WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Ghost Rider #7, by Ed Brisson, Aaron Kudder, Jason Keith and VC's Joe Caramagna, on sale now.
Ghost Rider is one of the most nightmarish figures in the Marvel Universe, capable of sprouting flames from his bones, wielding chains infused with Hellfire and dragging out people's darkest nightmares from the pits of their souls. However, one of Ghost Rider's more horrific abilities has turned out to have one drawback that might put the rest of the universe at risk.
Recently, Johnny Blaze replaced Mephisto as the King of Hell, putting him on the hunt for multiple demons who had escaped from the underworld. While the Penance Stare remains one of Ghost Rider's signature abilities -- allowing him to inflict the same sins upon a soul which they perpetuated against others in life -- Blaze has demonstrated a new, even more horrifying power: The Damnation Stare.
This ability allows Ghost Rider to send a soul worthy of Hell straight there, cementing them in the depths of the inferno. On a normal person, this issues divine judgement. However, this power comes with a dangerous cost.
He Who Fights Monsters
In Ghost Rider #7, the titular character is under the complete manipulation of Mephisto and he beats Doctor Strange to a pulp. Strange reveals Ghost Rider's new ability, when used on a demon, has a dark side effect. A demon worthy of being condemned to Hell will be sent down to the inferno from whence they came. However, a fragment of their essence will pass through Blaze and linger in him. This essence is, as Strange puts it, their "wickedness."
Because Ghost Rider has used his Damnation Stare over and over again on escaped demons, his entire mind has been bombarded by demonic essence. This corruption has turned him into an instrument of Mephisto, whose demonic influence has allowed him to manipulate Ghost Rider into becoming his personal soldier.
Ghost Rider has sprouted new horns, allows his hellfire essence to flare out uncontrollably and experiences a paranoid mania that makes him think every hero is against him -- save for the obviously evil Mephisto. This works in Mephisto's favor, as he continuously makes Ghost Rider attack his friends.
Libera te Tutemet ex Inferis
Before Ghost Rider can do too much damage, several heroes including the Punisher, Wolverine and former Ghost Rider, Danny Ketch, arrive in the knick of time. Now the Spirit of Corruption, Danny trades blows with the demon-crazy Johnny Blaze. Danny manages to impale Ghost Rider on the edge of his sword, putting him down.
The Spirit of Corruption almost kills Johnny, but Wolverine holds him back and Doctor Strange steps in to exorcise the demonic essence from Johnny's body -- though he does not exorcise the Spirit of Vengeance from him. Johnny almost dies, but manages to revive himself after a few seconds of unconsciousness.
What this reveals is Johnny's extreme vulnerability when using his new demonic powers. He will need to figure out a new way to fight demons if he seeks to continue ruling Hell. However, as he speeds off on his motorcycle, dragging Mephisto by his cape, he also heads toward a war with the remainder of Hell's Earthly residents, including his nemesis Blackheart.