Category: Movies/TV Shows

Iron Man, Ironman or Ironmen may refer to:

People[edit]

• Nathaniel "Iron Man" Avery (1939–1985), American caddie for Arnold Palmer
• Travis Fulton (1977–2021), American mixed martial arts fighter
• Gunnar Graps (1951–2004), Estonian musician
• Mick Murphy (cyclist) (1934–2015), Irish cyclist
• Vallabhbhai Patel (1875–1950), Indian independence activist and former Deputy Prime Minister of India
• Cal Ripken Jr. (born 1960), American Major League Baseball player
• Ivan Stewart (born 1945), American off-road racing driver
• Billy Williams (born 1938), American Major League Baseball player

Films[edit]

Marvel Cinematic Universe[edit]

• Iron Man (2008 film), an American live-action film based on the Marvel character
  • Tony Stark (Marvel Cinematic Universe), the character as depicted in the media franchise
• Iron Man 2, the 2010 sequel to the film
• Iron Man 3, the 2013 sequel

Other films[edit]

• The Iron Man (serial), a 1924 film serial
• The Iron Man, or A Man of Iron, a 1925 silent film
• The Iron Man (1930 film), a 1930 animated film
• Iron Man (1931 film), directed by Tod Browning
• Iron Man (1951 film), based on the novel by W.R. Burnett
• Iron Man, or Tieren, a 1964 Chinese film about Wang Jinxi
• Tetsuo: The Iron Man, a 1989 Japanese film
• Tetsujin 28: The Movie (2005), Japanese film based on the 1956 manga series Tetsujin 28-go
• Iron Man (2009 film), a 2009 Chinese film about Wang Jinxi

Games[edit]

• Iron Man (video game), a 2008 video game based on the film
• Ironman (computer gaming), a game mode in some computer games wherein savescumming (reloading to get a better outcome) or other features such as trading with other players (in multiplayer games) are disabled
• Iron Man VR, a virtual reality video game for the PlayStation VR headset

Comics[edit]

• Iron Man, a Marvel Comics superhero
• Iron Man (comic book), the name of several comic book titles featuring the Marvel Comics character
  • List of Iron Man titles
• Iron Man (Canadian comics), a pioneering Canadian comics character
• Tetsujin 28, a character from the manga series that debuted in 1956 Tetsujin 28-go ("Iron Man No. 28")
• Bozo the Iron Man, a character from Quality Comics' series, Smash Comics

Music[edit]

• Iron Man (band), an American doom metal band
• Iron Man (Eric Dolphy album), a 1963 album by Eric Dolphy
• "Iron Man" (song), a 1970 song by Black Sabbath
• Iron Man (soundtrack), a 2008 soundtrack album
• Iron Man: The Best of Black Sabbath, a compilation album by Black Sabbath
• "Iron Man", a song by The Tansads
• Ironman (Ghostface Killah album), a 1996 album by Ghostface Killah
• The Iron Man: The Musical by Pete Townshend, an album by Pete Townshend
• "The Iron Man", a song by Tom Paxton

Sculpture and statues[edit]

• Iron:Man, a 1993 sculpture by Antony Gormley, in Birmingham, England
• Iron Man (Buddhist statue), Tibetan statue considered a forgery by experts
• Iron Man (Minnesota statue), a 1987 statue in Chisholm, Minnesota

Television[edit]

• Iron Man (anime), a 2010 television series
• Iron Man (TV series), a 1994 animated series
• Iron Man: Armored Adventures, a TV CGI animated series
• Tetsujin 28, a character from the anime series that debuted in 1960 Tetsujin 28-go ("Iron Man No. 28")
• Tetsujin 28-go (2000 TV series), based on the 1956 manga series Tetsujin 28-go
• "Iron Man" Carmichael, alter ego of Lucille Carmichael on three episodes of The Lucy Show
• The Invincible Iron Man, part of 1966 The Marvel Super Heroes cartoon series.

Literature[edit]

Fiction[edit]

• The Iron Man and the Tin Woman, a 1929 novel by Stephen Leacock
• Iron Man, a 1930 novel by William R. Burnett
• Iron Man, Iron Horse, a 1960 novel by James Keene
• The Iron Man (novel), a 1968 novel by Ted Hughes
• The Iron Man, a 1974 novel by Kay Thorpe
• "The Iron Man", a short story in the 1976 The Iron Man & Other Tales of the Ring by Robert E. Howard
• Ironman, the 19th novel in the Able Team series by Dick Stivers
• Ironman (novel), a 1995 novel by Chris Crutcher
• Iron Man, a 2008 novel by Peter David, a novelization of the 2008 film

Non-fiction[edit]

• Iron Man: The Defiant Reign of Jean Chrétien, a 2003 biography of Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien
• Iron Man: My Journey through Heaven and Hell with Black Sabbath, a 2011 autobiography by Black Sabbath founding member Tony Iommi

Magazines[edit]

• Iron Man (magazine), a bodybuilding and weight-training magazine

Sports[edit]

• Ironman Triathlon, a long-distance triathlon
  • Ironman World Championship
  • Ironman 70.3
• Iron man (sports streak), an athlete of unusual physical endurance
• Iron man match, a type of a professional wrestling match
• Ironman curling, an annual outdoor curling event in Manitoba, Canada
• Ironman football, an American football system where player substitutions were limited
  • 1926 Brown Bears football team or "the Iron Men", which used player substitutions sparingly
  • 1939 Iowa Hawkeyes football team, nicknamed the "Ironmen" because a number of Hawkeyes played 60-minute games
• Ironman (surf lifesaving), a multi-disciplinary surf lifesaving event
• Seattle Ironmen, a 1944–1952 ice hockey franchise in the Pacific Coast Hockey League
• South Wales Ironmen, the name used in the 2017 season by rugby league club West Wales Raiders
• Walsh Jesuit Ironman, a high school wrestling tournament
• Mascot of Danville High School, Danville, Pennsylvania. Usually pluralized as "the Ironmen"

Watches[edit]

• Ironman Datalink, a Timex wristwatch introduced in 1997 and marketed in conjunction with the Ironman Triathlon
• Timex Ironman, a digital wristwatch marketed in conjunction with the Ironman Triathlon

See also[edit]

• Man of Iron (disambiguation)
• Iron Woman (disambiguation)
• Steelman (disambiguation)
• Iron (disambiguation)
• Man (disambiguation)

Ghost Rider
Ghost Rider on the cover of Marvel Spotlight #5 (Aug. 1972).
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Marvel Spotlight #5 (August 1972)
Created by	Roy Thomas Gary Friedrich Mike Ploog
In-story information
Alter ego	Johnny Blaze Danny Ketch Alejandra Jones Robbie Reyes Michael Badilino Kushala
Species	Human/demon hybrid
Team affiliations	Ghost Riders Thunderbolts Midnight Sons New Fantastic Four Defenders New Avengers Dark Avengers Champions S.H.I.E.L.D.
Notable aliases	Hell King Spirit of Vengeance Zarathos Fallen Angel Zadkiel
Abilities	Zadkiel control Nigh-omnipotence Nigh-omniscience Omnipresence Reality warping Time manipulation Time travel God-like strength, speed, stamina, agility, reflexes, endurance, and durability Hellfire Manipulation Hellfire infusion Hellfire constructs Hellfire telekinesis Hellfire storm Sin manipulation Soul manipulation Soul reading Soul cleansing Soul consumption Soul mutilation Penance Stare Invulnerability Magic immunity Reality warping immunity Time manipulation immunity Self-duplication Supernatural awareness Pyrokinesis Size manipulation Magic manipulation Demon magic manipulation Necromancy Spirit possession Elemental manipulation Mystical chain projection Resurrection Immortality Regeneration Exorcism Darkness manipulation Interdimensional travel Flight (Hell Cycle) Extrasensory perception Teleportation Occultism Highly skilled motorcyclist and stuntman Expert hand-to-hand combatant

Ghost Rider is the name of multiple superheroes or antiheroes 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 sold his soul, to save the life of his foster father, agrees to give his soul to "Satan" (later revealed to be an arch-demon named Mephisto). 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 skeletal 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 ninja 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 May 2011, Ghost Rider placed 90th on IGN's "Top 100 Comic Book Heroes" list.^[1] 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 original incarnations Alphonso Mackenzie and Phil Coulson.

Fictional character biography[edit]

Johnny Blaze[edit]

Following the Western comics character who originally used the name, the first superhero Ghost Rider, Johnny Blaze, debuted in Marvel Spotlight issue #5 (Aug. 1972), created by Marvel editor-in-chief Roy Thomas,^[2] 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[edit]

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 (Dec. 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 (Feb. 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 (Jan. 2007), which reprints the last issue and the previously unpublished Ghost Rider (vol. 3) #94.^[3]

Alejandra Jones[edit]

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. She was killed by Carnage during the Absolute Carnage event.

Robbie Reyes[edit]

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.^[4][5] Robbie Reyes was created by writer/artist Felipe Smith and designed by Smith and artist Tradd Moore.^[6]

Michael Badilino[edit]

Michael Badilino, an ex-member of the New York City Police Department, is one-third of an "Organic Medallion of Power"; the other two are Ketch and Blaze (the Medallion itself was never explained in any true detail). He possesses powers more in line with those of the Zarathos version of Ghost Rider, although he also possesses the Penance Stare and his motorcycle seemed to share characteristics with the Noble Kale version. His appearance is distinguished by a deep purple skull, large fangs protruding from his upper jaw, and backswept curved horns on the top of his skull.

In his superhuman form, Badilino was called Vengeance, and originally attempted to kill the Ghost Rider, believing him to be Zarathos. Vengeance later became the ally of Ghost Rider and Johnny Blaze. Vengeance also took on the role of the Ghost Rider and even semi-seriously referred to himself by that name when confronted by Spider-Man shortly after the apparent death of Ghost Rider in battle with Zarathos and acolytes The Fallen. Vengeance killed himself, along with the villain Hellgate, by triggering a massive explosion through his Hellfire, the source of the mystical flames that encompass the bones of both Vengeance and Ghost Rider.

Vengeance reappears in the last four issues of Ghost Rider (vol. 3), involved in Blackheart's plans to kill Noble Kale. Vengeance aids the Ghost Rider in the ensuing battle, destroying Blackheart and ruling Hell during Ketch's absences.

• An Ultimate Marvel incarnation of Vengeance exists as former biker turned Vice President of the United States Robert Blackthorne and was featured as a villain in Ultimate Avengers.

Kushala[edit]

In the 19th century, while her tribe was being attacked by the U.S. Army, Kushala's parents were killed and, in an act of rage, she prayed to her creator, but instead was possessed by a Spirit of Vengeance. Then she burnt everyone until all that remained were their spirits. After becoming possessed by the Spirit of Vengeance, Kushala traveled the world seeking out and studying different forms of magic in an attempt to cure herself. Her skills in the mystic arts eventually led to her becoming the Sorcerer Supreme of her era.

Powers and abilities[edit]

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).^[7] It is possible that they are genuinely immortal, as it is said that God created them and only God can destroy them.^[8] 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).^[9] 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 recent comics, Blaze's Ghost Rider has been given the "Penance Stare" and mystical chain, both of which were specific to the Danny Ketch Ghost Rider. 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 dollar, 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. Daniel's most famous power was the Penance Stare. By locking eyes with a target and mentally focusing, the Danny Ketch Ghost Rider was able to make the target experience all the pain they had ever inflicted on anyone else. However, some beings have shown resistance to this ability, such as Venom and Carnage as their alien symbiote "costumes" do not technically have eyes; and Madcap, who is so masochistic, he claims to enjoy the experience. In the 1994 Fantastic Four animated series, this ability was shown to be powerful enough to bring down the mighty Galactus, as Ghost Rider forced Galactus to feel the pain of all those who had died as a result of his feeding on their planets; as Ghost Rider put it, "A billion souls". This display of power, though, appeared to simply be a rewrite for the animated series, as the original storyline in Fantastic Four issue 243 has Doctor Strange casting a spell that causes all of the souls of those Galactus had killed by his feedings to be visited upon him at once. Originally, this incarnation of the Ghost Rider could only be summoned if Danny was present when "innocent blood was spilled" (an innocent simply being threatened was not enough), at which time Danny had to touch the gas cap of his motorcycle for the transformation process to occur. Later, he was able to summon the Ghost Rider without touching the gas cap but still needed to wait for innocent blood to be spilled. Later still, he was able to summon the Ghost Rider by willpower alone.

Robbie Reyes

The ghost of Eli Morrow that inhabits Robbie's body is not, according to Johnny Blaze, 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.^[10] The black muscle car that Morrow's ghost initially inhabits is linked to Robbie's Ghost Rider form, allowing him to instantly teleport to and/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.^[11] 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.^[12] At the end of the fourth season of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., to prevent the Darkhold from being used again, he slung his flaming chains in the same manner as a Sling Ring, allowing him to travel and take the book with him for safekeeping.

Other Spirits of Vengeance[edit]

Naomi Kale[edit]

Naomi Kale is the mother of Johnny Blaze, Danny Ketch, and Barbara Ketch.

Noble Kale[edit]

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. But, because of the color of her skin and his father's strong 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.

Shortly after the marriage, Magdelena discovered Pastor Kale's dark secret; he was a servant of the dark lord Mephisto. To cover up Magdelena's findings, Pastor Kale accused her of witchcraft and had her burned at the stake. Knowing that his son, Noble, would object, he had him drugged, tortured and beaten in the church cellar.

Just before Magdelena died, she used a curse to summon demons that avenge wronged women. The demons were called "Furies" and they started killing the townspeople. Fearing death, Pastor Kale struck a deal with Mephisto. In return for his safety, Mephisto got Noble's soul. Mephisto realized that Noble was attached to a piece of the Medallion of Power and he activated the piece to transform Noble into the original "Spirit of Vengeance". When Ghost Rider had destroyed the Furies, Pastor offered him human flesh - Noble's son. Noble, in the guise of Ghost Rider, was unwilling to eat his own child and he killed himself.

When Mephisto later appeared to claim Noble's soul, Mephisto's brother, the archangel Uriel, appeared and demanded that the soul of Noble Kale be spared. No agreement could be reached, and therefore a compromise was made whereby Noble's soul could not be claimed by either realm; but instead, his soul would remain in the void until re-bonded with certain members of his family.^[13]

Noble Kale was also established as an ancestor of Jennifer Kale.^[14]

Ghost / The Rider[edit]

Due to the Celestial Progenitor presence influencing human evolution, in 1,000,000 B.C., certain humans became much more intelligent than others as well as able to speak a new language. However, they had to hide that gift from their brethren for fear of being ostracized. One day, a boy that was gifted with the ability to speak is approached by a mysterious stranger that also possessed that gift, only to witness the stranger transform into a beast and devour his entire tribe. The stranger allowed the boy to live and names him "Ghost" before telling him to challenge him when he is worthy. The boy was forced to survive on his own, though he does befriend a woolly mammoth. After almost dying in the harsh environment, he is approached by Mephisto in the form of a snake, who tells him to say its name. Ghost does that and is bonded with a Spirit of Vengeance; after which he imbued his newly acquired hellfire into the mammoth. Other humans had never seen someone ride an animal before and began referring to Ghost as "the Rider". The Rider continued his search and five years later, eventually caught up with the man who devoured his tribe. The man transformed once more, revealing himself to be the first Wendigo. During the fight, the Rider took the bones of the dead that the Wendigo had killed and used them to form a weapon; the earliest version of the Ghost Rider's signature chain. The Rider fought the Wendigo until finally it and the Rider's woolly mammoth tumbled over a cliff. Afterwards, Ghost was approached by Odin and Lady Phoenix to join the prehistoric version of the Avengers.^[15]

Upon imbuing his hellfire into another woolly mammoth, the Ghost Rider assisted the prehistoric Avengers (consisting of Agamotto, Odin, Lady Phoenix, and prehistoric versions of the Black Panther, Iron Fist, and Star Brand) in fighting an out of control Celestial called the Fallen; which resulted in his woolly mammoth getting killed in action. The Ghost Rider swore revenge and assisted his teammates in defeating the Fallen and sealing it away underground in what would become South Africa.^[11] The Ghost Rider later assisted the prehistoric Avengers in fighting the First Host.^[16]

Hellhawk[edit]

During the 11th century, a Native American chieftain from the Sioux nation named Hellhawk sported the powers of the Ghost Rider. He was part of Thor's Avengers of 1,000 A.D.^[17][18]

During the 17th century, Hellhawk developed a rivalry with Noble Kane.^[19] He was later killed by Narcosis to serve as a warning to Mephisto by Belasco to keep his Spirits of Vengeance out of Limbo.^[20]

The last stand of the Spirits of Vengeance[edit]

Seven riders show their flaming heads for the first time in this story arc by writer Jason Aaron and artist Tan Eng Huat. Daniel Ketch returns with a new mission: to collect the powers of all the Ghost Riders for the angel Zadkiel to prevent the corruption of the powers with their human hosts. Zadkiel has other motives he keeps to himself, for which he needs the powers of the riders to tear down the walls of New Jerusalem and wage war on the heavens.

Travis Parham[edit]

A version of Ghost Rider appeared in the miniseries Ghost Rider: Trail of Tears #1–6 (April–Sept. 2007) by writer Garth Ennis and artist Clayton Crain. Set during the American Civil War, it finds Confederate officer Travis Parham avenging the murders of his friend, an ex-slave named Caleb and Caleb's family. Parham meets a horse-riding Ghost Rider who seeks the same men. Eventually, Parham learns about the deaths instrumental in helping set forth the Spirit of Vengeance.

19th century Ghost Rider[edit]

During the 19th century, an unnamed Ghost Rider was active during the American frontier. He targeted anyone who killed Native American women and children or who cut off their scalps.^[19]

Deputy Kowalski[edit]

Deputy Kowalski was a normal cop in a small town until Ghost Rider rode in one day. It was then that Kowalski was kidnapped by a local cannibal who cut off his hand. Events transpired that led to Kowalski escaping and developing a wrath against the Ghost Rider. His attention was brought to the hellfire shotgun in possession of Badilino. After purchasing the gun—and discovering to Badilino's surprise that it will work for Kowalski—Kowalski was recruited by agents of Zadkiel and told to wait in the middle of the desert for the Ghost Rider. Johnny Blaze (as Ghost Rider) did arrive in hot pursuit of Danny Ketch (as a new incarnation of Ghost Rider). Kowalski did manage to get a shot in on Blaze. Although it was a minor setback Blaze resumed his pursuit of Ketch. Left in the desert Kowalski soon found himself transformed into the new Vengeance, sporting green flames and a hook for his right hand, after Ketch returned the powers of the Spirits of Vengeance to Earth.^{[volume & issue needed]}

With a thirst for revenge, Kowalski, as Vengeance, was recruited by Blackout as a member of Zadkiel's Ghost Rider Assassination League.^[21] Kowalski was partnered with The Orb and was to stop Blaze and Ketch from reaching a monastery which contained a gateway to Heaven. Kowalski was easily defeated by both Ghost Riders and was left as a pet with the monastery's Mother Superior.^[22]

Vengeance was later freed by the Shadow Council and joins the ninth incarnation of the Masters of Evil.^[23]

Supporting characters[edit]

Roxanne Simpson-Blaze

Deceased wife of Johnny Blaze, revived as Black Rose by Blackheart.

Caretaker

An immortal man and ally to Ketch, member of the Blood.

Craig "Crash" Simpson

Roxanne's father and owner of one of the country's most popular motorcycle expedition shows, "Crash Simpson's Daredevil Cycle Show". One of his star performers and friends was cyclist Barton Blaze.^[24]

Daniel

The youngest brother of Kazaan and Malachi, loyal to God.^[25]

Ruth

A murderous angel from Heaven tasked to hunt and captures the rogue fallen angel Kazann.

Witch Woman

An Arizonan Apache Indian woman named Linda Littletrees who made a deal with Mephisto.^[26]

Malachi

A brother of Kazann and angelic commander. He returned the Ghost Rider to the mortal plane after being trapped in Hell to hunt down Kazaan with his brother Daniel's help and to win favor with God.^[27]

Shriker

Jack D'Auria, an old friend of Danny Ketch and student of Yuri Watanabe who became an unrequited ally for Ketch against his foes.^[28]

Sister Sara

The granddaughter of the Caretaker.

Mary Le Bow

A Brooklyn paranormal investigator who has unrequited love for Danny.^[29]

Uri-El

An angel of Heaven who is called the "bane of all demons".^[30]

Gabriel Reyes

The handicapped brother of Robbie who helped raise him after their mother Juliana's death.^[31]

Barbara Ketch

Sister of Danny and Johnny, daughter of Barton Blaze. Her death inspired Danny to become Ghost Rider.^[32]

Barton Blaze

The late father of Johnny Blaze, friend of Crash.

Stacy Dolan

Childhood friend and love interest of Danny and Jack D'Auria, daughter of NYPD Captain Arthur.^[32]

Talia Warroad

A young goth agent who appeared as a new ally of Johnny and eventually became his lover.

Enemies[edit]

Aqueduct (formerly Water Wizard)

A former soldier who gained the power to control water and was hired to kill Ghost Rider. He became a frequent opponent to the hero afterwards.

Black Rose

Johnny Blaze's wife Roxanne Simpson-Blaze, who was revived as a servant for Blackheart and later married Ghost Rider Noble Kale.

Blackheart

Mephisto's son, Blackheart, created a group of Spirits of Vengeance to battle Ghost Rider in the hopes of conquering Hell. Instead, Ghost Rider Noble Kale defeats him and takes over his portion of Hell. He is the main antagonist in the 2007 film Ghost Rider.

Blackout

A Lilin who worked under Deathwatch that frequently crossed swords with Ghost Rider. After the hero burned him to disfigurement, Blackout learned his secret identity and began killing his loved ones and acquaintances. Blackout appears as a henchman of Mephisto in the 2012 film Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance.

Centurious the Soulless Man

A servant of Mephisto who sought to battle Zarathos, Centurious was the head of the Firm and targeted Ghost Rider for his association with the demon.

Deacon

An agent of Zadkiel given immense power to destroy Ghost Rider.

Deathwatch

Daniel Ketch's archenemy. A Translord from an unknown demonic dimension posing as a crime boss in New York in an attempt to murder its residents. He later died at the hands of Ghost Rider, then was resurrected as a servant for Centurious.

Doghead

Francisco Fuentes was an acquaintance of Danny Ketch who was murdered while walking his dog, Chupi. He was resurrected by Blackheart, merged with Chupi, and became his servant.

Death Ninja

An agent of Centurious who infiltrated Deathwatch's ranks and frequently battled Ghost Rider.

Dormammu

A Faltine from another dimension who battles Ghost Rider in videogames.

Hag and Troll

Demons under Deathwatch; they were his most loyal servants.

Hoss

A demon tracker. Became an ally of the Ghost Rider in search of the angel Malachi, and known for driving a red Cadillac.

Kid Blackheart

The future Antichrist who hoped to enter Heaven and destroy it.

Exhaust

a parasite that transformed into an evil version of ghost rider

Lilith the Mother of All Demons

An ancient immortal sorceress from Atlantis, Lilith gave birth to the Lilin over the centuries and was imprisoned until recently. Upon her freedom, she discovered many of her kind had been murdered by the Spirits of Vengeance and sought their demise. Her four most loyal children are Pilgrim, Nakota, Meatmarket, and Blackout.

Lucifer

Lucifer, like the other Hell-lords, sought to remove the human component from the Ghost Rider in the hope it would become a mindless killing machine that would eliminate humanity. However, Ghost Rider proved too strong and Lucifer was exiled to Perdition. Later, Lucifer would be the demon-lord charged with torturing Zadkiel for all eternity.

Madcap

A lunatic cursed with immortality and enhanced healing capabilities, Madcap has fought several of New York's heroes, with Ghost Rider one of his more frequent opponents.

Mephisto

Johnny Blaze's archenemy. A demon who posed as the devil to claim Johnny Blaze's soul. Mephisto is the one responsible for bringing Ghost Rider into Johnny's life. Ghost Rider, however, is able to resist the evil that overcame him long ago, and is now able to use his powers for good no matter what. Angered, Mephisto sought revenge against Ghost Rider, and now constantly tries to win his creation back. Mephisto appears under the name Mephistopheles in the 2007 film Ghost Rider.

Orb

Crash Simpson's (mentor to Johnny Blaze) partner in his traveling motorcycle stunt show, Drake Shannon lost most of his face in a challenge against Crash for the business. Given an eyeball-like helmet by They Who Wield Power that was able to hypnotize others, he returned to try and reclaim the stunt show, but was foiled by Ghost Rider. He would return as one of Ghost Rider's most frequent enemies.

Scarecrow

A contortionist, Ebenezer Laughton decided to use his gifts as a thief. In time, he would turn to murder, eventually being brought into conflict with Ghost Rider and nearly killed from the encounter. The Firm turned him into an undead creature, bearing superhuman abilities and able to induce fear in others (whose fear could heal his wounds), setting him upon the Spirit of Vengeance again (and becoming a frequent foe).

Steel Vengeance

Steel Wind's sister, Sadae Tsumura gave her soul to Centurious to save her sister after an encounter with Ghost Rider left her comatose. Sadae was turned into Steel Vengeance, a cyborg bent on killing Ghost Rider.

Steel Wind

Following a freak explosion, Ruriko Tsumura was remade as a cyborg by Freakmaster and challenged Johnny Blaze at the Quentin Carnival in cycling, defeating him and earning a place amongst them. However, she ran the business into the ground and battled Ghost Rider, leaving her comatose. She was rehabilitated by Centurious and used as his agent. In time, she would, instead, become Ghost Rider's ally.

Vengeance

A Spirit of Vengeance, Lt. Michael Badilino sold his soul to Mephisto to gain the power to destroy Ghost Rider (who he blamed for the death of his family). When he learned it was instead Zarathos, he became Ghost Rider's ally.

Zadkiel

A renegade archangel who sought to usurp Heaven due to his hatred for God's admiration of humanity. Using Ghost Rider to kill other Spirits of Vengeance to empower himself, Zadkiel took the throne and cast out Ghost Rider. The hero would return with the dead Spirits of Vengeance to defeat Zadkiel and imprison him in Hell for all eternity.

Zarathos

A demon bound to Johnny Blaze by Mephisto to become the Ghost Rider. He would, however, come to exert control over the entity, but ultimately would be separated from Blaze in the conflict against Centurious. He later renewed his alliance with Lilith.

Alternate versions