Marvel Comics is known for its creative and unique characters, and they are constantly coming up with new and interesting ideas. This is why Marvel Comics is nicknamed the “House of Ideas”. Sometimes, Marvel even creates characters based on existing characters. What do you think about a character that is a combination of the two superheroes Punisher and Ghost Rider? That’s right, and that character is Cosmic Ghost Rider, a Ghost Rider who can travel through the universe. Cosmic Ghost Rider can be a completely new experience for new readers, and that’s why I chose to introduce him to everyone today.
Character Profile:
- Real Name: Frank Castle
- Alias: Cosmic Ghost Rider, Punisher
- Origin: Earth-TRN666
- Powers: Cosmic power, Penance Stare, hellfire manipulation, superhuman strength and durability
Character Origin:
Cosmic Ghost Rider first appeared in Thanos Wins #13, published in early 2016, and was created by Donny Cates, the creator of many powerful characters such as Symbiote Lord Knull and artificial creature Vox. In his first appearance, Cosmic Ghost Rider comes from Earth-TRN666, a future of the universe where King Thanos has destroyed all life in the universe, and has pulled the Thanos of the present to the future using the Time Stone.
Backstory:
In the alternate universe Earth-TRN666, Thanos, in a twisted display of love for Death, eliminates all life in the cosmos, including cosmic entities. During Thanos’ attack on Earth, Frank Castle dies and is sent to Hell. There, he makes a deal with Mephisto, becoming a Ghost Rider in exchange for resurrection. However, he finds himself in a desolate world, all life extinguished.
Galactus, fleeing Thanos’ wrath, arrives on Earth seeking aid, finding only Frank. He transforms Frank into his herald, the Cosmic Ghost Rider, granting him cosmic power. Together, they seek Thanos, but Thanos effortlessly decapitates Galactus. Terrified, Cosmic Ghost Rider becomes King Thanos’ servant, conquering universes together.
Becoming Old King Thanos:
After becoming Old King Thanos by killing most of the universe, Thanos still fears one thing: the Fallen One, a Silver Surfer wielding Thor’s Mjolnir. Cosmic Ghost Rider enlists Thanos’ past self to defeat the Fallen One. The battle ensues, and Fallen One kills Cosmic Ghost Rider, while young Thanos erases Old King Thanos’ future.
Resurrection and Redemption:
After death, Frank finds himself in Valhalla, Odin’s paradise, but quickly grows bored. Odin returns him to Earth. Frank immediately travels back in time to kill Thanos as a baby, hoping to prevent his future atrocities. However, his humanity compels him to spare Thanos and raise him as a better person.
Conflict with Galactus and the Guardians:
Learning that Markus-Centuari is Galactus’ next target, Frank and Thanos travel there to stop him. Galactus, after reading Frank’s mind, sees the threat Thanos poses and demands his death. The Watcher appears to warn Frank, but he refuses to sacrifice Thanos. Galactus, the Watcher, and Cable’s Guardians of the Galaxy confront Cosmic Ghost Rider. Despite Cable’s temporal manipulations and reinforcements, they are no match for Cosmic Ghost Rider’s immense power. The battle ends with Thanos killing Cable.
Thanos is, now an adult, wearing the Punisher’s outfit and carrying on the legacy of his adopted father, Frank Castle. Thanos takes Frank and Baby Thanos to his own future. At first, Frank is overjoyed and moved to tears by the peaceful scene, which is what he has always wanted. But his joy is short-lived as he witnesses a horrifying sight: cities destroyed by Thanos himself. Thanos has used his power and might to oppress humanity, and Frank cannot agree with this. A conflict ensues between the two, and they begin to fight.
Cosmic Power and Retribution
Thanos uses the Penance Stare on Frank, bringing him to his knees. Thanos then makes an offer: “Become my herald.” Frank refuses and fights back. The two exchange blows, and Frank begins to transform into a “Super Saiyan.” He unleashes a powerful Kamehameha blast that knocks Thanos down. Finally, with all his strength, Frank uses the Penance Stare and turns Thanos into dust. To prevent this future from happening, Frank travels back in time and returns Baby Thanos to his rightful place.
Timeline Heist and a Marvel Makeover
But Cosmic Ghost Rider’s journey doesn’t end there. This reckless character has many more adventures to come. After returning Baby Thanos, Frank becomes Marvel’s “The Flash” when he performs a timeline heist in the series Cosmic Ghost Rider Destroys Marvel History.
During one of his free times, Frank travels across the Earth-616 universe, wreaking havoc everywhere he goes. He eventually travels back to the time before his wife and children were killed to prevent it from happening. The Watcher appears and stops Frank from doing so, and the timeline continues to flow peacefully.
Here are some of the crazy things Cosmic Ghost Rider does:
- He saves the Fantastic Four from cosmic radiation, preventing them from gaining superpowers and turning them into cosmic criminals instead.
- He turns Spider-Man and Venom into a gay romance.
- He absorbs the Phoenix Force and does ridiculous things.
- He transforms into a female mutant, who turns out to be Kitty Pride.
- He erases Sentry from existence and replaces him.
- He kills Hitler.
- He even kills Peter’s Uncle Ben.
It’s safe to say that Cosmic Ghost Rider does a lot of stupid things.
After these adventures, Cosmic Ghost Rider continues his journey, which once again involves Thanos. After Thanos’ recent death at the hands of Gamora in the Infinity Countdown event, Eros, Thanos’ brother, gathers individuals from the universe for Thanos’ will reading. The Black Order appears and throws everyone into a black hole. Cosmic Ghost Rider then joins Peter Quill’s Guardians of the Galaxy, but due to disagreements, he switches to Eros’ Dark Guardians. During the battle with the Black Order, Frank is killed by Hela and sent to Hell, where he meets Ghost Rider Johnny Blaze, who is now the lord of Hell in Mephisto’s place.
Johnny offers to buy the Avengers time while he fights another Ghost Rider, Robbie Reyes. After the deal is struck, Cosmic Ghost Rider flies back out into the universe and continues his adventures. It’s no wonder he’s considered the most free-spirited character in Marvel.
Powers of Cosmic Ghost Rider:
Strengths of Cosmic Ghost Rider:
- Hellfire Manipulation: Frank can control and generate hellfire, a supernatural flame that burns with unholy intensity. He can use hellfire to create weapons and projectiles, as well as to immolate his enemies.
- Penance Stare: When Frank looks into the eyes of a sinner, they are forced to experience the pain and suffering they have caused others. This ability is incredibly powerful, and it can even drive the wicked to madness.
- Immortality: Frank is cursed with immortality, meaning he cannot die of old age or disease. He is also highly resistant to injury, and he can regenerate from even the most grievous wounds.
- Power Cosmic: Frank was granted the Power Cosmic by Galactus, a cosmic entity of immense power. This power gives Frank a vast array of abilities, including superhuman strength, speed, and durability; the ability to fly; and the ability to manipulate energy.
Weaknesses of Cosmic Ghost Rider:
- Mental Illness: Frank suffers from mental illness, which can manifest in a variety of ways, including hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia.
- Vulnerability to Spiritual Attacks: As a Ghost Rider, Frank is vulnerable to spiritual attacks. This includes attacks from other supernatural beings, as well as attacks from holy or demonic forces.
Additional Information:
- Frank Castle is the current Ghost Rider. He was a former Marine who became a vigilante after his family was killed by criminals.
- The Ghost Rider is a spirit of vengeance who is bonded to a human host. The host is granted supernatural powers, but they are also cursed to live a life of pain and suffering.
- The Power Cosmic is a vast and powerful energy source that is wielded by Galactus. It can be used to grant a variety of powers, including superhuman strength, speed, and durability; the ability to fly; and the ability to manipulate energy.
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