Marvel’s Villainous New ‘Ghost Rider’ Stands Revealed
by Tony Thornley
Later this winter, a new, familiar face is taking the mantle of the Spirit of Vengeance in Ghost Rider: Final Vengeance. Now we know who it is, and their identity should be absolutely chilling to any Marvel Comics fan.
About twenty years ago, Marvel Comics introduced The Hood, a small time criminal named Parker Robbins who ascended in the criminal underworld thanks to a demonic cloak and other magical tools. He’s become one of the most enduring villains in the Marvel Universe- and not in a good way.
Longtime Ghost Rider writer Benjamin Percy continues his run on the character with rising star Danny Kim in this volume. This isn’t the first time a new rider has replaced Johnny Blaze as the host of the spirit of vengeance. This is however, the first time it’s been one of Marvel’s most wanted, changing the entire dynamic of the mission of Ghost Rider. Robbins is just plain one of the scariest villains in Marvel’s pantheon, which makes this change even more interesting.
“Some villains you know all too well. Doctor Doom. Thanos. Mephisto. But I find it especially fun to bring the lesser known baddies out of the shadows and give them a shot at a starring role. That’s what I did with Omega Red during X Lives of Wolverine/X Deaths of Wolverine—and that’s what I’m doing now with Ghost Rider,” Percy explained. “The Hood wants a taste of the big-time. And he’s made a deal with the devil to help him on his way. This is what happens when the Spirit of Vengeance is stripped from Johnny Blaze and grafted on to a character who has no moral compass. An epic crime saga—flavored with horror—awaits readers in Ghost Rider: Final Vengeance.”
Check out the cover to the second issue to the new series from artist Juan Ferreyra and the design sheet from Kim, and watch for Ghost Rider: Final Vengeance on March 13 from Marvel Comics.
