Ghost Rider

Johnny Blaze grew up in a circus of sorts: “Crash” Simpson’s Daredevil Cycle Show. After his father died performing a motorcycle stunt, Johnny was placed in the care of Crash Simpson, the show’s owner. Crash raised him as if he were his own son, watching Johnny grow to become an accomplished rider in his own right.

Johnny eventually learned that Crash was dying of an incurable disease. Having dabbled in the occult, Johnny summoned Mephisto and offered to trade his soul to save Crash. The spell was interrupted before the deal could be completed, but Mephisto still managed to get the better of Johnny. Crash was saved from his disease, but was killed the next night in a failed stunt. Mephisto also bonded Zarathos, the flaming spirit of vengeance, to Johnny. Whenever Zarathos was in control, Johnny became a fiery skeleton, riding a bike made of hellfire. As this Ghost Rider he became a force of vengeance against evildoers.