Last year, Marvel teased that a new Ghost Rider would ride into the Marvel Universe. Now, the publisher has confirmed who that new Rider will be. As Johnny Blaze gears up to lose the Spirit of Vengeance in this year’s Ghost Rider: First Vengeance, a villain is about to pick up the mantle. Parker Robbins, AKA The Hood, is getting the flaming skull and the power-up that comes with being the flaming Rider. While The Hood was already a powerful foe with an arsenal of powers all his own, this is about to make the villain an even bigger threat.
A New Ghost Rider Rides
Writer Benjamin Percy is more than eager to bring a “lesser known” villain to the forefront of Marvel. Of course, Doctor Doom, Thanos, or even Mephisto would have made a great new Ghost Rider. However, Percy finds it more fun to put a smaller baddie in the seat. After all, the big villains started out as nobodies before they got their shot to make a name for themselves. Something Percy has already done with Omega Red in his X Lives of Wolverine/X Deaths of Wolverine. Now, it’s the Hood’s turn.
To make it to the “big leagues” of villainy, The Hood makes a deal with the devil. This kicks off a chain of events that causes Johnny Blaze to lose the Spirit of Vengeance. Now, The Hood holds the power of Ghost Rider and lacks a moral compass. This leads to a crime spree of epic and scary proportions that will shake up the Marvel Universe.
New Rider Means New Look
Of course, a new Ghost Rider means a whole new look. This time, the flaming skull gains inspiration from its new wielder. The cover for Ghost Rider: Final Vengeance #2 gives us a good look at The Hood’s version of the titular hero. While the villain maintains his soon-to-be iconic red cloak, the Spirit of Vengeance has adorned its shoulders with flaming spikes. The villain also now carries a gun filled with fire, complete with a skull on the barrel. It is definitely one of the cooler Ghost Rider looks the Marvel Universe has seen.
This new Ghost Rider saga kicks off in Ghost Rider: Final Vengeance #1. While Blaze used his demonic powers for good, the Rider within wanted to exact bloody and horrific vengeance on anything and anyone it deemed guilty. This led to a rift between Blaze and his new Spirit that has been a source of problems for the hero. While things were finally starting to settle down, The Hood is ready to mess things up by usurping the Rider and letting it run free.
The extra-sized first issue hits stands on 03/13.
