Ghost Rider’smost extreme redesign offers a surprisingly perfect method for reinventing the character for an MCU adaptation. Eventually, a future Phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe will see the Spirit of Vengeance brought back to the big screen, and when that happens,Ghost Rider’s redesign from 1998’sTimeslipwould the perfect way to pull it off.
Ghost Rider’s redesign was part of Marvel’sTimeslippublishing initiative, which sought to deliver readers bold new takes on some of Marvel’s biggest characters, by top talent of the day. For Ghost Rider’s reinvention, Marvel tapped artist Glenn Fabry to breathe new life into the Spirit of Vengeance, who became a sheriff, patroling the literal highway to hell.
TheTimeslipGhost Rider Would Be Perfect For The MCU
Timeslipwas published asa series of two-page spreadsinMarvel Visionmagazine, with each detailing the classic version of a character, as well as theradical new conceptualizationby a prominent artist. Ghost Rider’s spread explains that Danny Ketch, afterdiscovering the power of Ghost Rider,is whisked away to Route 666, a road used by demons and evil spirits to escape to Earth.
As the Ghost Rider, Danny Ketch must patrol Route 666, with his faithful deputy Chucky, a condemned soul in tow. Together, they are tasked with keeping the forces of evil in check, and away from our plane of existence.
Ghost Rider Has Been In The MCU – Sort Of
Aside from Nicolas Cage starring as Johnny Blaze in two live-action movies, and a separate incarnation of Ghost Rider being introduced onAgents of SHIELD, Ghost Rider’s on-screen presence has been limited. While the Cage films fared well with fans, critics were not kind, and there are no plans to make a third entry.
A different Ghost Rider, this time muscle-car driving Robbie Reyes, appeared in episodes ofAgents of SHIELD.While the program was advertised as being integral to the MCU, very few elements of it have been acknowledged since the show’s conclusion. Thus, the status of Ghost Rider in the MCU is uncertain.
Should the MCU decide to bring the Spirit of Vengeance back to the screen, then Fabry’s gruesome reimagining might just be the way to do it. Fabry’s take on the character is unique, transforming Ghost Rider into a demonic sheriff of sorts, riding Route 666 and ensuring that evil does not escape. As revealed in theTimeslipspread, this new Ghost Rider also returns the souls of those who have crossed over earlier.
15 Most Powerful Ghost Rider Variants In Marvel Comics
A new Ghost Rider variant, the All-Rider, challenges the iconic character’s other versions for the most powerful spirit of vengeance.
The magical side of the MCU is still being explored, and this incarnation of Ghost Rider would be an excellent way to expand this section of the universe. Numerous evil creatures and demons from comic book lore could be introduced in such a fashion. A new take on Ghost Rider, one that breaks with past traditions – much like Glenn Fabry’s redesign – could be used to suit the purposes of the larger cinematic universe.
Even more simply,Ghost Rideris too cool a character to let languish. He needs to return to the MCU in some form – and hisdarkTimeslipredesignmay be the perfect way to do it.
