Ghost Rider Chronology: Part Four

Going into 2020, the character of Johnny Blaze was nearing his 50th anniversary since his creation back in 1972! So there were a good number of Ghost Rider projects around the start of the decade and there were lots of new and divergent iterations of the Spirits of Vengeance concept introduced, for better or for worse.  For the most part these characters were kept separate from each other, and we'll be following several threads that can for all intents and purposes be read independently until things start to merge together a few years later.

This is the section of the chronology that, for the time being, will see changes as new comics are released.  We've essentially caught up to the present day and as new material gets added this chronology will get updated.

Ghost Rider Chronology: Part Three

Entering the 2000s, Ghost Rider was essentially a non-entity in the Marvel Universe. His comic had been cancelled in 1998 and there didn't seem to be much interest in the character.  In 2001, however, Johnny Blaze returned as the host for the Spirit of Vengeance, replacing his brother Danny Ketch, and he had a few adventures before being dragged to Hell, where he remained trapped for a period of time.  This began an era where the Ghost Rider mythos expanded both historically and laterally, as Marvel began introducing numerous variations on the character from all over the world.  

This is when it was revealed that the Spirits of Vengeance (yes, plural) were actually creations of Heaven to serve as agents on Earth, as directed by the rogue angel Zadkiel. Danny Ketch made his return as a Ghost Rider and Marvel set up this status quo as THE origin of the Ghost Rider going forward.  You know, until they decided that he actually was a demon after all.  Comics everybody! Blaze and Ketch both appear as Ghost Riders during this period and others are introduced, including Shoba Mizra, Baron Skullfire, the Blood Drinker, and several other Spirits of Vengeance from around the world, all of whom are killed following their brief appearances.

Ghost Rider Chronology: Part Two

When 1990 started the Ghost Rider had laid dormant for a good seven years, with only a meager handful of appearances for various related characters during that time.  Danny Ketch was introduced and started a whole new resurgence of interest in the concept, which led to massive sales success and lots and LOTS of guest appearances.  

This entry will be looking at the entirety of the 1990s as Ghost Rider had multiple spin-offs and special editions released, most of which can be easily slotted into a chronological order. There were also side characters that received the attention, as John Blaze returned to solo success of a lesser degree and Vengeance made his debut. This is a list that likely won't change much over time, as the 1990s are pretty locked-in in regards to continuity, though there are of course flashbacks and the occasional retro story that can be slotted in as needed.

Ghost Rider Chronology: Part One

It should come as no surprise that Ghost Rider continuity, chronology, and reading orders can quickly deteriorate into a hot, flaming pile of mess. Multiple characters ranging from the dawn of time to the literal end of universal existence and some bafflingly confusing origin contradictions can make reading the Ghost Rider mythos into a daunting task. 

But don't worry, I'm here to help!

This is an unofficial (but, hey, it's as official as it's gonna get, folks) reading order for every single Ghost Rider. It's essentially a live document that's going to change as new comics are released, but for now here's a starting point and a possible end point with a rapidly expanding middle section for the present day.

Cosmic Ghost Rider Chronology

For a character created as recently as 2018, Cosmic Ghost Rider has amassed an extremely convoluted timeline that features time travel to the far future and the distant past before the character finally settled in the present day Marvel Universe.

The character's origin was established via flashback in Thanos (2017) # 16, which told the story of how Frank Castle, the Punisher, became the host of the Spirit of Vengeance following Thanos' destruction of Earth in the near future (probably about 20 years from the present day, at a guess).  In the centuries that followed, Castle became the Herald of Galactus, which transformed him into the "Cosmic" Ghost Rider and gave him the abilities of the Power Cosmic along with those of the Spirit of Vengeance.  He later fell into a partnership with Thanos, becoming his "Black Right Hand", and that lasted for several more centuries.  Finally, on the eve of the final battle between Thanos and the last living being in the universe, the Silver Surfer, Castle used a shard of the Infinity Time Gem to travel back in time to the present day Marvel Universe with orders to retrieve that era's Thanos and bring him to the future.  Despite his vast power, during the battle at the end of time Cosmic Ghost Rider was killed by the Silver Surfer.

Thanos (2017) # 13 (1st appearance)
Thanos (2017) # 14
Thanos (2017) # 15 (identity revealed as Frank Castle)
Thanos (2017) # 16 (origin story told)
Thanos (2017) # 17 (death)

Castle found himself inhabiting a strange afterlife realm, where he was met by Odin, Allfather of the Asgardian Gods.  Seeing Castle as a valiant warrior, Odin rescued him from the dying timeline that was subsequently erased by the actions of Thanos and gave him a life in Valhalla free from the Ghost Rider curse.  However, due to his antisocial actions in Valhalla, Odin gave Castle back his powers and offered to send him anywhere in time to live again.  Castle chose the distant past, specifically shortly after the birth of Thanos on the moon of Titan.  At first intending to murder Thanos as a toddler, Castle instead chose to kidnap him, intending to raise him to be a better person.  This resulted in another bout of time travel, this time to an alternate reality ruled by the Thanos he raised.  Following a return to the past, where baby Thanos was returned to his home, Castle found himself with a new life sans a purpose.

Thanos (2017) Annual # 1 (rescued by Odin)
Cosmic Ghost Rider (2018) # 1 (sent to the past)
Cosmic Ghost Rider (2018) # 2
Cosmic Ghost Rider (2018) # 3
Cosmic Ghost Rider (2018) # 4
Cosmic Ghost Rider (2018) # 5

Cosmic Ghost Rider Destroys Marvel History (2019) # 1
Cosmic Ghost Rider Destroys Marvel History (2019) # 2
Cosmic Ghost Rider Destroys Marvel History (2019) # 3
Cosmic Ghost Rider Destroys Marvel History (2019) # 4
Cosmic Ghost Rider Destroys Marvel History (2019) # 5
Cosmic Ghost Rider Destroys Marvel History (2019) # 6

Recently, Cosmic Ghost Rider has been seen as an inhabitant of the current era of Marvel Universe history.  He made his presence known during the reading of Thanos' will following the Mad Titan's death and became embroiled in the hunt for Gamora.  Following the end of "The Final Gauntlet" he found himself the thrall of the Asgardian death god Hela and sent to Hell, where he was welcomed by Johnny Blaze.

Thanos Legacy # 1 (1st appearance in present day Marvel Universe)
Guardians of the Galaxy (2019) # 1
Guardians of the Galaxy (2019) # 2
Guardians of the Galaxy (2019) # 3
Guardians of the Galaxy (2019) # 4
Guardians of the Galaxy (2019) # 5
Guardians of the Galaxy (2019) # 6
Avengers (2018) # 23
Avengers (2018) # 24

Avengers (2018) # 25

Revenge of the Cosmic Ghost Rider (2019) # 1

Revenge of the Cosmic Ghost Rider (2019) # 2

Revenge of the Cosmic Ghost Rider (2019) # 3

Revenge of the Cosmic Ghost Rider (2019) # 4

Revenge of the Cosmic Ghost Rider (2019) # 5

Wolverine: Black, White & Blood (2021) # 3

31st Century Spirit of Vengeance Chronology

Cover Artist: Jim Valentino

At the request of reader Alex Maki, here's a chronology of Wileaydus Autolycus, the Spirit of Vengeance of the 31st century!  This character is an interesting side-note to the Ghost Rider legacy, and his creation and presence actually say a lot more in subtext than one would think.  Created by Jim Valentino in 1991 during the writer/artist's run on Guardians of the Galaxy, Wileaydus was an alien possessed by the Spirit of Vengeance, making him a future iteration of Ghost Rider.  He lived on the planet Sarka, which was ruled by an oppressive religion called the Universal Church of Truth.  The Church went about policing their world with practices straight out of the Spanish Inquisition, and was actually a priest in the Church in his human guise.  As the Spirit of Vengeance (never called "Ghost Rider", just "Spirit of Vengeance"), Wileaydus fought against the Church's regime but was often just as judgmental and murderous as his enemies.

Eventually, Wileaydus came into contact with the Guardians of the Galaxy.  This was the original incarnation of the team, the 31st century group with characters like Vance Astro and Starhawk, not the modern day movie star team.  After some expected misunderstandings and clashes, the Spirit of Vengeance became an ally to the Guardians and was drafted into a spin-off group called the Galactic Guardians (original, yes, I know).  This team included other future versions of Marvel heroes, such as Phoenix, Firelord, and Wonder Man.  Following the conclusion of the 90s' Guardians series Wileaydus fell into limbo and has yet to make any more appearances.  But who knows, maybe he'll pop up again in some time travel story down the line?

Most interestingly is what he means to the Spirit of Vengeance concept, that subtext I mentioned earlier.  He's not from Earth, he's an alien with no contact or knowledge of humanity, yet he's possessed by an entity seemingly created by the Christian deity of Earth.  Does this mean Yahweh is the "one true god" of every planet, race, and civilization in the universe and has created Spirits of Vengeance to police all of them?  Does this mean the Spirit of Vengeance somehow made its way across the stars to settle on another world after Earth's near-destruction in that future timeline?    A story that detailed just HOW Wileaydus Autolycus became a Ghost Rider is one I would be truly interested in reading, though the likelihood of ever seeing that is slim to none.

1991
Guardians of the Galaxy (1990) # 13
Guardians of the Galaxy (1990) # 14

1992
Guardians of the Galaxy (1990) Annual # 2

1993
Guardians of the Galaxy (1990) # 34 (cameo)
Guardians of the Galaxy (1990) # 35
Guardians of the Galaxy (1990) # 36
Guardians of the Galaxy (1990) # 37

1994
Guardians of the Galaxy (1990) # 47 (cameo)
Guardians of the Galaxy (1990) # 50 (cameo)
Galactic Guardians (1994) # 1
Galactic Guardians (1994) # 2
Galactic Guardians (1994) # 3
Galactic Guardians (1994) # 4

Ghost Rider Chronology: 2016-2019

Following a successful media crossover that featured the Robbie Reyes Ghost Rider as a major character on ABC's Agents of SHIELD television show, Marvel attempted to launch a new Ghost Rider series in 2016.  The series was cancelled shortly into 2017, but with the Marvel Legacy and "Fresh Start" relaunches the character was given some more time in the spotlight. 2018 saw Johnny Blaze as a major star of the "Doctor Strange: Damnation" event, which resulted in the character becoming the King of Hell, while Robbie Reyes joined the ranks of the Avengers by writer Jason Aaron!

2016
Ghost Rider X-Mas Special # 1 (Reyes)
Ghost Rider (2016) # 1 (Reyes)
Ghost Rider (2016) # 2 (Reyes)

2017
Ghost Rider (2016) # 3 (Reyes)
Ghost Rider (2016) # 4 (Reyes)
Ghost Rider (2016) # 5 (Reyes)
The Unbelievable Gwenpool # 14 (Reyes)
The Unbelievable Gwenpool # 15 (Reyes)
Marvel Legacy (2017) # 1 (Reyes)
Iceman (2017) # 6 (Blaze)
Iceman (2017) # 7 (Blaze)
Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (2015) # 24 (Blaze)
Spirits of Vengeance (2017) # 1 (Blaze)
Spirits of Vengeance (2017) # 2 (Blaze)
Spirits of Vengeance (2017) # 3 (Blaze)

2018
Spirits of Vengeance (2017) # 4 (Blaze)
Spirits of Vengeance (2017) # 5 (Blaze)
Doctor Strange: Damnation (2018) # 1 (Blaze)
Doctor Strange: Damnation (2018) # 2 (Blaze)
Doctor Strange: Damnation (2018) # 3 (Blaze)
Damnation: Johnny Blaze - Ghost Rider # 1 (Blaze)
Doctor Strange: Damnation (2018) # 4 (Blaze)
Avengers (2018) # 1 (Reyes)
Avengers (2018) # 2 (Reyes)
Avengers (2018) # 3 (Reyes)
Avengers (2018) # 4 (Reyes)
Avengers (2018) # 5 (Reyes)
Avengers (2018) # 6 (Reyes)
Immortal Hulk (2018) # 7 (Reyes, cameo only)
Fantastic Four (2018) # 3-4 (Ketch, cameo only)
Avengers (2018) # 8 (Reyes)
Avengers (2018) # 9 (Reyes)
Avengers (2018) # 10 (Reyes)
Dead Man Logan (2018) # 3 (Reyes)
Avengers (2018) # 11-12 (Reyes, cameo only)

2019
Avengers (2018) # 14 (Reyes)
Avengers (2018) # 15 (Reyes)
Avengers (2018) # 16 (Reyes, Blaze)
Avengers (2018) # 17 (Reyes, Blaze)
War of the Realms # 1 (Reyes, cameo only)
War of the Realms: Ghost Rider Ultimate Comic (Reyes)
War of the Realms # 2 (Reyes, cameo only)
War of the Realms Strikeforce: The Dark Elf Realm # 1 (Reyes)
War of the Realms # 3-6 (Reyes, cameo only)
Marvel Comics Presents (2019) # 6 (Ketch)
The Punisher (2018) # 14 (Ketch)
The Punisher (2018) # 15 (Ketch)
The Punisher (2018) # 16 (Ketch)
Absolute Carnage: Symbiote of Vengeance # 1 (Ketch, Jones, Blaze)
Guardians of the Galaxy (2019) # 6 (Blaze, cameo only)
Strikeforce (2019) # 1 (Reyes, cameo only)
Avengers (2018) # 21 (Reyes, cameo only)
Free Comic Book Day 2019: Avengers # 1 (Reyes)
Avengers (2018) # 22 (Reyes, Blaze)
Avengers (2018) # 23 (Reyes, Blaze, Castle)
Avengers (2018) # 24 (Reyes, Blaze, Castle)
Avengers (2018) # 25 (Reyes, Blaze, Castle)
Ghost Rider (2019) # 1 (Blaze, Ketch)
Ghost Rider (2019) # 2 (Blaze, Ketch)

Ghost Rider (2019) # 3 (Blaze, Ketch)

2020

Ghost Rider (2019) # 4 (Blaze, Ketch)

Spirits of Ghost Rider: Mother of Demons # 1 (Blaze, Ketch)

Ghost Rider (2019) # 5 (Blaze, Ketch)

Ghost Rider (2019) # 6 (Blaze, Ketch)

Ghost Rider (2019) # 7 (Blaze, Ketch)

Avengers (2018) # 27 (Reyes)

Avengers (2018) # 28 (Reyes)

Avengers (2018) # 29 (Reyes)

Avengers (2018) # 30 (Reyes)

Empyre: Avengers (2020) # 0 (Reyes, cameo only)

Empyre (2020) # 1 (Reyes, cameo only)

Avengers (2018) # 33 (Reyes, cameo only)

Avengers (2018) # 37-38 (Reyes, cameo only)

Ghost Rider: The Return of Vengeance # 1

Ghost/Night/Phantom Rider Chronology

The chronology for the original Western Ghost Rider is not an easy task to work through, considering that it involves multiple characters using the identity, possessions by ghosts of previous users of the names, and a span of time ranging from 1967 to the present.  Oh, and the character changed names THREE TIMES, being called at various points the Ghost Rider, the Night Rider, and the Phantom Rider.

The first Ghost Rider was Carter Slade, a frontier teacher who was left for dead during a robbery and healed by a Native American shaman named Flaming Star.  The shaman believed Slade to be the fulfillment of a vision prophecy he'd received from his gods, and assisted Carter in becoming the white-garbed Ghost Rider.

The Ghost Rider (1967) # 1
The Original Ghost Rider (1992) # 3
The Original Ghost Rider (1992) # 4
The Original Ghost Rider (1992) # 5
The Original Ghost Rider (1992) # 7
The Original Ghost Rider (1992) # 8
The Original Ghost Rider (1992) # 9
The Original Ghost Rider (1992) # 10
The Original Ghost Rider (1992) # 11
The Original Ghost Rider (1992) # 12
The Original Ghost Rider (1992) # 13
The Original Ghost Rider (1992) # 15
The Original Ghost Rider (1992) # 16
The Original Ghost Rider (1992) # 17
The Original Ghost Rider (1992) # 18
The Original Ghost Rider (1992) # 19
The Original Ghost Rider (1992) # 20
The Ghost Rider (1967) # 2
The Ghost Rider (1967) # 3
Ghost Rider (1973) # 50
Ghost Rider (1973) # 51
The Ghost Rider (1967) # 4
The Ghost Rider (1967) # 5
The Ghost Rider (1967) # 6
The Ghost Rider (1967) # 7
Western Gunfighters (1970) # 3
Western Gunfighters (1970) # 1
Western Gunfighters (1970) # 2
Giant-Size Kid Colt, Outlaw # 3
Avengers Forever (1999) # 6
Avengers (1963) # 141
Avengers (1963) # 142
Avengers (1963) # 143
Western Gunfighters (1970) # 4
Western Gunfighters (1970) # 5
Western Gunfighters (1970) # 6

Carter Slade died at the end of Western Gunfighters (1970) # 6, and the next issue of that series saw his brother, lawman Lincoln Slade, take up the Ghost Rider mantle.  Lincoln died in 1987's West Coast Avengers # 23, which took place in the late 1800s via time travel, after he brainwashed and raped the Avenger Mockingbird, who let him fall to his death.  Another Western gunslinger, Reno Jones, briefly took over the Ghost Rider identity in the Blaze of Glory limited series.

Western Gunfighters (1970) # 7
West Coast Avengers (1985) # 18
West Coast Avengers (1985) # 19
West Coast Avengers (1985) # 20
West Coast Avengers (1985) # 21
West Coast Avengers (1985) # 22
West Coast Avengers (1985) # 23
Blaze of Glory (2000) # 3
Blaze of Glory (2000) # 4

That marked the end of the Ghost Rider legacy until the modern day, when archaeologist Hamilton Slade (grandson of Lincoln and great-nephew of Carter) found a mystic urn that held the Ghost Rider costume and the spirits of his two ancestors.  Hamilton was possessed by both spirits, who took over his body without his knowledge to ride as first the Night Rider and later the Phantom Rider (which is the name the character is most associated with now).  At first the spirit of Carter had dominance, even joining the team of western superheroes called the Rangers.  When he encountered the Avenger Mockingbird, who was responsible for the death of Lincoln Slade, the evil Slade brother took control.  So all appearances in this time are for Hamilton, Carter, and Lincoln.

Ghost Rider (1973) # 56
Incredible Hulk (1968) # 265
West Coast Avengers (1985) # 8
West Coast Avengers (1985) # 29 (cameo appearance only)
West Coast Avengers (1985) # 31
West Coast Avengers (1985) # 32
West Coast Avengers (1985) # 34
West Coast Avengers (1985) # 39
West Coast Avengers (1985) # 41

At the end of his West Coast Avengers appearances, the spirit of Lincoln Slade was exorcised by Daimon Hellstrom, leaving Hamilton sharing his body with the spirit of the heroic Carter Slade.  There were very few appearances of the character in the following years, but during that time Carter's ghost was removed from Hamilton's body.  Hamilton retained the abilities and persona of the Phantom Rider while Carter's ghost appeared in the afterlife.  In one of those instances, during Ghost Riders: Heaven's On Fire (2009) # 6, Carter Slade appeared as one of Heaven's Spirits of Vengeance, finally connecting him to the modern day Ghost Rider legacy.  Finally, a new Phantom Rider was created when Lincoln Slade's spirit possessed the body of his great-granddaughter, Jamie Slade.  During the attempt to free her from her possession, her father Hamilton Slade was shot and killed.

Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 102
X-Statix Presents: Dead Girl (2006) # 2
X-Statix Presents: Dead Girl (2006) # 3
X-Statix Presents: Dead Girl (2006) # 4
X-Statix Presents: Dead Girl (2006) # 5
Avengers: The Initiative (2007) # 2 (cameo appearance only)
Avengers: The Initiative (2007) # 19
Ghost Riders: Heaven's On Fire (2009) # 6 (cameo appearance only)
Hawkeye and Mockingbird (2010) # 1
Hawkeye and Mockingbird (2010) # 2
Hawkeye and Mockingbird (2010) # 3
Hawkeye and Mockingbird (2010) # 4
Hawkeye and Mockingbird (2010) # 5
Mockingbird (2016) # 6
Mockingbird (2016) # 7
Mockingbird (2016) # 8
War of the Realms: Journey Into Mystery # 3
War of the Realms: Journey Into Mystery # 4 (cameo appearance only)
War of the Realms: Journey Into Mystery # 5 (cameo appearance only)

Ghost Rider Chronology: 2009-2015

Recent years have seen a slew of Ghost Rider reboots, mainly focused on new hosts for the Spirits of Vengeance in place of Johnny Blaze.  The 2011 relaunch starred a young woman named Alejandra that was cancelled in less than a year, and more successfully 2014 saw the debut of Robbie Reyes in the pages of All-New Ghost Rider.  2015 saw Marvel Comics being consumed by the "Secret Wars" crossover event, which briefly rebranded the series as Ghost Racers for a 4-issue mini-series.

2009
Ghost Rider (2006) # 29
Ghost Rider (2006) # 30
Ghost Rider (2006) # 31
Ghost Rider (2006) # 32
Ghost Rider (2006) # 33
Ghost Rider (2006) # 34
Ghost Rider (2006) # 35
Ghost Riders: Heaven's On Fire (2009) # 1
Ghost Riders: Heaven's On Fire (2009) # 2
Ghost Riders: Heaven's On Fire (2009) # 3

2010
Ghost Riders: Heaven's On Fire (2009) # 4
Ghost Riders: Heaven's On Fire (2009) # 5
Ghost Riders: Heaven's On Fire (2009) # 6
Deadpool Team-Up # 897
Doctor Voodoo, Avenger of the Supernatural # 3
Doctor Voodoo, Avenger of the Supernatural # 4
Doctor Voodoo, Avenger of the Supernatural # 5
Strange (2009) # 4 (cameo appearance only)
Deadpool (2008) # 26
Shadowland # 2
Shadowland # 3
Shadowland: Moon Knight # 2 (cameo appearance only)
Shadowland: Ghost Rider # 1
Shadowland # 5
Daredevil (1964) # 511 (cameo appearance only)

2011
Wolverine (2010) # 2 (cameo appearance only)
Wolverine (2010) # 3 (cameo appearance only)
Wolverine (2010) # 4
Wolverine (2010) # 5
Wolverine (2010) # 6
X-Men: To Serve and Protect # 2
Heroes For Hire (2011) # 2
Amazing Spider-Man/Ghost Rider: Motorstorm # 1
Ghost Rider (2011) # 0.1
Ghost Rider (2011) # 1
Ghost Rider (2011) # 2
Ghost Rider (2011) # 3
Ghost Rider (2011) # 4

2012
Ghost Rider (2011) # 5
X-Men (2010) # 15.1
Ghost Rider (2011) # 6
Ghost Rider (2011) # 7
Ghost Rider (2011) # 8
Venom (2011) # 13
Venom (2011) # 13.1
Venom (2011) # 13.2
Venom (2011) # 13.3
Venom (2011) # 13.4
Venom (2011) # 14
Ghost Rider (2011) # 9
Wolverine and the X-Men (2011) # 19 (cameo appearance only)

2014
Superior Spider-Man Annual # 1
Uncanny Avengers (2013) Annual # 1
Thunderbolts (2013) # 20.NOW
Thunderbolts (2013) # 21
Thunderbolts (2013) # 22
Thunderbolts (2013) # 23
Thunderbolts (2013) # 24
Thunderbolts (2013) # 25
Thunderbolts (2013) # 26
All-New Ghost Rider (2014) # 1
All-New Ghost Rider (2014) # 2
All-New Ghost Rider (2014) # 3
All-New Ghost Rider (2014) # 4
All-New Ghost Rider (2014) # 5
Thunderbolts (2013) # 27
Thunderbolts (2013) # 28
Thunderbolts (2013) # 29
Thunderbolts (2013) # 32
All-New Ghost Rider (2014) # 6
All-New Ghost Rider (2014) # 7
All-New Ghost Rider (2014) # 8

2015
All-New Ghost Rider (2014) # 9
All-New Ghost Rider (2014) # 10
All-New Ghost Rider (2014) # 11
All-New Ghost Rider (2014) # 12
Secret Wars: Secret Love # 1
Inhumans: Attilan Rising # 1
Ghost Racers (2015) # 1
Ghost Racers (2015) # 2
Ghost Racers (2015) # 3
Ghost Racers (2016) # 4

Ghost Rider Chronology: 2001-2008

Johnny Blaze returned as Ghost Rider for the 2001 mini-series "The Hammer Lane" and the 2005 mini-series "The Road to Damnation" before finally being awarded a new ongoing series in 2006 by creators Daniel Way, Javier Saltares, and Mark Texeira.  2008 saw the series taken over creatively by writer Jason Aaron and artist Roland Boschi, who turned in one of the most critically acclaimed runs on the character ever.

2001
Ghost Rider (2001) # 1
Ghost Rider (2001) # 2
Ghost Rider (2001) # 3
Ghost Rider (2001) # 4
Ghost Rider (2001) # 5
Ghost Rider (2001) # 6
Ghost Rider (2001) # 1/2
Thunderbolts (1997) # 57 (cameo appearance only)

2005
Ghost Rider (2006) # 6 (flashback sequences only)
Ghost Rider (2006) # 7 (flashback sequences only)
Ghost Rider (2005) # 1
Ghost Rider (2005) # 2

2006
Ghost Rider (2005) # 3
Ghost Rider (2005) # 4
Ghost Rider (2005) # 5
Ghost Rider (2005) # 6
Ghost Rider (2006) # 1
Ghost Rider (2006) # 2
Ghost Rider (2006) # 3
Ghost Rider (2006) # 4

2007
Ghost Rider (2006) # 5
Ghost Rider (2006) # 6
Ghost Rider (2006) # 7
Ghost Rider (2006) # 8
Ghost Rider (2006) # 9
Ghost Rider (2006) # 10
Ghost Rider (2006) # 11
Ghost Rider (2006) # 12
Ghost Rider (2006) # 13
Ghost Rider (2006) Annual # 1
Ghost Rider (2006) # 14
Ghost Rider (2006) # 15
Ghost Rider (2006) # 16

2008
Ghost Rider (2006) # 17
Ghost Rider (2006) # 18
Ghost Rider (2006) # 19
Ghost Rider: Danny Ketch (2008) # 1
Ghost Rider: Danny Ketch (2008) # 2
Ghost Rider: Danny Ketch (2008) # 3
Ghost Rider: Danny Ketch (2008) # 4
Ghost Rider: Danny Ketch (2008) # 5
Ghost Rider (2006) # 20
Ghost Rider (2006) # 21
Ghost Rider (2006) # 22
Ghost Rider (2006) # 23
Ghost Rider (2006) # 24
Ghost Rider (2006) # 25
Ghost Rider (2006) Annual # 2
X-Force (2008) # 9
X-Force (2008) # 10
Wolverine (2003) # 73 (cameo appearance only)
Ghost Rider (2006) # 26
Ghost Rider (2006) # 27
Ghost Rider (2006) # 28

Ghost Rider Chronology: 1996-1998

1996 saw the last issue of Ghost Rider by writer Howard Mackie, who was replaced by Ivan Velez Jr.  Velez would write the series through the final issue in 1998, when low sales caused the title's cancellation.  Strangely enough, the series was cancelled prior to the final issue, # 94, being released.  That issue was finally published in 2007 as "Ghost Rider Finale", as part of the marketing push of the Ghost Rider feature film.  1998 effectively ended the Danny Ketch version of Ghost Rider and when the series/character returns several years later it is once again Johnny Blaze as the demon's host.

Cover Artist: Javier Saltares

1996
Ghost Rider (1990) # 69
Over the Edge (1995) # 4
Ghost Riders: Crossroads # 1
Over the Edge (1995) # 9
Ghost Rider (1990) # 70
Ghost Rider (1990) # 71
Ghost Rider (1990) # 72
Ghost Rider (1990) # 73
Ghost Rider (1990) # 74
Ghost Rider (1990) # 75
Ghost Rider (1990) # 76
Ghost Rider (1990) # 77
Ghost Rider (1990) # 78
Ghost Rider (1990) # 79
Ghost Rider (1990) # 80

1997
Ghost Rider (1990) # 81
Ghost Rider (1990) # 82
Marvel Fanfare (1997) # 3
Ghost Rider (1990) # 83
Ghost Rider (1990) # 84
Ghost Rider (1990) # 85
Devil's Reign: Cyblade/Ghost Rider # 1
Devil's Reign: Ghost Rider/Ballistic # 1
Ghost Rider (1990) # 86
Ghost Rider (1990) # 87
Ghost Rider (1990) # 88
Ghost Rider (1990) # 89
Venom: Sign of the Boss # 1
Venom: Sign of the Boss # 2
Daredevil (1964) # 372
Ghost Rider (1990) # 90
Ghost Rider (1990) # 91

1998
Ghost Rider (1990) # 92
Ghost Rider (1990) # 93
Werewolf by Night (1997) # 6
Ghost Rider Finale (published in 2007)
Peter Parker: Spider-Man (1990) # 93
X-Force/Champions Annual '98

Ghost Rider Chronology: 1994-1995

"Siege of Darkness" finishes up at the start of 1994, which results in the death of Ghost Rider and Vengeance taking over his role in the main Ghost Rider series and in Marvel Comics Presents until Ghost Rider # 50 later in the year (so the chronology that starts with Ghost Rider # 46 through to # 50 is actually for Vengeance as the "new Ghost Rider").  Spirits of Vengeance becomes a Blaze series in all but name until that book's end and the launch of the actual solo Blaze series, which lasts for only a year.  Vengeance continues on as the star of Marvel Comics Presents until the end of that series in 1995.  By the end of that year, there remains just the one Ghost Rider title, as the character's popularity is dipping pretty low.


Cover Artist: Javier Saltares

1994
Nightstalkers (1992) # 15
Ghost Rider (1990) # 45
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 145
Darkhold: Pages From the Book of Sins (1992) # 16
Morbius the Living Vampire (1992) # 17
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 146
Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme (1988) # 61
Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 18
Midnight Sons Unlimited (1993) # 4
Ghost Rider (1990) # 46
Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 19
Blaze: Legacy of Blood (1994) # 1
Blaze: Legacy of Blood (1994) # 2
Blaze: Legacy of Blood (1994) # 3
Blaze: Legacy of Blood (1994) # 4
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 147
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 148
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 149
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 150
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 151
Ghost Rider (1990) # 47
Ghost Rider (1990) # 48
Midnight Sons Unlimited (1993) # 5
Midnight Sons Unlimited (1993) # 5 (Blaze back-up story)
Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 20
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 152
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 153
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 154
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 155
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 156
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 157
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 158
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 159
Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme (1988) # 65
Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme (1988) # 66
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 160
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 161
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 162
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 163
Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 21
Ghost Rider (1990) # 49
Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 22
Ghost Rider (1990) # 50
Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 23
Ghost Rider (1990) # 51
Blaze (1994) # 1
Ghost Rider (1990) # 52
Ghost Rider (1990) Annual # 2
Ghost Rider (1990) Annual # 2 (Vengeance back-up story)
Ghost Rider (1990) Annual # 2 (Blaze back-up story)
Venom: Nights of Vengeance # 1
Venom: Nights of Vengeance # 2
Venom: Nights of Vengeance # 3
Venom: Nights of Vengeance # 4
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 164
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 165
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 166
Ghost Rider (1990) # 53
Ghost Rider (1990) # 54
Blaze (1994) # 2
Blaze (1994) # 3
Ghost Rider (1990) # 52 (Vengeance back-up story)
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 167
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 168
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 169
Ghost Rider (1990) # 55
Blaze (1994) # 4
Blaze (1994) # 5
Blaze (1994) # 6
Ghost Rider/Wolverine/Punisher: The Dark Design

Cover Artist: Gary Erskine

1995
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 170
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 171
Blaze (1994) # 7
Ghost Rider (1990) # 56
Ghost Rider (1990) # 57
Wolverine (1988) # 89
Morbius: The Living Vampire (1993) # 29
Blaze (1994) # 8
Blaze (1994) # 9
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 172
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 173
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 174
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 175
Blaze (1994) # 10
Blaze (1994) # 11
Blaze (1994) # 12
Ghost Rider (1990) # 58
Ghost Rider (1990) # 59
Ghost Rider (1990) # 60
Ghost Rider (1990) # 61
Ghost Rider (1990) # 62
Ghost Rider (1990) # 63
Ghost Rider (1990) # 64
Ghost Rider (1990) # 65
Double Edge: Omega
DC Versus Marvel # 1 (cameo appearance only)
Ghost Rider (1990) # 66
Ghost Rider (1990) # 67
Ghost Rider (1990) # 68

Ghost Rider 2099 Chronology

The Marvel 2099 imprint launched in 1992 with four titles (Spider-Man, Punisher, Doom, and Ravage) and slowly expanded its line over the next two years.  Among the titles added was Ghost Rider 2099 by writer Len Kaminski and (at least initially) artist Chris Bachalo.  This version of Ghost Rider was completely removed from the modern day incarnation; instead of a demonic Spirit of Vengeance, hacker anarchist Zero Cochrane found his mind downloaded into the body of a technologically advanced robot.  The series last for 25 issues with only a few guest-appearances, so this chronology will be relatively brief. 

The character was brought back in 2009 during the Timestorm 2009/2099 mini-series and in 2015 for the Ghost Racers mini-series, but those versions of Zero were from alternate realities and not the one from the 1994 series.

Finally, there were two unpublished issues of Ghost Rider 2099 from 1996 (which were commissioned and completed just prior to the series being cancelled) that have been released online by the artist.  "Daddy Dearest" was written by Scott Andrews and illustrated by Salgood Sam (then Max Douglas) and "Horrorshow" was written by Warren Ellis and illustrated as well by Salgood Sam.  

Cover Artist: Ashley Wood

1994
Ghost Rider 2099 (1994) # 1
Ghost Rider 2099 (1994) # 2
Ghost Rider 2099 (1994) # 3
Ghost Rider 2099 (1994) # 4
Ghost Rider 2099 (1994) # 5
Ghost Rider 2099 (1994) # 6
Ghost Rider 2099 (1994) # 7
Ghost Rider 2099 (1994) # 8

1995
Ghost Rider 2099: Horrorshow (unpublished)
Ghost Rider 2099: Daddy Dearest (unpublished)
Ghost Rider 2099 (1994) # 9
Ghost Rider 2099 (1994) # 10
Ghost Rider 2099 (1994) # 11
Ghost Rider 2099 (1994) # 12
Ghost Rider 2099 (1994) # 13
2099 A.D. # 1
Ghost Rider 2099 (1994) # 14
Ghost Rider 2099 (1994) # 15
Ghost Rider 2099 (1994) # 16
Ghost Rider 2099 (1994) # 17
Ghost Rider 2099 (1994) # 18
Ghost Rider 2099 (1994) # 19
Ghost Rider 2099 (1994) # 20

1996
Ghost Rider 2099 (1994) # 21
Ghost Rider 2099 (1994) # 22
Ghost Rider 2099 (1994) # 23
Ghost Rider 2099 (1994) # 24
Ghost Rider 2099 (1994) # 25

1998
2099: Manifest Destiny # 1

2009
Timestorm 2009/2099 # 2
Timestorm 2009/2099: X-Men # 1
Timestorm 2009/2099 # 3
Timestorm 2009/2099 # 4

2015
Ghost Racers (2015) # 2
Ghost Racers (2015) # 3
Ghost Racers (2015) # 4

2016
Spider-Man 2099 (2015) # 14

Promotional Artwork: Chris Bachalo

Ghost Rider Chronology: 1992-1993

Crossovers are the name of the game as Ghost Rider is spun out into its own little franchise with "Rise of the Midnight Sons".  A second ongoing Ghost Rider series, Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance, is added along with numerous guest-appearances.  The character hits the peak of his popularity during this period, which will soon result in a drop in sales in coming years.

1992
Sleepwalker (1991) # 11
Spider-Man (1990) # 18
Spider-Man (1990) # 22
Spider-Man (1990) # 23
Deathlok (1991) # 9
Deathlok (1991) # 10
Ghost Rider (1990) # 21
Ghost Rider (1990) # 22
Ghost Rider (1990) # 23
Ghost Rider (1990) # 24
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 98
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 99
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 100
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 101
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 102
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 103
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 104
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 105
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 106
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 107
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 108
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 109
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 110
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 111
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 112
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 113
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 114
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 115
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 116
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 117
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 118
Marvel Collector's Edition # 1
Amazing Spider-Man: Hit and Run # 3
Ghost Rider (1990) # 25
X-Men (1991) # 8
Ghost Rider (1990) # 26
X-Men (1991) # 9
Ghost Rider (1990) # 27
Ghost Rider (1990) # 28
Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 1
Ghost Rider (1990) # 29
Morbius the Living Vampire (1992) # 1
Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 2
Ghost Rider (1990) # 30
Darkhold: Pages From the Book of Sins (1992) # 1
Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 3
Nightstalkers (1992) # 1
Ghost Rider (1990) # 31
Ghost Rider (1990) # 32

1993
Slapstick (1992) # 4
Darkhold: Pages From the Book of Sins (1992) # 5
Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme (1988) # 50
Darkhawk (1991) # 22
Ghost Rider/Captain America: Fear
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 119
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 120
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 121
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 122
Ghost Rider (1990) # 33
Sleepwalker Holiday Special (cameo appearance only)
Ghost Rider (1990) # 34
Ghost Rider (1990) # 35
Ghost Rider (1990) # 36
Ghost Rider (1990) # 37
Ghost Rider (1990) # 38
Ghost Rider Collector's Edition # 1
Nightstalkers (1992) # 7
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 123
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 124
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 125
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 126
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 127
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 128
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 129
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 130
Mys-TECH Wars (1993) # 2 (cameo appearance only)
Shadow Riders (1993) # 2
Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 7 (back-up story)
Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 8 (back-up story)
Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 4
Web of Spider-Man (1985) # 95
Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 5
Web of Spider-Man (1985) # 96
Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 6
Midnight Sons Unlimited (1993) # 1
Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 7
Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 8
Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 9
Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 10
Ghost Rider (1990) # 39
Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 12
Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 11
Marvel Holiday Special 1993
Fantastic Four (1961) # 374
Fantastic Four (1961) # 375 (cameo appearance only)
The Punisher War Journal (1988) # 57
The Punisher War Journal (1988) # 58
Terror, Inc. (1992) # 13
Midnight Sons Unlimited (1993) # 2
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 131
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 132
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 133
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 134
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 135
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 136
Nightstalkers (1992) # 10
Ghost Rider (1990) # 40
Darkhold: Pages From the Book of Sins (1992) # 11
Morbius the Living Vampire (1992) # 12
Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 13
Midnight Sons Unlimited (1993) # 3
Ghost Rider (1990) Annual # 1 (back-up story)
Gun Runner (1993) # 1
Gun Runner (1993) # 2
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 137
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 138
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 139
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 140
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 141
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 142
Morbius the Living Vampire (1992) # 15
Ghost Rider (1990) Annual # 1
Ghost Rider (1990) # 41
Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 14
Ghost Rider (1990) # 42
Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 15
Ghost Rider (1990) # 43
Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 16
Nightstalkers (1992) # 14
Ghost Rider (1990) # 44
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 143
Darkhold: Pages From the Book of Sins (1992) # 15
Morbius the Living Vampire (1992) # 16
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 144
Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme (1988) # 60
Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance (1992) # 17

Ghost Rider Chronology: 1990-1991

Ghost Rider is relaunched in 1990 by writer Howard Mackie and artists Javier Saltares and Mark Texeira, which results in a huge surge of popularity of the character.  This is most evident in the amount of guest appearances the character begins to make, which is why this post only covers the first two years of the Danny Ketch era.

1990
Ghost Rider (1990) # 1
Ghost Rider (1990) # 2
Ghost Rider (1990) # 3
Ghost Rider (1990) # 4
Ghost Rider (1990) # 5
Ghost Rider (1990) # 6
Ghost Rider (1990) # 7
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 64
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 65
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 66
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 67
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 68
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 69
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 70
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 71
Spider-Man (1990) # 6
Spider-Man (1990) # 7
Code of Honor # 4 (published 1997, cameo appearance only)
Fantastic Four (1961) # 347
Fantastic Four (1961) # 348
Fantastic Four (1961) # 349
Spider-Man/Fantastic Four # 3 (published 2010)
Ghost Rider (1990) # 8

1991
Ghost Rider (1990) # 9
The Mighty Thor (1966) # 429
The Mighty Thor (1966) # 430
Ghost Rider (1990) # 10
Ghost Rider (1990) # 11
Ghost Rider (1990) # 12
Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme (1988) # 28
Marc Spector: Moon Knight (1989) # 25
Punisher War Journal (1988) # 29
Punisher War Journal (1988) # 30
Damage Control (1991) # 4 (cameo appearance only)
Daredevil (1964) # 294 (cameo appearance only)
Daredevil (1964) # 295
Ghost Rider (1990) # 13
Ghost Rider (1990) # 14
Ghost Rider (1990) # 15
Ghost Rider (1990) # 16
Ghost Rider (1990) # 17
Ghost Rider (1990) # 18
Cloak & Dagger (1988) # 17 (cameo appearance only)
Cloak & Dagger (1988) # 18
Quasar (1989) # 22 (cameo appearance only)
Quasar (1989) # 23
Quasar (1989) # 24 (cameo appearance only)
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 90
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 91
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 92
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 93
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 94
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 95
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 96
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) # 97
Marvel Holiday Special # 1
Ghost Rider/Wolverine/Punisher: Hearts of Darkness
Ghost Rider (1990) # 19
Ghost Rider (1990) # 20