Meet Robbie Reyes, a Ghost Rider Unlike Any Other

Unlike the other Ghost Riders of the Marvel Universe, Robbie Reyes prefers a classic car for his vengeance-fueled, high-octane rides. Beyond his choice of vehicle, Robbie boasts a distinct set of powers from fellow Ghost Riders like Johnny Blaze and Danny Ketch—so much so that even Earth's Mightiest Heroes took notice! As a result, Robbie served as a prominent member of the Avengers on some of their most harrowing missions to defend the world and beyond.

Here is everything you need to know about Robbie Reyes, from his first ride as a Ghost Rider to the powers that set him apart from the others. Additionally, we'll break down Robbie's pivotal role in saving all of reality from the Mephistos of the Multiverse.

WHO IS ROBBIE REYES?

Robbie Reyes is a Mexican-American teenager who grew up in an East Los Angeles neighborhood rocked by local gang violence and other deadly criminal activity. After school, Robbie worked as an auto mechanic and cared for his developmentally challenged younger brother Gabe. 

When he wasn't fixing cars, Robbie moonlighted as a talented street racer. He hoped to earn enough money from illegal races to relocate his family to a safer part of town and get Gabe the care he needed.

During his debut in ALL-NEW GHOST RIDER (2014) #1, Robbie's life changed forever when his auto shop took in a 1969 Dodge Charger. Unbeknownst to Robbie, the Charger's trunk contained the drugs that mad scientist Calvin Zabo used to transform into Mr. Hyde, who—in turn—hired mercenaries to recover his illicit goods. When Robbie decided to use the Charger for his latest local street race, he ended up in the fast lane for his fiery super hero destiny.

ROBBIE REYES' ORIGIN AS GHOST RIDER

When they finally tracked down the Charger, Zabo's mercenaries gunned down the car and left Robbie for dead. Just as Robbie took his last breath, a hellish force revived him and transformed him into a fiery superhuman being. Taking the mantle of Ghost Rider, Robbie struck fear into the hearts of the wicked as he rocketed around the city in his infernal automobile.

This hellish force introduced himself as Eli Morrow. Claiming he had been murdered by gangs, Eli promised to work with Robbie to clean up Los Angeles and avenge his own death. After Robbie used his powers to defeat Mr. Hyde and his small army, Ghost Rider became regarded by the locals as a guardian hero of the neighborhood. 

At this point, Robbie discovered Eli was his estranged uncle, who was killed by the police after gaining notoriety as a Satanic serial killer. Through his occult activities, Eli's spirit became shackled to the Charger after his death, leading him to bond with Robbie as a Ghost Rider.

POWERS AND ABILITIES

Because Robbie isn't bound to a Spirit of Vengeance like Johnny Blaze or Danny Ketch, he possesses different powers than other Ghost Riders, though he does share a few similarities. When transformed, Robbie wields superhuman strength, endurance, and speed. He is also capable of standing toe-to-toe with such heavy hitters as Captain Marvel. 

In MARVEL LEGACY (2017) #1, Robbie also learned how to use the Penance Stare. By staring deeply into his target's eyes, he inflicts on them all the pain and suffering they caused to others.

Like other Ghost Riders, Robbie can extend his power into any object, weapon, or vehicle he touches—including something as large and powerful as a Celestial. Robbie primarily uses this on his Dodge Charger, which he dubs the Hell Charger, and a set of chains he wields as his weapon of choice, just like the other Ghost Riders. 

Robbie can operate his Hell Charger remotely through the bond they share. He uses it to travel at blinding speeds, create portals to travel to different locations, and access the gates of Hell itself through the car's trunk.

A DIFFERENT KIND OF GHOST RIDER

Using the Penance Stare, Johnny Blaze helped Robbie bring Eli under control by mitigating the evil spirit's influence over him in ALL-NEW GHOST RIDER (2014) #9. Following this, Robbie and Eli entered an agreement to only use their powers on evil. After all, when Robbie punishes wicked figures as Ghost Rider, he temporarily satiates Eli and strengthens their bond. 

For much of his early adventures, Robbie fought common criminals and the occasional super villain, but his mission took on a cosmic scope in AVENGERS (2018) #2. When Dark Celestials descended on Earth, a disparate group of heroes assembled to prevent them from completely subjugating the planet. 

To fight back, Ghost Rider commandeered the corpse of a long-deceased Celestial, which he used to drive the Dark Celestials away from the planet. Impressed by Robbie's mastery over his abilities, the Avengers recruited him to join the latest iteration of the team.

ROBBIE REYES ON THE AVENGERS

While serving on the Avengers, Robbie struggled to maintain full control of the Hell Charger. This need to regain control of his own mind grew worse after an encounter with vampires. Blade personally intervened to cleanse Robbie in AVENGERS (2018) #16. 

Frustrated with the increasing unreliability of the Hell Charger, Robbie tried to exorcize Eli from the car, only to accidentally banish himself to Hell in the process. There, Johnny Blaze challenged Robbie to a race with all of the other previous Ghost Riders in AVENGERS (2018) #23. Robbie won and reaffirmed his mastery over his powers, while leaving the throne of Hell to Johnny.

Now fully in control of his powers, Robbie and the Avengers took on new threats, including the Squadron Supreme, before he traveled the Multiverse to recruit new allies for a war against a growing army of Mephisto variants in AVENGERS FOREVER (2021). During this time, Robbie also learned he was the All-Rider, a Ghost Rider with the unique ability to ride anything he came into contact with. 

As the Multiversal Avengers confronted Mephisto's First Firmament to prevent it from destroying all of reality, Robbie used his powers to seal a fissure in the Multiverse. In the process, he saved the Avengers, but trapped himself outside of his home universe. This left him to rebuild his car while searching for a means to return in AVENGERS ASSEMBLE OMEGA (2023) #1.

ROBBIE REYES... RETURNS?

Robbie may be trapped outside the main Marvel Universe for now, but he is far from forgotten—and he certainly hasn't lost hope that he will reunite with his friends and family. In Robbie's absence, the Avengers watch over Gabe, who maintains his own vigil and ofrenda in the hope he will one day see his older brother again.

GHOST RIDER: ROBBIE REYES SPECIAL (2024) #1 confirms the stranded Ghost Rider is still very much alive. Though Robbie still hasn't found a way to escape from his impromptu exile, Ghost Rider isn't out of the race just yet.

Ride with Robbie Reyes in GHOST RIDER: ROBBIE REYES SPECIAL (2024) #1, on sale now!

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