Of all the varied creatures formed by the Higher Power, the mysterious creator of the world, none are so feared as the Spirits of Vengeance. Neither angel nor demon, the spirits exist to punish the wicked no matter their physical strength or social status. Like many other entities, the Spirits of Vengeance must bond their essence to the soul of a willing host for them to affect the physical world.
Though the exact powers bestowed on the host are varied, with some able to alter reality, control fire; and have some combination of super-strength, durability, or regeneration. Almost all spirits have the Penance Stare, the ability to transfer to them the pain and anguish of all their victims.
In ancient times one of the Spirits went rogue and sought to use its powers to destroy anyone it deemed unworthy of life. Nabu and an alliance of sorcerers defeated Eclipso and imprisoned him in a specially-prepared diamond, which instantly turned black. The Heart of Darkness would hold Eclipso for many centuries until scientist Bruce Gordon accidentally released him during an experiment in the 1970s.
The first modern Spirit of Vengeance was the Justice Society member known as the Spectre, who appeared in the 40s. Gotham City Police Detective Jim Corrigan was investigating an organized crime cartel when he was murdered by the mob's henchmen. Bonded to a Spirit of Vengeance, the Spectre returned and dealt final justice to all that had wronged him. Corrigan continued to house the Spirit for many years and is still active today.
The Spirit is known as Zarathos was corrupted by the infernal powers and was used by the demon Mephisto to further his aims. Attempting to create another Eclipso, he tricked a stunt driver, Johnny Blaze, into a making a deal to save his ailing father. Bonded to Zarathos, he turned against the forces of hell and became the first of the supernatural vigilantes known as Ghost Rider
Years later, Danny Ketch would learn that his family line was a host to successive generations of Spirits of Vengeance. After gaining the amulet of his ancestor Noble Kale, Danny invoked the power of the amulet to summon the Spirit. Inspired by Johnny Blaze, Ketch adopted a biker motif, become the second individual to become the Ghost Rider.
Yoshio Kannabe was also inspired by both Blaze and Ketch. Using ancient rites to call upon what he believed to be Emma-o, the kami of revenge, emerged as a blazing curse on the nation's Yakuza. Reborn as Boss Bosozuko, Yoshio would become a media icon, even graduating to the ranks of Big Science Action.
The current Ghost Rider is a young street racer, Robbie Reyes who drives a 1969 Dodge Charger R/T. After stealing a vehicle that housed stolen technology, Robbie was hunted down by gang members who riddled his car with bullets. Awaking to find he was not injured, Robbie later discovered he was now hosting a Spirit of Vengeance. Like Danny Ketch, this Spirit also inhabited successive generations, previously using his uncle Elias Morrow as a host. His uncle had been an evil man and had corrupted the Spirit, forcing Robbie to redeem the Spirit as well as act as the newest in the line of Ghost Riders.
No comments:
Post a Comment