I've already covered the entire Midnight Sons saga in two reading orders (see THE RISE and THE SIEGE) but here's the continuing saga of the Ghost Rider for those of you who aren't interested in the other members of the Nine.
Danny Ketch shares the spotlight with his new best friend, former Ghost Rider John Blaze. Though their relationship remains shakey, these two Spirits of Vengeance will soon learn they're tied together by more than just being bikers with their heads on fire. Aside from their adventures as a duo, they also become members of the Nine - a reluctant band of Midnight Sons destined to stop the rise of the demons Lilith and Zarathos - but this reading order focuses on the pair of them as they learn about their pasts, the origin of the new Ghost Rider and make their fair share of guest appearances across the Marvel Universe.
MCG Notes:
- Issue listings in blue & black: The must-read Ghost Rider & John Blaze stories from this time period, along with any key related stories and often-forgotten tales that are worth a read.
- Issue listings in grey: Part of Ghost Rider, Danny Ketch and Johnny Blaze's chronology, cameo appearances or stories of note that are non-essential or no longer considered 'required reading'.
- Chronology: Every appearance of the Ghost Rider/Danny Ketch and John Blaze from this period is included in chronological order, mapping out their timeline rather than just the order the issues were released.
- Spoilers: The issue/story overviews may include spoilers, so be warned!
Ghost Rider & Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance #1 (1992)
Ghost Rider #29 (1992)
Morbius: The Living Vampire #1 (1992)
Ghost Rider & Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance #2(pp.1-13) (1992)
Ghost Rider #30 (1992)
Ghost Rider & Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance #2(pp.14-22) (1992)
Darkhold #1 (1992)
Ghost Rider & Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance #3 (1992)
Nightstalkers #1 (1992)
Ghost Rider #31 (1992)
Ghost Rider & Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance #3 (1992)
Nightstalkers #1 (1992)
Ghost Rider #31 (1992)
First appearance of Caretaker, Dakota, Darkhold Redeemers (Sam Buchanan, Louise Hastings & Victoria Montesi), Randolph DeGuzman, Doc, the Dwarf, Lilith, Eli McIntyre, Meatmarket, Pilgrim, the Lilin, Next Wave (Agent-X, Snare & Turk), the Nightstalkers, the Nine, Skinner, Steel Vengeance and Wolf; Ghost Rider and John Blaze start recruiting the Nine - the supernatural beings destined to stop Lilith and her Lilin from unleashing Zarathos on the unsuspecting Earthly plane; Ghost Rider and Blaze make an ally of Morbius and team up with Wolverine and Beast against Next Wave; Blackout is revealed to be one of the Lilin; Nightmare makes a play for Danny Ketch and the Ghost Rider while John Blaze deals with Steel Vengeance and her attempt to hit back at Blaze for the death of her sister; Ghost Rider & Blaze recruit Victoria Montesi to their cause as she forms the Darkhold Redeemers and begins her search for the missing pages of the Darkhold; Ghost Rider and Blaze clash with the Lilin called Skinner; Blade, Frank Darke and Hannibal King become the Nightstalkers and join the rest of the Nine in a showdown against Lilith and the Lilin in the Arctic Circle during RISE OF THE MIDNIGHT SONS.
Ghost Rider #32 (1992)
Doctor Strange reunites the Ghost Rider with Danny Ketch.
Doctor Strange reunites the Ghost Rider with Danny Ketch.
Midnight Sons Unlimited #1[1/4] (1993)
Ghost Rider & Blaze hunt down Jonathan Farmer when he's transformed by a page of the Darkhold into Harvestor.Darkhold #5 (1993)
First appearance of Speakeasy; Vicki Montesi gets caught up in the Punisher and Ghost Rider's hunt for Reverend Styge during WAR OF THE SEVEN SPHERES.Darkhawk #22 (1992)
Ghost Rider aids Darkhawk against the monstrous Harley Stevens.
Ghost Rider/Captain America: Fear (1992)
The Scarecrow returns to lure out Captain America, only to face both the Sentinel of Liberty and the Ghost Rider when he drags Stacy Dolan into his latest plot.
Ghost Rider aids Darkhawk against the monstrous Harley Stevens.
Ghost Rider/Captain America: Fear (1992)
The Scarecrow returns to lure out Captain America, only to face both the Sentinel of Liberty and the Ghost Rider when he drags Stacy Dolan into his latest plot.
Marvel Comics Presents #119[3/4]-122[3/4] (1993)
Ghost Rider and Cloak & Dagger defend Earth from the other-dimensional Grimbat.
First appearance of Tyler Meagher as Heart Attack; the Firm massacre most of HEART, inspiring Tyler Meagher to become Heart Attack and attack Ghost Rider; Ghost Rider battles Madcap, the Death Ninja, the Firm, Heart Attack, Succubus and Mister Hyde with help from Daredevil and Archangel; Ghost Rider has a rematch with Scarecrow.
Nightstalkers #7 (1993)
First appearance of Stonecold; the Nightstalkers and Ghost Rider reluctantly join forces against the demonically mutated human, Stonecold.
Ghost Rider's efforts to help Mary Walker regain control of her Typhoid Mary person are made more difficult thanks to demons from the Realm of Madness.
Mys-Tech Wars #3 (1993)
Ghost Rider and John Blaze are among the heroes killed in the war against Mys-Tech before reality is reset and they're resurrected during MYS-TECH WARS.
Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme #50 (1993)
First appearance of the Secret Defenders; after losing access to many of his magical abilities for refusing to take part in the War of the Seven Spheres, Doctor Strange forms a select team of 'Secret' Defenders - consisting of himself, Ghost Rider, Hulk and the Silver Surfer - in order to combat Dormammu during WAR OF THE SEVEN SPHERES.
Fantastic Four #374 (1993)
Doctor Strange summons Ghost Rider, Hulk, Spider-Man and Wolverine as Secret Defenders to apprehend the Human Torch during RISE OF DOOM!
Ghost Rider & Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance #4 (1992)
Web of Spider-Man #95 (1992)
Ghost Rider & Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance #5 (1992)
Web of Spider-Man #96 (1993)
Ghost Rider & Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance #6 (1993)
First appearance of Nightwatch/Kevin Trench and Miranda Woods; Hag and Troll try to resurrect Deathwatch, attracting the attention of Ghost Rider and Blaze; Spider-Man and Venom go after the Demogoblin, crashing into Ghost Rider and Blaze at the same time during SPIRITS OF VENOM.
Ghost Rider & Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance #7[1/2]-8[1/2] (1993)
Ghost Rider & Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance #9-10 (1993)
First appearance of Carver; first appearance of Michael Badilino as Vengeance; Steel Vengeance receives the ultimate punishment from her mysterious master for her failure; Mephisto transforms Michael Badilino into Vengeance, displaying similar powers as the Ghost Rider; blaming the Ghost Rider for the death of his family, Vengeance joins Steel Wind's follow up attack on the Quentin Carnival during VENGEANCE!
Shadow Riders #2 (1993)
The Shadow Riders get assistance from Cable and Ghost Rider when they launch their attack on Mys-Tech.
Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance #12 (1993)
First appearance of Quinn McIntyre; Mephisto orders Vengeance to kill Caretaker, leading to a rematch with Ghost Rider; Vengeance attacks the remains of the Quentin Carnival during VENGEANCE!
Ghost Rider & Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance #11 (1993)
Ghost Rider and John Blaze battle the demon Shelob.
Marvel Holiday Special 1993[5/6] (1994)
Ghost Rider improves Harvey Teabiscuit's Christmas.
Midnight Sons Unlimited #2[4/4] (1993)
Ghost Rider clashes with Harvestor again when he receives a Darkhold page from the Dwarf.
Marvel Comics Presents #131[3/4]-136[3/4] (1993)
The demon Darklove attempts to conquer New York City but is opposed by Ghost Rider and Luke Cage.
Nightstalkers #10 (1993)
Ghost Rider #40 (1993)
Darkhold #11
Morbius: The Living Vampire #12 (1993)
Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance #13 (1993)
First appearance of Seer; first appearance of Blade as Switchblade; Blade uses a page of the Darkhold to transform into Switchblade and starts murdering the Nine during MIDNIGHT MASSACRE.
Spider-Man fan Brian Kornfield receives powers from the Dwarf that transform him into Spider-X, bringing him into conflict with Ghost Rider, John Blaze and the Nightstalkers.
Terror, Inc #13 (1993)
While many of the Earth's heroes are distracted by the arrival of the cosmic Goddess and her 'Infinity Crusade', Lord Culex when he tries to invade Earth only to be opposed by Ghost Rider and Terror.
Ghost Rider Annual #1[1/3] (1993)
First appearance of Night Terror/Cark Blake; Ghost Rider battles the vampire Night Terror who was once a government agent and can now absorb his victims' memories.
Ghost Rider Annual #1[3/3] (1993)
Ghost Rider dispatches the demon Rigor Mortis.
Marvel Comics Presents #137[3/4]-142[3/4] (1993)
Ghost Rider and the Masters of Silence join forces against necromancer Tsin Hark and his army of the undead.
Gun Runner #1-2 (1993)
First appearance of Gun Runner/Brell; Ghost Rider and John Blaze go up against cyborg warrior Gun Runner.
Punisher War Journal #57-58 (1993)
Punisher, Daredevil, Ghost Rider and Lynn Michaels join forces to bring down psychotic black market dealer Mr Sandeen.
Ghost Rider #41 (1993)
Ghost RIder/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance #14 (1993)
First appearance of Carver and Outcast; Centurious finally emerges, kidnapping Francis Ketch in exchange for Ghost Rider's Medallion of Power; Lilith's gives new life to the dead Lilin during ROAD TO VENGEANCE: THE MISSING LINK.
Morbius: The Living Vampire #15 (1993)
Werewolf By Night and Ghost Rider give chase when Morbius' Lilin side takes over.
Darkhold #14(p.22) (1993)
Johnny Blaze alerts the Redeemers to Lilith's return.
Ghost Rider #42 (1993)
Ghost Rider #43 (1993)
Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance #16 (1993)
The history of the Blood is revealed; Deathwatch returns; Johnny Blaze gains a new look when he loses control of his hellfire; Vengeance's true identity is revealed; Zarathos is reborn as he and Centurious vie for Lilith's affections during ROAD TO VENGEANCE: THE MISSING LINK.
Nightstalkers #14 (1993)
Ghost Rider #44 (1993)
Marvel Comics Presents #143[1/4] (1993)
Darkhold #15 (1993)
Morbius: The Living Vampire #16 (1993)
Marvel Comics Presents #144[1/4] (1993)
Marvel Comics Presents #144[2/4] (1993)
Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme #60 (1993)
Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance #17 (1993)
Nightstalkers #15 (1994)
GHost Rider #45 (1994)
Marvel Comics Presents #145[3/4] (1994)
Marvel Comics Presents #146[1/4] (1994)
Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme #61 (1994)
Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance #18 (1994)
Midnight Sons Unlimited #4 (1994)
First appearance of the Fallen, Sister Nil and Strange; Lilith and Zarathos make their move to bring the darkness of their dimensions to Earth; the Nine discover and traitor among their ranks, suffer in-fighting and losses; Doctor Strange goes through serious changes; new Midnight Sons rise up to replace those who die for a final confrontation against Zarathos during SIEGE OF DARKNESS.
Ghost Rider behind the scenes; with Ghost Rider gone, Vengeance steps up to take his place; Vengeance battles Rak, the agent of a new and rising threat.
Blaze: Legacy of Blood #1-4 (1993-1994)
John Blaze's search for his missing children draws him into a conflict with Regent - a renegade member of the Blood - and his assassin cult, the Hidden.
John Blaze's search for his missing children draws him into a conflict with Regent - a renegade member of the Blood - and his assassin cult, the Hidden.
John Blaze and Vengeance join forces when the original vampire Varnae returns.
Ghost Rider #47 (1994)
Ghost Rider behind the scenes; first appearance of Dread and James 'Ski' Sokolowski; Vengeance battles Dread, a reanimated assailant with the same mysterious master as Rak.
John Blaze breaks into Cold Iron - a military base illegally experimenting on the corpses of supernatural beings, including his fallen friends.
Midnight Sons Unlimited #5[2/2] (1994)
John Blaze battles the demonic Unspeakable.
Ghost Rider #48 (1994)
Ghost Rider behind the scenes; first appearance of Anton Hellgate; Hellgate is revealed to be Dread and Rak's master when the two supernatural antagonists team up against Vengeance and Spider-Man.
Ghost Rider behind the scenes; first appearance of Anton Hellgate; Hellgate is revealed to be Dread and Rak's master when the two supernatural antagonists team up against Vengeance and Spider-Man.
Ghost Rider #49 (1994)
Vengeance mistakes the Hulk for Anton Hellgate, leading to the inevitable clash of titans; Ghost Rider's inert skull reignites.
Blaze hunts his friend Kody when he gives in to his animal side and learns the truth about his origins; Blaze, Vengeance and Cardiac uncover an international child trafficking scam.
Ghost Rider #50-51 (1994)
Ghost Rider returns and reunites with John Blaze to combat Hellgate; Roxanne Simpson is killed by Hellgate; Danny Ketch is reunited with Stacy Dolan; Stacy teams up with Ghost Rider against ULTIMATUM; Ghost Rider chases down disgraced Unlimited Class Wrestling Federation star Slaughter Boy when he goes on a rampage.
Scarecrow returns with a sadistic trap for the Ghost Rider.
Midnight Sons Unlimited #7[1/3] (1994)
Ghost Rider, Morbius and Brother Voodoo battle the zombie Nathaniel Mare.
Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance #23 (1994)
Still reeling from his wife's death, John Blaze finds an unexpected ally in Steel Wind when he has his final showdown with Centurious.
Ghost Rider #52[1/2], 53-54 (1994)
First appearance of Jack D'Auria as Shriker; Ghost Rider receives help in tackling Hellgate's lackeys from the mysterious Shriker; having survived the 'Siege of Darkness', Blackout returns to claim another victim associated with the Ghost Rider.Blaze #1-3 (1994)
Blaze pursues reincarnated serial killer Ice Box Bob, encountering the Man-Thing along the way; Blaze discovers the demon Ba'al has his children.
Ghost Rider Annual #2[3/3] (1994)
Blaze happens to run into his old nemesis, the Witch-Woman, but finds himself helping her fend off her abusive husband.
Ghost Rider #55-57 (1994-1995)
Ghost Rider and the Werewolf By Night battle Mister Hyde; Wolverine lends a hand when the Next Wave return, pursued by the Posse.Ghost Rider/Wolverine/Punisher: Dark Design (1994)
Ghost Rider, Wolverine and the Punisher are used as pawns in Blackheart's bid for control of Hell.
Morbius: The Living Vampire #29 (1995)
Jack Russell, Ghost Rider, Spider-Man and many others attend Morbius' funeral, unaware that he's made a deal with the Dwarf of the Darkhold that allows his resurrection.
Blaze #4-6 (1994-1995)
Ghost Rider comes to Wolverine's aid when the spirit of his murderous former-master Ogun returns.
Blaze continues to rebuild the Quentin Carnival until clash with Arcade attracts the attention of occultist Kristall Starner; Blaze is betrayed by one of his oldest friends; he gets some help from the Punisher against a motorcycle gang of vampires called the Undead MC; with Ba'al defeated, Blaze helps his kids return to Earth.
Ghost Rider #58-64 (1995)
First appearance of Spook; Stacy Dolan is placed in charge of a unit tasked with bringing Ghost Rider down; Shriker's identity is revealed; Ghost Rider battles the Abomination; the captured Ghost Rider is sent into the Black Hole facility run by the nefarious Spook who runs experiments on him; Ghost Rider breaks free and faces Scarecrow once again.
See how Ghost Rider & Blaze's reading order fit together with those of their fellow Midnight Sons - these entries include the above issues with the Midnight Sons added chronologically:
For the continuing saga of the Spirit of Vengeance:
- GHOST RIDER: Lord of Hell (1995-1998)
Notable alternate universe versions of Ghost Rider from this period...
What If...? #45 (1993)
On Earth-11993, Barbara Ketch gains the power of the Ghost Rider and sets out to avenge the death of Danny Ketch.
What If...? #78 (1995)
On Earth-9510, the Fantastic Four are actually killed by the Skrull called De'Lila; Ghost Rider, Hulk, Wolverine and Spider-Man from the New Fantastic Four to avenge them and stay together as a team.
Spirits of Vengeance: Rise of the Midnight Sons
Darkhold #1
Ghost Rider #28, 31
Ghost Rider & Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance #1-6
Midnight Sons Unlimited #1
Morbius: The Living Vampire #1
Nightstalkers #1
Web of Spider-Man #95-96
Spider-Man vs Venom Omnibus
Includes...
Ghost Rider & Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance #5-6
Web of Spider-Man #95-96
Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme Omnibus vol.2
Includes...
Includes...
Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme #50
Daredevil: Typhoid's Kiss
Includes...
Marvel Comics Presents #123-130
Darkhold: Pages From The Book of Sins - The Complete Collection
Includes...
Darkhold #15-16
Marvel Comics Presents #145
Ghost Rider/Wolverine/Punisher: Hearts of Darkness (2017 version)
Ghost Rider/Wolverine/Punisher: Hearts of Darkness
Ghost Rider/Wolverine/Punisher: The Dark Design.
Wolverine Epic Collection vol.8: Dying Game
Includes...
Wolverine #89
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