Texas.
Inside a motorcycle club's garage.
Johnny Blaze, a professional stunt rider, stayed behind after everyone else had gone, working alone on his motorcycle.
Outside.
What had been a clear, starry night suddenly erupted with thunder and lightning just as Johnny took a sip of water and glanced out the window.
"Damn weather."
Johnny muttered, pulling the curtains shut.
He went back to tuning his bike while the storm outside grew fiercer, wind howling and lightning flashing across the sky.
"Clatter!"
The sharp noise made Johnny jolt.
He turned quickly toward the sound. The Cross on the wall had fallen, knocking over a can of red paint. The paint smeared across the crucified figure of Jesus.
It looked as if Christ was bleeding, crimson running down after a brutal torment. Frowning, Johnny walked over and cleaned it up.
He couldn't shake the sense of a bad omen, especially with tomorrow's big show coming up. Johnny Blaze was America's hottest stunt motorcyclist, hailed as "Undead Johnny" by the media for his uncanny ability to cheat death.
But…
Only Johnny knew the truth—his survival wasn't luck, but the price of a deal with the devil.
"If I could do it all over again..."
He stared at his reflection in the mirror, sorrow clouding his eyes. These days he couldn't sleep without pills.
The past—it haunted Johnny like a nightmare.
"Johnny!"
Suddenly.
Just as he was lost in thought, a voice called from outside the club.
A voice Johnny Blaze would never forget—Mephisto, the devil from hell.
"What, here to trick me again?!"
Fear struck him first, then rage surged through him.
He snatched up a double-barreled shotgun, ready to fight. But when he looked up, he saw a dark silhouette standing at the entrance.
An old man with snow-white hair.
Mephisto's incarnation.
"Demon! You spared my life just to make me do your dirty work!" Johnny Blaze raised his hand and fired a shot.
Too bad.
Though Mephisto's form wasn't powerful, ordinary weapons still couldn't harm him in the slightest.
"A shotgun can't stop a demon."
Mephisto paid no heed to Johnny Blaze's outburst. He stepped into the garage, gliding with elegant slowness toward Blaze.
"You killed my father!"
Johnny fired several more shots, all equally futile. He tossed the shotgun aside in defeat, glaring at Mephisto through clenched teeth.
"I fulfilled our bargain—didn't I cure his illness?" Mephisto wore an innocent, cunning expression.
"But you still took his life!" Tears welled in Johnny Blaze's eyes. He had no idea how to fight this demon.
"Johnny, death is inevitable—it's fate... As for your repeated escapes from death, that truly has nothing to do with me."
"I've always been your biggest fan."
Mephisto's voice dripped with seduction. He adopted the expression of a devoted admirer before whispering softly into Johnny Blaze's ear.
"Newspapers, news, television—so many voices constantly chanting, Johnny, Johnny... That's your name."
"Seeing all this, honestly, I'm proud of you." Mephisto's hand suddenly rested on Johnny Blaze's shoulder.
Outside, lightning flashed, illuminating his demonic face and startling Johnny Blaze. Yet Johnny found himself utterly unable to move.
Mephisto leaned close to Johnny Blaze's ear.
"You are my investment—my most satisfying one. So don't disappoint me. Now it's time for you to fulfill our agreement."
A grotesque demonic visage flickered across Mephisto's aged face, his voice carrying an air of absolute authority.
"My son was murdered. I need you to find the killer. Then bring that audacious scoundrel to me."
"Don't kill him... let me handle it." Mephisto whispered in Johnny Blaze's ear, flames beginning to rise in his eyes.
It was fire from the depths of Hell.
"Of course, before completing this task, you must do one more thing for me—bring me the contract that belongs to me."
Mephisto certainly wanted to find Herman, but his "concern" for Blackheart was merely to maintain his own standing.
Therefore.
After awakening Johnny Blaze, he hadn't forgotten that contract coveted by Blackheart... The souls of saints were a rare delicacy.
It should appease his rage over losing his son... Mephisto thought, his smile looking utterly wicked.
"No!"
Johnny Blaze snarled angrily.
"What? No? My knight, you have no right to refuse me." Mephisto laughed with utter contempt. "You signed a contract with me—oh, the most exquisite thing—ensuring you'd never betray a wretched soul like me."
Watching Johnny Blaze continue to roar, the veins bulging on his neck, Mephisto tilted his head slightly.
"I understand you have some emotions. How about I grant you a small favor?"
Mephisto's tone suddenly turned grave.
"Complete the task I give you, and I will grant you freedom... even return your soul." His voice was low and laced with grinding intensity.
"I am being so generous. So, do not disappoint me."
As his words fell—
"Aaah!!!" Johnny Blaze felt something ignite deep within his body, his organs scorched by searing heat.
"You! You! You!" Johnny Blaze roared, sparks erupting from his body as flames began to dot his flesh and eyes.
The flames spread wildly, reducing all his flesh and blood to ashes—and then, the vengeful soul from Hell emerged!
Ghost Rider!
This is without a doubt an essential role in the Marvel Universe!
Ghost Rider has many different origins—but Johnny Blaze, as the very first, remains the most unique of them all!
"Roar~"
Johnny Blaze spread his arms wide and let out a mighty roar to the heavens.
Then…
He mounted a nearby Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The flames on his body spread to the bike, altering its very material and essence.
A sleek Hell Cycle materialized. Amidst the roar of the engine, a sound like a fierce growl, the Ghost Rider shot forward on the bike.
At the spot he left behind, only tire marks remained on the ground, still smoldering with tiny sparks.
Mephisto watched the Ghost Rider's receding figure gradually disappear into the city. He smiled with confidence.
No matter who killed Blackheart, as long as that person still possessed a soul, they could never escape this Rider's judgment!
The spirit of vengeance within Johnny Blaze... had once been one of God's mightiest warriors!