Though there have been numerous Ghost Riders in the history of Marvel Comics, the name most commonly associated with the burning face is Johnny Blaze, the original Rider. Introduced in the Bronze Age of comics, Blaze remains the most popular incarnation of the Spirit of Vengeance, even if this has meant cribbing concepts from other Riders.
Now starring in a brand new monthly series, Johnny Blaze is once again being recognized as Marvel’s most prominent Ghost Rider. While it might seem like pure nostalgia, there are a number of factors that fuel Johnny’s blazing hellfire.
Johnny Blaze Represents the Era Of Ghost Rider's Birth
Johnny Blaze was introduced back when mainstream horror comics such as Vampire Tales, Swamp Thing and Tomb of Dracula were becoming prominent at Marvel and DC. There was also a growing wave of “exploitation” characters being introduced such as Shang-Chi, Luke Cage and the Immortal Iron Fist.
Johnny Blaze’s Ghost Rider combined these traits, infusing horror with a bit of 1970s motorcycle and carnival stunt mayhem. He embodies these concepts more than the other Riders, and given that these elements are a bit more “politically correct” than those of other characters from the era, he’s been allowed to retain them and stay true to his original vision.
Johnny Blaze Has Cribbed the Best Elements of Other Ghost Riders
Johnny Blaze may be the original Ghost Rider, but he didn’t invent many of the most recognized ideas associated with the character. The Rider’s iconic Penance Stare was introduced in the 1990s with the Danny Ketch Ghost Rider. Since then, the power has been intrinsic with the character, and when Johnny Blaze became Ghost Rider again, he also began using the powerful ability.
The same ironically goes for Ghost Rider’s mode of transportation. Back when Blaze was the only hot-head this side of Hell, his bikes were fairly normal. Even when he summoned one made of hellfire, it still appeared relatively normal. It was once again Danny Ketch who pioneered the imagery of the more stylish motorcycles that featured the hellfire wheels that have now become synonymous with the character. Ketch was also the one who first began using fiery chains as a weapon. The imagery caught on, and has since been incorporated into Blaze's arsenal.
The Nicolas Cage Ghost Rider Movies Featured Johnny Blaze
For better or worse, the Nicholas Cage Ghost Rider movies were some of the character’s biggest breaks outside of the comics. Even though they aren't connected to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, they're arguably more mainstream than the appearance of the Robbie Reyes Ghost Rider in Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. a few years back.
Given the star power of Nicholas Cage, many audiences now associate the character with his portrayal. Since that version was Johnny Blaze, it stands to reason that Marvel would continue bringing the character back to the comics.
Johnny Blaze Is To Ghost Rider What Barry Allen Is to The Flash
The franchise as a whole has essentially revolved around Johnny Blaze to a certain degree. The Carter Slade Ghost Rider was retconned into being a Ghost Rider after Johnny Blaze's introduction, and he became something of a Jay Garrick-type figure. On top of that, it was later revealed Danny Ketch is in fact the brother of Johnny Blaze, making the latter even more important in the mythos. To top this off, Blaze has even become the King of Hell, sitting atop a throne of fire.
This is very similar to how the mythos of The Flash and characters like Wally West and Jay Garrick began to worship Barry Allen more and more since his resurrection. The Flash: Rebirth even had Jay Garrick state that Barry made him The Flash. Thus, with this similar level of deification, it's pretty obvious why Marvel can't get enough of Johnny Blaze. This being the "beginning" point of the legacy means that both comics and the MCU will have to introduce and focus on Blaze, even if they later introduce other Riders. After all, he is the most venerable out of anyone who has ever taken up the title, and their history is irrevocably connected to the original Ghost Rider.