A new version of a Spider-Man/Ghost Rider hybrid has the perfect combination of both characters’ powers in Marvel Comics, as seen in an all-new Ghost Rider variant cover celebrating The Amazing Spider-Man 60th anniversary. While the amalgam character has made an official in continuity appearance within Marvel Comics, fans are given the perfect glimpse at his character design and power set.
Marvel Comics recently launched a new Ghost Rider comic series with release of Ghost Rider #1 by Benjamin Percy and Cory Smith. The issue gets fans up to speed with Johnny Blaze’s current state of affairs, and they are anything but pleasant. Blaze finds himself trapped in a fake town created by demons in an effort to imprison him and neutralize the threat of Ghost Rider. However, Johnny Blaze rediscovers the hellish power from inside of him and releases the Ghost Rider once again. While it’s unclear where the series will take Ghost Rider from this point on, what is clear is that this variant cover for the third issue of the series is beyond epic.
In a Tweet by Marvel Comics artist Francesco Mobili, the artist posted a photo of their variant cover for the upcoming Ghost Rider #3. The cover depicts a version of Spider-Man who has bonded with the Spirit of Vengeance in a style that is unique while staying true to both characters. Spider-Man is shown in a version of his classic suit while wearing biker gear over it including a leather jacket with the Spider symbol on the back. Spidey has his regular mask on, but his head is engulfed in hellfire. Just like the original Ghost Rider, this version has a motorcycle and chains, but they are both given the Spider-Man treatment. The chains have replaced Spider-Man’s webs and the Hellcycle is clinging to the side of a building, a potential tribute to Spider-Man’s Spider-Mobile which can drive along buildings just as Spider-Man’s powers allow him to crawl.
While this version of Spider-Man hasn’t made an official debut and so far only exists on this Ghost Rider variant cover, it could exist one day in the Marvel Universe. When the villainous Inheritors traveled across the multiverse to kill every version of Spider-Man there is in past Spider-Verse storylines, fans were introduced to a plethora of Spidey variants. With the popularity of Spider-Verse stories, even outside of the comic book realm, it is a safe bet that this variant could appear the next time the Spider-Verse is in danger, though nothing of that nature has been confirmed at this point.
While this image is an amazing depiction of Spider-Man wielding Ghost Rider’s powers, this isn’t the first time he has done so. Ghost Rider and Spider-Man merged into one character with the hellish variant known as Ghost Spider who made his first full appearance in Incredible Hulks Annual #1 from John Layman and Lee Garbett. The artistic style of that version pulls a lot more from Ghost Rider’s skeletal appearance while this new version is seemingly more inspired by the heavy metal aspects of Ghost Rider. Overall, this new Spider-Man/Ghost Rider variant is an awesome depiction of the two characters merged into one, and this variant cover perfectly displays the combination of their powers.
Source: Twitter/Francesco Mobili