Pour one out for Johnny Blaze as Danny Ketch as Marvel has canceled Ghost Rider. As reported by GamesRadar/Newsarama, the news was confirmed by writer Ed Brisson on Twitter. Though the publisher had plans for further issues, as well as a crossover with the current Empyre event, Brisson confirmed that the recent seventh issue will be its last.
As many have assumed, GHOST RIDER #7 was the last issue of the series. I loved writing it; had a hell of a time telling Danny and Johnny's stories; & introducing the Spirit of Corruption. As far as their continued adventures, that will continue elsewhere in the Marvel Universe.
— Ed Brisson (@edbrisson) July 31, 2020
I should have done this sooner, but I wanted to also thank @AaronKuder, @juanmfrigeri and @bam_jason. The book would have been nothing without them.
— Ed Brisson (@edbrisson) July 31, 2020
“As many have assumed, GHOST RIDER #7 was the last issue of the series. I loved writing it; had a hell of a time telling Danny and Johnny’s stories; & introducing the Spirit of Corruption. As far as their continued adventures, that will continue elsewhere in the Marvel Universe,” Brisson said.
“I should have done this sooner, but I wanted to also thank Aaron Kuder, Juan Frigeri, and Jason Keith,” Brisson added. “The book would have been nothing without them.”
This makes the series rather short-lived. Ghost Rider launched in October 2019. Marvel had previously solicited issues #8 and #9 in the main series, as well as along a couple of one-shots. Empyre: Ghost Rider #1 and Ghost Rider Annual #1 were both on the books but have since been axed as well. Empyre is Marvel’s current, major crossover event.
As of this writing, Marvel has not publicly commented on the cancellation. The coronavirus pandemic has hit the comic book industry particularly hard. It has forced publishers to make difficult decisions about their slate. A number of titles have ended abruptly in recent months as a result. It is not clear at this time if the intention is to bring the character back in another title at a later date, though that seems likely.
Ghost Rider was created by Roy Thomas, Gary Friedrich and Mike Ploog. The character made his debut in the pages of Marvel Spotlight #5 in 1972. Over the years, he has become a large part of the universe, appearing in several solo series, as well as other books. Nicolas Cage starred as Johnny Blaze in a pair of live-action movies released in 2007 and 2011, respectively (here is a fun Ghost Rider quiz if you need to brush up on facts). A different version of the character also appeared on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. portrayed by Gabriel Luna.
Here is the official synopsis for Ghost Rider #7.
“Johnny Blaze and Danny Ketch already went to war against each other as Spirits of Vengeance, but now that Danny is possessed by the Spirit of Corruption, the real fireworks are ready to begin!”
So what do you think? Are you disappointed that this book is no more? Would you have continued reading the series? Join in on the conversation over on Facebook or Twitter.
