This article contains SPOILERS for New Fantastic Four #4
Many fans consider Ghost Rider's Penance Stare to be an incredibly powerful ability in the Marvel Universe, but it would probably have no effect on Wolverine. The signature move of the Ghost Rider, the Penance Stare tortures its victims with remorse over the harm they have caused other people. Its effects range from rendering its target comatose, to burning up their soul. Given Wolverine's bloody past, one would think that he would be extra susceptible to it, but a recent issue of New Fantastic Four indicates this might not be the case.
Years ago, the Hulk in his Joe Fixit form along with Ghost Rider, Wolverine, and Spider-Man formed a brand-new version of the Fantastic Four. Together, they got roped into fighting a demon in Las Vegas that was taking possession of people and turning them into creatures. While Ghost Rider was separated from the rest of the group, the other three recruited Johnny Storm, also known as the Human Torch from the original Fantastic Four.
Unfortunately, in New Fantastic Four #4 by Peter David and Alan Robinson, the Human Torch becomes possessed by the demon and takes on a new unholy form with a blue flame. The Human Torch can't be killed in this form and Wolverine puts that to the test by driving his adamantium claws through his throat. Of course, the Human Torch doesn't die and uses his new abilities to make Wolverine relive all his past sins and have the souls he killed torment him. However, Wolverine is perfectly content with all the people he's killed, and the power has no effect.
It's strange that Ghost Rider is also a member of this team considering that Human Torch's new power is very similar in nature to Ghost Rider's Penance Stare. When Ghost Rider stares into a sinful person's eyes and uses the Penance Stare to make them relive and feel the trauma of all their past sins, it can be catastrophic. This power is meant to drive a person insane, which is what Human Torch is hoping would happen to Wolverine.
It's been shown in the past that the Penance Stare, although immensely powerful and effective, can sometimes not work depending on who it's being used against. This is because sins are largely subjective based on the user. If someone commits sins against innocent people, then the Penance Stare would inflict that innocent trauma upon its victim. But if someone's sins are committed against a guilty people, then it stands to reason that the person won't feel much guilt when the power is deployed. This is where Wolverine falls. Wolverine has done some terrible things in his life, but he is perfectly content with who he committed those sins against. So although Wolverine certainly has a high body count, it's unlikely that Ghost Rider can make him feel guilty because of it.
New Fantastic Four #4 is now available from Marvel Comics.