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Marvel Spotlight
#5 · 1972
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Marvel Comics · 1972 · CGC 7.5 · Universal Blue
Marvel Spotlight #5 (Marvel Comics, 1972) — Origin and first appearance of Ghost Rider (Johnny Blaze). CGC 7.5, off-white to white pages.
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Marvel. Origin and First appearance of Ghost Rider (Johnny Blaze). First appearance of Roxanne Simpson. Gary Friedrich and Roy Thomas story. Mike Ploog cover and art. Off-white to white pages. Key Bronze Age Marvel comic.
This copy is encapsulated by CGC at 7.5 on a Universal Blue label. The holder is intact and has not been cracked, re-sealed or altered.
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What is Marvel Spotlight #5 worth? See the Marvel Spotlight #5 price guide (1 copy on sale by grade).
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Background on Marvel Spotlight, the grade and what drives the price.
Key issues
The key Ghost Rider comic is Marvel Spotlight #5 (August 1972), the first appearance of Johnny Blaze as Ghost Rider. Ghost Rider #1 (September 1973) followed it, and for either book the third-party grade is one of the biggest factors in what a copy sells for.
Updated Oct 11, 2026
Key issues
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 Oct 10, 2026
Characters
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 Oct 11, 2026
AuctionsConfirmed
According to The Beat's report from New York Comic Con, ICv2's Milton Greipp estimated at Thursday's ICv2 White Paper that comics sales in comic shops are up 19% so far in 2026, with graphic novels up 28%. The Beat notes this comes against even bigger growth last year.
Oct 9, 2026
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