Longtime Marvel Comics editor and writer Roy Thomas revealed that Ghost Rider almost had a very different design.
Speaking with ComicBook.com, the legendary creator explained that the decision to give Ghost Rider a flaming skull was never something that the creative team discussed. Thomas, who was the editor for the character's first appearance in Marvel Spotlight #5 by Gary Friedrich and Mike Ploog, said that it was added later in the developmental process. "The one part I know was entirely Ploog's idea is the flame around the Ghost Rider's skull, since Mike added that while he was drawing the character as I described him," said Thomas. Ploog just thought that the design would look better if he was on fire, "which it did," Thomas said.
The development of Ghost Rider is littered with happy accidents and creative changes. The character was originally intended to be a villain for Daredevil, but later became the lead in his own story once Thomas, Friedrich and Ploog realized his greater potential. Capitalizing on the trends of the early '70s, Johnny Blaze was a stunt motorcycle driver who made a deal with the demon Mephisto in exchange for the life of his surrogate father. He took the name Ghost Rider, a title originally used by one of Marvel's Old West heroes. From there, the character took off and never looked back.
In the decades since Johnny's debut, many different people have become the Spirit of Vengeance. In the '90s, Danny Ketch took over Ghost Rider and had the longest-running series in the character's history. In 2011, Alejandra Jones became the first woman to helm her own Ghost Rider series. A few years later, Robbie Reyes starred in All-New Ghost Rider. Though his book was short-lived, the character proved popular enough to be featured on Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Currently, the legacy of Ghost Rider continues with the character of Spirit Rider. Kushala is both the Spirit of Vengeance and the Sorcerer Supreme of the mid-1800s. She is also the lead character in her own Marvel Unlimited Infinity comic series by B. Earl, Guillermo Sanna Bauza, Jeffrey Veregge and Black Eyed Peas member Taboo.
In 2022, Marvel will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Johnny Blaze's first appearance in Marvel Spotlight #5 with "The Year of Vengeance." To commemorate the occasion, the publisher will be releasing a new Ghost Rider ongoing series. Though there's no word yet on who will be the central focus of that book, one thing is for sure -- their skull will be flaming.
Source: ComicBook.com