Warning: contains potential spoilers for Ghost Rider: Final Vengeance #2!
Marvel has unleashed a new Ghost Rider, and he steps up to claim the mantle in his official, and terrifying, debut. For the first time in many years, the Spirit of Vengeance has left Johnny Blaze, seeking a new host. Its quest did not last long, as the Spirit bonded with a notorious super-villain, and in a preview for Ghost Rider: Final Vengeance #2, he announces his arrival.
Ghost Rider: Final Vengeance #2 is written by Benjamin Percy and drawn by Danny Kim. The preview opens with an unhoused man scrounging the streets of Chicago for food. Suddenly, there is an explosion in a building near him. The man runs into the burning building, searching for survivors. He finds only one person, who identifies himself as “Parker Robbins.” Parker grabs the man, telling him “but you can call me Ghost Rider.”
Amped up, the new Ghost Rider takes to the streets, marveling at just how powerful he now is.
Long-time Marvel fans will recognize the name Parker Robbins. Once a small-time criminal, Robbins had an encounter with a demon, who gave him a magical cloak. Taking the name “The Hood,” Robbins quickly worked his way up the hierarchy of villains in the Marvel Universe. In the wake of Civil War, the Hood became a de facto leader for New York’s villains. In addition to his magical cloak, the Hood has channeled power through Dormammu and even the Infinity Stones. In the case of the latter, the Hood challenged, and defeated, members of the Illuminati.
While the preview for Ghost Rider: Final Vengeance #2 does not reveal how the Hood bonded with the Spirit of Vengeance, the fact he was able to skillfully use other sources of power, and beat the Illuminati at their own game, should give the Marvel Universe pause. In the preview, the Hood comments on the power upgrade. Much like Johnny Blaze, the Hood is struggling to contain the Spirit of Vengeance, saying the power is making him forget his name. However, what is truly shocking is the Spirit of Vengeance chose a cold-blooded murderer like the Hood as its host.
The mystery of how and why the Hood became the new Ghost Rider will play out in the months ahead. The Hood’s aptitude with various sources of power almost guarantees he will be an effective Ghost Rider. The problem, however, is he lacks Johnny Blaze’s moral compass. How this will impact the Hood’s relationship with the Spirit of Vengeance remains to be seen, but it will not be good for anyone. The notion of an evil Ghost Rider, using his powers to terrorize innocent people, is a nightmare scenario for the Marvel Universe.
Ghost Rider: Final Vengeance #2 is on sale April 17 from Marvel Comics!