Warning! Spoilers for Avengers Forever #2 by Marvel Comics
Robbie Reyes is about to undergo changes that will turn the Avengers' Ghost Rider into something else entirely. In a new preview for Avengers Forever #2, Reyes finds himself on Earth-818, where the Black Skull tortures the hero, cutting pieces off of him in a brutal torture scene. Marvel Comics is promising Ghost Rider won't walk away from the incident unscathed as he will be forever changed.
Since debuting in All-New Ghost Rider #1 by Felipe Smith and Tradd Moore, Robbie Reyes has become the most prominently used version of the hero in the pages of Marvel Comics. The mechanic and street racer gained the Spirit of Vengeance after being murdered, and instead of driving a Hell Cycle like Johnny Blaze or Danny Ketch, Reyes rides the Hell Charger. Reyes would team up with his fellow Ghost Riders before joining the Avengers in Jason Aaron's arc on the heroes. The character would also make his live-action debut in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., where Gabriel Luna played him. Luna was set to star in his own Hulu Ghost Rider series but never came to fruition despite a straight-to-series order from the streaming platform.
In a brand new preview for Avengers Forever #2 by Jason Aaron, Aaron Kuder, Carlos Magno, Scott Hanna, Roberto Poggi, Cam Smith, Guru-eFX, and VC's Cory Petit, Marvel reveals that Ghost Rider is being tortured by the Black Skull after being captured by the multiversal villain. Robbie Reyes admits he's not sure if the torture has lasted hours or years, as he didn't realize it was "possible for a living thing to feel such pain." However, knowing the Black Skull has killed Ghost Riders before, Reyes stays quiet despite the intense pain.
Black Skull tells Ghost Rider he's a kindred spirit to his own and that he knows what it feels like to be lost inside the force that he hosts - in his case, the Venom symbiote. The villain saws off Ghost Rider's foot with a bonesaw and instructs one of his War Machines to throw it into the sun. After saying Ghost Rider's driving days are over and that he will dismantle the Hell Charger, Reyes tries to fight back but is squashed by the Black Skull's symbiote.
Ghost Rider has been teased as playing a huge part in the Avengers Forever series. However, it seems he's destined for big changes as the series progresses. Can Robbie Reyes survive being tortured and dismantled? The Black Skull better hope the hero doesn't break free, as he'll want to return the favor. Ghost Rider's transformation begins in Avengers Forever #2, in stores on Wednesday.