A History Of The Phantom Rider

Carter Slade: The Forgotten Ghost Rider

A History of the Phantom Rider

Carter Slade is a fascinating character in Marvel Comics history, often overshadowed by the more well-known Ghost Rider, Johnny Blaze. However, Slade has a rich and complex backstory that sets him apart as a unique and compelling character.

Carter Slade: The Original Phantom Rider

Carter Slade first appeared in Western comics in the 1940s. He was a Texas Ranger who was cursed to become the Phantom Rider, a supernatural being with a flaming skull for a head. As the Phantom Rider, Slade fought evil with his trademark weapons: a pair of six-shooters and a whip made of pure energy.

Johnny Blaze: The Second Ghost Rider

While Carter Slade was the first Phantom Rider, Johnny Blaze became the second character to use the Ghost Rider name in Marvel history. Blaze was a stuntman who sold his soul to the demon Mephisto to save his father's life. As the Ghost Rider, Blaze possessed superhuman strength, speed, and the ability to control hellfire.

Despite their similar names and powers, Carter Slade and Johnny Blaze are distinct characters with different origins and personalities. Slade is a righteous lawman, while Blaze is a tortured and conflicted soul. Both characters have left their mark on Marvel Comics history, and their legacies continue to inspire fans today.