'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' Season 4: Getting to Know Ghost Rider Behind the Hype of Season Premiere
First photo of Gabriel Luna as Ghost Rider has been released
As the "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." Season 4 September 20 premiere draws near, the more hype is given to its newest character by both Marvel and ABC. The Ghost Rider will be personified in Gabriel Luna, whose first picture was released on Sunday.
First look at the Spirit of Vengeance
In the said picture, Luna appears as he will look playing the Spirit of Vengeance without the flaming skull in "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.". Most people will forever associate Ghost Rider with Nicolas Cage as he played him in the 2007 movie adaptation. In 2012, he reprised the role in the sequel, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance.
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The TV version of Ghost Rider will not be the same as the Nicolas Cage version. This was brought about by Marvel's 2014 initiative to add more women and persons of color to its lineup of superheroes. Ghost Rider is one of those included in the said roster.
The Marvel Initiative
It is also because of the Marvel initiative that paved the way for Miles Morales to become Spiderman, Miss America's re-imagination as America Chavez and Sam Wilson taking over as Captain America.
Now, the Chicano teen from East Los Angeles Robbie Reyes, is the new Ghost Rider. And, instead of riding a motorcycle like Cage's Rider, Reyes rides a Dodge Charger in the "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." Season 4 version.
Comic book backstory of Ghost Rider
Ghost Rider's story begins with him trying to win enough cash in a street race for him to move his mentally disabled brother to a better neighborhood. However, he gets shot by members of a gang who were looking for drugs that were stashed in his car. Reyes did not know this of course.
Instead of him dying, Reyes was possessed by Eli, who claims to be the Spirit of Vengeance. Eli promised him help in his revenge to the drug dealers. When Reyes agrees to personify the spirit, he is transformed into the Ghost Rider.
Dark protector of the barrio
The gang's leader for whom the drugs were meant for, used them to transform into a massive beast known as Mr. Hyde. With the help of Eli, Reyes was able to slay Mr. Hyde and the whole gang. Reyes later rises to be the dark protector of the barrio.
But, Reyes didn't really want to be a full time superhero that goes after the wicked and used his Ghost Rider powers to become the top street racer in Los Angeles. Eli disagrees with this decision and in his anger starts to take over Reyes' body and goes on a rampage.
Fortunately for Reyes, the original Ghost Rider, Johnny Blaze, comes to his rescue. The two realize that Eli is not the real Spirit of Vengeance but is actually an evil serial killer who tricked Reyes in taking over bis body and eventually return to the world of the living.
With Blaze helping him, Reyes was able to subdue Eli and makes a deal with the spirit. Reyes will destroy the foulest and darkest souls on Earth and will kill no one else.
Focus on family dynamic
EP Joss Whedon reveals that Season 4 of "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." will somewhat be different on how Robbie Reyes turns into the new Ghost Rider but will follow the comic book's emphasis on his relationship with his brother. It will actually be a major point in the season.
