Best Ghost Rider Comics

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The concept of legacy is central to many comic book superheroes, and that’s especially true for Ghost Rider. What makes Ghost Rider unique is that this legacy extends across two different types of comics and two separate publishing companies.

The original Ghost Rider first appeared in 1947 in supernatural western comics published by Magazine Enterprises. The story followed Rex Fury, a gunslinger caught between life and death, who was trained by the spirits of famous Old West lawmen. They equipped him with a white costume and horse, allowing him to continue fighting crime as the Ghost Rider. Twenty years later, after the original copyright expired, Marvel Comics brought the character back with a new identity: Carter Slade.

There’s some debate about who first came up with the idea, but Marvel introduced a new Ghost Rider in 1972. This version, a motorcycle-riding hero with a flaming skull and real supernatural abilities, became the most well-known and popular. He also inspired other heroes who became connected to the Spirits of Vengeance.

Best Ghost Rider Comics as of October 2025

Ghost Rider has starred in many popular comic book series, most of which lean more towards scary horror than typical superhero stories. Some versions, like Cosmic Ghost Rider, have even gone beyond that. Different series have also paired Ghost Rider with other heroes who operate in the shadows, such as Blade and Morbius, all fighting for what’s right in their own way.

Ghost Rider Epic Collection, Vol. 1: Hell on Wheels

Johnny Blaze was a fearless performer with a traveling carnival, and he cherished two things above all else: pulling off amazing stunts and spending time with his family. When his adoptive father and teacher received a devastating cancer diagnosis, Johnny made a desperate deal, trading his soul to the demon Mephisto. This transformed him into the Ghost Rider – a supernatural bounty hunter who appears whenever evil forces are at work.

The initial Ghost Rider comic series was originally intended to conclude after two years. However, editor Jim Shooter didn’t approve of writer Tony Isabella’s plan for Johnny Blaze to find peace with the aid of a Jesus-like character. Instead, this character, known as “The Friend,” was revealed to be a demon. Ultimately, the first series did end in 1983 with Johnny Blaze breaking the Ghost Rider curse and retiring from the role.

This collection, ‘Hell on Wheels,’ gathers the very first stories of the Marvel character Johnny Blaze from the Epic line of comics. It includes the initial 11 issues of his 1972 series, plus the seven-part story that first introduced him in Marvel Spotlight. You’ll also find Marvel Team-Up #15, where Spider-Man and Johnny Blaze meet for the first time.

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Danny Ketch Epic Collection, Vol. 1: Vengeance Reborn

I remember when Ghost Rider came back in 1990 with a new rider! It was Danny Ketch, and the story of how he became the Spirit of Vengeance was so cool. He found this beat-up motorcycle in a junkyard with a strange symbol on it, and the moment he touched it, he turned into a flaming, skull-faced biker, just like Johnny Blaze before him. It was awesome!

This story focused more on classic superhero action, bringing Ghost Rider together with other supernatural heroes in a team called The Midnight Sons. It also explored the origins of Danny Ketch’s abilities and whether they were connected to an ancient, powerful spirit named Zarathos. Eventually, the series revealed a surprising family connection: Danny and Johnny Blaze were brothers, both burdened by a mystical curse linked to the Spirits of Vengeance.

This first collection of Danny’s Ghost Rider adventures gathers the first ten issues from the 1990 series. These issues introduce Deathwatch, who becomes Danny’s main enemy, and feature his initial meetings with the X-Men and The Punisher.

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Ghost Rider: Trail Of Tears

I’m really excited about ‘Trail of Tears’ – it’s a Ghost Rider story unlike anything I’ve seen before! It’s set during the Civil War and focuses on Travis Parham, a Confederate lieutenant who’s basically abandoned after a battle. Thankfully, a former slave named Caleb and his family find him and nurse him back to health. For two years, Travis lives with them, helping on their farm, but eventually he decides to head west to seek his fortune.

After many years, Parham revisits the people who once saved his life, only to find they’ve been killed. He learns the murders were committed by a gang of outlaws led by George Reagan, a man who used to trade slaves. Driven by a desire for revenge for Caleb and his family, Parham sets out on a journey to find justice. But he’s not the only one hunting Reagan – a mysterious, ghostly figure riding a horse wreathed in flames is also pursuing him.

Garth Ennis, the writer behind many mature and often humorous comics, takes a different approach with ‘Trail of Tears.’ This story is a dark and unsettling blend of Southern Gothic horror and Western themes. This choice makes sense given the roots of both the original and modern Ghost Rider characters.

‘Trail of Tears’ stands out because of its powerful exploration of revenge, shown through the story of Parham, this version of Ghost Rider, and especially through the incredibly unlikeable villain, George Reagan. Combined with Clayton Crain’s striking artwork, this isn’t just a fantastic Ghost Rider story—it might be the best historical comic Marvel has ever created.

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Ghost Rider By Jason Aaron Omnibus

Several writers have worked on the Ghost Rider comics, but Jason Aaron really redefined the character’s story when he began writing Volume 6 in 2008. He expanded on a key discovery made by the previous writer, Daniel Way – that Zarathos wasn’t a demon, but an angel.

As a fan, I think Jason Aaron’s first Ghost Rider story, ‘Hell-Bent & Heaven-Bound,’ is truly something special – a lot of people consider it one of the best ever! It really established what the series would be about, especially the big conflict with Zadkiel, a fallen angel who wanted to control every Ghost Rider who ever lived. What I loved most is how Aaron really got into the core of the character, creating this intense, fast-paced story that felt like an old-school action movie. He didn’t just focus on the present Rider either; he explored the entire history of the Spirits of Vengeance and all the Riders who fought against Hell before.

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All-New Ghost Rider 1: Engines of Vengeance

Raising a child with special needs is incredibly difficult, especially in a city like Los Angeles. It’s even harder when you’re a young person trying to navigate school and work – like Robbie Reyes, a teenager who’s doing just that as he cares for his sibling. This is his everyday life.

Robbie, needing money quickly, takes a company car – a Dodge Charger – for an illegal street race. During the race, he’s shot by a group of mercenaries who are after something hidden in the vehicle. Robbie miraculously survives and wakes up with strange, demonic abilities, while the Charger is now covered in mysterious flames.

When the new Ghost Rider series launched, many longtime fans were unsure about it. But Robbie Reyes, the new Ghost Rider, quickly won them over. The appearance of Johnny Blaze as a mentor, guiding Robbie with his powers, definitely helped. Now, people often compare this new version to the original 1972 Ghost Rider series, praising how it updated the character while staying true to what made the original so special.

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How we chose the Best Ghost Rider Comics

When putting together this list of the best Ghost Rider comics, we prioritized finding issues that are easy to find and read. That’s why we focused on stories that either explain Ghost Rider’s origins or tell complete, self-contained adventures. We also tried to highlight stories where Ghost Rider is the main character, rather than team-ups with other Marvel heroes. While those team-up stories can be great, we wanted this list to showcase the different versions of Ghost Rider himself.

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2025-10-20 22:09