Marvel is radically reshaping the backstory of the Spirit of Vengeance, as the World-War II-era team up betweenGhost RiderandWolverineis set to change the character’s role in history. WhileWolverine is known for his epic war stories,Ghost Rider’s addition to the battlefields of WWII is set to be a spectacular reimagining of the character’s lore, as he takes to the battlefield in history’s greatest conflict.
As announced by Marvel Comics, the upcomingHellhuntersseries – written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, with art by Adam Gorham – will continue the story of Ghost Rider ‘44, one of themany versions of the Spirit of VengenaceMarvel has introduced over the past several years, in addition to its classic hosts.
HELLHUNTERS #1 (2024)
Variant Covers:
Taurin Clarke
Last year in the pages of his terrifying run of INCREDIBLE HULK, writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson introduced Sergeant Sal Romero, AKA GHOST RIDER ‘44, a Spirit of Vengeance who raised hell on the battlefields during World War II. This December, his epic backstory is told in HELLHUNTERS, a five-issue limited series written by Kennedy Johnson and drawn by Adam Gorham (IMMORTAL HULK, STAR WARS: DARTH VADER).
In the present day, Ghost Rider ‘44 can only reawaken “when the monsters come.” During WWII, there were plenty of them—including Felix Bruckner, a Nazi officer who underwent a mysterious transformation of his own. When Bruckner’s demonic army begins its march, Sal will be forced to embrace his supernatural new gifts to turn the tide of the entire war.
Some of Marvel’s most badass heroes fought on the frontlines of World War II and HELLHUNTERS will see Ghost Rider ‘44’s battle alongside the likes of Wolverine, Nick Fury, Peggy Carter, Bucky Barnes, and, from the pages of Jason Aaron’s Avengers, Soldier Supreme.
Readers familiar with history will recognize the incredible potential of this series, as there’s nowhere more necessary for the Spirit of Vengeance than on the front lines of a Nazi-occupied Europe.
Ghost Rider ‘44 Rides Into War-Torn Europe Alongside Wolverine In Marvel’s Epic New “Hellhunters” Series
Hellhunters#1 – Written By Phillip Kennedy Johnson; Art By Adam Gorham; Available December 15 From Marvel Comics
Though fans will have to wait for more art from the series to be previewed, the few teaser images released by Marvel make it clear the series will be quite literally an explosive new entry in Ghost Rider lore.
Although it’s notthe “darkest ride in comic history”, the sight of Ghost Rider on his army-issued Hellbike is a welcome sight for comic fans. The traditional version of the character is among Marvel’s famous anti-heroes, but nowthe publisher’s newHellhuntersseries will put him firmly on the side of the good guys, as he joins the Allied war effort against Nazi Germany in the heated final stretch of World War II. The mythology surrounding the Spirt of Vengeance continues to expand, and this WWII entry in his history is the latest, most exciting example.
Though fans will have to wait for more art from the series to be previewed, the few teaser images released by Marvel make it clear the series will be quite literally an explosive new entry in Ghost Rider lore. The demonic nature of the character’s powers means that the role of the Rider extends beyond itsmost familiar hosts, Johnny Blaze and Danny Ketch, and Marvel fans have shown they have a great appetite for more iterations of the character. This makesHellhunters, and Ghost Rider ‘44’s team-up with Wolverine, a particularly thrilling new entry in both characters’ backstories.
Ghost Rider ‘44 Is The Latest Example Of Marvel’s Reinvention Of The Character
The Many Iterations Of The Spirit of Vengeance
With the details revealed about the series so far,Hellhunterspromises to be a wild ride. Especially since it showsone of history’s greatest Ghost Rider’scatapulting into battle as an army soldier facing down a Nazi-demon army. However, beyond that, this lore-change opens up the possibility of a whole new Ghost Rider series detailing Ghost Rider in other key time periods throughout human development. Akin toVenomverse,there are many stories from throughout the Marvel Universe’s past waiting to be told, beyond just Ghost Rider ‘44.
Previously introduced byHellhunterswriter Phillip Kennedy Johnson, this incarnation of the character has already made an impact on readers; now, more of his action during World War II is set to be explored.
For now, fans will be glad to see Ghost Rider ‘44 in action, complete with an army helmet covering his flaming head, and his flaming army green Hellbike. Previously introduced byHellhunterswriter Phillip Kennedy Johnson, this incarnation of the character has already made an impact on readers; now, more of his team-up withWolverineduring World War II is set to be explored, in a story that will not only flesh out the history of the Marvel Universe even further, but will make it clear thatGhost Ridershould remain in a prominent role in the publisher’s plans.
