Ghost Rider’s next host revealed to be “iconic super villain”… the Hood?

Announced a short time back, Ghost Rider’s next host will indeed be a villain, but calling him “iconic” might be a little bit of a stretch.

He looks cool, we’ll give ’em that

So just to recap, a few months ago Marvel Comics announced that Johnny Blaze would be losing his grasp on the Spirit of Vengeance. That would happen in the very same special series that would see the rise of the next host.

At the time, Marvel stated that this new Rider would be a villain, and one who’s pretty well known. As things have shaken out though, that’s only half true.

He’s a bad guy for sure, don’t get us wrong, though saying he’s a staple one would be a massive overstatement. And yes, as you can see here, we’re talking about the Hood. A minor villain who has had a recent run-in with Blaze, the Hood will be gaining the demonic powers of Ghost Rider thanks to a deal with what sounds like Mephisto,

Ghost Rider writer Benjamin Percy will team with artist Danny Kim for this new tale, which will begin with Ghost Rider: Final Vengeance in March.

Armed with a demonic cloak and dark mystical abilities, Parker Robbins’ undying lust for more power and fortune has made one of the Marvel Universe’s dangerous threats. Now with the Spirit of Vengeance claiming what’s left of his soul, there’s no stopping his bloody takeover of the criminal underworld. By the time Johnny Blaze is able to claw his way back from the abyss to reclaim the Spirit of Vengeance, it’ll be far too late!

Joining Percy will be artist Danny Kim who delivered a terrifying showdown between Ghost Rider and the Hood in last year’s Ghost Rider Annual #1. The rising star has designed a brand-new look for the Hood/Ghost Rider that is sure to strike fear into reader’s hearts!

“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.”

Marvel Comics press release

The action will begin in March’s first issue of Final Vengeance, with the Hood fully becoming Ghost Rider in April’s #2. If you read the above carefully though, it doesn’t sound like the door will be shut on Johnny Blaze by any degree. As Marvel also notes right in the release, “By the time Johnny Blaze is able to claw his way back from the abyss to reclaim the Spirit of Vengeance, it’ll be far too late!”

So basically, don’t count the original skull-head out.