The Ghost Rider is a Marvel Comics character known for his fiery skull, motorcycle, and the ability to exact vengeance. Several characters have taken on the mantle of Ghost Rider, but the most famous is Johnny Blaze. Here's his story and how he becomes the Ghost Rider.
### Origin of Johnny Blaze as Ghost Rider
Johnny Blaze first appeared in *Marvel Spotlight* #5 in 1972, created by writer Gary Friedrich and artist Mike Ploog. Johnny is a skilled motorcycle stuntman who works at a carnival.
### Tragic Beginnings
Johnny Blaze's life is marked by tragedy from an early age. He loses his parents in a motorcycle accident and is adopted by Crash Simpson, a renowned stunt motorcyclist, and his wife, Mona. Johnny grows up in the Simpson family and develops a strong bond with Crash and his daughter, Roxanne.
### The Deal with the Devil
When Crash Simpson is diagnosed with terminal cancer, Johnny is desperate to save the man who raised him. He turns to the occult, hoping to find a way to cure Crash. In his desperation, Johnny summons the demon Mephisto, who is essentially Marvel's version of the Devil. Mephisto offers Johnny a deal: in exchange for his soul, Mephisto will cure Crash's cancer.
Believing he has no other choice, Johnny agrees to the deal. Mephisto cures Crash's cancer, but in a cruel twist of fate, Crash dies in a motorcycle accident shortly afterward. Mephisto then reveals the true price of the deal: Johnny’s soul.
### Transformation into the Ghost Rider
Despite the intervention of Roxanne, who professes her love for Johnny and disrupts the soul transfer, Johnny is still partially bound to Mephisto. As a result, Johnny is transformed into the Ghost Rider, a supernatural being with a flaming skull, hellfire powers, and a mystical motorcycle.
### Powers and Abilities
As the Ghost Rider, Johnny Blaze possesses several supernatural abilities:
- **Hellfire Manipulation**: He can generate and control hellfire, a mystical flame that burns the soul.
- **Penance Stare**: This ability forces victims to experience all the pain they have caused others.
- **Enhanced Strength and Durability**: Ghost Rider has superhuman strength and resilience, making him nearly invulnerable to conventional harm.
- **Mystical Chain**: He wields a chain that he can control telekinetically and imbue with hellfire.
### The Eternal Struggle
Johnny Blaze’s life as the Ghost Rider is one of eternal struggle. He battles demons, supernatural entities, and evildoers while constantly seeking to free himself from Mephisto’s influence. His quest for redemption and justice defines his existence, making him a tragic and complex character.
### Major Story Arcs
1. **"Ghost Rider: Hell on Wheels"**: This storyline explores Johnny’s initial battles against Mephisto and various supernatural threats.
2. **"Ghost Rider: Road to Damnation"**: Johnny must thwart a plot that could bring Hell to Earth while dealing with his own inner demons.
3. **"Ghost Rider: Heaven's on Fire"**: Johnny teams up with other supernatural heroes to stop a war between Heaven and Hell.
