New artwork from Marvel that combines Ghost Rider with Captain America has the potential to be the Star-Spangled Avenger’s best form yet. Over the years, Marvel’s comics have offered several different versions of Captain America, with some being positioned as more important than others. However, most versions of Captain America follow the same characteristics of being honest, noble, and a source of warmth for citizens.
Marvel has released a new series of variant covers from the up-and-coming artists of Marvel’s Stormbreakers program. This month’s Stormbreaker variant covers reimagine Marvel heroes as hellish versions of themselves possessed by Ghost Rider’s Spirit of Vengeance. Federico Vicentini’s variant cover for Avengers #14 by Jed MacKay and Carlos Villa can be viewed below.
The Ghost Rider-infused Captain America introduces a Cap unlike any ever seen before. This new element to Sam Wilson’s Captain America is so captivating that Marvel should consider officially bringing this version of Cap into its main canon.
What Separates The Ghost Rider Captain America From Other Versions
No matter who is carrying the shield, nearly all iterations of Captain America represent positive, wholesome virtues. Ghost Rider, meanwhile, is just the opposite. Whereas Captain America has always been a symbol to reassure citizens and put them at ease, Ghost Rider is capable of striking as much fear into the people he’s saving as he does for the villains he faces. When what those two heroes represent combine into one, it makes for an incredibly unique dynamic.
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A new Ghost Rider variant, the All-Rider, challenges the iconic character’s other versions for the most powerful spirit of vengeance.
Most importantly, it creates an uncharacteristically scary version of Captain America. Captain America as a symbol exists to be a source of positivity that reminds others of the best qualities that the human spirit has to offer. By tying him to the Spirit of Vengeance, that symbol becomes engulfed in flames and utter darkness. Sure, Captain America can still represent all things good and positive, but a Penance Stare from the Symbol of America will do more to strike fear in the hearts of many than simply keep the peace, even if both happen simultaneously.
The Rage of Sam Wilson’s Fiery Captain America
The scariest thing about this version of Captain America is how the Spirit of Vengeance would give Sam Wilson authority to unleash the full extent of his rage. It’s rare that readers get to see the often stoic Sam Wilson resort to anger, but it was on full display in his fight with Steve Rogers last year. Steve may have drawn the first blow, but Sam nearly finished him by beating him to a pulp. Sam held himself back, but a Ghost Rider version wouldn’t have.
Introducing this Ghost Rider-Captain America hybrid gives Marvel an opportunity to offer readers an entirely new side to Sam Wilson that readers aren’t used to seeing. Sam is often portrayed as wise, even a voice of reason in some instances, as someone who thinks before he acts. But a Sam Wilson who lets all of his inhibitions go in favor of a mean streak? That would be a mortifying sight to behold. This may only be for a mere variant cover, but there is potential for a Captain America–Ghost Rider combo to be so much more on the page.
Source: Marvel Comics
