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Characters & first appearances

What is the first appearance of Ghost Rider?

Published Sep 14, 2026 · Updated Sep 14, 2026 · 1 min read

Short answerThe 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.

Marvel Spotlight #5

Marvel Spotlight was a try-out title. Issue #5 gave the Ghost Rider his origin in one story: Johnny Blaze, Crash Simpson's carnival cycle show, the bargain with Satan and the transformation. Ploog's cover — the skull-faced rider on a flaming motorcycle — is among the most recognisable of the decade. The character carried Spotlight through #11 before getting his own title.

Collecting

Marvel Spotlight #5 is one of the top Bronze Age keys, in the same tier as the Punisher's and Moon Knight's debuts, with demand sustained by the films and by the character's place in Marvel's 1970s horror line. High grades are scarce because the black cover shows every scuff. A CGC 7.5 is in the store.

  • Marvel Spotlight #2 (February 1972) — first Werewolf by Night, the book that launched Marvel's horror revival.
  • Ghost Rider #1 (September 1973) — first issue of the solo title.
  • Ghost Rider (vol. 2) #1 (May 1990) — first Danny Ketch, the second Ghost Rider.

See the Ghost Rider character page and Bronze Age horror: how the Code change created Tomb of Dracula and Werewolf by Night.

Written by the Rare Comics Collectors grading team. Spotted an error or have a question this guide does not answer? Tell us.

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Origin and first appearance of Ghost Rider (Johnny Blaze)

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