Character

Ghost Rider comics

Ghost Rider first appeared in Marvel Spotlight #5, cover-dated August 1972, from Marvel Comics, created by Roy Thomas, Gary Friedrich and Mike Ploog.

Graded Ghost Rider books in the vault

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First appearance, key issues and what drives the prices.

Characters
What is the first appearance of Ghost Rider?
The Johnny Blaze Ghost Rider first appeared in Marvel Spotlight #5, cover-dated August 1972, created by Roy Thomas, Gary Friedrich and Mike Ploog. The stunt rider who sells his soul to save his mentor and becomes a flaming-skulled spirit of vengeance was an immediate success, and Ghost Rider #1 followed in September 1973. An earlier, unrelated Western character called Ghost Rider appeared at Magazine Enterprises in 1949 and at Marvel in 1967.
Updated Sep 14, 2026
Key issues
Bronze Age horror: how the 1971 Code change created Tomb of Dracula, Werewolf by Night and Ghost Rider
The Comics Code's 1971 revision allowed vampires, werewolves and ghouls back into comics when handled in the tradition of classic literature. Marvel responded with a horror line that produced some of the Bronze Age's most valuable keys: Werewolf by Night (Marvel Spotlight #2, February 1972), Tomb of Dracula #1 (April 1972), Ghost Rider (Marvel Spotlight #5, August 1972), Blade (Tomb of Dracula #10, July 1973) and Moon Knight (Werewolf by Night #32, August 1975).
Updated Sep 14, 2026