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Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Hellhunters #1
Marvel’s newest Ghost Rider finally has his own series, and is already promising to be the franchise’s most horrific yet. After first appearing in the pages of Incredible Hulk (2024), readers are reintroduced to Sal Romero and his violent rebirth as a Spirit of Vengeance. Entrenched in occult folk horror, laced with foul and disturbing imagery, this Ghost Rider series has all the makings of a future staple.
Hellhunters #1 – writtenby Phillip Kennedy Johnson, with art by Adam Gorham – immediately plunges readers into the wintry Hell of Russian winter, 1944, where a squadron of Nazis stumbles through the wilderness, wasting away in the snow.
Then, afar, an echoing voice lures the soldiers to a speaking horse’s corpse, chained to a tree and a silver cross. When promised to become an “undying champion of the Reich,” Felix Bruckner accepts. Right away, Johnson and Gorham make their stand, built on spine-chilling dialogue and art. Following, readers are reintroduced to Sal Romero, his mysterious death, and a gruesome
deal with a bitter Devil
The Devil And His Latest Ghost Rider Have A Mutual Score To Settle In Marvel’s New “Hellhunters” Series
Hellhunters #1– Written By Phillip Kennedy Johnson; Art By Adam Gorham; Color By Frank Martin; Lettering By VC’s Travis Lanham; Cover Art By Jonas Scharp & Alex Guimarães
Hellhunters #1is a bold step for Ghost Rider lore; the creative team immediately delivers on the book’s premise, as would be expected from the horror-loving duo. The traumatic action continues its pace when readers meet Sal, who crosses paths with this mysterious spirit and is mauled and left to die – until the Devil offers Sal an alternative. He offers his own soul to be used as a Ghost Rider, so that he and Sal together can destroy this rogue spirit. For the first time in Marvel Comics, the Devil is getting his hands dirty on the hunt for vengeance.
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Marvel’s newest Ghost Rider, the Hellverine, is part of a devilish plot unlike any other, as Mephisto has something cooking for the son of Wolverine.
Unfortunately, it’s hard to say for sure which “Devil” and which “spirit” are wrapped up in this mystery. Zarathos and Mephisto are the first suspects, but readers of Incredible Hulk should know how much Johnson loves his occult mysteries. Regardless, Johnson and Gorham’s pronounced introduction establishes the intensity of the tone that readers should expect from the series. When the issue later introduces the eccentric supporting cast, their colorful dynamic is still grounded by the chilling horror that occurred immediately prior. And that’s a good thing. So far, the series’ expanded cast is just as intense in their own ways.
“Hellhunters” Eclectic, Eccentric Cast Are All Working Toward The Same Goal
Ghost Rider’s New Villain Is Much Sought After
Alongside Sal Romero, the Ghost Rider is accompanied by Nick Fury Sr., the Soldier Supreme, and Peggy Carter. In future issues, the Hellhunters will be
accompanied by Wolverine
and a fifteen-year-old Bucky Barnes as well. Hopefully, the series won’t let the expanding team distract away from the Ghost Rider-centered plot, but it is worth remembering that this isn’t a solo-title series. That said, every character here is after the same target as the Ghost Rider is: Felix Buckner. So far, the series has already shown it knows spectacle, but now it’s time to see if it can hold together a mystery.
More horrifying than ever before, this iteration of the Ghost Rider is blazing down a new story of folk horror and occult mystery.
As said before, it’s easy to assume that Bruckner now carries Zarathos and thatthe Devil himself has joined Romeroon the road. However, advanced solicitations released by Marvel Comics for future issues of Hellhunters may already tease this not going to turn out to be the case. Hopefully, Hellhunters’ creative team has something greater in store for this already spectacular series. More horrifying than ever before, this iteration of the Ghost Rider is blazing down a new story of folk horror and occult mystery.
Hellhunters #1 is available now from Marvel Comics.
Ghost Rider
The Ghost Rider franchise revolves around the Marvel Comics character Ghost Rider, a supernatural anti-hero who gains the ability to transform into a flaming skeletal figure and ride a hellfire-fueled motorcycle. The most famous Ghost Rider, Johnny Blaze, is a stunt motorcyclist who makes a deal with the demon Mephistopheles, transforming him into the Ghost Rider to battle evil spirits. The franchise includes two films starring Nicolas Cage as Johnny Blaze, exploring his fight against demonic forces and his internal struggle with the curse.
“}]] Marvel’s spectacular “Hellhunters” debut. Read More