What has always made the Ghost Rider comics series successful is its desire to add to the history of the character, regardless of who holds the mantle. The series can be read as one large epic, following the flame-headed biker across America as he searches for peace and forgiveness. But many have stepped between Ghost Rider during his journey through time.
Whether it be Danny Ketch, Johnny Blaze, or even Robbie Reyes, there has been a multitude of dastardly villains that have crept into the pages of Ghost Rider. And with a hero that looks as terrifying as the Ghost Rider, there has to be an antagonist that is even more bone-chilling.
Deathwatch
The first of many villains that plagued Danny Ketch's life, Deathwatch was much more than the leader of a criminal enterprise. The masked madman was actually a Translord dimensional being who desired to further his power by devouring humans and stealing Ghost Rider's Medallion of Power.
After his defeat at the hands of Danny Ketch, Deathwatch was resurrected and continued to fight Ghost Rider and his comrades by working alongside the soulless man, Centurious. He has since made a few small appearances in the Marvel Universe, and was set to appear in Ed Brisson's Ghost Rider #9 before the series was abruptly canceled.
Blackheart
Son of the Hell-Lord Mephisto, Blackheart has been trouble for many heroes in the Marvel Universe. From Daredevil to Wolverine, Blackheart is as conniving as his father. Ghost Rider had first battled against Blackheart during Howard Mackie's story, Hearts of Darkness, alongside Wolverine and Punisher. They would team up again when Blackheart appears once more to kill his father and take the throne in Dark Design.
Blackheart has most recently appeared in Ed Brisson's Ghost Rider, and in the King in Black: Ghost Rider one-shot that wrapped up Brisson's storyline.
Centurious
Centurious spent his lifetime gathering power after he sold his soul to Mephisto and became an immortal. He is also one of the few villains that managed to defeat Ghost Rider after he trapped Johnny Blaze in the ancient artifact, the Crystal of Souls, before he was freed once again. Sometime later, Centurious fought against the new Ghost Rider, Danny Ketch, from the shadows of his many organizations.
Centurious is a dangerous villain because of his high level of intelligence and intense power. But his ability to further his reach with his many churches and groups makes him one of the most deadly Ghost Rider antagonists.
Blackout
Being a child of Lilith is not even what makes Blackout a deadly Ghost Rider villain. It's his stealth and ruthlessness that keep him popping up over the years to wreak havoc. Whoever the target, women or children, Blackout does not rest until he murders his opponent.
Blackout is able to construct a field of darkness all around him, which came in handy when he stalked Ghost Rider and learned of his secret identity. This led to him murdering Ketch's comatose sister, Barbara. Blackout was even portrayed by Johnny Whitworth in the 2011 movie, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance.
Lilith
The Mother of Demons, Lilith was accidentally released from her prison and began to gather her children again for world domination. It is because of her that Doctor Strange decided to form the Midnight Sons.
Lilith only became more deadly when she joined forces with the likes of Centuries and the demon Zarathos later on in the series, one of the coolest things from Hulu's Helstrom that could be reused in the MCU. She was last seen redesigned for Ed Brisson's series where she wanted to gather her own group of rogue demons and overthrow Johnny Blaze as the ruler of Mephisto's realm.
Zarathos
The spirit that once merged with Johnny Blaze to create Ghost Rider, Zarathos was first an ancient god-like demon who would feed on the souls of humans. He was so powerful, in fact, that Mephisto himself, one of the main Avengers comic book villains, feared the demon and worked with the mortal Centurious to defeat him.
When Zarathos was separated from Johnny Blaze in the 1983 finale issue, he mysteriously fused with Centurious until he could once again be freed. It was then that Zarathos teamed up with Lilith and his past followers, the Fallen, to take over the world.
Lucifer
Not to be confused with Mephisto, Lucifer is one of the many Hell-Lords that inhabit the Marvel Universe. Lucifer has taken credit for Johnny Blaze becoming Ghost Rider once again and using him to enter the human plain and wreck havoc.
Like many of his demonic counterparts, Lucifer commands an army of followers and has a vast array of powers, including fire manipulation, taking on many forms, and committing possessions, as well. Obviously not to be trusted, Lucifer is also extremely cunning, constantly thinking multiple moves ahead, like a chess master.
Nightmare
The ruler of the dream dimension, Nightmare has tortured all those who visit from the waking world. In his realm, Nightmare reigns supreme and is able to control the landscape and himself, as he rides his black horse, Dreamstalker. He has been feeding on the dreams of people for eons and in doing so has run into the likes of Doctor Strange, a character who has many unforgettable quotes in the MCU, as well as Ghost Rider.
Both Johnny Blaze and Dan Ketch have fought against Nightmare, with Nightmare seemingly to always have a vital piece of information of the Ghost Rider's mysterious past. Though the history very rarely is relayed to him.
Zadkiel
A rogue angel from Heaven, Zadkiel is responsible for taking over Paradise and brainwashing Dan Ketch to kill all other Ghost Riders to absorb their power.
Zadkiel is skilled in hand-to-hand combat, as seen when he takes on an army of angels by himself. The angel also wields a large flaming sword that he used to slice the recently deceased Caretaker's soul and scatter it about time and space. On top of all his powers, Zadkiel has a large army of angelic followers known as the Black Host, who obey his every command.
Mephisto
The greatest foe of the long Ghost Rider history is the diabolical Hell-Lord, Mephisto. The demon has tricked the brothers time and time again as he ravaged the universe for his own twisted gain.
Mephisto has tangled with many Marvel heroes since he made his first appearance in the pages of The Silver Surfer #3 from 1968. With an army of demons at his disposal and unlimited power, Mephisto is a force to be reckoned with for any god, hero, or mutant.