirit that embodies the cosmic need to punish evil deeds, and has almost limitless power to visit suffering on the deserving. However, the Spirit is so powerful and so ruthless, it requires a human host to balance its thirst for revenge with morality and compassion - otherwise, it would avenge every minor moment of misbehavior with hellfire. As Marvel's most potent demonic force, Mephisto has repeatedly meddled with the Spirit of Vengeance's path, and now it seems the Cult of Mephisto will carry on this grand tradition, with the summary for the upcoming Ghost Rider #21 speculating what stopping the cult means for the future of the Ghost Rider, and asking "Could this be the end of an era?" Jan Bazaldua's cover art shows Johnny Blaze's flaming head going out in a plume of smoke.
Talia Warroad Is the Obvious Candidate for New Ghost Rider
Johnny Blaze's Ally May Be Destined for the Role
Strangely, if Talia does become Ghost Rider, she will be the second former SHIELD agent to replace a lethal Marvel hero in months - assassin Joe Garrison just became Marvel's new Punisher, following Frank Castle's exile to Weirdworld. Ghost Rider and Punisher have a long history of working together, and it would be cool to see Talia and Joe team-up as the deadly 'new kids' in the Marvel Universe.
Punisher and Ghost Rider have the same cosmic origin. Defenders Beyond revealed the existence of 'Of-Vengeance' - an archetypal god from an earlier version of the universe. Of-Vengeance is the mystical forerunner to Ghost Rider and Punisher, and the design of each hero comes from the skull-headed god.
Who is the new Ghost Rider, will they be a hero, and what vehicle will they choose for this new era of adventure? Marvel promises more news in the weeks to come, as a new Ghost Rider takes their place in Marvel lore.