The Spirit of Vengeance is Returning To Marvel's Universe
The Spirits of Vengeance have an infamous reputation in the world of Marvel Comics. The embodiment of God's fury, to the play things of the demon Mephisto, these so-called Ghost Riders have been seen as heroes and antiheroes alike. But thanks to Ghost Rider: Return of Vengeance #1, one former host is getting a second chance at a first impression.
The comic adventures of said Spirits have been around for decades, with a fictional history going as far back as the first Ghost Rider, an ancient Avenger. Their long list of abilities and powers, as well as their rather metal appearance, have earned them a fairly popular place in Marvel Comics. Of course, the legacy hasn't gained such traction on its own. In fact, a lot of that popularity can be highly attributed to its most popular characters. Johnny Blaze may be the most famous Ghost Rider, but there's no forgetting Michael Badilino—something Ghost Rider: Return of Vengeance will make sure of.
Now it's time to find out what lies beyond the grave for Vengeance. Marvel solicitations reveal that come December, Ghost Rider creators Howard Mackie and Javier Saltare will be returning with a new installment of the saga, and it seems Michael Badilino is going to be their focus. Ghost Rider: Return of Vengeance #1 will bring with it a much anticipated return of Badilino's vengeful character, as well as a sign of what happens when you try to trap him in the deepest layers of Hell. The question begs to be answered: will an eternity in Hell really be able to keep this Spirit of Vengeance down? Check out the official cover art and solicitation details below:
- GHOST RIDER: RETURN OF VENGEANCE #1
- HOWARD MACKIE (W)
- JAVIER SALTARES (A/C)
- THE ONE YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR – THE RETURN OF VENGEANCE! MICHAEL BADILINO was a bad dude in life… and that landed him in Hell. But not just any old rung of Hell, a layer so deep it’s reserved for those special enemies of Hell – one where a former SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE may suffer for all eternity! But eternity is too long to keep down the one who takes the name of VENGEANCE! Fan-favorite GHOST RIDER creators Howard Mackie and Javier Saltares return to the saga of the Spirits of Vengeance in an all-new tale as Vengeance brings his own brand of hellfire back to the Marvel Universe!
A marine turned cop, and later detective, Badilino didn't have much else to do than follow in his dad's footsteps and commit himself to serving the force. Unfortunately for him, Mephisto had other plans for his life. Through sheer manipulation of Johnny Blaze and Danny Ketch, that demon ruined Badilino's life as he knew it, and convinced him to sell his soul to become Vengeance. It turned out Badilino was meant to have that power all along, even without having to sell his soul. The good news is that for a while after, he actually fought alongside Ghost Rider to enact some good outside of his day job doing the same to a lesser extent, but it didn't last long. Down the line he lost control, taking lives when they could have been saved, and eventually ended himself too, landing him in Hell. But that is not where his story ended.
Readers will just have to wait until December when Ghost Rider: Return of Vengeance arrives to find out the answer. But one thing seems certain: Vengeance is about to rain down on the pits of Hell.