Cosmic Ghost Rider AKA The Punisher, Frank Castle, was imbued with the powers of the Spirit of Vengeance and the Power Cosmic. He's joined the ranks of the most powerful Marvel characters since his debut. First appearing in Thanos #13, by writer Donny Cates and artist Geoff Shaw, from the "Thanos Wins" story arc, Cosmic Ghost Rider has since jumped into the current Marvel Universe, even joining the Guardians of the Galaxy.

The upper limits of Cosmic Ghost Rider's powers have yet to be truly tested, and he's only been destroyed once in the comics. He's superlatively powerful, but that doesn't mean he's unbeatable. There are plenty of Marvel characters out there who could actually destroy him.

Updated on February 8th, 2024 by David Harth: Cosmic Ghost Rider is one of those characters who is entirely too OP and better for it. Mixing an untethered Frank Castle with the Power Cosmic and the power of Ghost Rider is one of those mash-ups that seems like it shouldn't work, yet it definitely does. As powerful as Cosmic Ghost Rider was, though, he wasn't unstoppable. Marvel's power levels may not be as high as their distinguished competition, but there are still lots of Marvel characters who could overpower Cosmic Ghost Rider.

20 The Celestials Would End Cosmic Ghost Rider Pretty Quickly

First Appearance:

The Eternals #1

Powers:

The Celestials are vast engines of cosmic energy with nearly impregnable armor. They are known for their genetic manipulation of beings across the universe.

The Celestials are among the oldest beings in the universe. The cosmic giants traveled the universe and seeded it with life, experimenting on their creations for millennia afterward. The Celestials are powerful, towering edifices of mystery, their invulnerable shell holding cosmic energies unlike anything else out there. They aren't martial beings, but that's mostly because they can destroy just about anything else, like a human crushing a bug. Their weapons are the fundamental forces that make up the universe, and anything less than a god isn't enough to challenge them.

Cosmic Ghost Rider is quite powerful, but that's on a mortal scale. Celestials are far above that. Any Celestial is more than enough to destroy Cosmic Ghost Rider. There are multiple ways they can hurt him, not least of which being the fact that he's still mortal and human despite having all of that power. This gives the Celestials complete control over his genome. Cosmic Ghost Rider would definitely try to fight a Celestial, but his efforts would prove futile.

19 Mister Sinister's Genetic Mastery Would Trump Cosmic Ghost Rider's Brute Strength

Mister Sinister spreading his arms wide to take on all comers in the X-Men comics

First Appearance:

Uncanny X-Men #221

Powers:

Mister Sinister gave himself super strength, telepathy, energy manipulation, complete control over his molecular structure, and telekinesis. Sinister can also give himself new powers with a genetic infusion.

Mister Sinister isn't in Cosmic Ghost Rider's league when it comes to power level, but that doesn't mean he can't defeat Cosmic Ghost Rider. Sinister gained his powers through experimenting on himself, giving himself the powers of other mutants. He has access to the genome of every mutant on Earth, and during the Krakoa Era has showed that he can give himself pretty much any power he needs. However, brute force isn't how Sinister wins. Mister Sinister became a top X-Men villain for two reasons: his planning skills and his mastery of genetics. That is how he'd beat Cosmic Ghost Rider.

Cosmic Ghost Rider's years of mental decline means that he's no longer the Punisher of old. He doesn't plan ahead as well as he used to, giving strategically inclined opponents an advantage. Mister Sinister could lead him around by the nose, into a trap where Sinister's mastery of genetics would win the day. Cosmic Ghost Rider is still mortal and human. This means he's vulnerable to the tactics Sinister excels at: manipulating the building blocks of life to win. Plus, Sinister has created weapons based on mutants. He could easily create a reality-altering bomb based on Proteus or Monarch, weapons that use Manifold's control of space, or psionic weapons that can destroy Cosmic Ghost Rider's mind. Sinister has many options to hurt Cosmic Ghost Rider and has the base cunning to figure out a way to win.

18 Manifold's Powers Would Help Him Destroy Cosmic Ghost Rider

Manifold shaping reality in Marvel Comics

First Appearance:

Secret Warriors #4

Powers:

Manifold's power as a universal shaper allows him to teleport anywhere in the universe, as well as folding space between two places. Manifold can interact with phenomena that would kill him, such as star plasma.

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Manifold's mutant powers seemed simple for years, but he was much more than meets the eye. He seemed to only have teleportation powers at first, but readers learned he was a universal shaper. Manifold speaks to the universe and can fold space in any way he needs, shaping it to damage his enemies. For example, Manifold harnessed the solar plasma of the sun to destroy all of Knull's symbiotes that had infected Krakoa without harming any of the hosts. That's an amazing power, and it's why Manifold could defeat Cosmic Ghost Rider.

Cosmic Ghost Rider's powers are formidable, but if Manifold drops him in a black hole or harnesses the gravitational pull of one in an attack, he's created a situation that Cosmic Ghost Rider can't deal with. Manifold's power levels rival that of cosmic beings, and Cosmic Ghost Rider just isn't smart enough to figure out a way to beat him.

17 The Beyonder Could Strip Cosmic Ghost Rider Of His Power

The Beyonder in his silver battle armor in Marvel Comics

First Appearance:

Secret Wars (Vol. 1) #1

Powers:

The Beyonder is omnipotent and omniscient, allowing him to do anything he wants.

The Beyonder first debuted as the One From Beyond in the seminal Marvel event Secret Wars, where he kidnapped the most powerful heroes and villains in the Marvel Universe and made them fight each other. One villain he grabbed was Galactus. Galactus couldn't do anything to the Beyonder, despite having the full might of the Power Cosmic on his side. Cosmic Ghost Rider doesn't have access to such power, and the Beyonder would wipe the floor with him.

This would only be a fight if the Beyonder wants it to be. He could snap his fingers and take away every extra bit of power that Cosmic Ghost Rider gained from Galactus and Mephisto. Beyonder could even age Frank Castle to his actual age, transforming him into dust. Of course, the Beyonder enjoys acting like a mortal being, so he may fight Cosmic Ghost Rider for a while. Even then, the fight would only last as long as Beyonder was entertained by the battle. The minute he isn't, the fight is over.

16 Doctor Doom Would Steal Cosmic Ghost Rider's Power And Use It To Destroy Him

Doctor Doom walks away from a fiery display in Marvel Comics

First Appearance:

Fantastic Four #5

Powers:

Doom is a regular human with high magical ability. Doom's is a top five intelligence, below Moon Girl but above Tony Stark and Hank Pym, in the Reed Richards league. His armor gives him super strength, energy blasts, a variety of sensor systems, and specialized technology like a teleporter, his personally invented time platform, and his power syphon.

Doctor Doom is the greatest villain on Earth, although he would argue that he was just the greatest person on Earth. Doom is fiendishly intelligent, a loving leader to the people of Latveria, a master magic wielder, and the user of the greatest armor in comics. Doctor Doom is the real deal when it comes to villainy, and has even become God, saving the Multiverse from destruction. Doctor Doom's armor is the key to defeating Cosmic Ghost Rider because of one piece of technology: his power siphon.

Doctor Doom has drained the Power Cosmic out of the Silver Surfer in the past. He's done the same to beings as powerful as the Beyonders and Watchers. Doctor Doom would love to fight Cosmic Ghost Rider because he'd view the battle as an opportunity to prove his superiority. He's vastly more intelligent and cunning than Frank Castle has ever been. Doom would trick him into a situation where he could drain his powers, while also using his magic — which rivals that of Doctor Strange — to nerf the Spirit of Vengeance. Doctor Doom would end the fight with Cosmic Ghost Rider better than he began it, having amassed more power than ever.

15 Galactus Could Strip Him Of The Power Cosmic

First Appearance:

Fantastic Four #48

Powers:

Galactus devours worlds and has full access to the Power Cosmic, giving him control over cosmic energy and matter. Galactus can access the cosmic consciousness, which gives him limited omniscience.

Frank Castle gained the Power Cosmic by making a deal with Galactus. No other being in the Marvel Universe boasts the kill count the World Devourer has. He's nearly impossible to defeat through physical power and can fell even the strongest beings when he's starving. Cosmic Ghost Rider Is powerful, but he doesn't stand a chance against Galactus.

Not only could Galactus strip Castle of the Power Cosmic, but he possesses its full fury, something he doesn't share with his Heralds. Castle would still be powerful because of the Spirit of Vengeance, but he'd find it impossible to defeat Galactus, whereas the World Devourer could easily destroy his physical form.

14 Mephisto's Power And Cunning Would Defeat The Cosmic Ghost Rider

Mephisto stands in front of flames, smiling, in Marvel Comics.

First Appearance:

Silver Surfer (Vol. 1) #3

Powers:

Mephisto has incalculable strength and durability, control over hellfire, vast magical might, and reality-altering powers. Mephisto often likes to make bargains with "pure souls", taking their souls by tricking them with their heart's desire.

Many Marvel villains love being evil, and then there's Mephisto. He's not the devil, but he's the next best thing. Mephisto loves nothing more than tempting the pure-hearted and tricking the foolish. He's the one who empowered Castle as the Spirit of Vengeance, and he can easily take that away, reducing the Cosmic Ghost Rider to a fraction of his might.

Mephisto has battled enemies with the Power Cosmic before, like Silver Surfer, but he'd have an easier time with Castle. The Cosmic Ghost Rider's mind deteriorated over the years and doesn't have the skill that Silver Surfer does. On top of that, Mephisto can alter reality itself when he needs to, allowing him to strip Castle of the Power Cosmic as well, leaving him an easily killed mortal.

13 Mistress Death Can End Anyone In Front Of Her

Mistress Death, Thanos' companion in Marvel Comics

First Appearance:

Captain Marvel (Vol. 1) #26

Powers:

Mistress Death is the embodiment of death, allowing her to kill with a touch. She also has access to vast pitch black energies and has infinite strength and speed.

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Mistress Death isn't the most powerful being in the universe, but she's definitely the most feared. Death comes for everyone and she's patient as can be, but she has no problem when someone wants to speed the process along, like Thanos. Even gods fear her, as she's an inevitable force and the un-living embodiment of entropy.

Mistress Death is far beyond the Cosmic Ghost Rider's powers. The Power Cosmic would have no effect on her and the Spirit of Vengeance's power is a pittance against Death. She could destroy the Cosmic Ghost Rider with a touch if she needed to.

12 Proteus's Reality Powers Would Be Too Much For Cosmic Ghost Rider

Marvel Comics' Proteus looking menacing

First Appearance:

Uncanny X-Men #125

Powers:

Proteus can control reality, shaping the world around him into anything he wanted.

Proteus is one of the X-Men's Omega class mutants. The powerful reality altering mutant is a member of the Five, helping to facilitate mutant resurrection. Proteus used to be among the X-Men's most dangerous foes, a body jumping enemy who could do anything he could imagine. Power like that would defeat Cosmic Ghost Rider.

Proteus would try to possess the Cosmic Ghost Rider, since a body with that power could hold Proteus for a long time. If that weren't possible, Proteus has more than enough power to destroy the Cosmic Ghost Rider. He could easily unravel Castle's molecular structure, something he'd have no defense against.

11 Professor Xavier's Telepathy Would Shut Down The Cosmic Ghost Rider

Professor Xavier using his Cerebro helmet in Marvel Comics

First Appearance:

X-Men (Vol. 1) #1

Powers:

Charles Xavier is the most powerful telepath on Earth, and has perfected the art of using his powers. He's recently showed limited telekinetic ability.

Professor Xavier is the best telepath on Earth and beyond. He can get into anyone's mind and do whatever he wants. He wields a considerable amount of psionic energy, and can knock his opponents into the Astral Realm if he needs to. Xavier is a master of psychic combat and was even able to hold back every Eternal at once, a near impossible feat for anyone else.

There's no doubt that Cosmic Ghost Rider could destroy Xavier, but it would never come to that. He'd sense him coming from a mile away and attack. His best bet would be to throw Castle into the Astral Plane and defeat him there, but he could still overwhelm any psi defenses Castle has and take him down without doing that.

10 The Fallen One Beat The Cosmic Ghost Rider

First Appearance:

Thanos (Vol. 2) #15

Powers:

The Fallen One is an alternate universe Silver Surfer, with the same access to the Power Cosmic, giving him vast strength, invulnerability, the power to travel many times the speed of light, and manipulate cosmic energy and matter. He also wielded Mjolnir, enhancing his powers and adding multiple types of energies to his repertoire. He also commanded the Annihlation Wabe.

In the epic battle toward the end of the "Thanos Wins" arc, The Fallen One destroyed the Cosmic Ghost Rider with relative ease. Already blessed with the Power Cosmic, this version of the Silver Surfer was further enhanced with Black Matter and spent millennia becoming worthy of wielding Mjolnir in his mission to defeat King Thanos. Plus, he commanded the Annihilation Wave, so it's safe to say it takes a lot of juice to do what he did to the Rider.

The Fallen One is basically the most powerful Silver Surfer variant of them all. He destroyed Cosmic Ghost Rider before dying at Thanos's hands. The Fallen One has returned, battling the mainline Silver Surfer and Genis-Vel. There are few being more dangerous and Cosmic Ghost Rider couldn't stand against him for long.

9 King Thanos Held The Cosmic Ghost Rider's Leash For Years

Marvel Comics' King Thanos sitting on his throne

First Appearance:

Thanos (Vol. 2) #13

Powers:

King Thanos has super strength, invulnerability, matter manipulation powers, cosmic energy manipulation, and a variety of other powers, while also having found multiple objects of power over the years.

King Thanos is a popular alternate version of his villainous self. An older Thanos who grew stronger as eons passed, he was able to defeat virtually every being in the Marvel universe to please Lady Death. He accomplished this feat without solely relying on the Infinity Gauntlet either and was even victorious against The Fallen One (albeit with some help from his time-displaced younger self).

Furthermore, King Thanos wielded powerful items he won in battle like Surtur's Twilight Sword, tamed the Incredible Hulk as his pet, and most importantly, made the Cosmic Ghost Rider his loyal servant. Castle was afraid of the Mad Titan, something King Thanos would take advantage of to win.

8 Hela Owns A Victory Over The Cosmic Ghost Rider

Hela battling Cosmic Ghost Rider from Marvel Comics

First Appearance:

Journey Into Mystery (Vol. 1) #102

Powers:

Hela is a death goddess, giving her command and control over the dead. She has the requisite Asgardian superhuman physical attributes at the highest level and uses her powerful magical sword — the Nightsword — with the expertise of someone trained over millennia.

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In Guardians of the Galaxy # 6 of Cates and Shaw's 2019 series run, Hela easily subdues the Cosmic Ghost Rider. Since, at his core, the Rider is the deceased corpse of Frank Castle and Hela holds dominion over the dead, she beats him without even breaking a sweat.

Hela is a ruler of one of the Ten Realms and a master combatant. Armed with the Nightsword, she rivals Thor himself for strength and skill. She'd thrown an army of dead servants at Castle to slow him down, giving her time to come up with a plan to use against the Cosmic Ghost Rider. In single combat, the Norse Goddess of Death would teach Castle what pain truly is.

7 Cosmic King Thor Had The Power And Skill To Win

Marvel Comics' Thor holding Mjolnir with a raven on his shoulder

First Appearance:

Journey Into Mystery (Vol. 1) #83

Powers:

Cosmic King Thor had the Power Cosmic, his God of Thunder powers, the Odinforce and Mjolnir. Thor has high level super strength, invulnerability, control over storms, and multiple energy powers from Mjolnir, the Power Cosmic enhanced his strength and invulnerability, also giving him cosmic energy and matter manipulation. The Odinforce gives Thor reality altering powers and magic.

Thor has always been powerful, but there was a time when he became the Herald of Galactus. This gave the God of Thunder the Power Cosmic, which is honestly overkill when it comes right down to it. Thor even killed Galactus with his combined powers, which would have been impossible for anyone else.

Given Castle's susceptibility to damage from Mjolnir, the cosmic-enhanced Thor can beat the Rider down. Thor is warrior born and has a ferocity that the addled Castle couldn't really muster. With the Power Cosmic on his side, Thor was nigh unstoppable. Even assuming the Power Cosmic is a wash, his God of Thunder powers are enough to win. Thor no longer has the Power Cosmic, but he still has the power of the Odinforce, making him even more powerful than ever before.

6 Doctor Strange's Magical Might Would Too Much For The Cosmic Ghost Rider To Handle

Marvel Comics' Doctor Strange casting spells with a smile

First Appearance:

Strange Tales #110

Powers:

Doctor Strange is the Sorcerer Supreme, mastering pretty much every discipline of magic.

Doctor Strange is the greatest Sorcerer Supreme. He's faced down the worst enemies imaginable over the years, protecting the universe from unspeakable threats. As a former Defender, he was a friend of the Silver Surfer and understands the Power Cosmic like few others. Add his magical might to that and he's got Castle's number.

Strange wouldn't attack Castle physically, instead using his magic to mess with CGR's mind. That would give him the time he needed to come up with the right spells to use. He'd nullify Castle's power, which would pretty much be the end of battle.

5 Knull's Fearsome Power Would Spell The End For The Cosmic Ghost Rider

First Appearance:

Venom (Vol. 4) #3

Powes:

Knull is the God of Symbiotes, giving him complete command over that race. He has incalculable super strength, invulnerability, can create living abyss, dark energy manipulation, a healing factor, and temporal manipulation.

Knull is the symbiote god. His existence predates the Big Bang, and has been trying to conquer the universe by consuming it in darkness. He forged All-Black the Necrosword, a living symbiote weapon that augments its user's powers.

Knull has slain Celestials, defeated the Silver Surfer, and is essentially immortal since he can recover even from death given due time. He outmatches the Cosmic Ghost Rider in terms of raw power and durability, which would give him an easy edge in the battle. Castle would put up a good fight, but ultimately fail before Knull.

4 The Sentry Is More Than A Match For The Cosmic Ghost Rider

Marvel Comics' The Sentry looking down imperiously

First Appearance:

The Sentry (Vol. 1) #1

Powers:

The Sentry has reality altering powers, and uses them to fuel super strength, invulnerability, energy manipulation, a regenerative healing factor, telepathy, and basically anything he wants. His dark side the Void is much more dangerous, having no qualms about anything and desiring nothing more than complete destruction.

Noted as having "the power of a million exploding suns," Robert Reynolds previously struggled with substance abuse before finding an experimental formula that gave him amazing power. One of Marvel's many Superman analogues, he had a malicious, dark, repressed persona, the Void, which manifested from his powers. Sentry's time as an Avenger made him one of the scariest Avengers out there.

The Sentry's physical power is unmatched, but Cosmic Ghost Rider would still give him a hard fight. It's almost certain that the stress of the battle would bring the Void out, which would be the end for the CGR. The Sentry is powerful, but he's not as vicious as the Void, who would go all out to destroy Castle.

3 The Dark Phoenix Would Devour Cosmic Ghost Rider

Marvel Comics' Jean Grey as the Dark Phoenix

First Appearance:

Uncanny X-Men (Vol. 1) #134

Powers:

The Phoenix Force is a universal force of death and rebirth. The Dark Phoenix has god level telepathy and telekinesis, and is basically a god.

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The ancient Phoenix Force is one of the most feared cosmic entities in the entire Marvel universe. It has come to Earth several times, but the most notable was when it replaced Jean Grey. The Phoenix Force masqueraded as her, but the difficulty of human emotion brought out the Dark Phoenix. She destroyed an entire star system and was only stopped by ending her own existence.

Regardless of its host, the Dark Phoenix has powers that dwarf Cosmic Ghost Rider's. Telepathy alone would be enough to pulp Castle's mind. The Dark Phoenix would devour Cosmic Ghost Rider, draining him of his power and leaving him a burnt out husk.

2 Franklin Richards Created Entire Universes

Marvel Comics' Franklin Richards holding universe while his parents look on

First Appearance:

Fantastic Four Annual #6

Powers:

Franklin Richards is a high level reality alterer, able to create entire universes, and has vast telepathic and telekinetic power.

Reed Richards and Susan Storm's son, Franklin Richards, was long though to be an Omega level mutant. This has proven not to be the case, but he is still very powerful. He can manipulate reality, has virtually every conceivable psionic power (such as telepathy, telekinesis, and precognition), and also create pocket universes — which he literally keeps in his pockets.

The Fantastic Four's adventures featured a plot where Franklin started running out of power, getting closer and closer to empty every time he used them. However, he wouldn't need much power to defeat the Cosmic Ghost Rider. Franklin could casually blink Castle out of existence with power to spare.

1 Immortal Hulk Tore Through All Comers

First Appearance:

The Incredible Hulk #1

Powers:

Hulk has infinite strength potential based on his anger level, invulnerability, a regenerative healing factor, and gamma energy control. The Immortal form of Hulk could resurrect from anything and is considered the most dangerous Hulk of them all.

The Immortal Hulk quickly jumped to the top of the most powerful versions of the Hulk list. Not only did he have the infinite strength potential, his intelligence grew as well. He became a smart but unyielding Hulk, defeating everything in his way. What really made the Immortal Hulk dangerous was the fact that he resurrected from everything. He was truly immortal.

While there were some drawbacks — Bruce only transformed into the Hulk at night — he was beyond dangerous. As powerful as Cosmic Ghost Rider is, Immortal Hulk would destroy him. Castle couldn't do anything that would actually kill him, which would give Immortal Hulk time to destroy his opponent. While Immortal Hulk is certainly the most powerful Hulk, even other forms could defeat Cosmic Ghost Rider. The Hulk is considered the most dangerous human on Earth for good reason.