NOBLE KALE

Real Name: Noble Kale

Identity/Class: Human spirit (17th century to modern era)

Occupation: Spirit of Vengeance; former ruler of own Hell realm

Group Membership: (as Noble Kale without a host body): Formerly Lords of the Splinter Realms (Belasco, Dormammu, Hela, Pluto, Satannish, others);

(as Ghost Rider in various host bodies): Formerly Fantastic Four (Hulk/Bruce Banner, Spider-Man/Peter Parker, Wolverine/James Howlett), Midnight Sons (Blade/Eric Brooks, John Blaze, Sam Buchanan, Doctor Strange/Stephen Strange, Frank Drake, Prof. Louise Hastings, Hannibal King, Victoria Montesi, Morbius/Michael Morbius), Secret Defenders (Dr. Strange/Stephen Strange, Hulk/Bruce Banner, Silver Surfer/Norrin Radd)

Affiliations: (as Noble Kale without a human host): Belasco, Black Rose (Roxanne Blaze), Doghead (Francisco Fuentes/Chupo), Hela, Hellfred, Dante Kale, Magdalena Kale, Naomi Kale, Barbara Ketch, Dan Ketch, Pao Fu (Lian Goh), Pluto (Hades), Caleb Quentin, Skritch, Spider-Man (Peter Parker), Vengeance (Michael Badilino), Werewolf (Jack Russell), Wolf;

(as Ghost Rider in various host bodies): Abomination (Emil Blonsky), Adam, Marlene Alraune, Anna, Archangel (Warren Worthington III), Avengers (Captain America/Steve Rogers, Iron Man/Tony Stark, Scarlet Witch/Wanda Maximoff, She-Hulk/Jennifer Walters, Thor/Thor Odinson, Vision/"Victor Shade"), Kayla Ballantine, Martine Bancroft, Beast (Hank McCoy), Belladonna (Bella Donna Bourdreux), Billy, Black Cat (Felicia Hardy), Black Panther (T'Challa), Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff), Blade (Eric Brooks), John Blaze, Holden Blevins, the Blood (Caretaker, Embyrre, Raydar, Seer), Brass (Sean Watanabe), Brother Voodoo (Jericho Drumm), Dr. Frank Brukner, Sam Buchanan, Cable (Nathan Summers), Luke Cage, Joel Carpelli, Imei Chang, Clark, Clea, Cloak (Tyrone Johnson), Eileen Cross, Flo Crumm, Lucy Crumm, Cyblade (of another universe), the Cypress Pool Jokers (Angel, Paulie Stratton, others), Dagger (Tandy Bowen), Daredevil (Matt Murdock), Darkhawk (Chris Powell), Deathlok (Michael Collins), Doctor Strange (Stephen Strange), Capt. Gerard Dolan, Stacy Dolan, Donna, Doug, Frank Drake, Kirk Eden, Erich, Excalibur (Captain Britain/Brian Braddock, Nightcrawler/Kurt Wagner, Phoenix/Rachel Summers), the Fantastic Four (Human Torch/Johnny Storm, Invisible Woman/Sue Richards, Mister Fantastic/Reed Richards, Thing/Ben Grimm), Fidel (cat), Dr. Jonas Fleet, Tamara Fleet, Father Flynn, Renee Fuanaro, Nick Fury, Jean Grey, Gun Runner (Brell), Christine Harris, Prof. Louise Hastings, Her, Hercules (Alcaeus), Hulk (Bruce Banner), Iceman (Bobby Drake), Iron Fist (Danny Rand-K'ai), Lena Ivana, Norma Jean, Jesus (friend of Deathlok), Jinx (William Hastings), Jennifer Kale, Magdelena Kale, K.C., Dr. Keene, Barbara Ketch, Dan Ketch, Frances Ketch, Hannibal King, Lois, Lynda, Ms. Malone, Alec Maloni, Kathy Malper, Marisol, Melissa Maro, Jean Martine, Michelle Martine, Eve Martson, the Masters of Silence (Inazuma, Kaminari, Kaze), Max, Mike "Mouse" McCormick, Quinn McIntyre, Melnoa, Meyers, Lynn Michaels, Modred the Mystic, Victoria Montesi, Moon Knight (Marc Spector), Moondragon (Heather Douglas), Kevin Moran, Morbius (Michael Morbius), Morlocks (Bertram, Orlando, Pixie, Tim, others), Ms. Marvel (Sharon Ventura), New Warriors (Namorita/Namorita Prentiss, Night Thrasher/Dwayne Taylor, Nova/Richard Rider, Speedball/Robbie Baldwin), Nightwatch (Kevin Trench), Jim Palmetto, Gale Patric, Melinda Pressman, Michael Pressman, Punisher (Frank Castle), Quasar (Wendell Vaughn), the Quentin Carnival (Craig Blaze, Emma Blaze, Roxanne Blaze, Kody, Clara Menninger, Eli McIntyre, George Waters, Marianne Waters, Wolf, Miranda Woods, others), Joe Quesada, Cynthia Redmond, the Right Riders, Rintrah, William "Willie" Rockwood, Jr., "Rigger" Ruiz, Sandman (William Baker), Luz Santos, Shadow Riders (Boot/Steven White, Che, Grunt/Arnold Coltrane, Roadie/Mimi Brown, Stranger/Vince Jones, Joseph Vorin), Shriker (Jack D'Auria), Silver Surfer (Norrin Radd), Sister Maryann, Slapstick (Steve Harmon), Sleepwalker, Lt. Jim Sokolowski, Solo (James Bourne), Spider-Man (Ben Reilly), Spider-Man (Peter Parker), Stigmata (Ana Maria Magdalena Shwartz), Strange, Ken Tanaka, Father Louis Tarsitino, Matthew Tarsitino, Sally Tarsitino, Terror (Shreck) of Earth-88194, Timmy, Toby, Francesca Tofield, Nurse Tolliver, Topaz, Valkyrie (Brunnhilde), Vengeance (Michael Badilino), Venom (Eddie Brock), Emmaline Brigitte Watanabe, Yuji Watanabe, Linda Wei, Dr. Jacob Weisenthal, Werewolf (Jack Russell), Willie, Wong, Timmy Woods, Mr. Wright, the X-Men (Colossus/Piotr Rasputin, Cyclops/Scott Summers, Gambit/Remy LeBeau, Jubilee/Jubilation Lee, Psylocke/Betsy Braddock, Rogue/Anna Marie, Storm/Ororo Munroe, Wolverine/James Howlett)

Enemies:
(as Noble Kale without a human host): Blackeart, the Children of the Night (Colin, Emil, Steven, others), the Furies (Dark Lady the Matriarch, Ember the Maiden, Lady Ash the Crone), Pastor Destin Kale, Mephisto, Uriel, Verminus Rex, Wallow (Max Pressman);

(as Ghost Rider in various host bodies): Alex, the Army of Darkness, Black Rose (Roxanne Simpson Blaze), Blackheart, Bobbie, Bobby, the Braineaters (Cody, Lupe, Razorblade, Scuzz, others), the Brood, Carver, Centurious, Charlie, Choam, "Choocho" Colon, the Corrupt (Hank, Vana, others), Martin Cross, Kirsten Crowley, Culex, the Cynnod, Ralphie D'Amato, Darklove, Death Ninja, Deathurge, Deathwatch, Demogoblin, the Demon (Etrigan) of the DC Universe; Devil Dinosaur, Devil Grip, D'Kay, Donatello, Doppelganger, Dread, Doctor Doom (Victor von Doom), Doctor Octopus (Otto Octavius), Dormammu, the D'Sprytes, Dusk, the Dykkors (Yayauhco, others), Edifice Rex (Rex Randolph), Electro (Max Dillon), the Fallen (Metarchus, Patriarch, Salomé, others), the Feeders, the Firm (Stern, others), the Furies (Dark Lady the Matriarch, Ember the Maiden, Lady Ash the Crone), Gadafel, Giganto, Gigantus, Gog, the Golden Fist, Gorn, the Grateful Undead, Grimbat, the G'uranthic Guardian, Gynosii, Hag, the Hand (Izanami, others), Tsin Hark, the Harvestor (Johnny Farmer), HEART (Luz Delgado, Mei Lin, Fiona McCormick, Denika Trevani), Heart Attack (Tyler Meagher), Anton Hellgate, Hobgoblin (Jason Macendale, Jr.), Howard the Duck, Joey, Jubal Jones, Killrazor (of another universe) (though Killrazor was corrupted by Mephisto), Kingpin (Wilson Fisk) and his agents (Craig, Eldon Lambert, Vic, others), Knights of the Moon (Hans, others), Dr. David Langford (although Ghost Rider was unaware of Langford's true nature until after Langford's death), Langley, Legion of Vengeance (Bacillus, Mind's Eye, Strontium-90, Vesper), Leonardo, the Lilin (Bad Timing, Blackout, Bloodthirst, Creed, Dark Legion, Doc, Fang, Girth, Lilith, Meatmarket, Nakota, Outcast, Parasite, Pilgrim, Scatter, Sister Nil, Skinner, Skitter), Loki (Loki Laufeyson), Louie, Lyja the Lazerfist, Maelstrom's Minions (Helio, Phobius, others), Madcap, Nat Mare, Mephisto, Mikey, the Mindless Ones, Missy, Mr. Hyde (Calvin Zabo), Mole Man (Harvey Elder) & his Moloids, Moon-Boy, Morphine, Mys-Tech, Mysterio (Quentin Beck), Necromancer, the Neutron Bum, Next Wave (Agent-X/James Burley, Snare/Robert Fielder, Turk/Todd Flaminirezck), Night Terror (Carl Blake), Nightmare, the NYPD (Bernie, Carmichael, Capt. Gene Hoffman, Jim, Myron, Jeffrey Piper, others), the Office of Insufficient Evidence (Col. Tolliver Smith, others), Ogun, Pain (Eugene Stone), Plasma (Leila O'Toole), Rak, Ralfie, Randolph, "Raphael," Ray, Reno, Reverend Styge (James Sharp), Ric, Ricko, Rigor Mortis and her Conqueror Worms, Ripper, President Franco Santera, Sarah, S.B., Scarecrow (Ebenezer Laughton), Shelob, SHIELD, Skreeal, Skrulls (De'Lila, others), Slaughter-Boy, Slick, Ellery Snow, Snowblind, the Soulless Dead, the Soulless Ones, Speakeasy (Walter Slocum), Spider-X (Brian Kornfield), "Splinter," the Spook, Steel Vengeance (Sadae Tsumura), Steel Wind (Ruriko Tsumura), Harley Stevens, Stonecold (Johann Bessler), Straker, Succubus, Suicide (Chris Daniels), the Team (Kalmanu, Tempest, Sean Tully), Teraknid (Aurelio Santurce), Tim, Toother, the Triad Brothers, Troll, Typhoid Mary (Mary Walker), ULTIMATUM (Carlos, F-1, Flag-Smasher, Franz, Huang, Kremnik, Larsen, O'Toole, U-1, others), the US Army, Van Doom's Monster, Clarisse Van Ripper, Verminus Rex, Lau Tak Wah, Wallow (Max Pressman), Donald Walsh, the Warriors of the Dead, Wendigo (Michael Fleet), the Wrecking Crew (Bulldozer/Henry Camp, Piledriver/Brian Calusky, Thunderball/Dr. Eliot Franklin, Wrecker/Dirk Garthwaite), Zarathos, Zodiak (Norman Harrison);
formerly Lt. Michael Badilino, Dr. Keene, Doghead (Francisco Fuentes/Chupo), Pao Fu (Lian Goh), Switchblade (Eric Brooks), Linda Wei, Mr. Wright

Known Relatives: Destin Kale (father), Dante Kale (brother, deceased), Magdelena Kale (wife, deceased), unidentified son (deceased), Pao Fu (Lian Goh, wife), Black Rose (Roxanne Blaze, wife), Illyana Kale (ancestor, deceased), Joshua Kale (descendant, deceased), Naomi Kale (descendant, deceased), Andrew Jackson Kale (descendant, deceased), Jennifer Kale (descendant), John Blaze (descendant), Barbara Ketch (descendant), Daniel Ketch (descendant), Craig Blaze (descendant), Emma Blaze (descendant)

Aliases: Ghost Rider; once mistaken for Santa Claus

Base of Operations: Mobile; formerly Mephisto's Hell realm; Cypress Hills Cemetary, Brooklyn, New York, USA

First Appearance: (behind-the-scenes/merged with Dan Ketch as Ghost Rider): Ghost Rider III#1 (May,1990);
(as Ghost Rider, separate from Dan Ketch, in spirit only): Ghost Rider III#11 (March, 1991);
(as Noble Kale, name first mentioned): Ghost Rider III#77 (September, 1996);
(as Noble Kale, true physical form seen): Ghost Rider III#78 (October, 1996)

Powers/Abilities: As a Spirit of Vengeance, Noble Kale had superhuman strength and durability, and his body was similar to a skeleton, making him nearly impervious to most physical attacks. He also possessed a mystic "Penance Stare" capable of forcing its victims to experience all of the pain and sorrow of their own misdeeds. He was also capable of manipulating hellfire for varying effects including generating objects composed of hellfire and projecting it outward in blasts. Objects created such as vehicles were imbued with increased performance and could even drive up walls.

His status as a spirit also allowed him to complete regenerate at will, even from being completely vaporized. He had no need to eat, sleep or drink and was immune to aging and Earthly disease. Since he often shared his psyche with that of his host body, he was exceptionally resistant to mind control and was immune to mystic attacks that affect souls. When sharing existence with a human host, Noble could telepathically communicate with his host on rare occasions.

During his time as a Hell-Lord, Noble Kale had control of every living soul in his realm and was able to free damned souls from his domain, if desired.

Height: 6'2"
Weight: 220 lbs.
Eyes: Brown; (as Ghost Rider): Flaming red
Hair: Strawberry blonde; (as Ghost Rider): None

History: (Ghost Rider III#92 (fb) - BTS) - Noble Kale was born in a small town called Patience.

(Ghost Rider III#92 (fb)) - Noble Kale grew up toiling in the Patience fields with his neighbors under the strict and unflinching guidance of his father, Pastor Destin Kale, who kept the town prosperous.

(Ghost Rider III#78 (fb)) - When the Quentin Carnival's caravan broke down and was lost in a snowstorm, Noble and his father happened upon the caravan and helped its occupants. Meeting a girl named Magdelena, Noble helped her up onto his horse so they could get to safety.

(Ghost Rider III#80 (fb) - BTS) - Despite Magdelena's mourning the passing of her friend and adopted father Caleb Quentin, Noble Kale did not offer his shoulder for fear that his father, the fanatical Pastor Kale, would view Noble's comfort as an act of lust and his words would destroy Magdelena's life.

(Ghost Rider III#80 (fb)) - Eventually, a romance began to blossom between Magdelena and Noble Kale.

(Ghost Rider III#92 (fb)) - Noble hid his romance with Magdelena from his fanatical father, who regarded Magdelena as being from savage stock and that mingling blood with Magdelena was against all that was good and proper. When Noble learned that his romance with Magdelena had resulted in a pregnancy, Noble hoped Pastor Kale would take Magdelena in as his daughter and finally see the light in her that Noble saw. Instead, Pastor Kale brutally whipped Noble, claiming that Noble had transgressed against his name.

(Ghost Rider III#80 (fb)) - After Magdelena gave birth to the child, Pastor Kale treated Noble like a slave and a sinner despite Noble's silent witness of the Pastor's persecution of Magdelena, who began to suspect that she would never be allowed to marry Noble due to racial and spiritual differences that conflicted with Pastor Kale's beliefs.

(Ghost Rider III#92 (fb)) - Pastor Kale eventually did marry Noble to Magdelena but made sure that Noble never saw his wife, keeping them separated and continuing to work Noble like a slave. An intense hatred of his father Pastor Kale developed in Noble after Pastor Kale took his son away from Magdelena to ensure it grew up with a Christian upbringing.

(Ghost Rider III#-1 (fb) -BTS) - Noble Kale was tricked by the Hell-lord Mephisto into betraying his wife and child.

(Wolverine & the X-Men I#22 (fb) - BTS) - At some point in his lifetime, Noble Kale gathered his thoughts into a journal.

(Ghost Rider III#92 (fb)) - After Magdelena discovered the deals with Mephisto that Pastor Kale had made to keep the town of Patience prosperous and Pastor Kale publicly denounced Magdelena as a witch, Noble fought against his father to save Magdelena, punching Pastor Kale in the back of the head. Unfortunately, Noble was overwhelmed by the easily led townspeople, taken to a barn, tortured and drugged while Magdelena was burned at the stake. Having been told by Pastor Kale that Noble had never loved her as she died, Magdelena cursed the town of Patience and Noble in particular, unleashing the Olympian Furies upon her death. The Furies ravaged Patience for days, killing Noble's brother Dante first for being blood related to Noble. In an effort to stop the Furies and restore his town, Pastor Kale sold Mephisto Noble's soul in exchange for a warrior capable of fighting the Furies. Agreeing to the terms, Mephisto instructed Pastor Kale to have the townspeople visit the graveyard and dig up a skeleton. Despite Noble's attempts to fight back, Pastor Kale and the townspeople did as instructed and Pastor Kale then cast a spell that trapped Noble Kale's soul in the skeleton, creating the demonic Ghost Rider.

(Ghost Rider VI#33 (fb)) - Ghost Rider rode the backwoods of the American colonies to chase down witches and overzealous witch hunters.

(Ghost Rider III#92 (fb)) - Three days after his transformation, Noble returned to his master Pastor Kale, desiring to feed. Pastor Kale presented Ghost Rider with his own son to feed upon and Noble, unable to do such a thing to his own son, took his own life rather than feed upon his own son.

(Ghost Rider III#-1 (fb) - BTS) - Because of his betrayal of Magdelena (and also due to Pastor Kale's deal with Mephisto), Noble was damned to Mephisto's Hell upon his death.

(Ghost Rider III#92 (fb)) - As Noble lay dead at Pastor Kale's feet, Mephisto came to collect his soul but was stopped by the arrival of the angel Uriel, who announced that Noble was still a good and pure soul, as evident by the fact that he would not take a human life despite becoming a demonic creature. Uriel then exclaimed that Noble's soul would not be taken by Mephisto.

(Ghost Rider III#-1 (fb) - BTS) - Mephisto was accused of breaking the rules to obtain the good soul of Noble Kale.

(Ghost Rider III#92 (fb)) - To prevent a war over the situation, Uriel attempted to sacrifice himself to save Noble's soul but Mephisto scoffed at the idea, agreeing only to a compromise by allowing Heaven to have half of Noble's soul while Hell retained its own half. Uriel then agreed, claiming that neither side would have all of Noble's soul and he would be freed but Mephisto exclaimed that he had a right to choose a Spirit of Vengeance. Mephisto further explained that Noble would become the newest Spirit of Vengeance, serving both Heaven and Hell for eternity and Uriel reluctantly agreed to the terms.

(Ghost Rider III#-1 (fb) - BTS) - The two sides having compromised, Noble was transformed into a Spirit of Vengeance to avenge the spilling of innocent blood.

(Ghost Rider III#92 (fb)) - As Noble was transformed, Uriel decreed that he would be blessed, as would each of his descendants, preventing Mephisto from laying a finger on them. To insure that Noble remained impartial and free of outside influence, Uriel also announced that Noble would remain in the void between realms, only venturing out to accomplish his mission of avenging the innocent and returning only when penance was achieved.

(Ghost Rider III#-1 (fb) - BTS) - Noble was sent to the void between Heaven, Hell and Earth.

(Ghost Rider III#92 (fb) - BTS) - Unbeknownst to Noble, Mephisto cursed Noble's son so that each subsequent generation of the Kale family would provide the human host body for Noble to access Earth, granting Pastor Kale immortality so long as he insured that each generation continued and were manipulated into becoming Noble's host.

(Ghost Rider III#92 (fb)) - While new to the void between realms, Noble was visited once more by Uriel, who sympathized with Noble's thoughts of his lost family. Granting Noble to gift of forgetfulness so that Noble would not continue to dwell on memories of his past, he also granted Noble the gift of status as the Angel of Death, which he could only become when his time in the void was over.

(Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe HC Vol. 6: Dan Ketch entry - BTS) - As time passed, Noble's spirit inhabited the firstborn of each generation of the Kale bloodline.

(Ghost Rider III#89 (fb) - BTS) - During World War I, Noble was tied to a human host and battled the dead-consuming Verminus Rex while controlling his host's form as the Ghost Rider.

(Ghost Rider III#-1 - BTS) - While tied to the human host Naomi Kale, Noble was unleashed when Mephisto toyed with Naomi, forcing her transformation into Ghost Rider. Angry that Mephisto had sent minions against him, Noble announced that Mephisto had no control of him before collapsing in pain and demanding to know what Mephisto had done to his Ghost Rider form. Mephisto explained that he had done nothing, insisting that Noble's human host Naomi Kale was dying and that when she died, Noble would be sent back to the void, perhaps forever. Ghost Rider exclaimed that Mephisto knew that, in the long run, he would be the death of Mephisto and Mephisto cackled "not if he would be the death" of Noble first before disappearing. With Mephisto gone, Noble thought how he should not have expended so much power in his fury at Mephisto, as it only weakened Naomi. He then relinquished control back to Naomi, who perished almost immediately after.

(Ghost Rider III#-1 (fb)) - With his human host body dead, Noble Kale's spirit floated in the void between Heaven, Hell and Earth for years.

(Ghost Rider III#1 - BTS) - Thirteen years later, after Barbara Ketch was shot by agents of Deathwatch in Cypress Hills Cemetary, Danny Ketch sought refuge in a nearby auto salvage yard, where he exclaimed that he would do anything to save his sister. After touching a glowing gas cap on a nearby motorcycle, Ketch was bonded to Noble Kale, who was quickly unleashed in Danny's form as the Ghost Rider. Ghost Rider made quick work of the Hand ninjas present but was quickly stopped by the cops, who tried to handcuff him despite his insistence that Barbara Ketch needed medical attention. Exclaiming that his mission would not be stopped, Kale/Ghost Rider rushed past the police and into the city, where more police ordered him to pull over. Continuing to evade police, Ghost Rider drove his motorcycle up the side of a building and, later that night, questioned his recent rebirth. Commenting to himself that innocent blood must have been spilled in order for him to be awakened from his long slumber, Ghost Rider announced that vengeance must be delivered before his form was relinquished back to Danny Ketch's control. When the Kingpin's men and Deathwatch's men began a gunfight over the contents of a suitcase possessed by the Cypress Pool Jokers, a street gang, the gas cap on Danny Ketch's motorcycle started glowing once more and Danny reluctantly touched it, allowing Noble Kale to once more inhabit his form as the Ghost Rider. Battling both the Kingpin's and Deathwatch's men, Ghost Rider explained to the Cypress Pool Jokers that they need not fear him. Eventually taking down the agents of both sides, Ghost Rider helped Paulie Stratton rush her friend Ralphie to St. John's Hospital, ignoring doctors' questions before departing.

(Ghost Rider III#2 - BTS) - When agents of the Kingpin tracked down some of the Cypress Pool Jokers seeking the canisters contained in the suitcase they had taken, Noble appeared in Dan's form as Ghost Rider but was riddled with bullets from the Kingpin agents and knocked off his motorcycle. The agents then investigated closer and the unharmed Ghost Rider grabbed them from the bushes, brutally attacking them and even killed one of them, Craig. Ghost Rider then took down the remaining thugs, grabbing one, Eldon Lambert, with his chain and riding him up the side of a building, where he interrogated Lambert, learning about the suitcase canisters. Unable to learn what made the canisters so important, Ghost Rider subjected Lambert to the Penance Stare and left him on a rooftop. He then sped back to Cypress Hills Cemetary, where he allowed Dan to resume control of his body. When Deathwatch's agent Blackout later attacked one of the Cypress Pool Jokers at his home inquiring about the canisters, he ultimately pushed the boy out of a window, where he was caught by Noble, who was active once more as Ghost Rider. Blackout emerged from the boy's window moments later and the two battled, with Ghost Rider's strength surprising Blackout, who managed to hurl Ghost Rider into the side of the boy's home. Blackout then fled and the boy yelled for Ghost Rider to follow but Ghost Rider only replied that Blackout was now gone, warning about the next time they would meet.

(Ghost Rider III#3 - BTS/Ghost Rider VI#26 (fb) - BTS/Superior Spider-Man I Annual#1 (fb) - BTS) - Witnessing Blackout and Deathwatch attacking the Cypress Pool Jokers gang in Cypress Hills Cemetary, Danny Ketch found his motorcycle's glowing once more and touched it to allow Noble to control his form as Ghost Rider. Ghost Rider quickly took out a few of Deathwatch's agents then confronted Blackout personally. During their scuffle, one of the canisters Blackout was attempting to retrieve was opened, releasing gas and Blackout tried to bite Ghost Rider with his mechanical fangs, causing agonized pain and an explosion of hellfire that horribly disfigured Blackout's face. Blackout then fled as Ghost Rider commented that vengeance would be his.

(Ghost Rider III#4 - BTS) - When thugs S.B. and Bobbie, led by Ricko, attacked an African-American family, blaming them on recent child kidnappings, Noble appeared in Dan's form as the Ghost Rider, ensnaring Ricko in his chains and dragging him away. Ghost Rider immediately returned for Bobbie, prompting S.B. to run for his life onto the grounds of a factory. Ghost Rider returned for S.B. as predicted and S.B. knocked Ghost Rider off of his motorcycle with a baseball bat but Ghost Rider got back up and grabbed S.B., who yelled that he had not done anything. Ghost Rider grimly explained that S.B. had nothing to worry about then and later returned to Cypress Hills Cemetary, where Dan Ketch resumed control of his own body. When Dan Ketch and his friend Jack D'Auria were later captured by a biker gang, Dan wished for his motorcycle in hopes of finding a way out. As if on cue, the bike appeared within reach of his hands and Dan was able to touch its gas cap, unleashing Noble Kale as he transformed into Ghost Rider and busted out of his cell. When he confronted the gang, he found it under attack from the superhuman Mr. Hyde, whom Ghost Rider pulled away from a car being driven by Scotty and his friends. When Hyde knocked Ghost Rider into a car, Ghost Rider emerged and pulled Hyde away with his chains. He then slammed his motorcycle into Hyde, knocking him out of the nearest window. Hyde landed and made a run for it, pursued by Ghost Rider, while the biker gang (whom Ghost Rider had saved from Mr. Hyde) defended Ghost Rider to the arriving NYPD.

(Ghost Rider III#5 - BTS) - In Forest Park, Queens, Noble/Ghost Rider fought a group of youths led by Louie, who had attacked a young woman. After subjecting four of the six thugs to the Penance Stare, Ghost Rider told one of the others that despite them only watching Louie hurt the woman, they were just as guilty but Ghost Rider was interrupted by the police, who ordered him to freeze and announced that they had his motorcycle. Announcing that he could not be separated from his motorcycle, Ghost Rider leapt over the police cars and landed on his bike, driving away and bouncing off a news van housing reporter Linda Wei and her cameraman, Doug. The following day, Linda Wei reported on her encounter with Ghost Rider and insinuated similarities between Ghost Rider and the vigilante Punisher. Some time later, after Dan Ketch had found himself unable to relinquish control of his body to Noble at will, he assumed his time as Ghost Rider was over but almost immediately saw the gas cap of his motorcycle glowing. Dan then allowed Noble to assume control of his body and, as Ghost Rider, Noble went on patrol. Soon noticing that the Punisher was watching him from afar, Ghost Rider rode up the side of building and confronted the vigilante. Ghost Rider demanded to know why Punisher wanted to hurt him and Punisher accused Ghost Rider of putting weapons in the hands of kids. Despite Ghost Rider's attempts to explain that he only avenged the innocent, Punisher riddled Ghost Rider with bullets. Ghost Rider easily shrugged off all of the Punisher's attacks and got back on his motorcycle. Riding at Punisher, Ghost Rider ended up hitting the Punisher with his motorcycle and the two went flying off the building roof, crashing into an ULTIMATUM meeting, where the Punisher finally deduced that Flag-Smasher was behind the gun sales and admitted that he was wrong about Ghost Rider.

(Ghost Rider III#6 - BTS) - Teaming up with the Punisher against Flag-Smasher's ULTIMATUM group, Ghost Rider used his chain to disarm most of the ULTIMATUM soldiers. Flag-Smasher quickly ordered his soldiers to retreat while he made his own escape, taunting Ghost Rider and Punisher that he had rigged the building with explosives. Escaping the building on Ghost Rider's motorcycle, Ghost Rider and Punisher noticed one of the ULTIMATUM soldiers, Carlos, running on foot and the duo interrogated the boy until he told them of an ULTIMATUM meeting on Wall Street the following night. As Ghost Rider watched, Punisher warned Carlos against lying, as Ghost Rider could always take him for another ride and he would get worse from Punisher himself. Shortly after, as day broke, Noble relinquished control of Dan Ketch's form back to Dan, who worried about how he had no control of his life anymore. Later that night, Dan thought about how he had been using Ghost Rider as an escape from his everyday life. As he admitted he was essentially wasting time until his next transformation, the transformation occurred and Noble resumed controlling Dan Ketch's form. Confronting a group of ULTIMATUM soldiers during a city-wide attack, Ghost Rider spun his chain around, releasing links that hit the soldiers and took them all down. Punisher joined the fight as well, taking down an ULTIMATUM agent that was preparing to shoot Ghost Rider through the skull. When Flag-Smasher led a flying ULTIMATUM squad in an attack, Punisher took down O'Toole's craft with a rocket launcher while Ghost Rider took out Kremnick's craft with chain links. Ghost Rider took down Larsen's craft by wrapping his chain around part of the craft and then around a light post, causing the craft to crash. Ghost Rider then pursued Flag-Smasher by riding on the side of a building but Flag-Smasher managed to destroy Ghost Rider's motorcycle with a missile. Ghost Rider immediately reconstituted the cycle and Punisher knocked Flag-Smasher from his craft with a gunshot. Cutting through Flag-Smasher's armor with his chain, Ghost Rider subjected him to the Penance Stare, preventing Punisher from killing Flag-Smasher. When the police arrived, Ghost Rider and Punisher escaped on Ghost Rider's cycle as Punisher asked where he could get a motorcycle like Ghost Rider's.

(Code of Honor I#4 -BTS) - Noble, riding alone as the Ghost Rider, eluded police officers Jeffrey Piper and his partner by driving his motorcycle up the side of building when cornered into a dead end street.

(Spider-Man I#6 - BTS) - Active within Dan Ketch's body as Ghost Rider, Noble dangled a child pornographer over the side of a building. When the criminal insisted he had done nothing wrong, Ghost Rider called him sick and dropped him several stories before catching him at ground level and subjecting him to the Penance Stare. With vengeance meted out, Ghost Rider departed but as he drove away, he came upon a burning building. After learning the villain Hobgoblin had caused the fire, Ghost Rider interrogated a local thug to learn Hobgoblin's location then made his way towards the villain's location.

(Spider-Man I#7 - BTS) - While Spider-Man confronted Hobgoblin, Ghost Rider burst through the wall on his motorcycle, exclaiming that evil was a beacon stationed at that location. He then confronted the Hobgoblin himself, announcing that 12 people had died in Hobgoblin's earlier explosion and that Hobgoblin would pay for his crimes. Ghost Rider then demanded that Hobgoblin make his move and Hobgoblin did so by trying to charge Hobgoblin on his Goblin Glider. Ghost Rider easily ripped the Glider apart from under Hobgoblin, who crashed into the wall behind Ghost Rider.

(Ghost Rider III#7 - BTS) - Controlling Dan's form as the Ghost Rider, Noble watched on a store television as reporter Linda Wei informed the public of the police's theory that recent child kidnappings were the work of escaped murderer Scarecrow and not Ghost Rider. After watching Wei's report, Ghost Rider departed to Cypress Hills Cemetary, where he allowed Dan full control of his body once more. Later, when Noble again controlled Dan's form as Ghost Rider, he began a search for the Scarecrow, finding him on a rooftop, surrounded by police and ranting about Captain America. Evading the police, Ghost Rider confronted Scarecrow, knocking aside Scarecrow's trained crows and pulling him to another nearby rooftop. Ghost Rider then attempted to subject Scarecrow to the Penance Stare but Scarecrow escaped the chains and dove into a sewer grate. Ripping the grate from the street, Ghost Rider wondered what it was that drove him to seek such vengeance, unaware that Blackout was killing Dan Ketch's sister Barbara in the hospital. When Noble was next released as Ghost Rider, he continued his search for Scarecrow, once again finding him on a rooftop seeking Captain America. Ghost Rider informed that Scarecrow's murder attempts would not be allowed and grabbed Scarecrow, preparing to administer the Penance Stare. The contortionist Scarecrow wriggled out of Ghost Rider's grasp and forced himself backwards, onto his own pitchfork. With Scarecrow seemingly dead, Ghost Rider commented that justice and vengeance had been served and drove off into the night.

(Ghost Rider III#8 - BTS) - While riding his motorcycle and thinking about Blackout, Danny Ketch heard a scream and touched the Medallion on his motorcycle's gas cap, allowing his body to be controlled by Noble as the Ghost Rider, who rode off towards his unknown enemy. Finding a Morlock named Missy attempting to kidnap a young girl, Ghost Rider was punched several yards away by Missy and Ghost Rider jumped into battle, binding Missy's hands with his chain. Missy soon called upon her brother Alex, whose amorphous body covered Ghost Rider, distracting Noble long enough for Missy to escape. Alex then retreated once his sister was safe and Ghost Rider vowed to return the following night for vengeance, unaware that the HEART group had been observing him. Spider-Man decided to jump into the fight to keep everyone from being killed and Ghost Rider warned Spider-Man to stay out of it, as Hobgoblin must be punished. The two heroes bickered briefly before Hobgoblin realized Spider-Man had the child hostage he had earlier taken. Hobgoblin attacked, trying to retrieve the young boy, but Ghost Rider intercepted and Hobgoblin flew Ghost Rider into the sky, where he was dropped. Getting back to his feet, Ghost Rider witnessed Hobgoblin ranting for the "demons" to repent and deduced that Hobgoblin had gone truly mad. Hobgoblin then retrieved the young boy, aptly named Adam, and Spider-Man pleaded with Ghost Rider to help rescue the boy. Ghost Rider got on his bike and slammed it into Hobgoblin, who tossed Adam into the air, where he was rescued by Spider-Man. Ghost Rider then grabbed Hobgoblin and announced that it was time for Hobgoblin to pay the price but Spider-Man webbed Ghost Rider away from the unconscious Hobgoblin, reminding him that Ghost Rider had nearly injured the innocent he sought to protect on his quest for vengeance. Spider-Man then explained that Adam needed medical attention. Ghost Rider merely told Spider-Man to get the boy some aid, warning that Hobgoblin would not always have Spider-Man to protect him and that he would have his vengeance. Ghost Rider then said goodbye and left the scene.

(Ghost Rider III#9 - BTS) - Searching the city on his motorcycle, Danny Ketch noticed his motorcycle gas cap glowing and touched it, relinquishing his form to Noble as the Ghost Rider. Still unaware that the HEART organization was trailing him, Ghost Rider rode into battle against Blackout, who was stalking Danny Ketch. Preparing to pay Blackout back for his crimes, Ghost Rider found himself assaulted by the HEART field agents, who were using special jackets on their bullets designed to damage Ghost Rider's demonic form. Blasted into a nearby building and actually feeling pain from the gunshots, Ghost Rider was led into underground tunnels by the Morlocks, who promised to take Ghost Rider to recently-abducted children. Ghost Rider then agreed to help the Morlocks when they explained that the children were abducted to protect them from an "evil one" but announced that he must depart with the rise of the sun. The following evening, Dan allowed Ghost Rider to assume his form once more and Ghost Rider ventured back to the Morlock tunnels underneath Cypress Hills Cemetary, noticing that HEART was following him in a helicopter. Introduced to the leader of the Morlock faction, Pixie, who explained to Ghost Rider that the children had been abducted to protect them from the Morlock Masque, Ghost Rider reunited with the young Pauline Stratton but was soon attacked by HEART. The mutant hero team X-Factor soon showed up as well, having tracked the missing children there, and Blackout revealed himself, prompting Ghost Rider to jump into battle against Blackout while X-Factor protected the children from HEART. Blackout managed to kill Pixie and with her dying wish, Pixie asked Ghost Rider to get the children to safety despite Ghost Rider's insistence that she must be avenged. When a cave-in occurred, Ghost Rider summoned his motorcycle from the retreating HEART and loaded the children on the cycle, sending it above ground to X-Factor while Ghost Rider continued his battle with Blackout. Leaving Blackout to the cave-in, Ghost Rider emerged from the ground shortly after X-Factor had gotten the children to safety. Retrieving his motorcycle, Ghost Rider departed.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#64 - BTS) - When agents of Deathwatch attacked his friend Jack D'Auria and his karate sensei, Dan relinquished control to Noble so that the Ghost Rider could help. Arriving in time to save Jack from being killed, Ghost Rider shattered the agent's sword and fought back, creating a distraction that allowed Jack's sensei to even the odds. Pronouncing himself a friend, Ghost Rider picked up the injured Jack and exclaimed that Deathwatch's attacks would not happen again.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#65 - BTS) - Traveling back to Cypress Hills Cemetary, Ghost Rider found Wolverine, who had tracked Deathwatch's agents from Madripoor to Brooklyn, and assumed Wolverine was another of Deathwatch's assassins. Annoyed at Ghost Rider's accusations, Wolverine leapt at Ghost Rider, who casually tossed Wolverine into a mausoleum behind him then freed the young woman whom Deathwatch's agents were tying up. In an effort to determine what exactly Ghost Rider was, Wolverine slashed off Ghost Rider's leather jacket, revealing the flaming skeleton beneath and announcing that he would show Wolverine the meaning of pain. Regenerating his leather jacket, Ghost Rider rushed at Wolverine, who cut down a nearby tree and toppled it onto Ghost Rider. Ghost Rider burst the tree into splinters and picked Wolverine up, prepared to subject the mutant to the Penance Stare. However, Wolverine stabbed Ghost Rider in the eye sockets just as he used the Penance Stare, creating a backlash of energy that downed by Ghost Rider and Wolverine. Deathwatch's agents then commented how their boss was right in that the two heroes would take care of each other and one of the agents shot the two heroes just to be sure. The agent soon had his neck broken by an unseen assailant who was commended by the captured young woman, who asked what they should do about Wolverine and Ghost Rider.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#66 - BTS) - The young woman, identified as Emmaline by the unseen assailant, announced that they should help Ghost Rider and Wolverine since they had saved her from Deathwatch's agents. She told the others that she would be able to help Wolverine if they could get him back to her home while Ghost Rider got up on his own accord, boarded his motorcycle and drove off to rest, soon returning control of the body back to Dan Ketch. After resting, Dan witnessed Jack D'Auria under attack again by Deathwatch's agents and allowed Noble to control his form as the Ghost Rider. Ghost Rider engaged Deathwatch's agents, brutally taking them down one by one until he dangled the final one off a rooftop. Announcing he must feel the pain he had caused, Ghost Rider dropped the agent then caught his leg with his chain. He was then confronted by a man, later identified as Yuji, who admitted that he didn't think Ghost Rider was a killer. Yuji then explained that it was time for them to talk.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#67 - BTS) - After speaking with Yuji, Ghost Rider visited Yuji's home and found Wolverine lunging at the Yuji's daughter Emmaline Brigitte, unaware that Wolverine was merely trying to scare her into telling him where he was. Wrapping his chains around Wolverine's arm, Ghost Rider ordered Wolverine to leave Brigitte alone. Wolverine began to fight but Yuji broke up the fight, explaining that Wolverine, Ghost Rider and himself had a common enemy in Deathwatch. Yuji then told Brigitte to fetch his son Sean while he explained who Sean was to Wolverine and Ghost Rider. As he led the two heroes up a set of stairs, Yuji was startled when Wolverine's senses picked up something. Readying themselves, Ghost Rider, Wolverine and Yuji burst through the door to find Deathwatch's agents waiting for them. Yuji asked Ghost Rider and Wolverine not to attack until they could learn Brigitte's location and two of Deathwatch's Triad Brothers revealed Brigitte's cut hair braid, announcing that more parts of Brigitte would follow for every hour they refused to turn over Yuji's son, Sean. The two Triads then departed, leaving Wolverine and Ghost Rider to agree to handling things Yuji's way. Sean Watanabe immediately revealed himself, using the codename of Brass, and announced that time was of the essence, as not only was Brigitte's life at stake but Jack D'Auria had been kidnapped from his hospital room. Upon hearing the news, Ghost Rider jumped on his motorcycle.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#68 - BTS) - Angry that Jack had been kidnapped, Ghost Rider briefly rampaging, despite attempts to hold him back by Brass and Wolverine. Eventually escaping their grasp, Ghost Rider burst through the wall on a mission of vengeance with Yuji Watanabe in tow. As they searched New York, Yuji asked why he was not burned by Ghost Rider's fire and Ghost Rider could only reply with "I don't know." Ghost Rider did explain that the motorcycle was able to do "such wonderful things" by revealing that the Spirit of Vengeance was his to command. Recognizing a building in Manhattan as belonging to Deathwatch, Yuji asked Ghost Rider to stop and approach stealthily but they were expected and attacked by Deathwatch's agents. Feeling as if they were wasting time battling Deathwatch's agents, Ghost Rider knocked them all inside and went inside while Yuji waited for Wolverine and Brass to catch up.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#69 - BTS) - Eventually, Wolverine, Brass and Yuji ventured inside Deathwatch's building to find that Ghost Rider had cleared the way of any guards. When Brass and Wolverine nearly got into a fight over Wolverine's desire to have answers as to why he was being led around by the Watanabes, Ghost Rider held Brass back and Yuji admitted that perhaps it was time to explain. Ghost Rider agreed to let Brass go and listen but reminded the others that vengeance must be carried out. Brass then explained his origins and his desire to take down the Mandarin, who had indirectly caused his lover Theresa's death. Wolverine then realized that his connection to the Watanabes was also the Mandarin, whom he'd had a run-in with recently, and asked how Ghost Rider's friend Jack D'Auria fit in the mix. Yuji answered, explained that Jack and his daughter Emmaline Brigitte were merely innocent pawns caught between dark forces. Ghost Rider then interrupted, exclaiming that it was enough talk, and Wolverine agreed, prompting everyone to move further into Deathwatch's building. Coming to a dark room, the heroes were surprised by more of Deathwatch's agents, who opened fire on them after claiming they were on private property. As Wolverine, Yuji and Brass fought back, Ghost Rider stood in the center of the room, gesturing and being riddled with bullets. Shortly after, Ghost Rider's motorcycle came crashing through the wall and Ghost Rider rode off with Brass in tow.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#70 - BTS) - Riding the motorcycle to the roof of Deathwatch's building, Ghost Rider and Brass fought their way inside through more of Deathwatch's ninja agents while Wolverine and Yuji made their way upstairs. The two groups met back up at a door where Wolverine sensed Jack D'Auria and Emmaline Brigitte to be. Ghost Rider busted in the door to find the captives but the foursome was quickly surrounded by Deathwatch's men. The Triad Brothers were then sent against the heroes by Deathwatch's agent Langley and after Wolverine, Yuji and Brass made short work the Triads, Ghost Rider subjected all three to the Penance Stare. Upon the Triad Brothers' defeat, Deathwatch himself intervened, demanding to know what was going on. Langley attempted to explain but Deathwatch opted to feed on Langley's death energies to learn the truth.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#71 - BTS) - Learning that Langley's plot was to branch out on his own by manipulating Ghost Rider into killing both Wolverine and Brass, Deathwatch admitted that he now had to fix Langley's mistake and told Ghost Rider that Emmaline Brigitte and Jack D'Auria would be freed if he killed Wolverine and Brass. Pretending to go along with Deathwatch's orders in order to save innocents, Ghost Rider grabbed Brass and Wolverine and hurled them through various walls in hopes of finding where Deathwatch had hidden Brigitte and Jack. Upon finding them, Ghost Rider released Brass and Wolverine, who made short work of Deathwatch's guards. By the time the heroes had freed Jack and Brigitte, Deathwatch announced over the intercom that he had escaped and that he was blowing the roof off of his building. Getting everyone to safety within seconds, Ghost Rider, Wolverine, Brass and Yuji parted ways, with Ghost Rider promising that Deathwatch would pay for his crimes.

(Fantastic Four I#347 - BTS/Fantastic Four I#348 (fb) - BTS/Thing II#6 (fb) - BTS) - After having been summoned to Four Freedoms Plaza by "Invisible Woman" (actually the Skrull), Ghost Rider passed by Wolverine, Hulk and Spider-Man, riding straight up the side of the building to the penthouse level. By the time, Wolverine made his way to the penthouse level, he found Spider-Man consoling "Invisible Woman" while Ghost Rider and Hulk stood by. The Hulk, annoyed that "Invisible Woman" had used the Mental Alarm Resonator to summon the heroes there, prepared to leave but "Invisible Woman" wished to show the heroes something first. Ghost Rider suggested the Hulk stay, as innocent blood had already been spilled or he would not have been there. "Invisible Woman" agreed and showed the heroes the supposed corpses of the other members of the Fantastic Four. After hearing "Invisible Woman"'s story about the enemy who had supposedly killed the Fantastic Four causing monsters to rise up on Earth, Ghost Rider, Wolverine, Hulk and Spider-Man decided to band together as the new Fantastic Four in order to track down that enemy and avenge the Fantastic Four.

(Web of Spider-Man Annual I#8/4 - BTS) - A photo was taken of Noble as Ghost Rider, Spider-Man, Hulk and Wolverine when they banded together as the new Fantastic Four.

(Fantastic Four I#348 - BTS/Spider-Man & the Fantastic Four I#3 (fb) - BTS) - Still using Dan Ketch's form as Ghost Rider, Noble accompanied the new Fantastic Four in their search for the enemy who had supposedly killed the Fantastic Four. As they neared Washington, D.C., Ghost Rider commented how he had yet to see evidence of monsters rampaging worldwide. As if on cue, the new Fantastic Four saw a winged monster attacking a nearby airplane. Hulk immediately jumped in to attack the monster and Ghost Rider assisted, hitting the monster with chain links, while Spider-Man patched up the damaged airplane with webbing and Wolverine continued to fly their aircraft. When the monster stiffened up and flew back towards its origin point, the new Fantastic Four followed, eventually going down near the Bermuda Triangle. Tracing the enemy signature inside a nearby mountain, the new Fantastic Four came face-to-face with Mole Man and his monsters. Before Hulk or Wolverine could attack, Ghost Rider suggested learning more about the situation and Spider-Man agreed to parlay with the Mole Man, explaining that they were attempting the trace what was causing the world's monsters to attack. Mole Man revealed that it was aliens and he agreed to lead them to the aliens. Recognizing the aliens as shape-shifting Skrulls, Wolverine and Hulk began breaking rocks when the Mole Man admitted one of the Skrulls were missing. Catching on that one of the rocks could be the missing Skrull in disguise, Ghost Rider joined in, helping to break rocks until Hulk found the missing Skrull captain. When the captain refused to talk, Ghost Rider subjected him to the Penance Stare, which forced the Skrull captain to reveal their plan to stop the Skrull De'Lila from obtaining a weapon capable of assassinating the Skrull emperor. When the Skrulls recognized the tracking device Spider-Man was using as a Skrull weapon, Spider-Man admitted it was given to him by a lady in New York. The Skrulls immediately deduced that the "Invisible Woman" who had sent the new Fantastic Four to Mole Man's island was actually De'Lila in disguise. Mr. Fantastic and "Invisible Woman" soon arrived on the scene as well and Hulk prepared to attack but Mr. Fantastic warned that the only way he was getting to "Invisible Woman" was over his dead body. Explaining that he had already seen Reed Richards' dead body, Hulk accused Mr. Fantastic of being a Skrull.

(Fantastic Four I#349 - BTS) - "Invisible Woman" quickly revealed herself as De'Lila and attempted to convince the Mole Man to aid her against the Skrulls but Ghost Rider announced that De'Lila sought only to kill the Skrulls via treachery. Summoning cleansing hellfire, Ghost Rider cleared the minds of those influenced by De'Lila, who ordered Mr. Fantastic to get them out of there. Deducing that De'Lila had originally used her telepathic powers on the new Fantastic Four in order to manipulate them into killing the Skrull squad sent to stop her from obtaining the weapon, Spider-Man also figured that De'Lila likely had the original Fantastic Four hostage rather than dead and that the Mr. Fantastic they had just encountered was the true Mr. Fantastic under De'Lila's influence. Spider-Man then used his spider-sense to track De'Lila and as Ghost Rider and the other new Fantastic Four members ventured away, a cave-in collapsed on top of them. Hulk managed to hold up the rocks and Ghost Rider spun his chain at a speed fast enough to essentially drill their way to safety. Confronting Mr. Fantastic and De'Lila as they found the Skrull weapon, Ghost Rider and the other new Fantastic Four members were forced to aid De'Lila when she took Mr. Fantastic hostage. Hulk broke into the protective shell of the weapon while Ghost Rider used his chain to break through the ectoplasmic surrounded the weapon's vault. Wolverine and Spider-Man then worked together to open the weapon's vault, revealing an egg. Mole Man then arrived, having learned of the weapon from the other Skrulls, and sought to kill the new Fantastic Four and De'Lila to obtain the weapon. Before the battle could truly begin, the original Fantastic Four and She-Thing arrived, having escaped captivity at Four Freedoms Plaza, and aided in the fight against Mole Man's monsters. The egg weapon was soon confiscated by the monster Giganto and his mate, and the Skrulls revealed that the weapon could not deactivated. The battle was interrupted, however, when the egg hatched and the Skrull Inorganic Techno Troid emerged and imprinted itself onto Giganto. The ITT then burrowed underground, stopping a bomb set by the Skrulls. With the Skrulls defeated and the ITT treating Giganto as its parent, De'Lila attempted to manipulate Mr. Fantastic into attacking Ghost Rider and the combined heroes but Mr. Fantastic revealed that he had only pretended to be under her thrall to get her to release the mental blocks she had placed on him preventing the use of his powers. He then easily defeated De'Lila and reunited with his wife and the original Fantastic Four. De'Lila attempted to escape in the distraction but Ghost Rider used his Penance Stare, incapacitating her. Mole Man then agreed to lead all of the heroes to the surface, where the military was about to attack. Upon seeing the Fantastic Four, Ghost Rider, Spider-Man, Hulk and Wolverine, the military backed off.

(Spider-Man & the Fantastic Four I#3 (fb) - BTS) - After the military backed off, Noble/Ghost Rider and the other new Fantastic Four members watched as the Mole Man brought forth a giant monster and announced that the Skrulls must answer for their crimes in his underground kingdom. Invisible Woman quickly vouched for the Skrulls, explaining that the weapon they sought was now in the possession of Mole Man, living amongst his monsters. She then calmed the entire situation by not only reminding Mole Man of the weapon he now had but also that the Skrull De'Lila was now a prisoner and suffering from the effects of Ghost Rider's Penance Stare. She then asked if everyone present could agree that her suggestion to let things go was fair, reminding the Mole Man that he really didn't want Ghost Rider, Wolverine and Hulk running wild in his kingdom. The Mole Man agreed to Invisible Woman's terms and retreated, warning that if they violated his kingdom again, he would unleash his monsters on the surface. When a time-traveling Doctor Doom mystically released De'Lila from her captivity, Ghost Rider immediately sensed innocent blood being spilled and pointed in De'Lila's direction. Unaffected by De'Lila's attempts to charm them once more, Ghost Rider, Spider-Man, Invisible Woman and the She-Thing were soon forced to battle Human Torch, Mr. Fantastic, Hulk, Wolverine and Thing, who had manipulated by De'Lila into acts of aggression. Invisible Woman suggested Ghost Rider use his hellfire to clear the others' minds but Ghost Rider confessed that the hellfire was powerless against the Human Torch. He then announced that De'Lila's power had been magnified somehow. Spider-Man eventually managed to free some of those under De'Lila's spell by kissing the Invisible Woman and She-Thing, forcing them to face their feelings for their loved ones, and Ghost Rider subjected Wolverine to the Penance Stare, freeing his mind of De'Lila's influence. She-Thing and Thing then forced the still-rampaging Hulk into De'Lila's ship, prompting her to drop her spell in order to keep her only way off Earth from being destroyed. Ghost Rider then accompanied the assembled heroes against De'Lila, who surrendered. Following the battle, Ghost Rider stood around while the Skrulls took De'Lila back into their custody and then departed the scene with Wolverine and Hulk.

(Thor I#429 (fb) - BTS) - Noble, as the Ghost Rider, continued to "make things hot for the local dirtbags." His reputation became so fierce that even "Rigger" Ruiz, a member of the NYPD's Code: Blue force, was happy to not have to go through Cypress Hills Cemetary.

(Thor I#429 - BTS) - Unfortunately for Ruiz, Code: Blue's delivery of the superhuman criminal Bulldozer was attacked his Wrecking Crew teammates, forcing them to detour into Cypress Hills. Hearing the subsequent explosion while visiting his sister Barbara's grave, Dan Ketch relinquished his form over to Noble who, as the Ghost Rider, jumped into a fight with the Wrecking Crew. "Rigger" Ruiz watched as Ghost Rider battled the Wrecking Crew, wondering if Ghost Rider was actually on their side despite rumors she had heard to the contrary. During the battle, the Wrecker hit Ghost Rider with a blast from his enchanted crowbar, accidentally opening a dimensional portal that caused Ghost Rider's hellfire to rage and grow out of control until Mephisto appeared.

(Thor I#430 - BTS) - After the Wrecker teleported the Wrecking Crew from Ghost Rider's location, a restored Ghost Rider, unable to recall who Mephisto was, searched the city for the Wrecking Crew while wondering if the emotion he felt was fear and who exactly Mephisto was. Despite finding himself haunted by Mephisto's demonic visage, Noble soon allowed Dan Ketch to resume command of his own body. Dan continued Ghost Rider's search for the Wrecking Crew until the Asgardian Loki used sorcery to trick Dan into seeing the Wrecker. Noble then resumed control of Dan's form, transforming into Ghost Rider and drive up the side of a building, right past Bulldozer and Piledriver of the Wrecking Crew. Piledriver attempted to stop Ghost Rider on the roof but Ghost Rider slung him aside, where Piledriver was secretly depowered by Loki. Upon seeing Bulldozer rushing to aid the Wrecker, who was battling Thor on the rooftop, Ghost Rider tripped up Bulldozer with his chain and slung him into the Wrecker, who was manipulated by Loki into opening a dimensional rift to unleash demons on Thor. When Thor gained the upper hand, he asked that Ghost Rider shield his eyes while he opened his own dimensional portal to banish the demons. Following the battle, Thor commented to Ghost Rider that the Wrecker had vanished by his Wrecking Crew allies needed medical attention. Ghost Rider replied that he would leave the compassion to Thor and departed, leaving the question of whether they would next meet as allies.

(Marc Spector: Moon Knight I#25 - BTS) - Noble, as Ghost Rider, streaked toward Liberty Island to battle the terrorist Knights of the Moon. His flaming streak was noticed by Moon Knight's ally "Frenchie" DuChamp, who informed Moon Knight. Moon Knight then watched as Ghost Rider rode up the side of the Statue of Liberty, ramping into the air to announce that innocent blood had been spilled and that he would have his due. Wrapping up the remaining terrorists in his chain, Ghost Rider subjected one to the Penance Stare but he could do the same to another, Moon Knight intervened and told Ghost Rider that he needed them alive for information. Ghost Rider replied that the information was easily obtained, subjecting the terrorist to his Penance Stare, which terrified the terrorist into revealing the location of a second attack at Grand Central Station. Shocked, Moon Knight offered Ghost Rider a lift but found Ghost Rider gone. Ghost Rider later appeared at Grand Central Station, busting through a glass window to confront Plasma and more Knights of the Moon terrorists. Announcing that vengeance would be his, Ghost Rider was unaffected by the Knights' bullets but Plasma replied that vengeance would instead be hers and she obliterated Ghost Rider with a plasma blast. A short time later, the stain on the ground that was Ghost Rider's remains began to glow brighter and brighter until Ghost Rider reconstituted himself in a flash of hellfire. Regrouping with Moon Knight, Ghost Rider caught up to Plasma and her Knights of the Moon agents with Moon Knight in tow and the two heroes fought Plasma's forces aboard a moving subway train. Plasma managed to blast Ghost Rider out of the train and battled Moon Knight until Ghost Rider caught back up and had Moon Knight jump onto his motorcycle. A gloating Plasma continued trying to blast the heroes, not seeing the wall coming up fast. As Moon Knight and Ghost Rider watched, Plasma's subway train crashed into a wall and exploded. With vengeance served, Ghost Rider departed on his own.

(Damage Control III#4 - BTS) - Noble/Ghost Rider was one of the many superheroes assembled together against the impending threat of Damage Control employee Edifice Rex. When Edifice Rex appeared, he was fired, effectively ending his threat.

(Daredevil I#294 - BTS) - As Daredevil leapt into a fight against the Hand, he sensed the growing roar of the unnatural engine belonging to Ghost Rider's motorcycle as it moved closer.

(Daredevil I#295 - BTS) - Noble, as Ghost Rider, arrived and engaged the Hand just as Daredevil began battling the ninja clan. As stirred-up gravel and sand temporarily blinded some of the Hand ninjas, Ghost Rider announced that they were lucky to not see his Penance Stare, as it was eternal torment. When several of the Hand seemingly vanished in a cloud of smoke, Ghost Rider announced he would not be denied vengeance and regrouped with Daredevil. The Hand split to attack both heroes, with one of them stabbing Ghost Rider's eye sockets with sais to no effect. Ghost Rider then subjected the ninja to the Penance Stare but found only shallowness in the mystic nature of the ninja. Locked in a stare, Ghost Rider and the ninja remained looking at each other, the mysticism of the ninja threatening to tear Ghost Rider apart. Daredevil quickly pulled the two apart and the ninja crumbled to ashes, leaving only the ninja uniform behind. Confused as to what had just happened, Ghost Rider tried to depart but Daredevil grabbed him, also wanting to know what had happened. The surprised Ghost Rider threatened to subject Daredevil to the Penance Stare as well but Daredevil's blindness prevented Ghost Rider from doing anything more than sensing a desire for vengeance from Daredevil. Realizing that Daredevil sought to protect innocents as well, Ghost Rider exclaimed that Daredevil could ride with him anything but the weakened Noble soon, uncontrollably returned control of the body back to Dan Ketch, who fell unconscious.

(Ghost Rider III#10 - BTS) - In control of Danny Ketch's form once more as Ghost Rider, Noble observed a police investigation of new murders committed as part of the recent "Zodiac killings." While observing, he thought to himself, unable to recall why he did what he did and why he was driven towards vengeance. Realizing that his answers would have to come later after the Zodiac killer had paid for his sins, Ghost Rider departed, soon confronting a group of hoodlums as they attacked a small group of homeless. Easily defeating the goons, Ghost Rider was surprised when the homeless he was protecting cowered from him. Some time later, after Danny Ketch had regained control of his form, he spotted a group of neighborhood kids fighting and noticed the gas cap on his motorcycle glowing. Determined not to relinquish his form for something as trivial as kids fighting, Danny's form was nonetheless usurped by Noble Kale as the Ghost Rider, who found that the fight had been sparked because a drug dealer was angry that one of the kids would not buy from him. Wrapping the dealer in chains, Ghost Rider carried him up the side of a building. Learning from the dealer that the Zodiac killer could be found at Flushing Meadow Park in Queens, Ghost Rider traveled there, where he was hit with a blast of water from the demon-possessed "Zodiak." When "Zodiak" realized that he couldn't harm Ghost Rider, he tried to flee but Ghost Rider followed, entrapping "Zodiak" in chains. "Zodiak" soon revealed himself to be a robot duplicate and pointed out the location of the true Zodiak. Ghost Rider immediately rushed at Zodiak, who escaped on a flying platform, much to the anger of Ghost Rider.

(Ghost Rider III#11) - Thinking that Noble was actually Zarathos, the demon who had once been merged with John Blaze as a previous Ghost Rider, Nightmare pulled both Dan Ketch and Noble Kale into the Dream Dimension at the exact point that Dan relinquished control of his body to Noble Kale. Nightmare then explained his plan to release "Zarathos," who had been inhabited many bystanders' nightmares of late. Thinking that "Zarathos" simply had amnesia, Nightmare revealed Zarathos' history to Noble, who admitted that the history Nightmare described had no meaning to him and the events of Nightmare's last encounter with Zarathos were unfamiliar to him. Noble then announced himself the Spirit of Vengeance and refused to be a servant to Nightmare or anyone else. Nightmare ordered Noble to be silent and unleashed nightmarish creatures against Noble. Thinking Noble would be killed if he didn't help, Dan Ketch rode to Noble's side and they completed their spiritual merging, allowing Noble full control of Dan's form as the Ghost Rider within the Dream Dimension.

(Ghost Rider III#11 - BTS) - Fully powered in Dan's body as Ghost Rider once more, Noble grabbed Nightmare, who mocked that Ghost Rider's Penance Stare would not work on him. Knowing Nightmare was correct, Ghost Rider instead escaped the Dream Dimension and returned to reality, where he resumed his search for Zodiak. Immediately prevented from moving further by a mystic barrier, Ghost Rider demanded to know if Nightmare was behind the barrier but Dr. Strange then appeared and revealed that he had conjured the barrier.

(Ghost Rider III#12 - BTS) - From within Dr. Strange's mystic barrier, Ghost Rider demanded to be released and asked why Strange was holding him while Zodiak remained free. Strange's apprentice Rintrah announced that Strange had use of Ghost Rider but Dr. Strange warned Rintrah to stand back with his ally Topaz while Strange dealt with Ghost Rider, whom Dr. Strange mistakenly identified as Zarathos. Controlling his motorcycle from inside the barrier, Ghost Rider knocked down Dr. Strange, causing the barrier to disperse. Rintrah immediately jumped in to attack Ghost Rider, who flipped Rintrah and escaped while Topaz tended to Dr. Strange. Feeling that he had gained no new knowledge from his earlier encounter with Nightmare or with Dr. Strange, Ghost Rider decided that his purpose was simply vengeance. He then drove off, leaving Dr. Strange and his allies behind despite sensing something different about Topaz. Ghost Rider then continued his search for Zodiak while the recovered Strange and his allies followed from the air due to a levitation spell cast by Strange. Tracking Zodiak to a lab, where he found several children being used for a mystical experiment, Ghost Rider prepared to put an end to the experiment but was instead confronted personally by Zodiak, whose men hit Ghost Rider with mystic energy. Brought to his knees by the energy weapons, Ghost Rider was rescued by Dr. Strange and his allies. Zodiak quickly escaped while Ghost Rider got to his feet and the distraction created caused the mystic experiment to unleash a gigantic demon. Strange then engaged the demon while Ghost Rider and Rintrah saved the children, prompting Strange to suspect that there was something different about this Ghost Rider. Once Strange had driven the demon back through the portal whence it came, Ghost Rider destroyed the machinery that had created the portal and sensed Zodiak nearby. He then used his chain to drag "Zodiak" out, where "Zodiak" was revealed as yet another robotic duplicate. Destroying the robot's head, Ghost Rider was then asked by Dr. Strange to help his ally Topaz, whose innocent life was at stake. Ghost Rider then asked Dr. Strange to explain.

(Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme I#28 - BTS) - Ghost Rider agreed to allow Dr. Strange to obtain a portion of the hellfire that made up his body but Dr. Strange's spells seemed to have no effect. When Strange continued with a different spell, Ghost Rider was suddenly wracked with pain, forcing Dr. Strange to cancel the spell and apologize for the unintentional pain. Topaz realized that the pain occurred when Strange's spell-casting referred to Ghost Rider as a demon, proving that Noble was neither a demon nor Zarathos, whom many had previously thought. Ghost Rider admitted he had already tried to tell them that he was not Zarathos and Topaz attempted to help Ghost Rider's pain with her healing touch. Topaz was quickly hit with psychic feedback and Strange deduced that the feedback was related to Topaz's recent possession by the Annunaki Ullikummis. Upon seeing Ulikummis appearing from Topaz's body, Ghost Rider immediately prepared to battle the demon but Dr. Strange mystically restrained him to give Ghost Rider time to think his actions out. Strange reminded Ghost Rider that there was no way to strike at Ullikummis without shedding Topaz's blood and Ghost Rider agreed, deferring to Dr. Strange's judgment. Dr. Strange then had Rintrah get the children previously captured by Zodiak to the nearest police station with their memories of recent events fading and told Rintrah that Ghost Rider and himself would pursue the demons responsible for the children's capture. After Rintrah cast a spell to disguise Topaz and himself, Dr. Strange cast a spell to reveal the demons' trail in the form of green slime which trailed into the sky. While Ghost Rider rode up the trail, Strange enlarged the portal that the trail disappeared into and it shaped itself into a large, fanged mouth. Despite their misgivings, Strange and Ghost Rider ventured into the mouth-shaped portal, which Dr. Strange immediately recognized as the realm of the demonic Dykkors. Dr. Strange then suggested they find the demons to learn their connection to Zodiak but the demons soon attacked and overwhelmed the two heroes. The Dykkors' leader Yayauhco ordered the heroes' flesh to be stripped from their bodies but before doing so, he revealed to Dr. Strange that Zodiak was their servant. Noticing a momentary weakness in the Dykkors, Dr. Strange casted the Winds of Watoomb to temporarily blow the demons away and before they could regroup, Dr. Strange and Ghost Rider exited the Dykkors' dimension via a new portal in time to rescue Topaz from Zodiak himself. Realizing this Zodiak was another robot duplicate, Ghost Rider brutally attacked the duplicate, demanding to know the location of the true Zodiak. Seeing Ghost Rider's brutality, Dr. Strange questioned whether the duplicate could be the actual Zodiak and when Ghost Rider briefly hesitated, the duplicate escaped in a teleportational vortex. Dr. Strange then told Ghost Rider not to blame himself for not being sure if it was the real Zodiak or not and cast a spell in an attempt to trace Zodiak. After following the trail to no avail, Ghost Rider returned to Dr. Strange, who suggested that, since Zodiak's trail had went cold, they should focus on checking on Rintrah and Topaz. When Dr. Strange commented that he would need to take Rintrah and Topaz back to his Sanctum, Ghost Rider announced his plans to continue the search for Zodiak alone, as Zodiak was his foe. Strange agreed to let Ghost Rider go but warned that he also sought Zodiak and would be renewing his own search once Topaz and Rintrah had been seen to, warning anyone who might stand in his way. Ghost Rider commented that Strange's remarks were fair then said his goodbyes before departing. Rintrah then asked if Strange thought his path would cross with Ghost Rider's again and Strange replied that it was likely and when they did, he would find out just who Ghost Rider really was.

(Ghost Rider III#13 - BTS) - At sunset in Cypress Hills Cemetary, Dan Ketch's form was assumed by Noble Kale, who took down a group of drug-addled teenagers naming themselves after the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Later, after Ghost Rider had learned that the drugs were supplied by the criminal Snowblind, Ghost Rider interrogated a thug until he learned Snowblind's Brooklyn Heights location. Interrupted during his interrogation by the police, Ghost Rider was fired on by a SWAT team before escaping to confront Snowblind at his Brooklyn Heights brownstone. When Ghost Rider burst through the wall, Snowblind erected a white light field and bragged about his powers and how only he could see within the field. When Ghost Rider managed to catch Snowblind and was about to subject him to the Penance Stare, Snowblind lowered the light field to prevent him from seeing into Ghost Rider's eyes. When the police arrived shortly after, Ghost Rider fled through a window while corrupt police Capt. Gene Hoffman killed the only other officer to witness his alliance with Snowblind. Returning to Cypress Hills Cemetary, Noble returned control of his form to Dan Ketch, who was almost immediately captured at gun point by John Blaze.

(Ghost Rider III#14 - BTS) - After John Blaze took Danny Ketch hostage in an effort to eventually kill Ghost Rider, mistakenly thinking that Dan had been bonded with Zarathos, who had originally been bonded to Blaze himself, Danny inadvertently summoned Ghost Rider's motorcycle when the news reported on recent killings. When Blaze warned Dan that he didn't want to kill him, Dan allowed Noble to control his form as Ghost Rider, who announced that Blaze would do nothing to him. Blaze quickly summoned a pentagram and cast a spell intended to keep Zarathos at bay while Blaze explained his origins. Ghost Rider grabbed Blaze's shotgun, causing his hellfire to envelop the gun and affect Blaze as well and, knowing that Blaze's magics could not contain him, announced that he was not Zarathos and that Blackout must be stopped. When Ghost Rider attempted to leave, Blaze shot him with his shotgun and was surprised when the gun fired hellfire that damaged Ghost Rider. Soon forcing Ghost Rider to the ground with shotgun blasts, Blaze was stunned when Ghost Rider punched him and departed, determined to stop Blackout.

(Ghost Rider III#15 - BTS) - The seriously injured Ghost Rider continued riding towards Blackout, only to crash when police opened fire on him, thinking him to be a murderer. Too injured to continue, Noble unwillingly returned control of Danny Ketch's form back to Dan. When Dan rested in Central Park and overheard screams, he stumbled into Blackout. Ghost Rider's motorcycle was soon summoned to the scene despite having been captured by HEART and Dan relinquished control of his body to Noble, becoming Ghost Rider in order to face Blackout. John Blaze managed to track down Ghost Rider as well, hitting him with another shotgun blast and allowing Blackout to escape. Ghost Rider bound Blaze's legs with his chains and angrily warned Blaze not to try to stop Ghost Rider from gaining vengeance on Blackout. He then left to pursue Blackout, once again announcing that he was not Zarathos. Catching up to Blackout, Ghost Rider was then hit with a blast fired by HEART's Tyler Meagher, who ordered the other HEART agents to convene on her location. Ghost Rider, tiring of being stopped, obliterated Tyler's gun and continued his pursuit of Blackout. Confronting Blackout, Ghost Rider held back when Blackout grabbed a hostage, Benytha. Tyler Meagher blasted Blackout's arm, however, forcing him to drop the hostage and Ghost Rider grabbed Blackout and asked John Blaze to shoot both himself and Blackout. Blaze did so, horribly disfiguring Blackout and allowing Ghost Rider to defeat the criminal. Ghost Rider then explained to Blaze that he was not a killer and left both Blackout and Blaze behind.

(Ghost Rider III#16 - BTS) - When Dan Ketch and John Blaze investigated the religious zealot Reverend Styge and the Hobgoblin busted into Styge's church, Dan unleashed Noble Kale as the Ghost Rider to battle Hobgoblin. Before Ghost Rider could potentially kill Hobgoblin, Spider-Man interrupted, webbing up Ghost Rider's chain and exclaiming that Ghost Rider was too much of a loose cannon. Annoyed that Spider-Man would protect a killer like Hobgoblin, Ghost Rider punched Spider-Man away and warned him to stop interfering. Ghost Rider then sped off after Hobgoblin, who had "rescued" Frances Ketch and flew away.

(Ghost Rider III#17 - BTS/Web of Spider-Man I#85 (fb) - BTS) - Spider-Man caught up to Ghost Rider, warning Ghost Rider that he was not about to let Ghost Rider kill Hobgoblin. Ghost Rider insisted that he would not kill Hobgoblin, only make him pay for abducting Frances Ketch. Ghost Rider then warned Spider-Man once more to stop interfering and their disagreement was broken up by John Blaze, who blasted a shot in between the two heroes. Feeling as if neither Blaze nor Ghost Rider could help, Spider-Man announced that he would find Hobgoblin on his own and left Blaze and Ghost Rider to discuss a plan for rescuing Frances Ketch. Returning to Cypress Hills Cemetary, Ghost Rider and Blaze began to talk and Blaze warned Ghost Rider against fighting for dominance over Dan Ketch's form. Noble insisted that he did not want to dominate Dan Ketch and admitted that their personalities seemed to be merging and that he could not recall who or what he was. Blaze suggested allowing the merger to happen but Ghost Rider asked how he could merge with someone else when he didn't even know himself. Blaze remained sympathetic, explaining that, during his time as Ghost Rider, Zarathos was amnesiac due to Mephisto's trickery. He then asked Ghost Rider if Mephisto could be behind Noble's amnesia as well but Ghost Rider replied no. The conversation was then interrupted when Dan assumed dominance of his own body. When Spider-Man later found Blaze and Dan Ketch to let them know he had found Hobgoblin, Dan unleashed Noble as Ghost Rider again and both he and Spider-Man busted in on Hobgoblin. When Ghost Rider tried to use the Penance Stare on Hobgoblin, Spider-Man pushed the two apart, thinking Ghost Rider was going to kill Hobgoblin. Ghost Rider once more insisted he would not kill Hobgoblin and asked Spider-Man to get Frances Ketch to safety. Ghost Rider emerged shortly after, proving to Spider-Man that he did not wish to kill Hobgoblin, only to save Frances Ketch. Hobgoblin attacked shortly after and was hit by Ghost Rider's chain, Spider-Man's webs and Blaze's shotgun blast, effectively downing him. Ghost Rider then announced that vengeance had been served and Spider-Man admitted his thoughts that Hobgoblin's pain had just begun.

(Cloak & Dagger III#17 - BTS) - Ghost Rider watched from afar as the young boy Erich was arrested.

(Cloak & Dagger III#18 (fb) - BTS) - The blood of the teenage victims of the Neo-Nazi Thule attracted the attention of Ghost Rider, who was drawn in one of Darkdoor's dimensional warps. When Mephisto showed up, Ghost Rider made his way through Thule's Colorado Rocky Mountain haven Schamballah.

(Cloak & Dagger III#18 - BTS) - Ghost Rider revealed himself to the already-present Cloak, Dagger and Spider-Man, and watched as Mephisto deduced the reasoning behind Ghost Rider's appearance. Gloating about his manipulation of Thule, Mephisto unleashed demon hordes against the heroes before being summoned away by the Infinity Gauntlet-wielding Thanos. When the demons overwhelmed Spider-Man and the girl he was protecting, Anna, Ghost Rider fought his way to them and placed Anna on his motorcycle, which he commanded to leave Mephisto's realm, while he fought more of the demons. As Anna made her way back to Earth, Ghost Rider continued battling the demon hordes of Mephisto alongside Cloak, Dagger and Spider-Man, subjecting many of them to his Penance Stare. After they had defeated the demons, the realm itself began crumbling and changing to separate Ghost Rider and Dagger from Spider-Man and Cloak. Ghost Rider soon found himself enveloped in molten lava as the realm itself turned against the heroes but he managed to pull himself out using his returning motorcycle and smash through the wall separating him from Cloak and Spider-Man. Unfortunately, Mephisto returned and devoured Cloak and Dagger while nearing crushing Ghost Rider and Spider-Man in his grip. After freeing himself, Ghost Rider rode Spider-Man out of Mephisto's realm on his motorcycle, where they reunited with Anna and Erich, unaware that Cloak had managed to teleport Dagger and himself out of Mephisto.

(Quasar I#22 - BTS) - After the Deviant Maelstrom seemingly killed Quasar, chopping off his hands to wield the Quantum Bands, Moondragon telepathically cried out. Sensing the spilling of innocent blood, Ghost Rider exclaimed that someone would pay.

(Quasar I#23 - BTS) - Seeking vengeance, Noble, as Ghost Rider, rode through the front gate of the home belonging to one Malcolm Stromberg, secretly Maelstrom. Busting into the home to meet one of Maelstrom's Minions, Helio. While Ghost Rider battled Helio, another Minion, Phobius, announced that all living beings knew fear and attempted to psychically force Ghost Rider to live his fears. Ghost Rider immediately pulled Phobius in close with his chain and grimly asked Phobius who said he was alive. Ghost Rider then made his way to Quasar but was impaled by Deathurge. Ghost Rider announced that Deathurge's powers held no sway over him but Deathurge continued to attack, impaling Ghost Rider multiple times with no effect. Ghost Rider attempted to give Deathurge the Penance Stare, also with no effect, and eventually, Deathurge opted to leave the battle, promising they would meet again. With Deathurge out of the way, Ghost Rider retrieved Quasar's lifeless form, wondering how he avenge someone whose killer was nowhere to be found.

(Quasar I#24 - BTS) - Making his way back out of Malcolm Stromberg's estate, Ghost Rider was met by Moondragon, Kayla Ballantine and Ken Tanaka, all friends of Quasar. Moondragon asked for Quasar's body and Ghost Rider demanded to know who had killed Quasar, prompting Moondragon to reply that the owner of that estate was not truly human and she doubted even Ghost Rider's power could stop him. Ghost Rider commented that he would see but Moondragon asked Ghost Rider to escort Kayla and Ken away from the estate. Grumbling that he was no one's errand boy, Ghost Rider reluctantly agreed in order to ensure their innocent lives were spared.  He asked for the two to board his motorcycle and departed with Kayla and Ken.

(Punisher War Journal I#29 - BTS) - Shortly after the Punisher witnessed a motorcycler setting himself on fire, Noble, controlling Dan Ketch's form as Ghost Rider, appeared, explaining that he might burn but he never crashed. He then asked Punisher to follow him. Ghost Rider further explained that the motorcycler had coming from the Roaring Island, a monstrous juggernaut composed of smaller vehicles. Punisher commented that he was on the scene after hearing of a new designer drug called Spin that was being manufactured in a mobile lab within the Roaring Island. Despite Punisher's free giving of information, Ghost Rider insisted he rode alone and departed the scene. Later, when Punisher tried to infiltrate the Roaring Island and ended up in a high speed chase, Ghost Rider appeared and intervened, removing the enemy driver with his chain and parking his motorcycle atop the car until it crashed into another car. The police soon caught up, prompting Ghost Rider to drive off, leaving Punisher to deal with the police.

(Punisher War Journal I#30 - BTS) - Later, after Punisher became a drug courier as part of his cover while infiltrating the Roaring Island, Ghost Rider tracked Punisher down and accused him of delivering drugs to innocents. Punisher insisted it was only a cover and he didn't like the idea but Ghost Rider subjected him the Penance Stare, briefly causing Punisher to announce that he would go to confession the following day. Ghost Rider learned from the Penance Stare that while Punisher was not innocent by any means, he only punished the guilty, prompting Ghost Rider to agree to hear the Punisher's plan out. Agreeing to help, Ghost Rider traveled to the Roaring Island while Punisher disguised himself as the Ghost Rider to weed out the Roaring Island guards. Faking his death in a crash, Punisher regrouped with his ally Microchip while Ghost Rider began attacking the Roaring Island itself. Microchip managed to disable the coupling on the Island and it soon exploded, its creator fleeing the scene. With vengeance meted out, Ghost Rider left the scene as well, announcing that Punisher and himself parted as neither friends nor enemies this time but warned that he would be watching the Punisher.

(Ghost Rider III#18 -BTS) - Noble rode as Ghost Rider side-by-side with John Blaze to Cypress Hills Cemetary, where Blaze prepared to say his goodbyes. Ghost Rider commented that Blaze did not have to finish the threat he almost made, as Ghost Rider was confident that he was not Zarathos. Blaze continued, warning that he had the weapons to take Ghost Rider down if it came to that, though he also admitted that he hoped that would not be the case. Ghost Rider replied that he would strive to learn more about his past so that Blaze's worries could be put to rest. Blaze thanked Ghost Rider, who then allowed Dan Ketch to resume control of his own body. Later, while investigating Reverend Styge, Dan found a bloody handkerchief, initiating Noble's control of Dan's form again as he transformed into Ghost Rider. Rushing to Cypress Hills Cemetary, Ghost Rider confronted Reverend Styge before Styge could cannibalistically feed on Frances Ketch, who blindly followed Styge in hopes of seeing her daughter Barbara again. At first thinking Ghost Rider was sent to punish him on behalf of his enigmatic master, Reverend Styge attempted to convince Ghost Rider of his loyalty to his master before Ghost Rider explained that he was there to give Styge a taste of the pain he had inflicted on the innocent. Upon hearing those words, Styge realized Ghost Rider was not serving his master and the two fought furiously, Styge scraping away parts of Ghost Rider's costume with his clawed fingers. Eventually, Styge pleaded for mercy from the pain inflicted by Ghost Rider, who admitted that his Penance Stare would have no effect since Styge's soul already belonged to his master. Ghost Rider then rescued Frances Ketch and warned Styge that if their paths crossed again, Styge's current pain would feel like a kindness and the new pain would last an eternity.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#90/3 - BTS) - When the mutant Cable, who had been searching the caverns underneath New York, began blasting his way out into Cypress Hills Cemetary. Dan Ketch, who had been visiting Barbara Ketch's grave, witnessed an explosion from the underground caverns and touched his motorcycle's glowing gas cap, willing Noble Kale to take over his body as the Ghost Rider. He then bore his way into the caverns, where he found Cable captive and the young girl Cable had been trying to aid being taken away. Ghost Rider announced he would avenge the girl's death but Cable explained that she wasn't yet dead and asked for Ghost Rider to cut him down. When Ghost Rider asked why, Cable replied that they were about to have company and he was good in a fight.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#91/3 - BTS) - Ghost Rider freed Cable and asked if the shadowy figures calling themselves the Grateful Undead running off were the culprits of the girl's kidnapping. When they pursued, the figures retreated, hitting Ghost Rider and Cable with the girl's blood to either mark or warn them to stay away. Ghost Rider continued to pursue and Cable tagged along despite Ghost Rider's insistence that he remain behind. Riding on Ghost Rider's motorcycle, Cable asked what Ghost Rider's stake in the whole ordeal was since he did not know the girl anymore than Cable did and when Ghost Rider remained silent, Cable introduced himself. Searching the caverns, Ghost Rider and Cable found the girl, who ordered them to flee before being drug away. The figures soon appeared again and announced that Ghost Rider and Cable would have quick deaths for witnessing that which no surface dweller had ever seen. After Ghost Rider took out several of the figures, the girl was dragged further away while some of the other cloaked figures pulled out the heavy artillery. Seeing the girl being taken over a bridge, Cable had Ghost Rider drive them over the bridge, only for it to collapse as a trap.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#92/3 - BTS) - Falling a very long distance, Ghost Rider managed to string his chain across the gap, creating a bridge for Cable and himself to cross to safety. Finding themselves in the Cathedral of the Dead, Cable asked Ghost Rider what his deal was and whether he served the dead but their discussion was interrupted by a giant guardian, who announced that the heroes were not chosen to view the Cathedral and must die. The guardian then released several acolytes to take down the heroes but they were swiftly defeated. He then announced that death by the acolytes' hand would have been quick and merciful but that the option was not lost. The bones below the heroes then began to move, pulling Ghost Rider and Cable further below.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#93/3 - BTS) - The young girl was thrown into the bones behind Ghost Rider and Cable as they battled an underwater creature beneath the bones. While Cable rescued the girl, Ghost Rider destroyed the monster and emerged above the bones with Cable and the girl in tow, much to the surprise of the guardian priest. The priest's acolytes were soon all killed but a heavily armed warrior, who announced that it was the price of failure and that their underwater god was now dead because of the priest's failure.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#94/3 - BTS) - Ghost Rider, Cable and the girl emerged above ground in Cypress Hills Cemetary, terrifying grave robber Jubal Jones, who was subsequent killed by the Warriors of the Dead, who had followed the heroes. Traveling to an abandoned warehouse to rest, Ghost Rider and Cable stopped the girl from running in terror when she realized the Warriors of the Dead would be behind them. They then convinced her to tell them what was going on and the girl explained the origins of the Warriors of the Dead and the Grateful Undead race, and she was a neophyte in their number who had ran when she learned they consumed flesh. When the girl finished her story, she sensed the arrival of the Warriors of the Dead, as did Cable, prompting Ghost Rider to tell them to let the Warriors come.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#95/3 - BTS) - After waiting for the Warriors of the Dead, Ghost Rider and Cable went to separate areas of the warehouse, where they staked things out. Ghost Rider eventually punched through the wall and pulled one of the Warriors through and hurled him in Cable's direction, who shot him. The leader then appeared, complimenting the two heroes on their tactics and warning them that their efforts would not prevent them from recapturing the girl. Ghost Rider responded by launching chain links at the leader while Cable opened fire on him but the heroes hit only smoke. The leader then continued, warning the heroes to allow them to take the girl rather than risk being hurt in the process but Ghost Rider and Cable announced that they would be leaving with the girl and fought back. Determined to protect the girl, Ghost Rider and Cable were informed that she was already dead and the leader pointed at the girl, who had been hit with several of the Warriors' weapons and was still alive. Shocked, the girl asked Ghost Rider and Cable what was happening and why she was not dead.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#96/3 - BTS) - Ghost Rider and Cable watched in shock as the girl was not harmed by the weapons sticking out of her. The Warriors of the Dead leader explained that only the Grateful Undead could help her but she refused to go, fighting back against them. Ghost Rider joined in, wrapping his chain around the leader and reminding him that the girl did not wish to go. The leader insisted that the girl was merely a shell with his race's memories but the girl refused to believe it, knocking back Ghost Rider and Cable to get to the leader, whom she slammed into the wall several times until the building rumbled. At first thinking it was another attack, Ghost Rider and Cable were told by the Warriors' leader that events were not out of their hands and in the hands of the Grateful Undead's god, who teleported all present back to the Cathedral of the Dead. Sensing the stirring of the underwater creature he had thought destroyed, Ghost Rider commented to Cable before they watched a gigantic being assembling in the distance.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#97/3 - BTS) - Ghost Rider immediately jumped at the giant being, who the Warriors' leader claimed was their god, choking him and announcing that he would not have the girl, but the god easily tossed Ghost Rider aside, claiming it was impossible to not have her. Cable then riddled the god with bullets to no avail. When the Warriors' leader exclaimed that no one may touch their god, Ghost Rider punched the leader then rushed and punched the god through the chest. Unfazed, the god asked what kind of creature Ghost Rider was and Ghost Rider replied that he was a Spirit of Vengeance there to avenge the girl. The god commented that the girl was a member of the sacred dead and his bride-to-be. Insisting the girl was alive, Ghost Rider punched the god with all his power, creating a tiny hairline fracture across its skull. Cable took advantage of the crack and blasted the god, accomplishing nothing more than shattering its mask. Without its mask, the god was revealed as a human, who calmly asked why they sought to destroy him and then asked the Warriors' leader to remove his ceremonial garb. Accessing the leader's mind, the god learned that the Grateful Undead had become assassins over time and the god admitted he had once been like them until he began living amongst the dead in the Cathedral. Asking that Ghost Rider and Cable leave him to handle his own people, the god announced that the young girl's fate would be her own. The girl chose death and Ghost Rider confirmed her true death. The god then began to disappear, leaving Cable and Ghost Rider to find their own way out, and as they drove off on Ghost Rider's motorcycle, the god reminded them that they were not truly enemies but rather, all servants of the dead. Later emerging from the ground in the Salem Fields Cemetary, Cable commented that maybe the god was right and that they should adjust their focus more on the living than the dead, prompting Ghost Rider to reply that he served only vengeance. Cable suggested that they might be the same thing before the two heroes went their separate ways.

(Spirits of Vengeance I#7/2 - BTS) - When the Feeders creatures emerged from a 10-year slumber to feed on humans, one of their intended victims was Dan Ketch, who relinquished control of his body to Noble Kale as Ghost Rider. Fighting the Feeders, Ghost Rider announced that there would be no feeding and demanded to know where they had taken Dan Ketch's friend Donna. Eventually releasing one of the Feeders with a warning for the other Feeders that he was coming for them, Ghost Rider followed the released Feeder to the other Feeders and announced that no one would be dying that night.

(Spirits of Vengeance I#8/2 - BTS) - Ghost Rider was then carried away by the Feeders towards their Great Feast, unaware that Ghost Rider had intentionally allowed them to overpower him so that he could infiltrate their base of operations. After being led to the Feeders' leader, Ghost Rider was ordered torn apart for attempting to disrupt the Great Feast but Ghost Rider fought back, engaging the leader himself while ordering the captive humans to flee. During the fight, the leader mentioned memories of Zarathos, prompting Ghost Rider to demand information from the leader, who revealed himself as a human who had mutated into something more. Ghost Rider then subjected the human to the Penance Stare and departed, commenting to Dan Ketch's friend Donna that murder was not natural and that vengeance had been served.

(Marvel Holiday Special 1991/6 - BTS) - When a child named Willie Rockwood was kidnapped for ransom and managed to escape his captors in a park, Noble, as the Ghost Rider, rescued the boy from one of this abductors. Ghost Rider then made short work of the kidnappers before the blind Willie, who mistook Ghost Rider for Santa Claus, explained that he was cold and wanted to go home. Ghost Rider agreed to give Willie a ride home on his "sleigh." After jumping his motorcycle from rooftop to rooftop while Willie imagined the jumps to be those of reindeer, Ghost Rider dropped the boy outside his home then left, leaving a trail of fire across nearby houses.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#98/3 - BTS) - Thinking that Ghost Rider was taking up too much of his time, Dan Ketch rode his motorcycle and soon saw a man about to jump from a building. Despite his attempts to cut himself and force Noble to resume his form as the Ghost Rider in order to save the man, Dan watched as the man fell to his death. When the man's blood hit Dan's motorcycle, Noble was able to assume control of Dan's form as the Ghost Rider due to innocent blood being shed. Ghost Rider immediately rode up the side of the building and found a diminutive D'Spryte, which Ghost Rider sensed had a hand in the man's death. The D'Spryte introduced itself as a servant of D'Spayre and exclaimed that he was one of many. Thousands of D'Sprytes then arrived, swarming Ghost Rider despite his announcements that nothing would keep him from his vengeance. Eventually, Ghost Rider was overwhelmed and fell from his motorcycle towards the ground below.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#99/3 - BTS) - While his motorcycle crashed to the ground, Ghost Rider managed to pull out his chain and swing on a lamppost to save himself. The D'Sprytes quickly noticed and swarmed Ghost Rider, slashing at his costume while influencing the bystanders nearby into forming an angry mob against Ghost Rider. Refusing to harm innocents, Ghost Rider summoned his motorcycle to drive in circles around him to keep the angry mob at bay while he spun his chain and separated the links to hit each of the individual D'Sprytes, removing their influence from the world. Without the D'Sprytes, the angry mob returned to normal and Ghost Rider allowed the mystically healed Dan Ketch to resume control of his form in a nearby alleyway, feeling that the Spirit of Vengeance was no longer needed there with the D'Sprytes gone.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#100 (fb) - BTS) - In order to prevent Nightmare from invading his dreams, Dr. Doom had his combat drones capture Ghost Rider and Wolverine. He then had them hooked to machines alongside himself designed to place them each within the Dream Dimension in order to confront and destroy Nightmare.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#100 - BTS) - Within the Dream Dimension, Dan Ketch found the control of his body uncontrollably, and painfully, alternating between himself and Noble Kale. He soon found himself confronted by Dr. Doom, who was in the Dream Dimension following recent invasions into his own dreams. When Doom demanded Ghost Rider, Dan used the nosebleed given to him by Doom to initiate Noble's control of his body as Ghost Rider. After Ghost Rider denied Doom's demand to talk, Dan uncontrollably resumed control of his form before Nightmare appeared and Dr. Doom managed to get Dan to summon forth Noble Kale once more, transforming his body again into the Ghost Rider. Nightmare reminded Ghost Rider of his previous offer for Ghost Rider to join him and inspire nightmares in others but Ghost Rider again refused, hitting Nightmare with his chain. When the chain damaged Nightmare in his own realm, the shocked Nightmare, exclaiming that he would learn who was helping Dr. Doom to prevent his dream invasions. As Nightmare departed, Dr. Doom asked to have words with Ghost Rider. Wolverine was shortly after pulled into the Dream Dimension as well and when he instantly identified Ghost Rider, Noble explained that they were all within the Dream Dimension and the events occurring were not a dream. Dr. Doom then explained to Wolverine how Nightmare appeared to have a vendetta against the three of them and suggested that the two heroes work with him to defeat Nightmare. Later, in an effort to keep the trio from unraveling his realm, Nightmare revealed to Wolverine and Ghost Rider that Dr. Doom had captured them to force their alliance in destroying Nightmare. Upon hearing the revelation, Ghost Rider and Wolverine summoned their own willpower to awaken from their dream, causing them to weaken within the Dream Dimension as they awoke on the Earthly plane. Wolverine and Ghost Rider then easily defeated Dr. Doom's combat drones once they were fully awake, terrifying the monk guardian to death. Before Dr. Doom himself awoke from the Dream Dimension, Nightmare warned that Doom had made two powerful enemies and once Doom had departed the Dream Dimension, Nightmare commented to himself that he would be coming back for Dr. Doom, next time with Ghost Rider and Wolverine on his side.

(Ghost Rider/Wolverine/Punisher: Hearts of Darkness - BTS) - After Dan Ketch received a letter from "B.H" claiming to reveal the secrets of Ghost Rider and the Soul Crystal if Dan came to the town of Christ's Crown, he found the town assaulted by the demon Blackheart, who had used the "B.H." alias to lure Ghost Rider, Wolverine and Punisher into a trap. When Blackheart put the town's adults in a trance and kidnapped the innocent Lucy Crumm, riding away on Ghost Rider's motorcycle, Dan broke into a shop and stole a motorcycle to confront Blackheart. Quickly noticing a strange insignia on his hands, Dan found Noble taking over and transforming him into Noble's Ghost Rider form. Catching up to the already-pursuing Wolverine and Punisher as they painfully crawled through a wall of thorns to Blackheart, Ghost Rider drove his way through the thorns, clearing a path for the other two. Once all three vigilantes were in front of him, Blackheart beckoned them to follow and join him in Hell, tempting each of the heroes. While tempting Ghost Rider, Blackheart (like many others) assumed Noble was Zarathos and offered to completely restore his true memories, power and greatness, promising that the answers Ghost Rider sought were inside Mephisto's Soul Crystal. Ghost Rider, Wolverine and Punisher answered Blackheart's offer by attacking him. While Wolverine and Punisher saw to Lucy Crumm's safety, Ghost Rider followed Blackheart into Hell, where he punched a hole through Blackheart's chest. Shrugging off most of the damage, Blackheart became convinced that Noble was not Zarathos and attempted to recapture Lucy Crumm but the arriving Wolverine sliced off Blackheart's arm. Punisher then obliterated Blackheart's physical form with bullets, leaving only talking pulp behind. Ghost Rider then ordered Wolverine and Punisher to get Lucy back to Earth while he dealt with the remnants of Blackheart. Once Wolverine and Punisher had gone, Mephisto revealed himself to Ghost Rider, commending Blackheart and announcing that Ghost Rider would learn his true history one day. He then banished Ghost Rider back to Earth, where he regrouped with Wolverine and Punisher. The three heroes discussed Blackheart's accusations of them constantly being on edge but Ghost Rider reminded them all that it didn't matter if they were on edge or if they crossed the edge, as long as innocents were protected, their cause was just.

(Ghost Rider III#19 - BTS) - As Ghost Rider, Noble rode his motorcycle up the Brooklyn Bridge, where he dangled drug dealer Tim until Tim agreed to send a message to Zodiak that he would pay for the child's death Zodiak's drugs had caused. Later, after Dan Ketch opted to start working together with Ghost Rider by helping rather than fighting the transformations, he heard over police radio about a murder and possible link to Zodiak. He then willingly allowed Noble to assume his form as Ghost Rider to pursue the lead on Zodiak. Upon arriving at the crime scene, Ghost Rider was blasted by "Zodiak," who taunted Ghost Rider before an unfamiliar combatant, Suicide, charged Ghost Rider. Revealing that he had learned who Ghost Rider was via Mephisto, Suicide mistakenly thought Ghost Rider a servant of Mephisto and demanded Ghost Rider kill him. Ghost Rider exclaimed that he was a servant of vengeance, not Mephisto, and that he was not a merchant of death. During their fight, Suicide repeatedly tried to goad Ghost Rider into killing him and eventually, Ghost Rider warned Suicide to stay out of his way, inadvertently shoving Suicide from a rooftop and onto a car at street level. "Zodiak" then taunted Ghost Rider again, claiming Ghost Rider had killed Suicide. Having had enough of "Zodiak"'s taunts, Ghost Rider grabbed him, only to find that "Zodiak" was actually Tim, who had been brutally beaten and forced to impersonate Zodiak. Before he could react, Ghost Rider was charged again by Suicide. Ghost Rider managed to pin Suicide's arms behind his back and forced him to watch as Tim died from his Zodiak-inflicted injuries, asking why Suicide would want such a death. Suicide explained that death was part of his deal with Mephisto and the true Zodiak revealed himself by blasting Ghost Rider with an energy gun. Zodiak admitted to outfitting Tim as his duplicate, prompting Ghost Rider to destroy Zodiak's gun. Zodiak immediately attempted to flee but Ghost Rider caught him with his chain, forcing Zodiak to fall into the subway system. He then departed towards the subway while Suicide was left behind to announce that he was not through with Ghost Rider.

(Ghost Rider III#20 - BTS) - Tracking Zodiak into the subway, Ghost Rider found Zodiak holding a woman hostage and the two began to battle before being joined by Suicide, whom Zodiak impaled with lion-like claws. An angry Suicide exclaimed that he was not dead, prompting Zodiak to hurl Suicide onto the subway tracks, where Suicide was run over by a train. Ghost Rider announced that Suicide's death was yet another that Zodiak would pay for but Zodiak tried to escape on a train that Ghost Rider soon hitched a ride on using his chain, determined not to let Zodiak escape his wrath. When Ghost Rider started to catch up, Zodiak projected his Scorpion Sting at Ghost Rider, blasting holes through his body but Ghost Rider continued to pursue. Zodiak eventually tried to escape again by jumping off of the subway train but Ghost Rider continued to pursue, summoning his motorcycle from above the ground, unaware that Suicide had survived and decided to ride Ghost Rider's motorcycle to Ghost Rider's location. Shrugging off Zodiak's various zodiac-themed assaults, Ghost Rider unmasked Zodiak, revealing his multiple eyes which prevented the Penance Stare from working properly. Zodiak then escaped above ground and Ghost Rider pursued him to a movie theater, where Zodiak briefly tried to take a hostage and recounted his origins to Ghost Rider before fleeing once more. Taking a pregnant woman hostage on a nearby bridge, Zodiak was interrupted by Suicide, who charged Zodiak and forced him to drop the woman. Rather than let the woman die, Suicide rescued the woman and Ghost Rider broke Zodiak's arm to prevent him from using his Arrows of Sagittarius. Zodiak continued to taunt, knowing that Ghost Rider would not take a human life. Angry that Ghost Rider would not kill him, Suicide instead shoved himself and Zodiak off of the bridge, where they were both impaled on metal debris on a trash barge. Ghost Rider immediately drove onto the barge, where Suicide recovered and confirmed Zodiak's death. Minutes later, the two incinerated Zodiak's remains and parted ways, with Ghost Rider telling Suicide that he would be hailed as a hero for the lives he had saved from Zodiak. When Suicide replied that he only wanted to die, Ghost Rider reminded him that he did not kill and commented that neither of them could escape their fates, whatever they might be.

(Marvel Swimsuit Special I#1 - BTS) - During the Black Panther's Wakandan engagement party, Ghost Rider and Blaze showed up for a midnight swim in Twisted Visions Lake despite not being part of the formal engagement party. Having heard that, during a full moon, visitors to Twisted Visions Lake would behold images of good, evil, mercy, vengeance, unearthly spirits and demons, Marvel Comics photographer Joe Quesada grabbed a very quick photo of Ghost Rider and Blaze for Marvel Swimsuit Special magazine.

(Slapstick I#4 - BTS) - When the homeless Neutron Bum caused a massive explosion while battling the cartoonish Slapstick, Ghost Rider was drawn to the battle as innocent blood had been spilled. Arriving on the scene shortly after Daredevil and Speedball and introducing himself, Ghost Rider was cut off by Daredevil, who had already met Ghost Rider and knew who he was. Upon seeing Ghost Rider's flaming skull, Slapstick immediately panicked, yelled about Ghost Rider's head being on fire and dumped a bucket of water on Ghost Rider's head. Ghost Rider incinerated the bucket and angrily warned Slapstick that he should thankful that there were innocents to attend to lest Ghost Rider deal with Slapstick very harshly. Ghost Rider then turned to Daredevil and asked what the situation was but Daredevil wasn't exactly sure himself and asked Slapstick. The overly excited Slapstick started to explain about Neutron Bum but Daredevil interrupted, asking Slapstick to leave the fight to the professionals. Annoyed that Ghost Rider and Daredevil considered Speedball and themselves more professional than he, Slapstick recalled the Neutron Bum asking for a cup of coffee. Slapstick retrieved the cup and while the Neutron Bum was drinking it, Slapstick whacked him with a mallet, effectively defeating the Neutron Bum.

(Spider-Man I#18 (fb) - BTS) - Ghost Rider was alerted to the presence of an armored villain when the villain spilled innocent blood and Ghost Rider sought to end the slaughter.

(Spider-Man I#18 - BTS) - Spider-Man and Ghost Rider (controlled by Noble) battled the crazed cybernetic madman, who managed to punch Ghost Rider away, leading Ghost Rider to believe that there was more to the villain that it seemed. When the armored villain attempted to fly away, Ghost Rider ramped into the air and punched him, grasping Spider-Man's webbing as he fell. The madman rocketed out of Spider-Man and Ghost Rider's grasp and crashed into the side of building, demolishing it. Following the battle, Spider-Man wondered what the villain's rampage was all about and Ghost Rider reminded him that the important thing is that the madman was stopped and vengeance was served. Not too sure that the madman was not a victim himself, Spider-Man commented that he was not happy with the outcome and offered to drop Ghost Rider back off at his motorcycle, to which Ghost Rider answered in the affirmative.

(Spider-Man I#22 - BTS) - Spider-Man arrived at a Hydra satellite control center to stop the Sinister Six, only to find that Ghost Rider, Hulk and Sleepwalker were already on the scene. After Spider-Man commented that it was nearly a reunion of the "new" Fantastic Four minus Wolverine, Ghost Rider joined the other three heroes in busting in on the Sinister Six. Ghost Rider was quickly hit by one of Dr. Octopus' tentacles but the Hulk engaged Dr. Octopus, allowing Ghost Rider to focus on Hobgoblin. Sleepwalker soon faded away when his host Rick Sheridan awoke but Ghost Rider and the others continued their fight until they were pinned to the ground by the Sinister Six's newest member, the gigantic Gog.

(Spider-Man I#23 - BTS) - Ghost Rider and the Hulk were dragged away by robots while Spider-Man fought back. Spider-Man was soon aided by the arrival of the Fantastic Four, Nova and the mercenary Solo. Eventually, Ghost Rider and Hulk broke free of the robots' grasp and Ghost Rider summoned his motorcycle and joined the fight, unaware that Mysterio was casting illusions that tricked the heroes into fighting each other. Ghost Rider's head was soon knocked off and the Hulk jumped into battle against the Thing. When another hero, Deathlok, saw through Mysterio's illusions and knocked him out, the heroes were able to focus again. Reuniting his skull with his body, Ghost Rider rejoined the fight and punched Electro and Hobgoblin while Solo took down Gog. Ghost Rider then aided the Human Torch against a group of robots before helping the other assembled heroes focus on Dr. Octopus. After Dr. Octopus was defeated by renegade Sinister Six member Sandman, Ghost Rider departed, satisfied that vengeance had served, alongside the other heroes.

(Deathlok II#9 (fb) - BTS) - At some point, Noble/Ghost Rider halted illegal activity but then interfered with an interrogation, inadvertently allowing the perpetrators to escape.

(Deathlok II#9 - BTS) - Upon hearing over the police band radio of a request for backup at Coney Island, Dan Ketch allowed Noble Kale to assume his form as Ghost Rider to help deal with the disturbance. Finding Deathlok and unaware that Deathlok was being manipulated by Nightmare, Ghost Rider ramped at the rogue hero, who blasted Ghost Rider's motorcycle to shards. Unfazed by the attack, Ghost Rider pointed out the reconstruction of his motorcycle while engaging Deathlok in hand-to-hand combat. During the battle, Deathlok's internal computer recognized Ghost Rider's halting of illegal activity but determined him a criminal due to his previous interruption of a police interrogation. Ghost Rider insisted he was no criminal and that it was Deathlok who would be paying for their crimes. Ghost Rider then seriously damaged Deathlok's internal systems by hitting Deathlok with his chain. Deathlok's friend Jesus then asked what Ghost Rider had done but Ghost Rider prepared to subject Deathlok to the Penance Stare then turned towards Jesus, commenting that innocent blood had been spilled and Jesus defended the "guilty party." Grabbing Jesus, Ghost Rider prepared to subject him to the Penance Stare as well before realizing Jesus was innocent. Tossing Jesus aside, Ghost Rider returned to Deathlok but found no soul in the human part of the Deathlok cyborg. Confused, Ghost Rider stared deeper into Deathlok and was attacked by Nightmare.

(Deathlok II#10 - BTS) - Unable to release his Penance Stare due to Nightmare's grip, Ghost Rider was pulled into the Dream Dimension, where Nightmare again referred to Ghost Rider as Zarathos and offered Ghost Rider a chance to join him. Announcing that Nightmare could not hold him in the Dream Dimension, Ghost Rider announced that he would leave and take the captive Michael Collins with him. Collins explained to Ghost Rider that without his consciousness running the Deathlok cyborg, it was running one of his own nightmares as a program, making it unpredictable and dangerous. Ghost Rider asked what would happen if Michael Collins' consciousness was returned to the cyborg and Collins replied that he should be able to stop it. Fighting his way back to Earth, Ghost Rider emerged from the Dream Dimension, thinking he had restored Michael Collins to the Deathlok cyborg. Unaware that he had only emerged with an image of Michael Collins created by Nightmare, Ghost Rider found the Deathlok cyborg attacking him once more and he became determined to move their fight elsewhere to prevent injury to innocents. While Ghost Rider battled the addled Deathlok cyborg, Michael Collins managed to escape Nightmare on his own and eventually halted his internal computer's nightmare program. Thinking Deathlok's comments that he was back in control a trick, Ghost Rider subjected Deathlok to the Penance Stare, this time finding Michael Collins to be innocent while the Deathlok cyborg itself had committed unspeakable acts without Collins. As Nick Fury arrived, having been summoned by the police during the Deathlok cyborg's earlier rampage, Ghost Rider exclaimed that there was nothing more he could do there and departed, leaving Fury to wonder why Ghost Rider didn't offer him a light off of his head.

(Ghost Rider III#21 - BTS) - Controlling Dan's form as Ghost Rider, Noble waited until dark to take down a group of thugs before allowing Dan to resume control of his own body. When Linda Wei later reported on Ghost Rider being a cop killer and purposely showed footage of the villain Snowblind at a warehouse drug deal to lead Ghost Rider into a trap, Dan allowed Noble to take over his form as the Ghost Rider, who rode right into the trap. Inside Snowblind's white light field, Ghost Rider was impaled through the face by a metal rod before Snowblind used his own secretary Francesca Tofield as a hostage to escape Ghost Rider's wrath. Refusing any of Snowblind's deals, Ghost Rider hit Snowblind in the face with his chain, causing Snowblind to drop his white light field and revealing that Lt. Michael Badilino also had a gun to Ghost Rider's skull. Easily knocking Badilino aside, Ghost Rider brutally beat Snowblind before ignoring Badilino's orders to freeze and driving his motorcycle through the wall and departing in search of Deathwatch.

(Sleepwalker I#11 - BTS) - As Dan Ketch was riding his motorcycle near Prospect Park in Brooklyn, he was told the road was closed and noticed the injured people surrounding the place. Realizing something was wrong, Dan allowed Noble to take over his body, becoming the Ghost Rider and engaging the Office of Insufficient Evidence agents that were surrounding Prospect Park. Not recognizing Sleepwalker, who had been captured by the Office of Insufficient Evidence, and assuming Sleepwalker to be sharing in the suffering of the surrounding injured people, Ghost Rider freed the weakened Sleepwalker and easily took out many of the Office of Insufficient Evidence agents before focusing on their leader, Col. Tolliver Smith. Despite being weakened, Sleepwalker opted to aid Ghost Rider but when he interrupted Ghost Rider during his Penance Stare, Ghost Rider labeled him a traitor and knocked Sleepwalker through a tree. Sleepwalker, insisting that he was not a traitor, attempted to fight back in an effort to convince Ghost Rider to halt his attack  but the unconvinced Ghost Rider wrapped his chain around Sleepwalker's neck. Sleepwalker then flew into the air and fell, slamming Ghost Rider into the ground. Sleepwalker then forced their battle into the subway tunnels, where a subway train crushed Ghost Rider's body as Sleepwalker levitated over the train. Immediately reforming, Ghost Rider brutally continued the attack until Sleepwalker began fading away. Pleading with Ghost Rider to remove the goggles placed on him by the Col. Smith lest he uncontrollably cause the death of his human host, Sleepwalker was taken to Col. Smith by Ghost Rider, who demanded that Smith remove the goggles to prevent the death of Sleepwalker's innocent host. Col. Smith agreed to remove the goggles as long as Ghost Rider promised not to hurt him and despite his desire for vengeance, Ghost Rider agreed to Smith's deal to save Sleepwalker's host. After Smith removed the goggles, Sleepwalker fired off the built-in energy from his eyes and Ghost Rider departed, warning that next time, Col. Smith would not escape his wrath.

(Ghost Rider III#22 - BTS) - Noble, as Ghost Rider, busted into an illegal arms warehouse, where the mercenaries inside used their entire ammunition on Ghost Rider, who was unaffected. Terrified, the mercenaries ran for it but Ghost Rider caught up and demanded to know where Deathwatch was hiding. Later, at the home of Jack D'Auria, police officer Stacy Dolan fought off a group of ninja sent there by Deathwatch and also found Dan Ketch present. Dan tried to explain but Stacy wouldn't listen and Dan soon uncontrollably allowed Noble Kale to assume his form as Ghost Rider.

(Ghost Rider VI#29 (fb) - BTS) - Ghost Rider faced down Deathwatch's ninja agents.

(Ghost Rider III#22 - BTS) - Jumping in to attack Deathwatch's agents, Ghost Rider rescued Jack D'Auria and a girl Dan was protecting, Renee Fuanaro. Stacy attempted to arrest Ghost Rider for an earlier murder of a police officer but Ghost Rider informed Dolan that he was no killer and warned that Stacy would not keep him from Deathwatch. Jack tried to stop Ghost Rider but Ghost Rider departed anyway, visiting the office of Deathwatch's assistant Mr. Beck using information that Dan Ketch had learned. Driving through a legion of Deathwatch's agents, Ghost Rider found the building empty and was soon met with an image of Deathwatch proclaiming Ghost Rider to be a nuisance. From a distance, Deathwatch then set off a bomb in the building, hoping to destroy Ghost Rider.

(Ghost Rider III#23 - BTS) - Buried under the building's rubble, Ghost Rider began clawing his way out. Upon hearing the screams of those injured in the explosion, Ghost Rider summoned enough strength to free himself and while many died in the blast, Ghost Rider found a surviving woman who asked that Ghost Rider save her children before she succumbed to death. Soon finding a group of survivors, Ghost Rider carried a young girl to safety and when he emerged from the wreckage, reporter Linda Wei announced that Ghost Rider was holding the girl hostage. Ignoring Wei, Ghost Rider took the girl to an ambulance and told them she needed medical attention, his actions shown live on television. While police kept the guns aimed at him, Ghost Rider rescued the other survivors despite Linda Wei's attempts to cut the live feed. He then departed the scene, more determined than ever to find Deathwatch. Unsure where to begin, Ghost Rider drove to the local hospital, where the criminal Snowblind was recovering from his recent battle with Ghost Rider. Demanding to know where Deathwatch was and announcing that he intended to break his vow never to kill a human being, Ghost Rider interrogated Snowblind, who was more than happy to help Ghost Rider take down the "double-crossing snake." Snowblind also told Ghost Rider he would make Ghost Rider's decision to kill easier by informing Ghost Rider that Deathwatch was not human.

(Ghost Rider III#24 - BTS) - Noble/Ghost Rider battled a drug dealer who had taken a woman hostage to retrieve money owed him by a client. Shrugging off a knife through the hand, Ghost Rider told the dealer that he deserved death but instead would feel the pain caused by his Penance Stare. Driving back to Cypress Hills Cemetary and vowing to destroy Deathwatch, Noble relinquished of the form back to Dan Ketch. Later, in Greenwich Village, Dan sensed Deathwatch was near and allowed Noble to return as Ghost Rider, who busted in on Deathwatch as his agents Hag and Troll were torturing the kidnapped Snowblind. Briefly trapped by Hag and Troll, Ghost Rider knocked them away and whipped his chain at Deathwatch, who caught the chain and used to hurl Ghost Rider out the window. When Deathwatch to the window after killing Snowblind, Ghost Rider launched his motorcycle back through the window and knocked Deathwatch down. Deathwatch then removed one of Ghost Rider's hellfire-covered limbs and beat Ghost Rider with it, mocking Ghost Rider's views on not killing humans. Ghost Rider then surprised Deathwatch, announcing that Deathwatch wasn't human, and he impaled Deathwatch, causing a massive explosion that also seemingly claimed the lives of Hag and Troll. Ghost Rider then emerged from the wreckage wondering what was next for him with Deathwatch, Hag, Troll and Snowblind all dead.

(Ghost Rider III#25 (fb) -BTS) - In control of Dan's form once more, Noble (as Ghost Rider) was on his way back from Cypress Hills Cemetary when he was blasted off of his motorcycle by a gun-toting, mentally unstable former technician of the Firm, who had been killing innocents, hoping to draw Ghost Rider to him. Using a molecular disruptor gun, the technician blasted Ghost Rider into a liquid form, only for Ghost Rider to reform from the goo unscathed. Ghost Rider then grabbed the technician and used his Penance Stare on the Firm agent, unaware that the Firm had been secretly filming the scuffle.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#101/3 - BTS) - Noble/Ghost Rider broke up a street gang, at first unaware that 10-year old Kevin Moran was watching the fight. When Ghost Rider sensed Kevin's presence and looked in his direction, Kevin Moran ran away.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#102/3 - BTS) - Ghost Rider watched as the police surrounded a crack house. Knowing that the law's punishment was not enough, Ghost Rider walked right past the police and entered the crack house, where he riddled with bullets. Shrugging off the attack, Ghost Rider whipped his chain through the eye holes of the steel door the druggie was using as a shield and wrapped the chain around his head. Walking his way through the other dealers inside, Ghost Rider found the young girl who had been kidnapped by the dealers dead. When one of the addicts, Eugene Stone, tried to escape, Ghost Rider entangled his legs with his chain then subjected the ranting man to his Penance Stare as Dr. Strange and Kevin Moran arrived on the scene. Dr. Strange explained that he had need of Ghost Rider and Noble agreed to accompany Strange and Kevin as the police arrested Stone.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#103/3 - BTS) - Disturbed by the fiery Ghost Rider's head, Kevin Moran squirmed and fell out of the range of Dr. Strange's spell. Seeing Ghost Rider's motorcycle following them on the ground, Strange cast a spell that safely lowered Kevin onto the motorcycle but the terrified Kevin fled. Following Kevin into a cemetary, where he was plagued by agents of the demonic Gorn, Ghost Rider caught one of the agents by the hand with his chain before the creature could attack Kevin and order it to leave Kevin alone. Another agent, Slick, responded by reaching into a dimensional doorway and releasing a demonically transformed Eugene Stone, now calling himself Pain. Recognizing Eugene Stone, Ghost Rider fought off Pain until Kevin fell through the dimensional doorway. Accomplishing their goal, Slick and the other agent followed into the doorway but Dr. Strange had Ghost Rider snag Pain, whom Dr. Strange bound to them before following the demons through the doorway.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#104/3 - BTS) - Asking Dr. Strange where they had arrived, Ghost Rider was told that they were in Mephisto's realm and Dr. Strange admitted that he hoped he could mystically shield them longer to retrieve Kevin and begone. Their presence was soon noticed by Pain, who beckoned them near, only to be pushed into the legions of Mephisto's Soulless Dead by Gorn's agents. After Pain emerged further mutated, Ghost Rider and Dr. Strange found themselves surrounded by the Soulless Dead. Realizing that the only way to Kevin was through the Soulless Dead, Ghost Rider and Dr. Strange fought their way through, unaware that Gorn was trying to force Kevin through various doors containing the worst fears of his past. Running, Kevin ran right into Ghost Rider and Dr. Strange, who had emerged from the Soulless Dead victorius.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#105/3 - BTS) - Facing down Gorn, Ghost Rider and Dr. Strange fought the demon, who admitted to manipulating Kevin Moran in an attempt to use him to escape Mephisto's realm. Announcing that Kevin would suffer no more at Gorn's hands, Ghost Rider tore the demon limb from limb until Dr. Strange halted Ghost Rider's rampage in order to get more answers. Learning that Gorn had earlier forced Kevin's mother to kill Kevin's father, Ghost Rider and Dr. Strange heard his story then departed, with Dr. Strange warning that he sensed Mephisto's impending arrival. As they went through a portal back to Earth, Mephisto arrived and demanded to know what Gorn had been up to. Back on Earth, Dr. Strange asked Kevin to take Ghost Rider and himself to his mother and Kevin agreed.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#106/3 - BTS) - After Kevin took Ghost Rider and Dr. Strange to an old warehouse where his mother had her Gorn worship meetings, Ghost Rider announced that the death of Kevin's father would be avenged that night. Finding servants of Gorn (or as they referred to him, Gormac) inside, Ghost Rider was stabbed in the neck with a knife but was unhurt. While Ghost Rider brutally took care of Gorn's servants, Dr. Strange shielded Kevin Moran behind a mystic screen. Upon seeing his mother, Kevin angrily exclaimed that everything that went bad in his life was her fault due to her drinking and Gorn worship. He then left with Dr. Strange, who promised Kevin would be safe, and Ghost Rider departed the scene as well when the police arrived.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#107/3 - BTS) - Summoned to Prospect Park, Brooklyn by the spilling of innocent, Noble/Ghost Rider found a dead man that appeared to be torn apart by a beast. Despite appearances, Ghost Rider commented that he would not be active on Earth unless human malice was involved. While searching for the culprit, a gang prepared to jump Ghost Rider and steal his motorcycle but Ghost Rider simply knocked them all aside, exclaiming that he would not be delayed. Tracking the culprit to its next victim, Ghost Rider found the Werewolf standing over the body of a young woman and assuming Werewolf to be the murderer, Ghost Rider demanded he turn and face vengeance.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#108/3 - BTS) - Ghost Rider and the Werewolf furiously fought one another, with the Werewolf insisting he was innocent, until they noticed a young boy named Billy nearby. Learning the boy had witnessed the murder, Ghost Rider told Werewolf that his appearance frightened Billy and the Werewolf asked Ghost Rider to look in the mirror, their argument continuing while Billy ran off. When Ghost Rider heard police sirens, he announced that he must leave and that the boy's ramblings had cleared the Werewolf of any wrongdoing. As he left, Ghost Rider warned the Werewolf not to interfere again.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#109/3 - BTS) - When the werewolf Braineaters motorcycle gang tracked Billy to the Brooklyn Bridge, Noble/Ghost Rider appeared and announced that the child was under his protection. Teaming with the Werewolf, Ghost Rider battled the Braineaters while keeping the boy safe, eventually getting knocked off his motorcycle when he clotheslined one of the bigger Braineaters with his chain. Ghost Rider then ordered the Werewolf to rescue Billy and ride off on his own motorcycle while he held the Braineaters at bay. The Braineaters managed to suddenly stop Werewolf's motorcycle with a lamp pole, causing him to topple into the river and they then ordered Ghost Rider to surrender, warning that they would kill Billy if he did not.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#110/3 - BTS) - Ghost Rider agreed to surrender and his limbs were tied to the Braineaters' motorcycles as they tried to tear Ghost Rider limb from limb. Despite giving their cycles all the gas they could, Ghost Rider continued to pull against their cycles and eventually, the chains gave way. The Braineaters grabbed Billy and fled before the weakened Ghost Rider could give chase and the recovered Werewolf soon caught back up to Ghost Rider. After explaining that, with Billy as a hostage, the Braineaters had both Ghost Rider and himself at the same standoff, Werewolf announced that he had another plan that needed Dan Ketch. As Werewolf spoke, Noble returned control of the form back to Dan Ketch.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#111/3 - BTS) - After the Braineater Lupe had a change of heart and tried to free the captive Billy and was killed for her treachery, Dan Ketch and Jack Russell came across the barely alive Lupe in an alley. Knowing that Lupe was different than the other Braineaters, Dan triggered Noble's control of his body and transformed into Ghost Rider. Consumed with vengeance, Ghost Rider drove off, leaving Jack Russell behind and tackled the nearest Braineater he could find: Scuzz. Announcing that Scuzz would pay for his crimes in pain and blood, Ghost Rider brutually assaulted Scuzz until Scuzz revealed that, by the time Ghost Rider had finished Scuzz, the other Braineaters would have stripped Billy's flesh. He then asked Ghost Rider whether he wanted to kill Scuzz or save Billy.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#112/3 - BTS) - Noble/Ghost Rider tried to hurry Jack Russell up as Russell tried to merge silver bullets into Ghost Rider's chain. Moments before the Braineaters killed Billy, Russell completed the chain additions and Ghost Rider whipped chain links at each of the Braineaters, embedding silver bullets into their bodies where the links hit. Russell warned that if the Braineaters changed into werewolves again, the silver bullets would kill them and several of the Braineaters attempted to prove him wrong, only to perish. Scuzz remained unhit by the links and gloated that while the Braineaters were dead, he survived and could create more. Jack transformed into the Werewolf and Ghost Rider and he fiercely battled Scuzz until Scuzz managed to knock Ghost Rider and himself off the side of a building. Ghost Rider wrapped his chain around a stone gargoyle to catch them but Scuzz refused Ghost Rider's help, choosing instead to fall, where he was impaled on a fence below.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#113/3 - BTS) - When the Legion of Vengeance member Mind's Eye tossed a man onto train tracks as Dan Ketch was driving by, Dan got off his motorcycle and tried to help. Ghost Rider's motorcycle soon appeared, prompting Dan to allow Noble Kale to resume his form as Ghost Rider to save the man. Pulling the man to safety with seconds to spare, Ghost Rider asked why Mind's Eye would judge him guilty and the man replied that he had no idea. Ghost Rider then attempted to chase Mind's Eye, who eluded Ghost Rider. Noble then rode to a nearby church fire, unaware it had been started by Legion of Vengeance member Vesper, where Iron Fist was rescuing innocent victims. Emerging from the church to see Ghost Rider proclaiming himself an avatar of vengeance, Iron Fist warned that if Ghost Rider raised a hand against those fleeing the church, he would have to answer to Iron Fist.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#114/3 - BTS) - Thinking Ghost Rider was responsible for the fire, Iron Fist prepared to attack despite Ghost Rider's insistence that he had arrived to help. When the heroes' argument was interrupted by a victim who commented on people in Halloween costumes in Cypress Hills Cemetary, Ghost Rider announced that he did not have more time to argue with Iron Fist and left for Cypress Hills Cemetary but Iron Fist, insisting that he could follow anywhere Ghost Rider went, hitched a ride on Ghost Rider's motorcycle. Finding the Cemetary under attack by another Legion of Vengeance member, Bacillus, Ghost Rider and Iron Fist jumped into battle against the disease-spreading villain. Iron Fist was quickly infected by Bacillus, forcing Ghost Rider to take Iron Fist for treatment lest the Cemetary become Iron Fist's final resting place.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#115/3 - BTS) - On his way to get medical treatment for Iron Fist, Ghost Rider came across a group of civilians that appeared to be suffering from radiation poisoning. Wanting a target for their rage, the radioactive bystanders attacked Ghost Rider and the mortally weakened Iron Fist. After pinning the civilian with chain links to a wall, Ghost Rider overheard Vesper mention a sanctum to the final Legion of Vengeance member, Strontium-90, who was the culprit behind the radiation poisoning. Traveling back to Cypress Hills Cemetary to search for the Legion of Vengeance's sanctum, Ghost Rider once more assured Iron Fist that it would not be his resting place when they tracked the Legion to a stone mausoleum. Busting inside, Ghost Rider was properly introduced to the combined Legion of Vengeance as heroes of vengeance. Angry that his desire of vengeance was being twisted in such a way, Ghost Rider immediately leapt into battle against the Legion. Unfortunately, while Ghost Rider communicated his thoughts about how to defeat the Legion, the weakened Iron Fist was easily downed by Bacillus.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#116/3 - BTS) - Noble/Ghost Rider watched as Iron Fist mustered enough strength to pin Bacillus, whom he forced to use his powers to develop a cure to Bacillus' earlier bacterial attack. Ghost Rider then surrounded Strontium-90, Vesper and Bacillus in a wall of hellfire while he subjected Mind's Eye to the Penance Stare, forcing Mind's Eye to reveal his origins. Mind's Eye's story prompted the other Legion members to reveal their origins as well and Ghost Rider sensed a demonic presence in each of their stories. Demanding that the demon show itself, Ghost Rider was surprised when the demon did show, introducing itself as D'Kay.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#117/3 - BTS) - D'Kay beckoned Iron Fist and Ghost Rider to come closer, as he sought to create new "heroes" from the old, and Ghost Rider agreed to step forward in order to prove they did not fear D'Kay. Sent into a timeless dimension called the Pit, where D'Kay tortured them with visions, Ghost Rider and Iron Fist saw through the illusions and reminded D'Kay that they had their own resources. Announcing they were not impressed by the Pit, Ghost Rider and Iron Fist listened to D'Kay reveal his plan to twist the Legion of Vengeance into thinking they were heroes when he actually intended them as harbingers of doom. Admitting he could not keep the heroes there, especially not Ghost Rider, D'Kay returned Ghost Rider and Iron Fist to Earth, where the Legion of Vengeance were waiting. Having seen visions of the end from D'Kay, Ghost Rider told Iron Fist to muster his courage, as the battle was now joined.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#118/3 - BTS) - Ghost Rider tied Bacillus' hands together and twisted his chains, forcing Bacillus to infect Strontium-90 with his diseases. Iron Fist then took down Vesper and Mind's Eye, allowing Ghost Rider to twist his chains again and force Bacillus to infect Vesper and Mind's Eye as well. Once they were infected, Ghost Rider forced Bacillus to touch his own face, effectively taking down the entire Legion of Vengeance with Bacillus' sickness abilities. Knowing that the Legion was now plagued with fever dreams, Ghost Rider manipulated them, explaining D'Kay's plans for them and making them realize they could use their powers to become actual heroes. Refusing to let the Legion use their powers for good, D'Kay appeared once more and removed the Legion's powers, restoring their humanity and Ghost Rider commented that they were better off before departing. As Ghost Rider and Iron Fist left, D'Kay proclaimed that the Legion's lust for power had not dampened and the Legion would return someday.

(Marvel Collector's Edition I#1/4 - BTS) - When Dan Ketch's young friend Mike "Mouse" McCormick inadvertently ran into him, claiming there was no trouble, Dan's relinquishing of his form to Noble Kale as the Ghost Rider uncontrollably occurred upon Dan's contact with the injured Mike's blood. Quickly tracking Mouse down and finding him about to be strangled by the criminal Devil Grip, who had been paying neighborhood children to work for him, Ghost Rider wrapped his chain around Devil Grip's neck and pulled him away from Mouse. Devil Grip grabbed Ghost Rider's arms and tried to pull Ghost Rider apart but spreading his arms left him open to Ghost Rider's Penance Stare. With Devil Grip effectively disabled, Ghost Rider reminded Mouse of his injuries and beckoned for Mouse to ride with him back to Mouse's neighborhood. As Ghost Rider rode Mouse through town, Mouse thought that  he had made a new friend.

(Amazing Spider-Man: Hit & Run I#3 - BTS) - After Dan Ketch got his cousin Phil Danton to a hospital after a car hit his bike, Dan saw the car on the road later and allowed Noble Kale to assume his form as Ghost Rider in order to bring the hit and run offender, Ray, to justice. Pursuing Ray on his motorcycle, Ghost Rider terrified him into crashing into a bridge railing, where his car was saved from falling by the timely arrival of Spider-Man. Spider-Man asked what Ray had done to anger the Ghost Rider and Ray lied, telling Spider-Man that he had witnessed Ghost Rider during a hit and run and that Ghost Rider had threatened to kill him if he told anyone. Realizing that didn't sound like Ghost Rider, Spider-Man still announced that he would meet with Ghost Rider to be sure and left, leaving a spider-tracer on Ray's car. Following Ray to a nearby bar, Spider-Man witnessed Ghost Rider's arrival moments later and confronted Ghost Rider to ask about the hit and run before Ghost Rider could enter the bar. Announcing that his actions were none of Spider-Man's business, Ghost Rider swiped at Spider-Man, who dodged the attack. The two heroes then fought while a panicked Ray ran for it. Once Ray had fled, Ghost Rider warned that Spider-Man should get his facts straight and announced that their business was concluded. Ghost Rider then left as Spider-Man left to get Phil's friends in the Right Riders to help. Secretly following Spider-Man as he asked the Right Riders to be on the lookout for Ghost Rider while he visited Phil's hospital room, Ghost Rider drove past the Right Riders, warning them to wear their helmets or he would return. He then rode up the side of the hospital, figuring that if Spider-Man was there, Ray must also be. Seeing Ghost Rider, Spider-Man kicked him off the side of the building and to the ground, where he explained Ray's story about Ghost Rider's supposed hit and run. Ghost Rider then angrily asked Spider-Man if he had thought to ask Phil himself who hit him and Spider-Man admitted that he had made a mistake by not asking. Shortly thereafter, Spider-Man confronted Ray in Phil's hospital room, preventing him from giving Phil a lethal shot and scaring Ray into running. When Ray opened the elevator, Ghost Rider was waiting for him and he was subjected to the Penance Stare, leaving him babbling his own guilt in the hit and run.

(Web of Spider-Man I Annual#8/4 - BTS) - Spider-Man looked at an old photo of Noble as the Ghost Rider, Hulk, Wolverine and himself as the new Fantastic Four, thinking to himself how he should have been careful what he wished for when he once wished to be part of the Fantastic Four.

(Ghost Rider III#25 -BTS) - When Blackout escaped the Firm's control and ripped Danny Ketch's throat open following the kidnapping of Danny's friends and family, Noble Kale assumed full control of Danny Ketch's form and, as the Ghost Rider, brutally beat Blackout. Shocked at how Ghost Rider could exist if his human host was dead, Blackout kicked Ghost Rider away and ran for it, attempting to take hostages before Ghost Rider caught up to him. Renewing the battle, Ghost Rider was halted when Lt. Michael Badilino's anti-Ghost Rider squad arrived, having been summoned by NYPD officer Jim, one of those that Blackout had attempted to take hostage, and opened fire on the Spirit of Vengeance. Escaping once more, Blackout was met by the Firm's Stern, who tried to kill Blackout himself for ruining his reputation with the Firm before Ghost Rider caught up once more. When Badilino's squad caught up in a helicopter, Ghost Rider grabbed both Stern and Blackout and retreated to Cypress Hills Cemetary, where the Cypress Pool Jokers hid Ghost Rider in a mausoleum until Badilino and his men had left the scene. Afterwards, Ghost Rider emerged from the tomb and announced to Paulie Stratton and the Cypress Pool Jokers that he wasn't sure what to do, as if he allowed Dan to resume his own form, Dan would die. He then explained that he would need to travel to New Orleans and used his chains to seal the mausoleum that he had trapped Stern and Blackout inside.

(X-Men II#8 - BTS) - Noble/Ghost Rider rode his motorcycle towards New Orleans and he was stopped by a police officer, who asked him to "extinguish his helmet." Turning around and asking the officer if there was a problem, Ghost Rider terrified the officer into running away and Ghost Rider continued his trek.

(Ghost Rider III#26 - BTS) - Arriving in New Orleans, Noble/Ghost Rider noticed a bloody newspaper blow into his boot via the wind. Somewhat annoyed that innocent blood seemed to always follow him, Ghost Rider thought about recent events and how Noble's assumption of Dan's form as Ghost Rider had saved Dan's life. While he sensed Dan's physical form dying at he continued to act inside it, Noble wondered if his link to the Earthly plane would die alongside Dan. Feeling that he needed a place to rest and think, Ghost Rider traveled to an old church in New Orleans' French Quarter to get out of the New Orleans Mardi Gras crowd. Upon arriving, members of the Thieves Guild and Assassins Guild burst through a window, fighting. The assassin killed the thief, whose wife demanded to know what was going on. Ghost Rider immediately jumped into battle to avenge the death, thinking that the assassin appeared inhuman. Ghost Rider then followed the assassin to a meeting place of the Assassins Guild, who announced that Ghost Rider would be made one of their own. The Assassins Guild were then ordered to take Ghost Rider by force. The Assassins Guild present then revealed themselves as Brood aliens, who forced Ghost Rider down and implanted him with a Brood egg. When the X-Men and their ally Belladonna arrived to investigate deaths in the Thieves Guild, they found themselves faced with a Brood/Ghost Rider hybrid.

(X-Men II#9 - BTS) - Having been infected by a Brood egg, Noble's Ghost Rider form was dominated by the Brood's psyche. The X-Men and the assassin Belladonna battled the Brood and the Ghost Rider/Brood hybrid, and Psylocke eventually stabbed the Ghost Rider/Brood hybrid with her psychic knife, causing a psychic backlash of Noble Kale's emotions. Feeling the eternal torment of Noble Kale, Psylocke was nearly overwhelmed but Belladonna steadied Psylocke, allowing them to team up against the Brood psyche controlling Dan Ketch's form. After Belladonna and Psylocke destroyed the Brood psyche, Noble was able to regain control of the Ghost Rider form and he admitted that the last thoughts he had were of being surrounded by Brood. When he asked what became of them, Psylocke merely replied that they were dealt with. Belladonna soon seemingly died in Gambit's arms and the Thieves Guild reminded Gambit that there was still the matter of the two Guilds. As the X-Men prepared for the upcoming battle, Wolverine invited Ghost Rider to continue fighting by their side and Ghost Rider announced that he would be there until vengeance was served.

(Ghost Rider III#27 - BTS) - Still in control of the dying Dan Ketch's form, Noble/Ghost Rider accompanied the X-Men beneath the New Orleans French Quarter in order to destroy the Brood Queen and rescue the children of the Thieves and Assassins Guilds that the Brood had kidnapped. Arriving in the Brood's base, the X-Men and Ghost Rider heard a young girl calling for help and Cyclops quickly ordered Wolverine and Ghost Rider to flank him while the others kept in a tight formation around them. When the X-Men stopped to free some of the captive children, Ghost Rider went off on his own to destroy the Brood Queen and Gambit followed, wishing to avenge the death of Belladonna. Wolverine soon sensed that Ghost Rider and Gambit were heading straight for the queen and he rushed off to help them while the other X-Men got the children to safety. As Wolverine, Gambit and Ghost Rider ventured further into the base, Wolverine asked how Ghost Rider was holding up following the Brood egg implantation. Ghost Rider replied that he was intact but admitted concern over how the Brood situation had affected Dan Ketch. As Dan's body continued to die, Ghost Rider momentarily lost his balance, prompting Gambit to comment that Ghost Rider looked bad even for Ghost Rider. The Brood soon surrounded them and the assassin that Ghost Rider had earlier fought when he first arrived in New Orleans revealed himself, admitting that he had killed many of the Thieves Guild. Fighting their way through the assassin and the Brood soldiers, Wolverine, Ghost Rider and Gambit confronted the Brood Queen, who announced that the X-Men would not escape with the children. Ghost Rider, determined to save the children, wrapped his chain around the Brood Queen and pulled it out of the base and above ground, with the X-Men escaping with the children behind him. Fighting the Brood Queen, Ghost Rider pulled its skeleton right out of its skin but the skinless Brood Queen continued the attack as John Blaze arrived to help Ghost Rider. Ghost Rider explained to Blaze about Dan's supposed death before having Blaze hit the Brood Queen with hellfire. Ghost Rider then decapitated the Queen and Wolverine stabbed its eyes out and Gambit hit it with an explosive playing card to ensure its death. With the Brood Queen defeated, Ghost Rider and Blaze said their goodbyes to the X-Men and Gambit explained that he now owed Ghost Rider a debt of honor for avenging Belladonna's death.

(Ghost Rider III#28 - BTS) - Without the influence of Dan Ketch to help temper his vengeance, Noble, still in control of Dan's physical form as Ghost Rider jeopardized innocent lives and nearly killed two thugs who had a murdered an old woman. His rampage was halted by John Blaze, who threatened to shoot Ghost Rider in the head with his hellfire shotgun if he didn't calm down. Ghost Rider then knocked out the two murderers and drove back to Cypress Hills Cemetary, where he threw the murderers into a mausoleum housing numerous criminals that Ghost Rider had recently stopped. When Ghost Rider rested for a moment, John Blaze demanded to know what was going on, exclaiming that he agreed to accompany Ghost Rider back to New York to save Danny Ketch's life yet so far, they had done nothing to help Danny. Blaze also asked if Ghost Rider was planning to kill the criminals housed within the Cypress Hills mausoleum and Ghost Rider replied that he wasn't sure, admitting that his need for vengeance seemed to overriding all other thoughts recently. Noble then admitted that he could feel Dan continuing to die and that he was unsure of what would happen to him if his human host perished, suggesting that Blaze might end up having to use his hellfire shotgun on him in the end. After the Caretaker revealed himself and announced that he had been watching Ghost Rider ever since he had begun storing criminals in Cypress Hills Cemetary, Ghost Rider decided to allow the criminals to go free since he had already subjected them all to the Penance Stare before trapping them there. Finding all of the criminals to be dead, Ghost Rider wondered who could have killed them all before sensing that Danny was about to pass over into the afterlife. Reminding Danny that vengeance could never rest, Ghost Rider began seeing prophetic visions of events soon to occur involving the demonic Lilin and a group of supernatural heroes, which placed him a trance-like state, unaware that Blackout and Stern had escaped and they had been the killers of the criminals. Blackout quickly tried to bite Ghost Rider's neck, once more causing him intense pain while Ghost Rider remained in his trance state. Blackout and Stern then escaped as Lt. Michael Badilino arrived, having tracked Ghost Rider to the Cemetary. Once Badilino had been forced to retreat when the Caretaker hit him with a shovel to protect Ghost Rider, Caretaker and Blaze helped carry the tranced Ghost Rider to safety. Regaining his composure, Ghost Rider was led to his motorcycle by the Caretaker and shortly after prevented Blaze from shooting Blackout when Blackout escaped on Blaze's motorcycle. Revealing to Blaze that Dan Ketch was not yet dead and could still be saved, Ghost Rider announced to Blaze that it was up to them to save Dan, not become murderers themselves. Happy to see that Ghost Rider's head seemed to be back on straight, Blaze accompanied Ghost Rider as they departed Cypress Hills Cemetary.

(Spirits of Vengeance I#1 - BTS) - With Dan Ketch still trapped in the void between realms, Noble continued controlling his form as Ghost Rider and Blaze outran the NYPD as they departed New York. When John Blaze inadvertently injured several police officers by shooting at them with his Hellfire Gun, Ghost Rider and Blaze helped get the officers out of their cars to safety before continuing on to the Brooklyn Bridge, where Blaze angrily confronted Ghost Rider over being drawn back into the supernatural life. Ghost Rider attempted to explain to Blaze the vision he had of innocent blood being spilled and the demonic Lilith's return but Blaze refused to believe it, exclaiming his opinion that Dan was dead and Ghost Rider just couldn't cope with it. Ghost Rider then grabbed Blaze and subjected him to the Penance Stare, forcing Blaze to relive the pain that Noble and Dan had both felt and forcing Blaze to see the same vision Ghost Rider had seen. Blaze then agreed that Lilith had to be stopped and the two traveled to Providence, Rhode Island to allow Blaze to regroup, unaware that Lilith had been resurrected in Greenland. Ghost Rider remained with the Quentin Carnival overnight as Blaze reunited with his family until the Lilin appeared and captured Blaze's children. Ghost Rider and Blaze quickly went after the Lilin, with Ghost Rider wrapping a chain around the Lilin Pilgrim's neck and ordering him to free Craig Blaze from Blackout's clutches. The Lilin Creed calmly warned that a fight need not occur, as Lilith only wanted one of the heroes dead, and despite Blaze's attempt to sacrifice himself for his children, Creed focused his attack on Ghost Rider, who was seriously injured by Creed's blasts. Blaze fought back to protect Ghost Rider, decapitating Creed with a blast from his Hellfire shotgun and when Blackout tried to renew the attack, a recovered Ghost Rider wrapped Blackout in chains and kicked him, only for the reeling Blackout to be cast into a teleportational portal created by Pilgrim. Knowing that the Lilin had to be stopped, Blaze had his family leave with the Quentin Carnival and before they left, the psychic Clara Menninger informed Blaze of a prophetic vision she had involving Martine Bancroft in New York's Paramount Hotel. Blaze informed Ghost Rider that they had to return to New York and as they departed, Clara was met by Doctor Strange, who admitted that he hoped Ghost Rider and Blaze would up for the impending challenges that awaited them.

(Ghost Rider III#29 - BTS) - Noble, remaining in control of Dan's physical form as Ghost Rider, and John Blaze visited Connecticut, where a group of thugs attempted to mug them. When Blaze fought back, one of the thugs shot Ghost Rider right in the face, destroying the helmet he was wearing to remain inconspicuous. Ghost Rider subjected the thug to the Penance Stare, despite Blaze's after though that the thug had not spilled innocent blood. Blaze then admitted he needed to rest and Ghost Rider replied that he sensed the thugs reeking of innocent blood and told Blaze to go ahead and rest, as he would need his strength against Lilith. He then announced that he had no need for rest, only vengeance, then drove off into the night, unaware that he was being followed by Beast and Wolverine, who sensed something was off about Ghost Rider during their last encounter. As he rode, Noble thought to himself how his recent battles with the Brood and mission against Lilith had distracted him from his goal of saving Dan Ketch's life. He then pondered whether he could exist without Dan and how he could live on Earth in Dan's body alongside those who feared his visage. He was soon distracted by a distant explosion and went to investigate, finding the mercenary Next Wave attacking the offices of Penner Security after they had been fired. When Next Wave's Turk used too much force and accidentally killed a woman, Ghost Rider entered the fray, only to be entrapped in a net from the Next Wave's Snare. Wolverine and Beast then joined in as well, freeing Ghost Rider and battling the three mercenaries. During the battle, the Next Wave's Agent-X flew Ghost Rider into the air, where Turk blasted him to pieces, leaving his falling skull. Next Wave then mounted an offensive against Beast and Wolverine while Ghost Rider reformed himself. Once fully restored, Ghost Rider defeated the Next Wave single-handedly and subjected Turk to the Penance Stare for his earlier murder. Following the battle, Wolverine demanded to know the status of Dan Ketch, whom he could barely sense, and Ghost Rider replied that he wasn't sure what would become of Dan. As he rode off, Ghost Rider admitted he could remember so little of his past or even who he really was. Relating to Ghost Rider, Wolverine allowed him to depart.

(Morbius I#1 - BTS) - Ghost Rider/Noble and John Blaze arrived in New York's Times Square and visited the Hotel Paramount, where they met with Martine Bancroft, who informed them that she was in New York searching for Michael Morbius. Upon hearing that Morbius was a living vampire, Ghost Rider snatched Martine's photo of Morbius from her hands and recognized Morbius from his earlier vision involving supernatural heroes and the Lilin. After Martine explained Morbius' origins to Ghost Rider and Blaze, Ghost Rider became determined to find Morbius and soon accompanied Blaze, Martine and Martine's ally Dr. David Langford in locating Morbius at his daytime lair. Unaware that both the Lilin and Dr. Langford were working to kill Morbius, Ghost Rider prevented Morbius from escaping by using his chains to catch Morbius' leg and Ghost Rider helped bring Morbius back to Dr. Langford's lab, where Langford falsely claimed he could help Morbius' vampiric condition. When Langford's serum (which had secretly been altered by the Lilin Fang) caused Morbius to mutate further, Dr. Langford informed Ghost Rider, Blaze and Martine of Morbius' escape. Ghost Rider and Blaze then left to search for Morbius, concerned that he was a danger to himself and innocents. Ghost Rider and Blaze much later caught up to Morbius after Morbius had destroyed Dr. Langford's lab and Ghost Rider caught a vial containing a possible cure to Morbius' condition when Morbius dropped it escaping the lab. Demanding the know what had transpired in their absence, Ghost Rider and Blaze were informed by Morbius that Martine had been killed when she discovered that Langford had been working to kill Morbius. Ghost Rider subjected Morbius to discern the truth and learned that Morbius was indeed telling the truth. When Morbius vowed to only feed on those deserving of death, Ghost Rider agreed not to interfere with Morbius' actions but warned that if Morbius began feeding on the innocent, he would return. Ghost Rider and Blaze then departed, unaware that the Lilin had secretly been involved in their encounter with Morbius.

(Spirits of Vengeance I#2 - BTS) - On their way back, Noble/Ghost Rider and John Blaze stopped an abusive father from beating his family and Ghost Rider nearly subjected him to the Penance Stare before Blaze noticed the police arriving. Before the police entered, Blaze ordered the man to tell the police everything he had done and to make his son realize that it was not the son's fault he beat them. Blaze then told the man that his wife had their number and that Ghost Rider and he would return if she called. The duo then left, returning to the Quentin Carnival, where Ghost Rider soon fell. Ghost Rider remained downed as the Quentin Carnival came under attack by Steel Vengeance, the younger sister of Blaze's old enemy Steel Wind. Blaze quickly called everyone to action but Ghost Rider crumpled on the ground, lifeless. Introducing herself, Steel Vengeance announced that she had come for Ghost Rider, whose body she picked up and hurled.Angry that the lifeless Ghost Rider didn't fight back, Steel Vengeance hurled him through the window of a nearby trailer while the Quentin Carnival residents watched her rampage.

(Ghost Rider III#30) - While Ghost Rider's physical form was inert, Noble Kale and Dan Ketch were both attacked by Nightmare, who had taken Dan's friends hostage in the Dream Dimension. Thinking the image of Dan to be an illusion created by Nightmare, Ghost Rider attacked Nightmare and then attempted to use his Penance Stare on Dan, only to learn that it was truly Dan, confirming to Ghost Rider that Dan's psyche was still alive. The two began discussing Ghost Rider's earlier precognitive vision, which Dan had also witnessed, but Nightmare soon separated the two and began speaking directly to Ghost Rider, explaining that Ghost Rider's earlier claims that he was not the demon Zarathos may be true. Reminding Nightmare that he would not do Nightmare's bidding, Ghost Rider demanded to know what Nightmare and Nightmare explained his plan to feed off the fear generated by Lilith and her Lilin, revealing that he simply wanted both Ghost Rider and Dan Ketch dead. Announcing that Nightmare could not hold him there, Ghost Rider punched his way to Dan and the two escaped on Ghost Rider's motorcycle. Making their way to a house in the distance, Ghost Rider and Dan located Dan's friends within stasis tubes, attacking what appeared to be Lilith. When "Lilith" dissolved into ooze, revealing herself as one of Nightmare's illusions, Ghost Rider was pinned to the ground by Nightmare as Nightmare revealed that he had been feeding off of the fear produced by Dan's friends. As Nightmare gloated that Ghost Rider and Dan could not unite and increase Ghost Rider's power, Ghost Rider suggested that he and Dan give up a part of themselves to make them both stronger. Dan agreed to do so and the two became powerful enough to defeat Nightmare, commenting that only in Nightmare's realm could that union be possible and that Nightmare's gloating had revealed to them the path to Nightmare's defeat. Freeing Dan's friends, causing them to wake up and disappear from Nightmare's realm, Ghost Rider and Dan warned Nightmare to stay away or they would return. The two then parted ways, with Dan explaining that he would need to find his way back to life on his own. When Ghost Rider replied that he would visit Dr. Strange for aid in restoring Dan, Dan commented that Ghost Rider should do so only after defeating Lilith, as she was the more important issue at the moment. As the two departed, Ghost Rider commented that there would be future battles in which they would both be needed.

(Spirits of Vengeance I#2 - BTS) - Noble Kale returned from the Dream Dimension and into the body of Dan Ketch as Ghost Rider, awakening in time to tell John Blaze that Dan Ketch still existed and that he knew how to restore him. Steel Vengeance immediately attacking the now-mobile Ghost Rider, who attempted to give her the Penance Stare, only to find no soul present within her body. Steel Vengeance then rode off, proclaiming that she had sold her soul for vengeance. Ghost Rider gave chase, exclaiming that she would feel the sting of his vengeance but Steel Vengeance continued to monologue until she accidentally rode off a cliff. Unsure what Steel Vengeance was talking about in terms of her master, Ghost Rider asked Blaze, who promised to tell him the whole story later. Ghost Rider then explained that they needed to find the Darkhold Redeemers if they hoped to stop Lilith and save Dan Ketch. Blaze reluctantly agreed to continue aiding Ghost Rider.

(Darkhold I#1 (fb) - BTS) - Upon learning that Prof. Louise Hastings was consulting on the recent Walsh murder case and recognizing her from their vision, Noble (still in control of Dan Ketch's form as Ghost Rider) and John Blaze sought Hastings out.

(Darkhold I#1 - BTS) - After Blaze met with Prof. Hastings and led her into an alley where Ghost Rider was waiting, Ghost Rider explained that he had seen Hastings' face in his vision involving the resurrected Lilith and a group of supernatural heroes. Further explaining how both he and Blaze had already turned Lilith back once, Ghost Rider informed Hastings that she and certain others could be Lilith's next targets. While Lilith plotted with the demonic Darkholders to use the Chameleon Worms Darkhold page to distract her heroic enemies long enough to strike at them, Ghost Rider and Blaze accompanied Hastings in secret while she met with Victoria Montesi and her bodyguard Sam Buchanan. When the Chameleon Worms-infected Donald Walsh attacked Montesi, Prof. Hastings turned on the lights to signal Ghost Rider and Blaze, who erupted through the window and began battling Walsh. Confining Walsh to a small jar, Montesi forced Walsh to recount his origins and later, Ghost Rider and Blaze stood guard with Sam Buchanan as Montesi slept and Prof. Hastings went for a walk to draw out their enemies. When they heard a scream, Ghost Rider, Blaze and Buchanan found Montesi swarmed by the reproducing Chameleon Worms. Montesi then lured Donald Walsh out into the city and into Central Park, where Ghost Rider, Blaze, Buchanan and Hastings followed and found themselves under attack by a group of inhuman ninjas and the arriving Lilith and her Lilin. Ghost Rider and Blaze quickly focused on the ninjas while Prof. Hastings' plan succeeded when the Central Park birds tore apart and fed on Walsh's worm body. With two of their enemies taken down, Ghost Rider and Blaze focused their attention on Lilith, who teleported away when Blaze injured her with his Hellfire shotgun. The Lilin Nakota escaped and Victoria Montesi suggested that Ghost Rider and Blaze focus their attention on fighting Lilith while Hastings, Buchanan and herself focused on finding and stopping the usage of the Darkhold pages.

(Spirits of Vengeance I#3 - BTS) - Traveling through Dutchess County, seventy miles north of New York City, John Blaze asked Ghost Rider to momentarily stop, suggesting that perhaps the Lilin were intentionally trying to lead them into a trap. Noble admitted that the idea had crossed his mind but they had to stop Lilith no matter the cost. Blaze then asked about saving Dan Ketch and Ghost Rider replied that Dan was aware of the stakes if they could not stop Lilith. Blaze asked how Ghost Rider knew that, reminding Noble that he still had not told him what he had learned, then asked if they could at least stop long enough for Blaze to eat. Ghost Rider decided to scout on ahead in their search for the Lilin Nakota while Blaze stopped to eat. While Blaze ultimately battled the Lilin Skinner, Ghost Rider located Nakota in Millbrook, New York and chased her down until the Lilin Pilgrim teleported her to Boston. Overhearing that she was needed in Boston, Ghost Rider returned to aid Blaze against Skinner. Blaze managed to hit Skinner with his Hellfire shotgun multiple times, turning Skinner to ash, then asked Ghost Rider what kind of father he was, putting his family at risk by simply existing. Ghost Rider reminded him that he was a very good father and explained that they needed to get to Boston for the last piece of the Lilin puzzle. Blaze asked how Ghost Rider knew this and Ghost Rider replied that he would explain later as they drove off, unaware that Skinner was still alive and sought new flesh.

(Nightstalkers I#1 - BTS) - Noble (still in the physical form of Ghost Rider) and Blaze arrived in Boston and tracked down the Lilin Nakota, whom Ghost Rider subjected to the Penance Stare. The Stare caused him to once more see the vision of the resurrected Lilith and he learned that the next targets would be Blade, Hannibal King and Frank Drake in Boston. After Blaze tossed Nakota into a nearby cash register, Ghost Rider and Blaze rode off towards Boston. Arriving at the Borderline Investigations offices that once served as the headquarters for Blade, Drake and King, Ghost Rider and Blaze found a note on the door stating "Old North Church" and began to suspect that Lilith had already gotten to the three men. Not fully aware that Lilith had tricked the three vampire hunters into attempting to kill Ghost Rider and Blaze, Ghost Rider and Blaze ventured to the Church and were attacked by the three hunters. During the battle, Ghost Rider attempted to subject Blade to the Penance Stare but Blade deflected the stare with one of his knives, briefly incapacitating Ghost Rider long enough for Frank Drake to hit Ghost Rider with his exorcism gun, Linda. The gun paralyzed Ghost Rider and the three hunters were about to kill Ghost Rider when Blade sensed another's presence. Directing Drake to fire his gun in the direction Blade was sensing, Blade was surprised to find the hidden Lilin Meatmarket, who ordered them to finish their job of killing Ghost Rider. Instead, Hannibal King directed rats to gnaw on Meatmarket's rotting form and Blade decapitated the Lilin, sending its head back to Lilith. With the Lilin defeated, Ghost Rider and Blaze were allowed to go but Hannibal King warned that they would destroy all of the supernatural and that Ghost Rider and Blaze had only obtained a temporary reprieve.

(Ghost Rider III#31 - BTS) - Still in control of Dan's physical form as the Ghost Rider, Noble and John Blaze rode through the Berkshire Mountains, commenting on how they were unsuccessful in recruiting allies against the demonic Lilith. Ghost Rider suggested they visit Doctor Strange, who could both help with the trapped Dan Ketch and possibly provide assistance against Lilith. Their conversation was interrupted when a mystic portal opened up in front of them. Thinking that the portal was a trap set by the Lilin Pilgrim, Ghost Rider and Blaze rode head on into the portal and soon found themselves in the Arctic Circle, surrounded by Morbius, the Nightstalkers and the Darkhold Redeemers. Briefly setting aside their differences with the Nightstalkers, Ghost Rider and Blaze immediately leapt into battle against Lilith, who was there preparing to resurrect the remaining Lilin. Lilith soon opened a rift into the void between realms, unleashing Dan Ketch's spirit in a monstrous Lilin form, who quickly dispatched both Ghost Rider and Blaze. When Ghost Rider recovered, he bound the monstrous Dan in chains and, as Lilith prepared to summon her Lilin back through the rift to retreat, pushed Dan back into the void to recover. Despite the other heroes' suggestion that they also retreat, Ghost Rider refused to leave without destroying Lilith. He then grabbed Lilith and forced her head through the rift, seemingly destroying her. Doctor Strange then secretly teleported the Darkhold Redeemers and Nightstalkers back to their prior locations before the Nightstalkers could settle their differences with Ghost Rider and Blaze. Strange then teleported Ghost Rider, Blaze and himself away to focus on restoring Dan to life, unaware that Lilith and her Lilin soon reappeared in the Arctic after their departure.

(Ghost Rider III#32 (fb) - BTS) - Dr. Strange brought Noble/Ghost Rider and John Blaze to New York University Medical Center, where he contacted Dr. Frank Brukner to aid in restoring Dan Ketch.

(Ghost Rider III#32 - BTS) - While still in Dan's form as Ghost Rider, Noble was wracked with pain as Dr. Strange cast a spell on him during his attacks to restore Dan. Strange managed to project his astral form into the void between realms, where Dan had become tainted by Lilith. The Dan/Lilin psyche fought back against Strange while Dan tried to fight off the Lilin influence. The battle raging inside the void caused Noble/Ghost Rider more pain before Ghost Rider's flames went out and he fell to the floor. Dr. Brukner informed Blaze that they might want to start praying, prompting Blaze to announce that if anyone was going to kill Ghost Rider, it would be him. He then began trying to coerce Ghost Rider back to life before agents of the Firm attacked the Medical Center. Blaze and Brukner quickly tried to move Ghost Rider and Dr. Strange's unconscious forms despite protests from Brukner himself. During the attack by the Firm, Ghost Rider regained consciousness and was asked not to move but he insisted on helping so that Dr. Strange could be allowed the time to restore Dan. After subjecting a Firm agent to the Penance Stare, Ghost Rider was blown through a wall and began sensing Dan's life force fading. Announcing that the fight must stop, Ghost Rider lost consciousness once more and was placed on a medical table along with Dr. Strange, who returned to his physical form and forced the gravely injured Dan Ketch, whom Strange had cured of the Lilin influence, to regain control of his physical form. Dr. Brukner then went to work repairing Dan's physical wounds.

(Sleepwalker Holiday Special I#1 - BTS) - When the mystic Mr. Jyn was released, he set about mystically scrying his surroundings, learning that Noble/Ghost Rider resided in New York along with Dr. Strange, Quasar and Rick Sheridan, host of the Sleepwalker. Mr. Jyn ultimately deemed Ghost Rider to not be a threat to him unless innocent blood was spilled.

(Shadow Riders I#2 - BTS) - On Earth in Dan's physical form as the Ghost Rider, Noble Kale chased down a criminal in New York City. Before he could make the criminal pay, he was teleported into the British Mys-Tech Central headquarters, where the Shadow Riders were battling Mys-Tech soldiers. At first annoyed at being summoned so suddenly, Ghost Rider sensed the evil of Mys-Tech and agreed to aid the Shadow Riders. As they battled the soldiers, Ghost Rider commanded the soldiers back and the Shadow Rider called Boot sarcastically reminded Ghost Rider to talk the soldiers to death. Upon the soldiers' defeat, the Shadow Riders teleported Ghost Rider and themselves back to the Shadow Riders' headquarters, where Ghost Rider questioned why they did not attempt to psychically blindfold him from seeing their headquarters as they had their other guest. Ghost Rider was told he came highly recommended and that his power set did not include psi-tracking. He was then thanked for his assistance and teleported back to New York before he could learn more about the Shadow Riders and where he even was. He was sent back to exactly where he had been taken from, much to the dismay of the criminal Ghost Rider had been chasing.

(Darkhold I#5 - BTS) - While taking down muggers in Brooklyn, Noble/Ghost Rider heard one of the thugs mention that a preacher had hired the Punisher to take down the rival Scorpio crime family. Asking about the preacher, Ghost Rider learned that the preacher could reanimate the dead and immediately suspected the preacher to be his former foe Reverend Styge. Tossing the thug aside, Ghost Rider rushed to locate Styge. Finding Styge in a cemetary, Ghost Rider entered the fray and found the Punisher battling his allies in the Darkhold Redeemers. Mistakenly thinking that the Punisher was truly working for Reverend Styge, Ghost Rider attacked despite the Punisher's attempts to explain the situation. With all of the heroes present, Reverend Styge summoned an army of animated corpses, distracting Ghost Rider from attacking Punisher when the Rider was swarmed by the zombies. The Darkhold Redeemers' Victoria Montesi showed the Punisher how Styge was corrupting his family's memory by summoning them forth, prompting the Punisher to shoot Styge, causing his zombies to return to their natural motionless state and allowing Ghost Rider to make his way out of the now-fallen swarm. With Styge dead, Victoria Montesi asked Ghost Rider and the other Darkhold Redeemers to let the Punisher go, as there was no penance or punishment worse than what the Punisher already put himself through.

(Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme I#50 - BTS) - Still in Brooklyn, Noble/Ghost Rider was riding his motorcycle when the astral form of Dr. Strange appeared to him and explained that he was needed. Ghost Rider simply asked Strange to lead him where he was needed and Ghost Rider soon met Dr. Strange in person at his Sanctum Sanctorum alongside the Hulk and Silver Surfer. Strange explained that while his own powers were at their lowest ebb, Dormammu had regained dominance in the Dark Dimension and had taken Strange's ally Clea captive. When Strange admitted that he feared Earth would next under Dormammu's heel, the Hulk agreed to help, as did Ghost Rider, who announced he could not let Dormammu kill innocents. Silver Surfer also agreed to help and Dr. Strange soon teleported them all into the Dark Dimension and showed them the location of Dormammu's citadel. Before they could storm Dormammu's citadel, the foursome was attacked by swarms of Mindless Ones, who destroyed the bridge underneath Ghost Rider, who managed to toss his chain to Silver Surfer to keep from falling. Dr. Strange then scouted ahead, leaving Ghost Rider and the others behind to wonder what Strange was up to. The Mindless Ones soon fell and Ghost Rider and the others were able to make their way to the entrance of Dormammu's citadel, where the G'uranthic Guardian prevented their entrance. While Hulk battled the Guardian, Strange sent Silver Surfer to retrieve Clea while Dr. Strange and Ghost Rider attempted a spell to transfer Ghost Rider's essence into Strange himself. Noble agreed to the transfer and his essence flowed into Dr. Strange, leaving Dan Ketch's physical form, still resembling Ghost Rider, unconscious on the ground. Noble/Dr. Strange then engaged the overpowered Dormammu in battle. During the fight, Dr. Strange allowed Noble to fully control his physical form while Dr. Strange projected his astral form into Dormammu's body to battle his internal mystic ego. After defeating the ego, Dr. Strange returned to his physical body, still inhabited by Noble Kale, as Dormammu exclaimed that while the heroes had only tasted 1/10 of his power, Earth was beneath his notice. Dormammu then departed, leaving Dr. Strange to return Noble Kale to Dan Ketch's body and Noble/Ghost Rider commented how good it was to be back in Dan's body. Dr. Strange then said his goodbyes to the freed Clea, whom Silver Surfer had rescued during the battle against Dormammu, and returned the heroes back to Earth. Ghost Rider then departed the Sanctum Sanctorum.

(Midnight Sons Unlimited I#1 (fb) - BTS) - In Dan's form as Ghost Rider, Noble and John Blaze visited Tarrytown, New York after reports of murders in the area. At the crime scene, Blaze had Ghost Rider hang back while he attempted to speak with the police officers. After seeing three men attack a young woman, Ghost Rider fought back and subjected one of the men to the Penance Stare.

(Midnight Sons Unlimited I#1 - BTS) - When Blaze returned, Ghost Rider explained the situation and announced that he couldn't leave the other two men, who had fled to the roof, for the police. Resigning himself to making it a quick fight, Blaze accompanied Ghost Rider to the roof, where Ghost Rider subjected another of the men to the Penance Stare while Blaze handled the third man. With the three thugs downed, Ghost Rider and Blaze avoided the police by jumping on their motorcycles from the roof and sped off. As they rode off, Blaze asked what they should do and Ghost Rider replied that they should find the town murderer. As they rode around town, Ghost Rider reminded Blaze that their purpose of traveling the country was to stop those who would cause innocents pain. Ghost Rider and Blaze soon found the murderer, a monstrous creature targeting children. Ghost Rider entangled the creature in chains while Blaze shot its legs with his hellfire shotgun. Following the creature as it attempted to escape, Ghost Rider and Blaze found it getting near to Clarisse Van Ripper, an invalid old woman. When Blaze blasted the creature in the face, effectively destroying it, he noticed that Ms. Van Ripper went cold in her bed. Investigating closer, Blaze noticed a black letter next to Ms. Van Ripper and immediately recognized it as a page of the Darkhold tome. Deducing that Ms. Van Ripper had used the Darkhold page to escape her invalid life by moving via the creature, Blaze informed Ghost Rider that Ms. Van Ripper must have used the creature to relive her earlier, child-murdering past. Ghost Rider then forced Clarisse to face her sins by subjecting her invalid body to the Penance Stare.

(Darhawk I#22 - BTS) - Assuming control of Dan Ketch's body as Ghost Rider when innocent blood was shed in Cypress Hills Cemetary, Noble found himself confronted by a large three-headed creature that had once been Harley Stevens. The heroic Darkhawk, who had already been on the scene, soon rejoined the fight after having earlier battled the creature. When Darkhawk was cornered, Ghost Rider, who had gotten an idea of Stevens' capabilities, hit Stevens with several links from his chain before giving him the Penance Stare, leaving Harley in intense pain. When Willie and a small group of men arrived in a truck thinking kids were vandalizing the graveyard, Harley blasted the truck, forcing Ghost Rider and Darkhawk to rescue Willie and his friends. In the distraction, Harley slipped away and Darkhawk was soon wracked with pain. Ghost Rider attempted to help but Darkhawk ordered Ghost Rider to leave him be and go after Stevens. Despite Ghost Rider's sense of Darkhawk's strength and concern that the pain might get worse, he respected Darkhawk's wishes and departed after Stevens. Later, after hearing a news report of Ghost Rider's battle at the Queens' Shoppers' Paradise mall, Darkhawk rushed to the mall while Ghost Rider fought Harley Stevens to a standstill. When Darkhawk arrived, he managed to wound Stevens before being knocked back alongside Ghost Rider. Darkhawk soon noticed the object of power that had transformed Stevens into a monster within the wound. Ghost Rider then bound Stevens with his chains while Darkhawk removed the power artifact from Stevens' body, causing Stevens to resume human form. Before Ghost Rider could make Stevens pay, the police arrived, prompting Ghost Rider to leave the scene, explaining to Darkhawk that they would only hamper more urgent matters.

(Ghost Rider/Captain America: Fear - BTS) - Controlling Danny Ketch's form as Ghost Rider, Noble rode over a squad of police officers and into the Laneco Foods grocery store, where a group of drug-addled kids had taken hostages. Taking down the thugs, Ghost Rider attempted to convince one of the hostages that he meant no harm but the hostage had a heart attack and Ghost Rider was soon gunned down by the police officers. Unsure why he must run from those who should be allies, Ghost Rider got back up and left the scene on his bike. Later, Dan Ketch allowed Noble to control his form as the Ghost Rider once more when he rode past the police. Investigating from a nearby rooftop, Ghost Rider was confronted by Captain America, who was tracking down the Scarecrow. After speaking with Captain America, Ghost Rider was surprised to see that Cap was not afraid of him and admitted that the police would rather him rather than avenge the deaths of innocents. He then exclaimed that the police would not stand in the way of stopping Scarecrow, who had kidnapped Stacy Dolan. Ghost Rider then asked Captain America for help and the two rode off to find Scarecrow. Tracking Scarecrow to a Brooklyn Heights building, Ghost Rider ventured onto the roof while Captain America battled Scarecrow inside. Cap's battle with Scarecrow was interrupted when Ghost Rider pulled Scarecrow to the roof using his chains and fought Scarecrow until Scarecrow deduced Cap's intent to rescue Stacy Dolan and escaped. Following Scarecrow inside, Ghost Rider refused to take Scarecrow's life and Stacy was rescued by police Capt. Dolan, who had followed Cap to Brooklyn Heights. When Scarecrow attempted to impale Captain America with his pitchfork and was shot by Stacy, Ghost Rider tripped Scarecrow with his chain as the Scarecrow tried to escape, causing Scarecrow to fall onto a fence below. Commenting that he had only wanted to stop Scarecrow not kill him, Ghost Rider mentioned that vengeance had been served and departed, soon relinquishing his form back to Dan Ketch.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#119/3 - BTS) - Summoned to dominance of Dan Ketch's form when innocent blood was spilled, Noble traveled through New York as Ghost Rider until he found the vigilante Cloak standing over a murdered man. At first attacking Cloak due to his sense of Cloak's dark hungers, Ghost Rider quickly halted his attack when Cloak explained that the interdimensional Grimbat had killed the man and kidnapped his partner Dagger to harness her light. Determined to avenge the man's death, Ghost Rider lit up his motorcycle with hellfire until Grimbat returned, now seeking Ghost Rider's light as well. Ghost Rider then allowed himself to be taken into Grimbat's Zianon dimension and Cloak joined him to rescue Dagger.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#120/3 - BTS) - Once in Zianon, Ghost Rider easily broke free of Grimbat's grasp and Grimbat admitted that while Dagger's light was pure power, Ghost Rider's light would be made to serve Grimbat. Refusing to aid Grimbat, Ghost Rider announced that Grimbat would be made to feel the suffering he had caused and hit Grimbat with his chain. Admitting that he had not anticipated Ghost Rider's power, Grimbat unleashed his legions against Ghost Rider and Cloak, who reunited with Dagger. Eventually, Grimbat had his subjects chain Ghost Rider and Cloak in a dungeon and referred to the hypnotized Dagger as his wife. While captive, Ghost Rider listened to the Zianon warden speak about Grimbat's plan to use Dagger's light to feed his subjects and upon hearing Grimbat's motives, Ghost Rider easily broke free from his chains.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#121/3 - BTS) - Despite the warden's begging for them not to take Dagger away from Zianon, Ghost Rider and Cloak escaped and found themselves in a labyrinth, eventually finding a pit filled with Zianon natives barring their way. Seeing no other choice, Ghost Rider and Cloak went through the creatures, with Cloak absorbing several into his cloak, only to find that their inherent darkness was nearly too much for him to contain. After Dagger was freed from her hypnotic trance by Melnoa, she reunited with Cloak and Ghost Rider below the Zianon throne room. Grimbat soon learned of their escape and attacked, attempting to retrieve Dagger but Melnoa appeared and demanded Dagger be freed, revealing herself to be Grimbat's true bride.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#122/3 - BTS) - When Dagger fought back against Grimbat, her light powers made him more powerful and Ghost Rider demanded that Grimbat keep away from Dagger. He then leapt into battle against Grimbat, pulling himself in close to Grimbat's eyes, preparing to subject him to the Penance Stare. Grimbat refused to be subjected to it, exclaiming that everything he had done had been for the good of Zianon. Refusing to listen to Melnoa, whom he thought dead, Grimbat finally agreed to let Dagger go after Cloak absorbed the excess light from Grimbat's body. Grimbat suggested that Dagger could re-empower him then he could separate his atoms to create lasting light for Zianon. Dagger agreed to aid Grimbat with Melnoa's help and Grimbat opened a portal back to Earth for the heroes. Ghost Rider then watched as Dagger did as Grimbat suggested and Grimbat sacrificed himself to restore light to Zianon. Following Grimbat's sacrifice, Ghost Rider, Cloak and Dagger returned to Earth.

(Ghost Rider III#33 - BTS) - In control of Dan Ketch's form as Ghost Rider, Noble beat a group of thugs, announcing his return and subjecting them to the Penance Stare. After the thugs' defeat, Ghost Rider decided to help the terrified victims, only to be shunned by them. Returning to Cypress Hills Cemetary despite a police car chasing him, Noble allowed Dan to resume control of his body. A short time later, as Dan passed Grand Central Station, the Medallion on his motorcycle began glowing when a laughing victim of Madcap was thrown out of the window. Touching the Medallion, Danny released Noble as Ghost Rider to battle Madcap, who had taken on the motto of "life has no meaning." Battling Madcap and subjecting him to the Penance Stare, Ghost Rider left Madcap to save a baby that Madcap had pushed towards on an upcoming train. After rescuing the baby, Ghost Rider returned it to its mother and explained that no blood had been spilled before departing.

(Ghost Rider VI#26 (fb) - BTS) - Noble/Ghost Rider and John Blaze met with Caretaker, who wanted to help Dan Ketch understand the powers granted to him by his merger with Noble Kale and reach his full potential.

(Ghost Rider III#34 - BTS) - In Cypress Hills Cemetary, Noble/Ghost Rider defeated a thug and used the Penance Stare on him, reminding the man that his female victim would have died if Ghost Rider had not intervened. He then left, warning the man that he would return if his victim perished. As he departed the scene, Noble thought how once he might've been concerned only with vengeance and now he sought to protect lives, unaware that the undead Death Ninja had emerged from behind a grave and killed the thug Ghost Rider had just defeated. Ghost Rider continued, thinking how perhaps his new mission of protection might be a step towards discovering his clouded past, before allowed Dan Ketch to resume use of his own body. Dan later returned to the Cemetary, where a bloody woman ranted about others being killed, prompting the transformation that allowed Noble to control Dan's form as the Ghost Rider. Busting inside the mausoleum where the killing was happening, Ghost Rider expected Blackout but found himself facing the Death Ninja. The Death Ninja revealed himself as one Ghost Rider had inadvertently killed during his first encounter with Deathwatch and his agents shortly after his bonding to Dan Ketch. Announcing that he would kill for his master until he was released from his undead state, the Death Ninja was furiously hit by Ghost Rider, who refused to allow Death Ninja's murders to continue. Eventually, Ghost Rider punched through Death Ninja's torso and tossed him aside, where Death Ninja was run over by a train. Disturbed by the fact that his enemies seemed to know more about his past than he himself did, Ghost Rider wondered who the Death Ninja's enigmatic master was and why he sought Ghost Rider. He then relinquished control back to Dan.

(Ghost Rider III#35 - BTS) - Once more assuming Dan's form as Ghost Rider, Noble battled Death Ninja and Suicide in Greenwich Village before departing when the two began battling each other. Dan later allowed Noble to control his form once more when Suicide and Death Ninja's battle continued and Dan worried about bystanders being hurt. Renewing the battle, Ghost Rider saved Suicide from Death Ninja before the Firm's agent Heart Attack entered the fray, blasting Ghost Rider through the chest. Recounting her origins while brutally beating Ghost Rider, Heart Attack affixed a chip to Ghost Rider that paralyzed before Lt. Michael Badilino showed up on the scene with an experimental weapon, forcing Heart Attack to retreat. Badilino then fired the weapon, forcing Ghost Rider into the ground and leaving Suicide a charred skeleton, before Caretaker arrived and took down Badilino with a shovel. Caretaker then pulled Ghost Rider out of the ground, removed Heart Attack's chip and asked Ghost Rider to gather up Suicide's skeleton. They all then left in hopes of finding some answers to recent events.

(Ghost Rider III#36 (fb) - BTS) - Grateful to be out of the fight and still somewhat dazed from the attack by Heart Attack, Death Ninja and Lt. Badilino, Ghost Rider accompanied Caretaker into a Cypress Hills Cemetary mausoleum.

(Ghost Rider III#36 -BTS) - When Dan Ketch was targeted by the dreamlike Succubus, her life-draining attack triggered Noble's dominance of Dan's form. After Noble attacked her as Ghost Rider, Succubus realized that it had been too early for a direct assault and she phased through the ground. Ghost Rider pounded the ground in an attempt to stop her from fleeing. He then began questioning who she had been and how she had managed to force his dominance of Dan's form before he uncontrollably relinquished control back to Dan. When Succubus later attempted to drain Calvin Zabo, who transformed into Mr. Hyde and drew Daredevil into the fight, Dan Ketch tried to help and was once again targeted by Succubus. Her attack again initiating Noble's dominance as Ghost Rider, Succubus continued her attempts to drain Dan, which caused Dan and Noble to shift control of Dan's physical form uncontrollably for several moments until Daredevil kicked Succubus off of Dan. Gathering his bearings, Dan allowed Noble to resume control and he joined in the fight as Ghost Rider, chaining Mr. Hyde around the neck while Daredevil battled Succubus. Refusing to let Ghost Rider win, Mr. Hyde broke Ghost Rider's jaw and punched out his ribs. Unfazed by the injuries, Ghost Rider announced that he was driven by forces beyond Mr. Hyde's imagination and then subjected Mr. Hyde to the Penance Stare before weakly restoring control of Dan's body back to Dan, who watched Daredevil drive away the Succubus.

(Ghost Rider III#37 - BTS) - Tired of being attacked and in control of Dan's form, Ghost Rider waited at Cypress Hills Cemetary until Heart Attack attacked him. Revealing to her that he had been waiting for her attack in hopes of getting some answers, Ghost Rider shrugged off her gunfire and grabbed her by the neck, forcing her to reveal why she had been attacking. Learning that her employers wished to dissect him and rebuild him as their killer, Ghost Rider commented that he was no killer before the Firm sent their agents to kill both Ghost Rider and Heart Attack for her failure. While Ghost Rider was gunned down by the Firm agents, Heart Attack escaped and the X-Man Archangel noticed the fight and flew by to assist Ghost Rider. With Archangel's aid, Ghost Rider defeated the Firm agents and tracked them to their Evergreen Hospital headquarters, where the two heroes destroyed the Firm's resources, forcing many of the agents to flee. Ghost Rider confronted their leader Stern personally, subjecting him to the Penance Stare before departing, unaware that Centurious had been the major backer behind the Firm.

(Ghost Rider III#38 - BTS) - When Cynthia Redmond fled into Cypress Hills Cemetary after being attacked in the street, she was rescued by Noble, still controlling Dan's form as a badly damaged Ghost Rider. After breaking one of the thugs' legs, Ghost Rider commented that they didn't know true pain such as the pain they caused their victims and their victims' families or the pain of striking fear in those he protected. He then subjected the thugs to his Penance Stare before stopping to heal from his earlier wounds suffered at the hands of the Firm. Shortly after healing, Ghost Rider was confronted by Stacy Dolan, who tried to arrest him. Refusing to fight her, Ghost Rider commented on how, ever since Barbara Ketch had died, he had been flailing about for a purpose, surprising Stacy, who wondered how Ghost Rider knew so much about Danny Ketch's lives and friends. Their conversation was interrupted when Stacy's radio reported of the Scarecrow's escape from Firm custody. Ghost Rider announced his intent to stop the Scarecrow and Stacy allowed him to leave. Not long after, Ghost Rider fought a fierce battle against the Scarecrow until Scarecrow was shot by the police. Stacy Dolan then hid Ghost Rider when her father, Capt. Gerard Dolan, arrived on the scene. Ghost Rider then thanked Stacy for her assistance and departed as Stacy commented that she would destroy Ghost Rider if he ever became one of the bad guys.

(Marvel Swimsuit Special I#2 - BTS) - Following the Infinity War, the Infinity Watch member Pip the Troll won the other Infinity Watch members as slaves for a day in a poker game. Since they had to do what he said for one day, Pip opted to throw a post-Infinity War party on Monster Island. Using the Time and Space Infinity Gems, the Infinity Watch pulled the unwilling Noble/Ghost Rider as well as numerous other superheroes to Monster Island, promising to return them at the exact time and place they were taken from, and Pip had Moondragon used the Mind Gem to coerce the heroes into a party mood. As many of the heroes became a bit too relaxed, Pip captured photos, both for posterity and for his own private collection. Under the Mind Gem's influence, Ghost Rider decided to lounge in the nude, prompting Pip the Troll to yell that Monster Island was not THAT kind of beach and that Ghost Rider was showing a bit too much "bone."

(Ghost Rider Collector's Edition#1 - BTS) - When a group of armed thugs attempted to rob the patrons of a funeral, Noble, once more controlling the form of Dan Ketch as Ghost Rider, grabbed the lead thug and used his Penance Stare on him. Chasing the other thugs to their getaway van, Ghost Rider was left behind as the getaway driver, Kirsten Crowley, sped off. Ghost Rider quickly caught up and terrified Kirsten into driving off a bridge. Saving Kirsten with his chain, Ghost Rider grabbed Kirsten's hand and inadvertently set the right side of her body ablaze with hellfire. Surprised that his hellfire had burned Kirsten, Ghost Rider left her for an arriving ambulance and departed when the police also arrived. Returning to Cypress Hills Cemetary, Noble relinquished control of the body back to Dan Ketch, who visited the burned Kirsten at St. Jude's Hospital. After the angry Kirsten's fiery mutant powers awakened and she went on a rampage, Dan ran for cover as Noble took control of his form as Ghost Rider. Pulling St. Jude's Nurse Tolliver to safety, Ghost Rider was blasted multiple times by the fire-manipulating Kirsten but before Kirsten could harm innocents, Ghost Rider wrapped her in chains and subjected her to his Penance Stare. As Ghost Rider then left the hospital, Nurse Tolliver helped the repentant Kirsten.

(Nightstalkers I#7 - BTS) - Sensing an impending breakdown of the barriers between Earth and dark forces in Boston, Noble (as the Ghost Rider) visited an old Boston church to recruit the aid of the Nightstalkers. His appearance prompted the supernatural-hunting Nightstalkers into an attack, during which Ghost Rider subjected Hannibal King to the Penance Stare. When Blade arrived to the battle, King convinced the other Nightstalkers to stand down and here Ghost Rider out. Upon hearing Ghost Rider's story about dimensional barrier breakdowns, the Nightstalkers agreed to help Ghost Rider and the foursome tracked down the demonic Stonecold, who had been harvesting human flesh. Quickly engaging Stonecold, Ghost Rider was temporally displaced to an earlier location while Stonecold disabled Frank Drake with a vision of the future before escaping. Ghost Rider then helped the Nightstalkers halt Stonecold harvesting machine before tending to Frank Drake.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#123/3 - BTS) - Dan Ketch had a waking nightmare involving Noble/Ghost Rider fighting a mystery woman.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#124/3 - BTS) - While Dan was helping the feminist WAM organization at the local mall, he felt Noble attempting to gain control of his body. Knowing that this meant something bad was going on, Dan excused himself and soon Noble assumed control as Ghost Rider. Finding Typhoid Mary attacking men in a nearby hallway, Ghost Rider immediately recognized her as the mystery woman from Dan's earlier waking nightmare and, having seen her murder the men in the hall, Ghost Rider tried to subject her to the Penance Stare. His rage at Typhoid Mary holding her in place despite her attempts to telekinetically levitate away, Ghost Rider was told by a nearby preacher, Louis Tarsitino, to release Mary for the love of God. Upon hearing the Almighty's name, Ghost Rider turned to the preacher and asked if he knew who he was speaking with.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#125/3 - BTS) - Ghost Rider's Penance Stare altered Typhoid Mary's mental state back to her Mary Walker personality and Ghost Rider stood shocked at the damage he had done. He then began ranting about how he had spilled innocent blood and must pay, causing a geyser of blood to appear around himself and the preacher. Eventually, he relinquished control back to Dan, unaware that blood geyser nightmare seemed to be caused by the revived Typhoid Mary, who also telepathically caused others to see giant bats.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#126/3 - BTS) - Typhoid Mary confronted Dan Ketch and attempted to seduce him while explaining how much the Penance Stare had hurt her Mary persona. Despite fighting against it, Dan was soon overcome and Noble assumed his form as Ghost Rider again. Interested, Typhoid Mary commented that Dan was just like her and Noble replied that she had no idea. The chauvinistic mall security guard soon opened fire on the duo and Typhoid Mary set him on fire, prompting Ghost Rider to wrap a chain around Typhoid Mary's neck and announce that she would never kill again.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#127/3 - BTS) - While Ghost Rider held Typhoid Mary, reality around the duo became more and more surreal and dreamlike. Despite Ghost Rider's threats to break his vow of not killing in order to stop her telepathic illusory, Typhoid Mary telekinetically removed the chain from her neck and knocked Ghost Rider with a combination of telekinesis and pyrokinesis. Conflicted on whether to attack due to Mary Walker's innocence but Typhoid's murderous ways, Ghost Rider found that the illusions seemed to be worsening and he began to wonder if he was going mad. When it seemed like he had killed Typhoid, Ghost Rider was confronted by the demon Dusk, who had been causing the illusions the entire time. Subjecting Ghost Rider to illusions of his various heroic allies, Dusk finally appeared in his true form and announced his plans to take Ghost Rider's soul.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#128/3 - BTS) - Ghost Rider was thrown into an illusory world created by Dusk, populated by a stone statue of Dan Ketch's face. Demanding Dusk show himself, Ghost Rider was met by Dusk, who asked if his realm offended Ghost Rider. Dusk then sent analogs of various heroes against Ghost Rider, who fought his way through facing Dusk's agent, Necromancer, unaware that Typhoid Mary had also entered Dusk's realm, angry that she had been used by Dusk to infect the mall patrons with madness.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#129/3 - BTS) - While Noble/Ghost Rider battled Necromancer, Typhoid Mary freed her Mary Walker identity's WAM organization friend Eve from the mad hold of Dusk and confronted Dusk herself. Eventually, Ghost Rider used Dusk's realm, which responded to the mad thoughts of its inhabitants, against Necromancer and escaped, meeting up with Typhoid Mary, whom he demanded release her Mary Walker identity. Angry that men like the Ghost Rider lacked understanding and were quick to punish, and driven by Dusk's madness, Typhoid Mary threw herself onto Dusk's illusory spikes.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#130/3 - BTS) - Knowing that Dusk's realm responded to his thoughts, Noble/Ghost Rider demanded that Dusk return Typhoid Mary's life and warned that if he didn't, Ghost Rider would use the realm itself to resurrect her. Ghost Rider then asked Mary's friend Eve to add her will to his own in an attempt to resurrect Mary. Rising above Dusk's illusions, Ghost Rider relinquished control of his form back to Dan Ketch and Eve and himself succeeded in using Dusky's realm to resurrect Typhoid Mary outside of Dusk's influence. Angry at their defiance, Dusk attacked, inflicting illusory madness on all those present. Summoning Noble back to dominance to stop Dusk, Dan allowed Noble to control his body as Ghost Rider, who ordered Father Louis Tarsitino and his family to run. When Father Tarsitino refused, instead wanting to help against Dusk, Ghost Rider had Tarsitino bless water then used the holy water against the demon Dusk. Burned by the holy water, Dusk was seemingly destroyed and Ghost Rider announced Dusk's failure was due to Dusk misunderstanding that Ghost Rider was driven by vengeance, not madness. Ghost Rider then suggested that perhaps Typhoid Mary, who had already fled back into her own madness of personalities, was also driven by vengeance.

(Spirits of Vengeance I#4 - BTS) - When a resurrected Hag and Troll killed bystanders Edward and Jane, Noble's control of Dan Ketch's form was triggered and Ghost Rider arrived, admitting that he had thought Hag and Troll destroyed in his last encounter with them. John Blaze soon arrived on the scene as well, wishing to be rid of Ghost Rider and asked Noble about his recent personality changes but Ghost Rider reminded him that the time was not right to discuss why their lives were so intertwined. Ghost Rider and Blaze then interrupted another attempt by Hag and Troll to kill a homeless man, warning that the villains would suffer and unaware that the battle was being watched by the enigmatic Deathspawn. The Deathspawn soon appeared and withdrew Hag and Troll into the shadows, prompting Ghost Rider to go after them. Blaze declined, claiming he was tired of the mystic "mumbo jumbo" and tried to give Ghost Rider his hellfire shotgun for safekeeping but Ghost Rider explained that they were kindred spirits and the shotgun was not his to wield. When the homeless man thanked them for the rescue and mentioned others being captured, Blaze reluctantly agreed to continue helping and both Ghost Rider and Blaze departed after Hag and Troll, unaware that the killers were also being followed by Venom.

(Web of Spider-Man I#95 - BTS) - Inside the tunnels beneath Manhattan, Noble/Ghost Rider and John Blaze continued their search for the missing people. Discussing their desire to keep Hag and Troll from resurrecting their master, Deathwatch, Ghost Rider and Blaze soon began to feel like they were being watched. Turning to find Venom, who had followed Hag and Troll after they had killed a Vault Guardsman, Ghost Rider and Blaze were quickly informed by Venom that they were all surrounded by Hag, Troll and the Deathspawn. Battling the villains, Ghost Rider and Blaze angrily watched Venom escape with Hag and Troll, intending to kill them, only to follow Venom above ground and run into Spider-Man, who had his own hands full with Doppelganger, Demogoblin and a captive Hobgoblin. As the battle continued, Hobgoblin was taken by the Deathspawn, prompting the fight to return underground.

(Spirits of Vengeance I#5 - BTS) - Once more in the underground tunnels, Ghost Rider fought Demogoblin while Blaze and Spider-Man battled the Deathspawn, and Venom battled Doppelganger. As the battle progressed, Spider-Man was swarmed by the Deathspawn while Venom battled Hag and Troll. Ghost Rider immediately announced that they should aid Spider-Man and as the heroes rushed to rescue Spider-Man, John Blaze accidentally hit Venom with a hellfire shotgun blast. Angry that Blaze had postponed Venom's vengeance on Spider-Man, Venom attacked Blaze and Ghost Rider came to his aid. Venom grabbed Ghost Rider's chain and slung him into the wall, giving Blaze an opening to point the hellfire shotgun straight at Venom's head and ask what Venom wanted. Venom angrily replied that he wanted vengeance and Spider-Man's brains then went off on his own, warning Ghost Rider and Blaze to stay out of his affairs. After Venom had departed, Ghost Rider revealed that he had found Deathwatch's corpse, which would soon attract Hag and Troll back to their location. Ghost Rider and Blaze then went on their way as well, discussing Hag and Troll's intent to resurrect Deathwatch. The duo soon heard cries for help and ventured into a dark tunnel to investigate but they were interrupted when a Deathspawn appeared from the shadows and stole Deathwatch's corpse out from under Ghost Rider's grasp. Holding onto the Deathspawn with his chain, Ghost Rider was soon hit by Venom, who jumped head-first into the pit that the Deathspawn had slithered into. Ghost Rider landed on the ground first and caught Blaze, with Venom following behind. Venom then scouted ahead, promising to kill anyone who harmed innocents, which prompted Blaze to comment to Ghost Rider how had never wanted to shoot someone with his hellfire shotgun so badly except for Ghost Rider himself. Blaze then told Ghost Rider he meant no offense and when Ghost Rider replied that none was taken, Blaze asked about the details of Ghost Rider's growing personality traits. Ghost Rider commented that he would explain the growing personality when he understood it more himself and reminded Blaze to focus on the task at hand. Ghost Rider soon saw Venom nearly killing someone in the dark and prevented Venom's hand with his chain, making Venom realize he was about to kill innocents, who had been brought there by the Deathspawn to serve as nourishment. Ghost Rider then announced that the innocents would be freed but one of them asked what made them so different than the other heroes. He then motioned towards the wall, which held the captive Spider-Man, Demogoblin, Hobgoblin and Doppelganger. When Spider-Man asked for a hand and Venom commented that a hand would be all that was left of him, Ghost Rider wrangled Venom in by wrapping chains around his mouth. Their disagreement was interrupted when Hag, Troll and the Deathspawn returned and a brawl ensued between all parties. Hag, Troll and the Deathspawn went straight for the captured innocents and Deathwatch's corpse and when they escaped with Deathwatch's corpse, Ghost Rider prepared to go after them but Blaze reminded him that he had to choose between a dead man and saving innocent lives. Ghost Rider decided to remain to save lives but promised that Deathwatch would be his again.

(Web of Spider-Man I#96 - BTS) - Battling the Deathspawn in the tunnels, Ghost Rider held one with his chain in order to have it lead them to the remaining captured innocents. Subjecting the Deathspawn to his Penance Stare, Ghost Rider announced that it would now do as they commanded but when Ghost Rider released it from the chains, it seemingly evaporated instead. Finding a group of captives on their own when Ghost Rider overheard their screams, Ghost Rider and Blaze were soon met by Spider-Man, who offered to help. Realizing that they needed to get the captives to safety, Spider-Man worked with Ghost Rider to pull a portion of the ceiling down to create a barrier between the Deathspawn and the heroes with those rescued. Spider-Man then parted ways with Ghost Rider and Blaze when he left to rescue Hobgoblin from Demogoblin, leaving Ghost Rider and Blaze to continue aiding the former captives. When Venom caught up to Spider-Man and prepared to attack him, Ghost Rider, who had caught up to Spider-Man, pulled Venom back with his chain to buy Spider-Man time to get Hobgoblin to safety. Venom then turned and warned Ghost Rider that he had interfered for the last time.

(Spirits of Vengeance I#6 - BTS) - Angry that Noble/Ghost Rider allowed Spider-Man to escape his grasp, Venom viciously attacked Ghost Rider, who subjected Venom to the Penance Stare. Unfortunately, due to the alien nature of Venom's symbiotic costume, the Penance Stare flared wildly, causing a backlash that downed both Ghost Rider and Venom, who staggered back to his feet and commented that it hurt but seemed to take more out of Ghost Rider than himself. Blaze tried to warn Venom to back away from Ghost Rider but Venom instead attacked Blaze and they were all three soon captured by the Deathspawn, who had emerged from the ground's shadows. Binding Ghost Rider, Blaze and Venom to upright tables to witness events, Hag and Troll monologued how the heroes were to witness the rebirth of Deathwatch. They then filled Deathwatch's corpses with Deathspawn, who animated the corpse and moved it towards Blaze, whom they hoped to feed on. Spider-Man arrived shortly thereafter, drawing Hag, Troll and the Deathspawn's attention, and hurled Blaze's shotgun into Blaze's hands. Blaze then used it to free Ghost Rider, who immediately tackled the animated Deathwatch corpse, hoping to stop the Deathspawn while they were still contained within the corpse. While Ghost Rider battled the Deathspawn, Blaze freed Venom and the combined heroes battled Hag, Troll and the Deathspawn. Preventing the weakened Deathspawn from fully emerging from Deathwatch's corpse, Ghost Rider had Blaze fire on Deathwatch, destroying the Deathspawn. Blaze then took down Hag and Troll while Spider-Man rounded up the remaining Deathspawn. Before Venom could take out Spider-Man, Blaze held back Venom until Vault Guardsmen arrived to take Venom into custody. With the villains defeated, Ghost Rider bound them all in chains with the intent of taking them to Dr. Strange. As Ghost Rider departed with Blaze, Blaze commented that he would like to check on the Quentin Carnival before he gave the villains over to Strange.

(Spirits of Vengeance I#7 - BTS) - Ghost Rider accompanied John Blaze to the Quentin Carnival, dragging the corpse of Deathwatch and his two associates, Hag and Troll, behind his motorcycle. Blaze angrily exclaimed that he never should have let Ghost Rider talk him into searching for Dr. Strange, whom Blaze didn't trust ever since he had manipulated them into battling Lilith. Ghost Rider reminded Blaze that it was their responsibility to find Dr. Strange and learn how Deathwatch had came to Earth to begin with and to prevent others of his kind from threatening Earth. Arriving at the Quentin Carnival, they found psychic Clara Menninger raving about death. When Clara announced that an unidentified enemy had arrived at the Carnival, the Carnival residents looked outside to see only Ghost Rider standing watch with the freezing Hag and Troll in chains. Ghost Rider was soon attacked, prompting Blaze to venture outside after ordering Wolf to stay inside to watch over the others. Once outside, Blaze found that the Carnival's attackers were Steel Wind and Steel Vengeance, who had control of Centurious' Stygian hordes. While Steel Vengeance and Steel Wind monologued about Blaze's destruction, Ghost Rider freed himself from underneath Steel Wind's motorcycle and hurled it aside. Before a fight could ensue, Mephisto appeared from the ground, announcing that he was not interested in the Quentin Carnival but rather, the souls of both John Blaze and Ghost Rider. Mephisto then teleported Ghost Rider and Blaze away, leaving Steel Wind and Steel Vengeance to capture Hag, Troll and Deathwatch's corpse.

(Spirits of Vengeance I#8 - BTS) - Ghost Rider and Blaze were deposited in an area of Mephisto's Hell resembling a scorching desert. When Blaze announced that he was going to kill Mephisto, Mephisto appeared and revealed that the dimensional walls were weakening, allowing usurpers into his realm. He sought to learn that which puzzled him about Blaze and Ghost Rider, warning that they would face two souls in Mephisto's possession to test the limits of their powers. If they survived, they would be given the opportunity to join Mephisto in the impending war of souls and if they failed, they would die. Before their motorcycles could be summoned to their aid, Ghost Rider and Blaze were attacked by the Soulless Ones. Despite nearly being overwhelmed, Ghost Rider and Blaze defeated the Soulless Ones, much to the pleasure of Mephisto, who announced that they had passed the first test and would be called upon in the future to choose sides in the war of souls. As he departed, Mephisto told the duo to seek out the Soul Crystal but Blaze warned Ghost Rider not to believe Mephisto's words. The two then awaited the arrival of their motorcycles to escape Mephisto's realm.

(Spirits of Vengeance I#9 - BTS) - Still in control of Dan's form, Noble accompanied John Blaze as they surveyed the recent damage done to the Quentin Carnival. Ghost Rider was soon shot off his motorcycle, prompting Blaze to demand the shooter show itself. The shooter revealed himself as Quentin Carnival worker and ally Wolf, who wanted to kill Ghost Rider, claiming everything had been bad ever since Ghost Rider had been around the Carnival. Blaze instead told Wolf that he was to blame and not Ghost Rider and Wolf could not bring himself to shoot Blaze, relenting in the attack. Ghost Rider then accompanied Blaze into the Carnival, where the survivors of the attack were recovering. When precognitive Clara Menninger sensed that the young boy Timmy Woods was out in harsh weather with the remaining Stygian hordes, Blaze told Ghost Rider to stay at the Carnival in case of renewed attack while he found Timmy. Wolf threatened to shoot Ghost Rider again if he remained behind so Ghost Rider instead accompanied Blaze on the rescue mission and they soon found Timmy in the center of the town of Dover. Ghost Rider took on the Stygian hordes, learning that their numbers were doubling. Deducing that the hordes were doubling to attack the Quentin Carnival, Blaze and Ghost Rider rode back to the Carnival with Timmy in tow, plowing through the invading hordes. Blaze blamed himself for the attack but Ghost Rider reminded him that Steel Wind and her master were the true culprits, unaware that the battle was being watched by the recently transformed Michael Badilino, now calling himself Vengeance.

(Spirits of Vengeance I#10 - BTS) - Finding the hordes led by Steel Wind, Ghost Rider aided Blaze and the Quentin Carnival in fighting back. Steel Wind blasted Ghost Rider, exclaiming that he would bow to her master and Ghost Rider replied that he bowed to no one. The hordes eventually managed to pull Ghost Rider down and Steel Wind prepared to deliver a killing blow but she was interrupted by Vengeance, who ripped Steel Wind's cybernetic arm off and announced that the killing blow was his to give. Vengeance then brutally beat Ghost Rider before relenting, claiming that it would be the first taste pain for Zarathos, and Noble fought back, explaining that he was not Zarathos. Accusing Ghost Rider of lying, Vengeance renewed his attack until all present were downed by Miranda Woods. When everyone regained their bearings, many of the villains had fled and Ghost Rider remained with the Quentin Carnival as they prepared to bury their dead and pick up the pieces from the battle.

(Ghost Rider III#39 - BTS) - Noble/Ghost Rider accompanied Blaze and the Quentin Carnival remnants to Greenwich Village, New York, where Ghost Rider returned control of the form back to Dan Ketch. Later, when Dan was shopping in a small supermarket that ended up being held up by thugs, Noble assumed dominance of Dan's body as Ghost Rider and walked towards the thugs, unfazed by the bullets they shot into him. After subjected the thugs' leader to the Penance Stare, Ghost Rider told everyone else to run. As the hostages ran out as well, Vengeance arrived on the scene and tossed the beaten Caretaker on the ground, prompting Ghost Rider to show himself and jump into battle against Vengeance. As the battle progressed, Ghost Rider stiffened his chain into a spear and impaled Vengeance, who blasted Ghost Rider in retaliation. The weakened Caretaker eventually managed to down Vengeance and he ordered Blaze to get Ghost Rider away, as they would be needed in the coming conflict.

(Spirits of Vengeance I#12 - BTS) - Noble/Ghost Rider accompanied Blaze and the Quentin Carnival remnants back to Dover, New Jersey, where the Carnival had earlier been attacked by Steel Wind. Breaking into the site, which now cordoned off by the US military, Ghost Rider helped keep the military busy while the Quentin Carnival covered the site in gasoline. Escaping the ensuing explosion, Ghost Rider watched as Blaze said goodbye to those killed in the Steel Wind attack and admitted that he now wanted to learn about a mysterious key he was given that was emblazoned with the Medallion of Power that also appeared on Ghost Rider's motorcycle gas cap. As they departed the scene, Ghost Rider and Blaze were pursued by military vehicles before they kicked in a boost and sped away. Vengeance appeared soon after, taking out the military vehicles with spikes, before following Ghost Rider and Blaze. Traveling to deceased Quentin Carnival resident Eli's place to learn more about the key, Ghost Rider and Blaze left the motorcycles behind to proceed on foot but they were shortly after attacked by Vengeance, who had seen their parked motorcycles. Again insisting that he was not Zarathos, Ghost Rider was brutually beaten by Vengeance, who pinned Ghost Rider to a tree using spikes. The battle was ended when Eli's son Quinn opened a mystic portal that Vengeance unintentionally ran into. Quinn then introduced himself and let Ghost Rider and Blaze enter Eli's home, admitting that Eli had once told him they would come upon Eli's death. Quinn explained that he would help them in any way as the other Quentin Carnival remnants arrived at the home as well. Quinn then asked for Blaze's key, which opened a box in a dark room. Once opened, the box projected a hologram of Eli that warned of dark times ahead and announced that he had left Blaze gifts contained within the box to aid in the upcoming conflict. Shortly after, Ghost Rider attended Eli's funeral with Blaze, Quinn and the Quentin Carnival, mourning the loss of their friend.

(Spirits of Vengeance I#11 - BTS) - After having encountered a phantasm that attacked, Noble/Ghost Rider met with John Blaze, who had experienced a similar attack. Admitting that he wasn't sure Blaze's hellfire would be up to the task of destroying the "spawn of darkness," Ghost Rider suggested that they use ancient banes of evil such as hallowed ground or cold iron over running water. Tracking the trucker that had attacked Blaze, the duo caught up but Ghost Rider departed to pursue vengeance elsewhere. Ghost Rider later caught back up after Blaze had exposed the attacker as the spidery demon Shelob. When Shelob assumed an insect-like form, Ghost Rider wrapped her in his iron chain above the running water of a river. Ghost Rider then drug her down the street, where Blaze shot her several times with his hellfire shotgun before Ghost Rider tossed her into the river. After the battle, Blaze asked why Shelob didn't just kill him when she had the chance and Ghost Rider commented that he thought that Shelob wanted to mate with Blaze then, true to her spider-like nature, kill him. Ghost Rider then drove off as Blaze commented that everyone wanted to have their cake and eat it too.

(Death Metal I#1 - BTS) - While experiencing a flood of memory flashbacks, the robotic Death Metal saw a vision of Noble Kale as Ghost Rider.

(Fantastic Four I#374 - BTS) - After the Human Torch inadvertently damaged Empire State University, Spider-Man sought help in getting the Human Torch to surrender. Meeting with Dr. Strange, Spider-Man asked for Strange's help in contacting several of his old allies to help against the Human Torch. Dr. Strange then sent his astral form to Cypress Hills Cemetary to solicit Noble/Ghost Rider's help. Despite not being especially pleased to be summoned, Ghost Rider reluctantly agreed to help. After meeting up with the other heroes assembled to help (Hulk and Wolverine), Ghost Rider announced that they needed to find Human Torch before innocent blood was shed. When Hulk commented that the only blood shed would be the Torch's, Spider-Man reminded them all that they were there only to get the Torch to surrender. Tracking the Human Torch down, Ghost Rider watched as the Hulk threatened the Human Torch into summoning the other Fantastic Four. While the Hulk easily subdued the Human Torch with a thunder clap, the Fantastic Four and Ms. Marvel (Sharon Ventura) soon arrived and re-ignited the fight. During the fight, Ghost Rider warned Wolverine that the Invisible Woman seemed to be raising her arms for an attack but she merely surrounded herself with a force field. The Human Torch then blasted Ghost Rider with fire, accusing him of trying to hit the Invisible Woman with his chain, and Ghost Rider replied by explaining that the chain would only have stunned her, which would have been more effective than the Human Torch's attempt to hurt the fiery Ghost Rider with flame blasts. After Wolverine slashed the Thing's face with his claws, the Human Torch became distracted, allowing Ghost Rider to wrap him in his chains. Before Ghost Rider could subject Human Torch to the Penance Stare, the newly-arrived Lyja the Lazerfist blasted Ghost Rider away. Ghost Rider then regrouped with his allies and they had the Fantastic Four cornered, only for the Fantastic Four, along with Lyja and Ms. Marvel, to be teleported away.

(Punisher War Journal I#57 - BTS) - While the Punisher was taking down a para-military group that had stormed a convent, he heard the approaching engine of Ghost Rider's motorcycle. Almost as if on cue, Noble/Ghost Rider burst through the convent's stained-glass window and began aiding Punisher against the para-military group. After taking down the immediate group, Ghost Rider asked what had brought the Punisher there and Punisher replied that he just happened to be in the neighborhood. Ghost Rider then announced that the killers were still alive and needed to be dealt with as one of the gunmen took a nun hostage. Punisher managed to shoot the gunman but the nun died of shock as Ghost Rider erupted from the convent and into the air towards the fleeing helicopter belonging to the para-military group. Unable to reach them, Ghost Rider crashed onto a rooftop and exclaimed that the killers could only hide from him for so long. When Ghost Rider returned to the convent, Punisher told him that the nuns there had been drained of their blood, prompting Ghost Rider to exclaim that they would rain punishment down on those responsible. Ghost Rider then accompanied Punisher in his search for the killers, briefly stopping in front of some impressed bystanders while the Punisher phoned Lynn Michaels to inform her of the situation. Once Punisher had hung up, Ghost Rider admitted that he was growing impatient as they attempted to track down the so-called "vampire" killers. When Punisher stopped to make another phone call, the impatient Ghost Rider asked why Punisher kept stopping to use pay phones when there was a phone in his car. The Punisher replied that he was after a lead on the killers but the killers soon revealed themselves when their helicopter fired on Punisher and Ghost Rider. Battling the helicopter, Ghost Rider whipped it with his chain and withstood heavy gunfire until the helicopter fired a missile that seemingly obliterated Ghost Rider.

(Punisher War Journal I#58 - BTS) - Noble reformed himself and rejoined the battle, jumping into the air and subjecting the helicopter to the Penance Stare from a distance, causing the helicopter to crash. Back on the ground, Ghost Rider admitted that he had left no one to question since they were all incapacitated by his Penance Stare. Soon after tracking the para-military group to a warehouse headquarters, Ghost Rider drove the Punisher on his motorcycle into the building, where they both took down nearly the entire group until they made their way into a room where Daredevil was interrogating the group's leader. Recognizing the man as the group's leader, Ghost Rider watched as the Punisher prepared the kill the man and Daredevil stood against him, not wishing anyone to die. When Punisher threatened to shoot Daredevil, Ghost Rider used his chain to bind the Punisher's hands and the group's leader attempted to use the argument as a chance to kill all of the present heroes. Unfortunately, he was killed by Lynn Michaels, who had figured her own to the fight.

(Terror, Inc. I#13 - BTS) - The unnatural Terror met with the Nightstalkers' Frank Drake, seeking to confirm Ghost Rider's membership in "the Nine." Drake responded in the affirmative, figuring the answer couldn't hurt. Later, Terror opened a dimensional gateway, attracting the attention of Noble/Ghost Rider himself, who found it strange how calm Terror was given that he was breaching dimensions. Terror admitted that he had done so to purposely attract Ghost Rider in hopes of gaining Ghost Rider's Penance Stare. Ghost Rider was confused, as parts of Terror's body were innocent and other parts were not. Their conversation was interrupted when the extradimensional Culex revealed himself and attacked. Ghost Rider attempted to subject Culex to the Penance Stare but Culex was unaffected, having never been on Earth in order to commit atrocities. He then impaled Ghost Rider and began sucking the life out of him as Terror replinished his missing limbs with corpse parts. While Terror banished Culex back to its home dimension, a recovering Ghost Rider found a piece of Culex and squished it in his fist, preventing a new Culex from growing from it. Announcing that Terror's actions had earned the Penance Stare, Ghost Rider stared into Terror's eyes and then explained that Terror had a purpose that was penance enough for any past crimes.

(Midnight Sons Unlimited#2/4 - BTS) - Weeks after Johnny Farmer was manipulated into using a Darkhold page to gain revenge on Ghost Rider, whom he blamed for ruining his life and body, Noble (as Ghost Rider) rode through a rough part of town seeking an endangered innocent woman. Soon finding her, Ghost Rider demanded to know what had happened and the woman informed Ghost Rider that a monster had ripped her boyfriend's heart out. The monster then revealed itself as the Harvestor and announced that it planned to harvest the woman's clean lungs. The Harvestor continued, exclaiming that he was what Ghost Rider had made him (but not informing Ghost Rider of his true identity of Johnny Farmer) and warning that Ghost Rider could not harm him now that he could instantly graft damaged body parts to himself, thanks to the Darkhold page. After allowing Harvestor to rant long enough for the innocent woman to escape, Ghost Rider announced his intent to stop Harvestor, who used Ghost Rider's own chain to fling Noble into a nearby building, which collapsed atop Ghost Rider. Thinking Ghost Rider destroyed, Harvestor departed but Ghost Rider quickly emerged from the rubble and renewed the fight, thinking to himself how his encounters with the Darkhold had been frequent as of late. The Harvestor soon led Ghost Rider into a trap in his base of operations, where Ghost Rider saw the live victims that Harvestor intended to harvest organs from. Seeing the Harvestor as beyond obscene, Ghost Rider subjected Harvestor to the Penance Stare, unaware he had previously done so when the Harvestor was still only Johnny Farmer. The Penance Stare freed the souls of the Harvestor's victims and, in a bid for freedom, the souls whose body parts had been harvested tore the Harvestor apart. Ghost Rider then tended to the Harvestor's still-living victims, freeing them and thinking to himself how the Darkhold had free reign of the world for too long.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#131/3 - BTS) - After Dan tried to help a former co-worker named Marisol, who seemed to be in an abusive relationship, he was thrown over a bar by her seemingly demonic boyfriend, Darklove. Immediately relinquishing control to Noble Kale, Dan's body transformed into Ghost Rider and went after the escaping Darklove. When Ghost Rider passed by the taxi of Luke Cage, Cage ordered the driver to follow Ghost Rider. Ghost Rider soon caught up to Darklove and ripped its car door off, only to find that Marisol herself had been affected by Darklove. As Cage stopped and got out of the taxi, Ghost Rider watched as the car exploded in a fire ball and Darklove appeared above it.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#132/3 - BTS) - Ghost Rider watched as Darklove attempted to affect Luke Cage's mind and managed to willfully fight off Darklove's attempt to possess his own form before Darklove instead possessed a bystander and harmlessly walked away from the scene. Later sensing Darklove's activity, Ghost Rider rode into action, once again passing by Luke Cage. As Ghost Rider rushed to stop Darklove, he was hit with a strange energy arrow and fell to the ground.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#133/3 - BTS) - Now having a connection to Darklove, Noble/Ghost Rider sensed Darklove's mental attack on Luke Cage and busted through a wall to save him. His Darklove connection severely weakening him, Ghost Rider nearly collapsed in Cage's arms but his sudden appearance prompted Darklove to end his attack on Cage and escape. Ghost Rider then accompanied Luke Cage to his room in the Plaza Hotel, where he watched outside the window as Cage phoned his assistant Ana. Ghost Rider then angrily destroyed the television Cage was watching, admitting after the fact that he had felt the pain of someone killed by Darklove's influence due to his connection to Darklove himself. Ghost Rider later met back up with Luke Cage, where they realized that Darklove had a connection to one of the evil Darkhold pages.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#134/3 - BTS) - Still in Dan's form as Ghost Rider, Noble joined Luke Cage in busting a warehouse full of weapons suppliers. After rounding up the thugs inside, Ghost Rider questioned each of them about the location of the Darkhold Dwarf. Darklove eventually possessed one of the thugs and revealed that the Dwarf was as far away as he could be. Darklove then possessed the entire warehouse full of thugs, bragging about how the more he killed, the more power he gained and with his increased power came the ability to possess more and more people. The thugs soon overwhelmed Ghost Rider and held back Cage to prevent Ghost Rider's rescue. Once Ghost Rider was completely covered in possessed thugs, Darklove disappeared, taking Ghost Rider with him, leaving only the Darkhold page fluttering in the wind.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#135/3 - BTS) - While Darklove possessed Luke Cage's taxi driver and tried to kill Cage, Ghost Rider remained in Darklove's sway, refusing to accept Darklove's attempted murder. As Cage survived and tried to make his way through a possessed city, Ghost Rider continued to stand there, his connection to Darklove giving Ghost Rider visions of Darklove's origins.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#136/3) - As Cage caught up to Darklove, Noble/Ghost Rider was incapicated due to his connection to Darklove, collapsing while half-way transformed back into Dan Ketch's physical form. Within Dan's mind, Noble Kale aided Dan Ketch against Darklove's mental assault, riding away from Darklove. Seeing the twisted half-Noble, half-Dan form near Darklove, Luke Cage picked him up, only to be mentally assaulted by Darklove himself.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#136/3 - BTS) - Darklove's attempted possession of Cage allowed Noble to fully resume control of Dan Ketch's form again. Grabbing Darklove, Ghost Rider subjected him to the Penance Stare, causing a massive explosion on the rooftop that seemingly destroyed Darklove. His connection to Darklove also destroyed, Ghost Rider escaped the explosion with Luke Cage by riding his motorcycle straight down the side of the building. Upon making it to the ground, Ghost Rider weakly stated that the threat was over before uncontrollably reverting control of Dan Ketch's body back to Dan himself, who passed out.

(Secret Defenders I#6 - BTS) - Doctor Strange attempted to contact Ghost Rider to obtain the Rider's aid with the returning Wand of Watoomb. Unfortunately, Strange was able to reach Ghost Rider, who was busy with Midnight Sons business.

(Nightstalkers I#10 - BTS) - When John Blaze was seemingly killed by a Darkhold-transformed Blade, Noble, in control of Dan Ketch's form as Ghost Rider, sensed Blaze's death and met up with Frank Drake. Announcing that there could be no mercy for Blade, Ghost Rider agreed with Frank Drake that there could only be vengeance.

(Ghost Rider III#40 - BTS) - Still in control of Dan's form, Ghost Rider accompanied Frank Drake to Soho, where he found Demogoblin opting to form an alliance with the Darkhold-transformed Blade. Briefly battling Demogoblin before Frank Drake revealed his adjustments to his Exorcism Gun that would allow them to track Blade, Ghost Rider then tracked Blade to a nearby nightclub, where he and Drake battled the transformed Blade and Demogoblin, who was still attempting to ally with Blade. When Demogoblin covered Blade's escape, Ghost Rider found them on a rooftop and renewed the battle in an effort to protect the supernatural young girl that had drawn Blade to the nightclub in the first place. When Blade attempted to kill and absorb the powers of both Demogoblin and Ghost Rider, he found that he only managed to slay Demogoblin. Using Demogoblin's added power, Blade managed to chain Ghost Rider to a rooftop antenna and prepared to absorb Ghost Rider before Frank Drake arrived and held Blade at bay long enough to free Ghost Rider. Drake then ordered Ghost Rider to seek out the Darkhold Redeemers and Ghost Rider departed, promising to return with help.

(Darkhold I#11 - BTS) - Arriving at New York's Transcorp Building, Noble (still using Dan's form as Ghost Rider) crashed his motorcycle outside the building, where the Darkhold Redeemers were present. Seriously injured, Ghost Rider ranted about Hannibal King and John Blaze's deaths before Frank Drake caught up to him and informed the Redeemers of Blade's recent usage of a Darkhold page to become the supernatural-executing Switchblade. Victoria Montesi's attempt to help the injured Ghost Rider were interrupted when Switchblade, who had tracked Ghost Rider there, attacked. Frank Drake, knowing Switchblade would not attack non-supernatural foes, quickly ordered the Darkhold Redeemers to form a human shield around Ghost Rider but Switchblade informed him that he would simply focus on other supernatural beings such as the Darkhold Redeemers' Jinx. Before Switchblade could attack Jinx, the Redeemer Modred the Mystic arrived, carrying Maui sand to keep from breaking the Gaes spell cast on him, and teleported Jinx home to focus on Switchblade. When Modred collapsed a building on Switchblade, Ghost Rider spun his chain to obliterate glass shards in an effort to protect the innocent bystanders. Ghost Rider then bound Modred in chains when Modred emerged from the building, announcing that Modred would pay for the slaughter of innocents, but Modred easily escaped the weakened Ghost Rider's chains. The Darkhold Redeemer Louise Hastings then tricked Modred into teleporting all present to Central Park, where the battle could continue without harming innocents. Ghost Rider then watched as Modred lost first an arm then his life to Switchblade when Switchblade stabbed Modred through Victoria Montesi. With Switchblade incapacitated due to his absorption of Modred's Gaes, Ghost Rider ordered the surviving Midnight Sons to attack while Switchblade was weak but Louise Hastings pleaded that they had to find the Darkhold tome first.

(Morbius I#12 - BTS) - Still in full control of Dan's form, Noble (as Ghost Rider) made his way to Dr. Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum alongside the other Midnight Sons while Frank Drake phoned Morbius to warn him of the danger presented by Switchblade. Arriving near the Sanctum just as Switchblade killed Morbius, Ghost Rider announced that Switchblade had much to answer for but Switchblade insisted he was making a better world for all.

(Spirits of Vengeance I#13 - BTS) - When Switchblade entered the Sanctum Sanctorum, Ghost Rider reminded the surviving Midnight Sons of Morbius' death and then charged towards the Sanctum, only to be repelled by one of Dr. Strange's protective spells. Switchblade soon grabbed the Darkhold tome and unknowingly activated a displacement spell placed on the book by Strange. Seeing the book floating into a airborne vortex, Ghost Rider was ordered to stop the book by the Darkhold Redeemer Louise Hastings and Ghost Rider quickly anchored the book in place with his chains. Determined to avenge his friends, Ghost Rider jumped into battle against Switchblade and was impaled several times. Dying, Ghost Rider experienced a vision of future alliances and threats as Switchblade absorbed Ghost Rider's Penance Stare and was incapacitated by the pain it caused. With Switchblade momentarily frozen in pain, Louise Hastings read the Darkhold's counter-spell to the page that had transformed Blade, returning Blade to normal and restoring all of those killed by Switchblade. Modred the Mystic immediately rushed to attack Blade but Ghost Rider, knowing from his vision that "the Nine" were destined to be together, prevented Modred's attack. Modred agreed to relent, teleporting away as the other Midnight Sons began to disperse. John Blaze asked what was happening to them all and when Ghost Rider replied that it remained to be seen, Blaze suggested that they all separate to get their heads straight. With the Midnight Sons split apart, Lilith prepared for a gathering of her children and Centurious sensed the dimensional walls failing.

(Midnight Sons Unlimited I#3 - BTS) - Dominating Dan's form as Ghost Rider, Noble informed John Blaze that evil was afoot. Blaze sarcastically thanked Ghost Rider for the newsflash before they were caught in a giant web similar to that used by Spider-Man. At first thinking it could be a return of Shelob, Ghost Rider quickly realized numerous bystanders were also caught in the web. They were then confronted by the mutated Spider-X, who announced his plans to cleanse the city of its filth while spraying Ghost Rider with venom. Thinking that Spider-X was actually a Darkhold-mutated Spider-Man, Ghost Rider announced that even though they had fought together in the past, he would show no mercy. He then freed himself and Blaze's gun, tossing it over to Blaze, who shot Spider-X with the hellfire shotgun. Ghost Rider then completely freed Blaze and noticed that the trapped bystanders appeared to be thugs caught by Spider-X. Combining their efforts against Spider-X, Ghost Rider and Blaze fired on Spider-X, who easily avoided their attacks with his agility. Spider-X nearly took out John Blaze but Ghost Rider managed to snag Spider-X's neck with his chain and pull him away. Ghost Rider then subjected Spider-X to the Penance Stare but Spider-X managed to break free of Ghost Rider's grasp and escape. Left behind, Blaze asked Ghost Rider how Spider-X could have broken out of the Penance Stare and Ghost Rider replied that the Stare must have been diluted due to Spider-X's many eyes. Later tracking Spider-X down as he was battling the Darkhold Redeemers, who sensed the Darkhold presence there, Ghost Rider arrived in time to pull Spider-X away from Vicki Montesi with his chains. Still thinking Spider-X was Spider-Man, Ghost Rider continued to pull him away while John Blaze caught the falling Vicki Montesi, who had been caught in one of Spider-X's webs. Ghost Rider then regrouped with Blaze and Vicki, explaining that Spider-X was up ahead but when they caught up to him, Spider-X departed, claiming crime permeated the entire city. Following Spider-X, Ghost Rider and company prevented Spider-X from lethally taking care of a mugger when the Darkhold Redeemer Jinx broke Spider-X's web line, causing him to fall. Feigning his death, Spider-X revealed his ruse by spraying acid at Ghost Rider and the others before escaping once more. Having gathered together with the Nightstalkers and tracked Spider-X to the true Spider-Man and Morbius, Ghost Rider admitted he was relieved that Spider-X was not Spider-Man, as he would have had to destroy Spider-Man if that had been the case. The combined Midnight Sons and Spider-Man then battled Spider-X until the villain Paralyzer, who had been in another part of the plant where the battle was taking place, unleashed the living dynamo Zzzax against the heroes. Morbius managed to manipulate Spider-X into aiding against Zzzax and the Midnight Sons combined their attacks to focus on Zzzax, overloading the creature and apparently destroying Spider-X in the process. Following the battle, Ghost Rider warned the others that as long as the Darkhold pages were in circulation, their battle would not be over. Morbius then left the scene and Spider-Man found a burnt out Paralyzer who, when confronted by Ghost Rider and the other assembled heroes, surrendered.

(Ghost Rider III Annual#1 - BTS) - While riding his motorcycle with the Blood member Seer, Dan Ketch was stopped by Seer, who informed him that he was needed. Investigating, Dan unleashed Noble Kale as Ghost Rider to deal with the vampire Night Terror. Announcing that Night Terror would die if he was a Lilin or feel the Penance Stare if he were human, Ghost Rider was tossed aside by Night Terror, who was uninterested in anything other than food or finding out information about his true identity. Chasing Night Terror into the woods, Ghost Rider lost him then began an attempt to locate Night Terror. As he searched, Noble thought to himself how his existence seemed to be a never-ending quest for answers such as his true identity, which he could not recall, and why he strove to pursue vengeance. Moving through a crowd, Ghost Rider wondered why the bystanders could not judge him for his deeds rather than his appearance. His thoughts were interrupted by Seer, who helped point Ghost Rider in the right direction towards Night Terror. Tracking Night Terror to a secure building, Ghost Rider followed Night Terror inside and warned that the burning caused by the fiery Ghost Rider would be nothing compared to his Penance Stare. When Ghost Rider called Night Terror a vampire, Night Terror recalled more of his powers and used his mist form to escape and feed on the building's security team. Arriving in time to save Ms. Malone from Night Terror, Ghost Rider refused to allow Night Terror to kill again, impaling the vampire with his chain. Ghost Rider then grabbed Ms. Malone and drove out of the building, setting Night Terror ablaze as his fiery motorcycle left the building. Outside, Seer met with Ghost Rider and asked what he would ultimately be willing to do to find out the answers to the questions he had about his life. Ghost Rider replied that he didn't know and Seer then offered suspicions that Night Terror was not actually dead, commenting that it was a worry for another time. She then left the scene with Ghost Rider.

(Ghost Rider III Annual#1/3 - BTS) - When Dan visited his sister Barbara's grave during a rainstorm, he found what appeared to be a grave statue on the ground. Realizing it was an actual person that he knew, Dan allowed Noble to assume control of his body as the Ghost Rider to investigate. Finding the strange flying Conqueror Worm, Ghost Rider latched onto it with his chain, only to be pulled along with it "like a Nantucket whaler." Finding the worm's master to be the ages-old servant of the demon D'Kay, Rigor Mortis, Ghost Rider jumped atop the worm and tried to battle Rigor Mortis, who exclaimed that the transformed women had raided her mausoleum. Ghost Rider responded by trying to hit Rigor Mortis with his chain but she used her powers on the chain, causing it turn to stone and break. Ghost Rider easily regenerated the chain and bound Rigor Mortis' hands, forcing her to use her powers on the Conqueror Worm, turning it to stone. As the worm crashed to the ground, Ghost Rider forced Rigor Mortis' hands onto her shoulder, turning herself into stone. Surviving the fall due to her stone form, Rigor Mortis fled into her mausoleum. Revealing that her victims had tried to excavate the eggs inside the mausoleum, Rigor Mortis hatched one of the eggs and revealed a newborn Conqueror Worm. She continued, announcing that she was the representative of Elder Gods and Ghost Rider responded by saying if she represented Gods who would destroy Earth, then he would destroy the Conqueror Worms to prevent such an action. The two battled furiously and Ghost Rider managed to open the ceiling of the mausoleum, causing the earthen mausoleum to turn to mud. Eventually, Ghost Rider managed to force Rigor Mortis hands downward, causing her powers to transform the mud into stone, effectively trapping her in place. As the Conqueror Worm eggs hatched, Rigor Mortis begged Ghost Rider to release her, as the Worms would die without her nurturing. Ghost Rider instead turned and walked away, leaving the trapped Rigor Mortis and figuring vengeance had been served.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#137/3 - BTS) - Following a sleepless few days, Dan Ketch stared over the river and saw an image that he took as a summons. Riding his motorcycle towards the summons, he initiated Noble Kale's dominance of his body as Ghost Rider. Tracing the summons to an old abandoned building being used as a warehouse, Ghost Rider sensed evil and torment before he entered. Upon entering the building, Noble found himself under attack by the martial artists known as the Golden Fist, who announced their protection of the building. While battling the Golden Fist, Ghost Rider realized that it was not them whose evil he sensed and knocked them aside to investigate further. When hooded figures appeared next, an annoyed Ghost Rider asked about the further distractions, prompting the hooded figures to reveal themselves as the vigilante Masters of Silence.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#138/3 - BTS) - Thinking the Masters of Silence to be assassins, Ghost Rider exclaimed that they would feel his wrath before he jumped into battle against the Masters. When Ghost Rider mentioned his mission of vengeance, the Masters of Silence halted their attack and apologized, as they too were there seeking vengeance for Chinese emigrants who were murdered on their way to America. Agreeing to help them investigate, Ghost Rider found a room filled with hundreds of ten gallon drums but was confused as to why his rage seemed to grow as he grew near the barrels. Angrily punching a drum, Ghost Rider found that the drums were filled with innocent blood. Demanding to know why, Ghost Rider's question was answered by Tsin Hark, who explained that innocent blood was a rare and precious substance of great mystic potency.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#139/3 - BTS) - Recognizing the Masters of Silence and Ghost Rider, Tsin Hark announced his plans to rid the world of science. He then walked up and placed a binding spell parchment on Ghost Rider's brow, paralyzing him and forcing him to watch as Tsin Hark unleashed Gynosii undead against the Masters of Silence.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#140/3 - BTS) - The Masters of Silence soon managed to shred the parchment on Ghost Rider's brow, freeing him from the binding spell and allowing him to join in the battle against the Gynosii. After defeating all of the Gynosii alongside the Masters of Silence, Ghost Rider demanded to know where Tsin Hark was. Pulling open the curtain behind Tsin Hark's throne, Ghost Rider and the Masters of Silence found Tsin Hark, who proudly introduced the heroes to the instruments of his new world order: the Army of Darkness.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#141/3 - BTS) - Noble/Ghost Rider and the Masters of Silence futilely battled the Army of Darkness as Tsin Hark made a mystic pact for power. Determined to halt the Army of Darkness, Ghost Rider asked the Masters of Silence to cover him as he made a break for Tsin Hark himself. Stunned when Tsin Hark grabbed him by the throat, Ghost Rider was lifted into the air by a monstrously transformed Tsin Hark.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#142/3 - BTS) - Tsin Hark angrily asked why Ghost Rider could not see the evil in the world that had to be eliminated and Ghost Rider responded, claiming that the only evil he saw was Hark himself. Ghost Rider then punched Hark, splattering some of Hark's blood into the mystic pool of innocent blood that supplied Hark's powered form. The innocent blood now tainted by Hark's own blood, Tsin Hark's powers left him and the innocent blood began burning with mystic fire. Ghost Rider then hurled Tsin Hark into the blood pool and he was burned alive within. Without Hark's powers to guide them, the Army of Darkness soldiers also turned and went into the bloodpool, where they were incinerated. Ghost Rider then told the Masters of Silence that they needed to leave as the building began to fall apart. Shortly after an explosion consumed the building, Ghost Rider met with the Masters of Silence, who admitted that they would consider it an honor should their paths every cross again. Ghost Rider then departed the scene.

(Gun Runner I#1 - BTS) - When John Blaze intervened in a battle in Las Vegas, Nevada between the enigmatic Gun Runner and a group of armored soldiers to rescue a woman in the middle of the fight, Gale Patric. Thinking Blaze was another attacker, Gun Runner hit Blaze in the back of the head with his gun. Witnessing the event, Noble/Ghost Rider wrapped his chain around Gun Runner's neck and warned that no innocent blood would be spilled there.

(Gun Runner I#2 - BTS) - Noble/Ghost Rider reminded Gun Runner that he would not allow Gun Runner to strike down an innocent, provoking Gun Runner into punching Ghost Rider. Ghost Rider immediately responded by punching Gun Runner several yards away, prompting the surprised Gun Runner to ask if Ghost Rider was even human. Ghost Rider replied that he was only as human as he needed to be before firing off links from his chain at Gun Runner. Blasting the links from the air, Gun Runner grabbed Gale Patric and attempted to flee, blasting Ghost Rider to the ground before departing. Blaze soon regained his composure and admitted to Ghost Rider that he had entered the fight on Gun Runner's side and explained that Gun Runner had appeared to be up against a large occult operation, suggesting they follow Gun Runner in case he needed help. Ghost Rider agreed to follow Gun Runner but preferred to hold his judgment of Gun Runner until he could learn more. Tracking Gun Runner to a casino, Ghost Rider sensed evil within the casino and both Blaze and himself burst through a window. Finding Gun Runner battling the genetically-engineered, extraterrestrial Cynnod. While Blaze teamed with Gun Runner against Cynnod War-Dogs, Ghost Rider freed the hostages and ordered them to head upstairs to the surface. Blaze then told Ghost Rider that the hostages needed help getting out, as Gun Runner planned to bring the house down on the Cynnod. After Ghost Rider and Blaze got everyone clear, the casino exploded and Blaze wondered if Gun Runner and Gale Patric made it out safely on their own.

(Morbius I#15 - BTS) - The Werewolf located and stopped Noble/Ghost Rider during a patrol, explaining that he believed the scientific vampire Morbius had went mad in a sociopathic way, causing innocents to die. Ghost Rider immediately demanded to know Morbius' location and he soon found him cornering bystanders. Announcing that Morbius had broken his vow only to feed on criminals, Ghost Rider battled Morbius until subjecting him to the Penance Stare. When Morbius felt the pain of crimes he did not recall committing, he announced that there was a Lilin presence within him but Ghost Rider explained that he saw no such presence in Morbius' psyche. Morbius then asked if Ghost Rider sensed a soul and Ghost Rider admitted that he did not sense one. He then warned that he would be keeping a close eye on Morbius, as their status as "the Nine" needed to be maintained. As he left, Ghost Rider also warned that the next time Morbius stepped out of line, he would not be so merciful.

(Ghost Rider III#41 - BTS) - After the Lilin Blackout and Pilgrim were resurrected and targeted Dan Ketch, Dan relinquished his form over to Ghost Rider when the two Lilin seemingly killed Ketch's Blood ally Seer. Quickly retreating, Blackout and Pilgrim taunted Ghost Rider, promising to see him "at home." Realizing that they meant Dan's home in Cypress Hills, Ghost Rider traveled to Frances Ketch's Cypress Hills home, arriving moments before Blackout and Pilgrim attacked. When Ghost Rider threatened to kill Blackout once more and got in Blackout's face, Blackout, fearful that his newly restored face would once more become scarred, fled. With the Lilin gone, Ghost Rider prepared to tell Frances Ketch his origins and connection to Dan Ketch before he was interrupted by Centurious, who kidnapped Frances Ketch and teleported away. Seer subsequently arrived, explaining that Ghost Rider would need her help, but Ghost Rider brushed her aside, announcing that he had to find Johnny Blaze and rescue Frances.

(Spirits of Vengeance I#14 - BTS) - Still in control of Dan's form as Ghost Rider, Noble rushed to John Blaze's home and found it under attack by the Lilin and their ally, Steel Wind. Ghost Rider's arrival on the scene prompted the Lilin and Steel Wind to retreat and Ghost Rider then attempted to explain the situation to Blaze, who wanted no part of Ghost Rider's problems. Noble then relinquished his form back to Dan Ketch, who mentioned Centurious, prompting Blaze to agree to help. When Dan and John Blaze stopped to eat 3 miles from the town of Holly and the duo was nearly run over by the Lilin Skinner, Dan released Noble to control his form as the Ghost Rider to confront the Lilin and get answers about Lilith's location. Blaze instead fought Skinner on his own until he was seriously injured, prompting Ghost Rider to jump and knock Skinner away. Ghost Rider attempted to help the burning Blaze but he was interrupted by the arrival of Centurious and Lilith, who offered to exchange Blaze and Frances Ketch for Ghost Rider's Medallion of Power. Ghost Rider replied by attacking but Centurious bound him in his own chains and teleported away, promising to spill Frances Ketch and John Blaze's blood if Ghost Rider did not give up the Medallion. After the villains departed, the spirit of Caretaker appeared and explained to Ghost Rider that he could not battle Centurious and Lilith alone, suggesting that he seek out Seer. As if on cue, Seer appeared before Ghost Rider, who announced that he was ready.

(Ghost Rider III#42 - BTS) - Accompanying Seer back to the Blood's headquarters, the Nightclub, Ghost Rider was forced to relinquish control of his form back to Dan Ketch due to the Nightclub's protective safeguards. When the Caretaker appeared in the flesh and attacked Seer, Dan willingly allowed Noble to control his form as Ghost Rider once more and knocked Caretaker through a window. Unaware that Caretaker had initiated the attack in order to push Ghost Rider and Seer closer to preventing Centurious from obtaining the Medallion of Power, Ghost Rider and Seer then went to the town of Holly upon Seer's sensing of John Blaze's torture at the hands of the Lilin. Venturing into an empty church, Ghost Rider was attacked by Deathwatch and during their battle, Ghost Rider commented on possibly keeping Deathwatch alive to get answers about his origins. When Seer located the burning John Blaze, Ghost Rider rescued Blaze and the two defeated Deathwatch before Seer teleported them away, leaving Centurious, Lilith and her Lilin to take their other hostage, Frances Ketch, to Cypress Hills Cemetary to await their inevitable battle with Ghost Rider.

(Spirits of Vengeance I#15 - BTS) - Arriving at the Quentin Carnival, Ghost Rider and Seer turned John Blaze over to the Carnival's Quinn, who worked to contain the burning hellfire inside of Blaze and asked Ghost Rider to step out of the room when his own hellfire threatened Blaze's control. When Vengeance attacked the Quentin Carnival seeking Ghost Rider, Ghost Rider battled the vigilante until Blaze recovered using armor provided by Quinn's father. Blaze made short work of Vengeance then gathered Ghost Rider and his allies together in preparation to confront Centurious.

(Ghost Rider III#43 - BTS) - Traveling to Cypress Hills Cemetary to battle Centurious, Ghost Rider and his allies were met by Caretaker and Vengeance, who nearly fought Ghost Rider until Caretaker held them both at bay. Caretaker announced his plans to provide Ghost Rider with the answers he sought and ordered Seer to teleport Ghost Rider's Quentin Carnival allies back home. When Vengeance continued to provoke Ghost Rider, Caretaker forced Dan Ketch to resume control of his form in order to hear the origins of the Medallion of Power. Caretaker's story was interrupted by Frances Ketch, who was pursed by Centurious and his allies. When Frances took a blast meant for Dan Ketch, Noble once again assumed control of Dan's form as Ghost Rider and swatted Vengeance aside before confronting Centurious personally. The two fought furiously until Ghost Rider unmasked Centurious, whose body erupted with energy. The demon Zarathos then emerged from Centurious' body and Ghost Rider watched in horror as Caretaker told all present to take cover.

(Spirits of Vengeance I#16 - BTS) - Briefly downed by Zarathos, Ghost Rider and his allies retreated, with Ghost Rider refusing to leave until Frances Ketch was also rescued. Escaping to the Blood's Nightclub, Ghost Rider placed Frances Ketch in the hands of the Quentin Carnival members before Caretaker continued his story about the origins of the Medallion of Power and how Dan Ketch, John Blaze and Michael Badilino were never supposed to inherit the Medallion fragments. Before the group left to confront Zarathos once more, Frances Ketch pulled together enough strength to tell them that Caretaker had still not explained everything. Ghost Rider, Blaze and Vengeance then departed to battle Zarathos and while Blaze and Vengeance kept Zarathos distracted, Ghost Rider grabbed the Medallion of Power and used its power to seal Zarathos, Lilith and the Lilin inside a fissure in the earth. Immediately following the battle, Noble was exhausted and relinquished control of Dan's form back to Dan Ketch.

(Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme I#59 - BTS) - Doctor Strange, sensing the impending dimensional barrier breakdowns, felt as if he should have properly trained Ghost Rider and the other Midnight Sons for their impending battle against the Blood. When the dimensional barrier began to break down, Strange sensed that he would need to gather every resource he could find.

(Nightstalkers I#14 - BTS) - After the Midnight Sons were called together to discuss Lilith's recent seeming death, Noble (in control of Dan's form as Ghost Rider) arrived in time to pull John Blaze's gun from his hand during a physical confrontation with Blade, who was angry that Blaze had no physical proof of Lilith's demise. Ghost Rider quickly reminded the group that there was no time for jokes or petty bickering just as the Darkhold Redeemers and Frank Drake arrived behind him. Despite Ghost Rider's insistence that Lilith was dead, the Nightstalkers refused to believe him without proof and decided to investigate Cypress Hills Cemetary. Shortly thereafter, Ghost Rider arrived to find the Nightstalkers battling the Lilin Bad Timing within a supernatural mist that had engulfed the Cemetary and admitted that the Nightstalkers had been right to check the Cemetary.

(Amazing Spider-Man II#699.1 (fb) - BTS) - Ghost Rider fought alongside the other Midnight Sons, unaware that Morbius remained in their number as a remainder of both his lost humanity and the monster he had become.

(Nightstalkers I#14 - BTS) - After Bad Timing escaped, Ghost Rider regrouped with the other Midnight Sons and the team decided to split up, with Ghost Rider and several others leaving to check on Lilith while the others further investigated the mist.

(Ghost Rider III#44 - BTS) - As mist continued to erupt from Cypress Hills Cemetary, reporter Linda Wei and her crew were attacked by a member of Lilith's Lilin. Still in control of Dan's form as Ghost Rider, Noble emerged from the mist and rescued Linda. Ghost Rider's allies followed, with John Blaze setting the Lilin member on fire. Investigating the mist further, Ghost Rider deduced that the mist was emanating from the spot where Ghost Rider and his allies had seemingly destroyed both Lilith and the demon Zarathos. A reborn Lilith, her Lilin and Zarathos soon emerged from the mist's origin point and immediately jumped into battle against Ghost Rider and his allies. Caretaker quickly led the heroes to one of the Cemetary mausoleums to escape. Following an underground tunnel from the Cemetary to the heart of New York, Ghost Rider found Vengeance battling Blackout, Meatmarket and Dark Legion. Upon seeing Stacy Dolan and Capt. Dolan fighting Dark Legion, Ghost Rider leapt into battle against the Lilin despite Caretaker's attempts to have Ghost Rider stick to their plan of stopping Zarathos from obtaining the Medallion of Power. Doctor Strange soon arrived on the scene as well, erecting a mystic shield to prevent Zarathos from stopping Ghost Rider's rescue of the Dolans. Despite Caretaker's objections, Ghost Rider then announced that he planned to take the fight directly to Zarathos himself and when the other heroes agreed with Ghost Rider but managed to convince him to retreat in order to marshal their forces, Ghost Rider agreed to accompany them as they departed.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#143 - BTS) - Unfortunately, the Lilin Pilgrim attempted to use his own teleportational powers to pull Ghost Rider, Blaze and Vengeance back into Lilith's clutches, resulting in the three Spirits of Vengeance becoming separated from Dr. Strange and winding up in the burned out warehouse lab of the Lilin Girth and Skitter. Upon hearing that a traitor was amongst the Midnight Sons, Ghost Rider, Vengeance and Blaze attacked but ended up hitting each other due to Girth's directional abilities. Ghost Rider eventually fired razor-sharp chain links in all directions, hitting and killing Girth before Lilith and Zarathos arrived, having been summoned by Skitter. Boarding their motorcycles, the three Spirits of Vengeance drove off and into a newly-created portal from Dr. Strange. Upon reuniting with Strange, Ghost Rider informed him that they had to contact Morbius' team of Midnight Sons to warn them of the traitor in their ranks.

(Darkhold I#15 - BTS) - Ghost Rider continued to argue with Dr. Strange over informing the others about the traitor, with Strange insisting that they could not risk leaving the Sanctum Sanctorum without being attacked by Lilith, Zarathos and the Lilin. After the Midnight Sons present discussed who the traitor might be, Ghost Rider resigned himself to hoping that the other group would notice the chain imprint he had left behind as a clue at the lab.

(Morbius I#16 - BTS) - Ghost Rider remained at the Sanctum Sanctorum while Caretaker argued his point about taking Ghost Rider, Vengeance and John Blaze away to prepare them for the fight against Zarathos. Their argument was interrupted by the arrival of Morbius, who claimed the Lilin had surrounded his group and that Modred had murdered Prof. Louise Hastings. Immediately sensing the innocent blood on Morbius, Ghost Rider announced him the traitor as the Lilin forced their way into the Sanctum Sanctorum, following shortly after by Lilith and Zarathos. Ghost Rider and Blaze quickly held Morbius, who slipped away to battle Dr. Strange while Zarathos attempted to obtain the Medallion of Power from the Spirits of Vengeance. Ghost Rider fought back Zarathos using pikes composed of hellfire and the battle was soon rejoined by the true Morbius, who had regained control of his form from the Lilin Bloodthirst, who had been possessing him to work against the Midnight Sons.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#144 - BTS) - Ghost Rider continued to battle the Lilin with the Midnight Sons as Morbius escaped and proved his true allegiances by taking down two Lilin who were attempting to feed on a human child.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#144/2 - BTS) - When Morbius returned to the battle, Ghost Rider, lusting for vengeance against the traitorous Morbius, attacked Morbius while Lilith and Zarathos escaped with Pilgrim's aid. After Ghost Rider strangled Morbius, Morbius proved unable to speak his situation to Ghost Rider, who eventually used his Penance Stare on Morbius when Morbius refused to fight back. Learning the truth of Morbius' possession, Ghost Rider was saved from a Lilin posing as Martine Bancroft and when Ghost Rider turned his attention back to Morbius, he found the vampire gone.

(Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme I#60 - BTS) - Noble remained in control of Dan's form as Ghost Rider when Doctor Strange managed to mystically seal the Lilin out of the Sanctum Sanctorum. When the mind-scattering Lilin Scatter managed to get inside, he disrupted the minds of Ghost Rider and the other Midnight Sons. Despite his mind being fragmented, Ghost Rider continued to pursue Scatter while the Lilin Sister Nil arrived inside the Sanctum and killed Imei, lover of Strange's servant Wong. Dr. Strange eventually managed to summon Morbius back to the Sanctum and Morbius took down Sister Nil, restoring the mental faculties of Ghost Rider and the other Midnight Sons. After Wong, Frank Drake and Vicki Montesti had all been sent to safety, the Sanctum Sanctorum was destroyed, leaving Ghost Rider and the Midnight Sons surrounded by the Lilin.

(Spirits of Vengeance I#17 -BTS) - Ghost Rider and the remaining Midnight Sons fought against the Lilin until Caretaker led them in a retreat back to the Blood's Nightclub. After Caretaker forced Ghost Rider through the door to the Nightclub, Ghost Rider agreed with Dr. Strange that the Midnight Sons needed to take the offensive against Lilith and the Lilin. Caretaker chimed in that Zarathos would need to be destroyed first and that he had no faith that Ghost Rider, Vengeance and Blaze could do it alone. Ghost Rider replied that he could show them how to use the Medallion of Power's energy. When Caretaker swatted aside John Blaze, Ghost Rider, Blaze and Vengeance worked together to restrain Caretaker then left him to drink as they went to confront Lilith. Making their way to Cypress Hills Cemetary, Ghost Rider and Blaze easily took out the Lilin's Pilgrim and Nakota before being confronted by Outcast and Blackout. The other Midnight Sons arrived shortly after and kept Blackout and Outcast busy while Ghost Rider, Blaze and Vengeance tried to combine their powers into the Medallion of Power. Zarathos, sensing the heroes' arrival, appeared and tried to obtain the Medallion for himself but Morbius came to the heroes' aid, grabbing the Medallion and hurling back to Ghost Rider, where it was caught by Caretaker, who agreed to show the three Spirits of Vengeance how to use its power. Combining their power, Ghost Rider, Blaze and Vengeance used the Medallion to attack Zarathos directly but Caretaker soon realized that the rift into the Shadowside dimension took precedence and ordered them to focus the Medallion's power on sealing the rift. Once Lilith and the Lilin had been sealed within the Shadowside dimension, Dr. Strange sealed the dimension off from Earth but admitted that he had sensed a disturbance in the rift as it was being sealed. Caretaker noticed that the enigmatic Fallen had arrived on Earth to serve Zarathos and ordered the Midnight Sons to retreat back to the Nightclub as he was captured by the Fallen. As the heroes departed, Zarathos regained his full memories.

(Nightstalkers I#15 - BTS) - The Nightstalkers were summoned to the side of Ghost Rider and the other Midnight Sons by Dr. Strange and informed of the surviving Zarathos and the resurrected Fallen. Blaming the other Midnight Sons for not properly taking care of their own supernatural problems, the Nightstalkers opted not to help against Zarathos and Ghost Rider suggested that the others let the Nightstalkers leave, as their focus needed to be on Zarathos. Shortly after the Nightstalkers departed, Ghost Rider and the other Midnight Sons were easily taken out by Zarathos, who captured Caretaker and fled into the Cypress Hills Cemetary catacombs. Overhearing the commotion, the Nightstalkers went back to help and, after attempting to free Caretaker and learning vital information, Hannibal King left the catacombs to give the information to Ghost Rider and the others.

(Ghost Rider III#45 - BTS) - Still in control of Dan Ketch's form as Ghost Rider, Noble returned to New York to check on Stacy Dolan, who subsequently accompanied him back to the Blood's Nightclub to meet with Vengeance, John Blaze and Seer. The meeting was interrupted by the arrival of Hannibal King, who transferred Caretaker's information into the brain of Seer who, in turn, revealed Zarathos' plan to convert the remaining Blood members on Earth into Fallen. Determined to stop him, Seer led Ghost Rider and Vengeance to Scotland, where they found the Blood Patriarch under attack by a Fallen. Ghost Rider and Vengeance managed to rescue Patriarch, with Ghost Rider killing the attacking Fallen. Seer then tried to convince Patriarch to aid against Zarathos but Patriarch angrily told all of the heroes to leave. While Patriarch then teleported away and swore allegiance to Zarathos, Ghost Rider returned to the Nightclub and reminded Stacy Dolan not to forget her love for Danny Ketch when the two shared an awkward moment of concern for one another.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#145/3 - BTS) - Noble (as Ghost Rider) expressed his concern for Stacy Dolan's safety in the Blood's Nightclub. When Stacy asked what could be safer that the Nightclub, the undead Speakeasy emerged from one of the portals leading to the Nightclub and began ranting incoherently. Noticing Speakeasy's increased strength, Ghost Rider told Stacy to get to safety while he battled the zombie. After Stacy shot Speakeasy full of bullets, Ghost Rider subjected him to the Penance Stare, which calmed him. Back in his right mind, Speakeasy informed Ghost Rider that he had been psychically contacted by Caretaker to tell the Midnight Sons that the Fallen were targeting the Blood members James Raydar and Truthsayer.

(Marvel Comics Presents I#146 - BTS) - Still controlling Dan Ketch's form as the Ghost Rider, Noble and the Blood Seer teleported to Cypress Hills Cemetary, where they found the seemingly near-dead Caretaker. Transporting him back to the Blood's Nightclub, Ghost Rider was shocked when "Caretaker" tried to kill the Midnight Sons' ally Embyrre. Revealing himself as the Fallen Metarchus, "Caretaker" was riddled with bullets by Stacy Dolan but Ghost Rider agreed with Embyrre's father Raydar that Stacy should get to safety. Ghost Rider then fired links from his chain, slicing Metarchus' fingers but Metarchus shape-shifted and regenerated before attempting to devour Embyrre. When Embyrre fought back, Metarchus shape-shifted out of sight before reappearing behind Stacy and trying to take her hostage. Refusing to let Stacy be harmed, Ghost Rider grappled Metarchus with his chain and ordered Embyrre to burn them both in order to ensure Metarchus' destruction. When Metarchus assumed Stacy's form, Ghost Rider became momentarily distracted and Metarchus escaped, only to run into the returning Vengeance, John Blaze, Frank Drake and Blade. Refusing to fight the combined Midnight Sons, Metarchus escaped through the dissipating portal, leaving the Midnight Sons with the knowledge that the true Caretaker still lived. Ghost Rider then informed the other Midnight Sons that they would need to regroup with Dr. Strange and the Darkhold Redeemers before mounting a rescue for Caretaker.

(Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme I#61 - BTS) - Arriving at the wrecked Sanctum Sanctorum just in time to see Dr. Strange attacked by the Fallen Salomé. When Dr. Strange seemingly died in battle, Ghost Rider ordered Vengeance to get Sam Buchanan away from the Sanctum Sanctorum wreckage and shortly after, Ghost Rider witnessed the emergence of the mystic being known as Strange, who defeated Salomé. Vengeance suggested finishing Salomé off but Ghost Rider sternly reminded Vengeance that Zarathos had to come first. Ghost Rider then accompanied the Midnight Sons as they departed the scene.

(Spirits of Vengeance I#18 - BTS) - Ghost Rider, the other Midnight Sons and Stacy Dolan stormed Cypress Hills Cemetary, prepared to confront and destroy Zarathos. The group briefly argued when Ghost Rider suggested they split up, with his group rescuing Caretaker, but a dark energy erupted from the Cypress Hills mausoleum, allowing only Ghost Rider, Vengeance and John Blaze to enter the mausoleum. Uncaring whether they defeated Zarathos on their terms or his own, Ghost Rider kicked the mausoleum door in and the trio ventured into the catacombs, where they rescued Caretaker. Caretaker immediately chewed them out for walking into a trap and Zarathos appeared, only to be shot several times by Stacy Dolan, who had followed the Spirits of Vengeance into the catacombs. Ghost Rider warned Stacy to stay out of it and Zarathos soon teleported Ghost Rider and himself away, unaware that Stacy had also jumped into the portal, refusing to let Ghost Rider possibly die alone. Emerging from the portal in Glastonbury, England, Ghost Rider had Stacy go to safety in a nearby castle as Zarathos spoke with him about their destinies and his old motivations of creating a new world order on Earth. Ghost Rider viciously attacked Zarathos but met with defeat and, recalling Caretaker's earlier suggestion to forget the new, Ghost Rider unleashed the full fury of a Spirit of Vengeance. Unfazed by the attack, Zarathos absorbed Noble Kale, forcing Dan Ketch to resume control of the form, only to wither and crumble to dust himself. Zarathos then took Ghost Rider's jacket as a trophy before the other Midnight Sons arrived with Caretaker to continue the fight.

(Midnight Sons Unlimited I#4) - After the Midnight Sons had killed the Fallen members, they teleported to aid John Blaze, Vengeance and Strange against Zarathos. At first, Zarathos easily swatted them aside but during the battle, the absorbed Noble Kale essence began attacking Zarathos internally. Weakened by Noble's attacks, Zarathos was soon killed when Blade plunged the Blood sword Justicar into him. Upon Zarathos' destruction, Ghost Rider's belongings fell to the ground with no sign of Noble Kale or Dan Ketch.

(Ghost Rider III#46 - BTS) - Ghost Rider's skull was on display in a Cypress Hills Cemetary mausoleum when it was stolen by the monstrous Rak. Vengeance witnessed Rak leaving the Cemetary and followed, battling and eventually killing Rak to retrieve the skull. Later meeting up with Caretaker and Stacy Dolan, who had held onto Ghost Rider's jacket, Vengeance participated in a funeral for Ghost Rider at Cypress Hills, burying his skull, jacket and a rose.

(Ghost Rider III#49 - BTS) - Ghost Rider's skull remained buried in Cypress Hills Cemetary. As battle raged above ground, the skull grew more and more lit by light, eventually catching fire.

(Ghost Rider III#50 - BTS) - Having been mystically resurrected but still in Dan Ketch's form, Noble quickly took down a group of muggers but his resurrection had left him in intense pain and he returned to Cypress Hills Cemetary. After Linda Wei reported on a recent surge in vigilante activity and suggested that Ghost Rider might have returned, Lt. Michael Badilino and John Blaze visited Cypress Hills Cemetary in an attempt to see for themselves if Ghost Rider had returned. When they found Ghost Rider in a mausoleum, Noble/Ghost Rider admitted that his fate and that of Zarathos seemed to be linked, suggesting that if he had been resurrected, Zarathos might also be alive somewhere and that they might have to face him again in the future. He then continued, commenting that they would not have to face Zarathos that night and when Blaze suggested they get Caretaker, Ghost Rider announced that the phase of his life that involved Caretaker was over. Blaze then asked about Dan Ketch and whether Ghost Rider intended to allow Dan to return to the living as well. Noble replied by asking why should restore Dan when Ghost Rider would always be needed. He also asked if it was fair to condemn Dan Ketch to living only half of a life, with Noble controlling the other half, admitting that he would also desire to control more and more time on Earth using Dan's body. When Lt. Badilino suggested that Noble learn to control only living on Earth half of the time, Ghost Rider replied that perhaps he could and relinquished the body back over to Dan Ketch, who was welcomed back to the land of the living by Blaze. Later, when the villain Anton Hellgate interrupted Dan's reunion with his family and friends, Dan ignored Stacy Dolan's pleas not to release Ghost Rider and touched the gas cap on his bike, willfully releasing Noble to resume control of his body to battle Hellgate as Ghost Rider. After Hellgate exploded a car near Ghost Rider, Ghost Rider ordered Blaze to get his family and Dan's mother to safety while he took on Hellgate himself. Finding himself still weak, Ghost Rider was unable to put up much of a fight against Hellgate and Blaze soon returned to the battle, prompting Hellgate to seemingly kill Blaze's family. His determination ignited by the deaths Hellgate had caused, Ghost Rider grabbed Hellgate's hand, eventually severing it when Hellgate attempted to escape, and subjected Hellgate to the Penance Stare, forcing Hellgate to retreat, commenting to himself that he must obtain Ghost Rider's power. Following the battle, John Blaze met with Dan Ketch, explaining that he had identified his wife's body but his children were nowhere to be found. He then warned that if he ever saw Dan or Ghost Rider again, he would kill them. Dan then walked away, promising to himself that he would avenge Blaze's family.

(Ghost Rider III#50/2 - BTS) - As Dan Ketch and Stacy Dolan discussed Dan's time as Ghost Rider and attempted to reunite following Dan's resurrection, a man called for help from a nearby apartment complex. Despite Stacy's orders for Dan to stay out of it, Dan saw the Medallion of Power glowing on his motorcycle and touched it, purposely releasing Noble to control his body as Ghost Rider. Busting into the apartment, Ghost Rider found Stacy Dolan laying against a wall and at first assumed her dead, promising to avenge her. Stacy interrupted him, asking that he avenge her death in hopefully another fifty years and explaining that the thugs that had hurt her had taken the hostages to the roof. Arriving on the roof, Ghost Rider found armored thugs working for Flag-Smasher attempting to escape via helicopter. After Ghost Rider rescued the hostages and subjected one of the terrorists to the Penance Stare, the other thugs escaped and Ghost Rider returned to Stacy Dolan, who, thinking Ghost Rider was simply a transformed Dan, admitted that she still loved him. Confused, Ghost Rider revealed that he was not Dan and rode off, leaving Stacy to wonder who exactly he was.

(Ghost Rider III#51 - BTS) - As Ghost Rider, Noble revisited the site of Barbara Ketch's death and his first resurrection on Earth, reliving the memories he had gained during his time tied to Dan Ketch. Deciding to focus on the future and stop waiting until innocent blood was spilled before he intervened, Ghost Rider decided to focus more on stopping humanity's problems rather than seeking out supernatural answers to the questions about his life. He then allowed Dan to resume controlling his own body. Later, when Dan's time with Stacy Dolan was interrupted by a police call involving the super-strong giant Slaughter-Boy, Dan summoned Noble to control his body as Ghost Rider despite Stacy's orders to stay out of it. Meeting Stacy Dolan at the scene of the crime, Ghost Rider announced that Slaughter-Boy was more a problem for him to take care of than the police and Stacy pleaded with Dan not to get involved. Noble reminded her once again that he was not Dan then entered the fight with Slaughter-Boy, rescuing a police officer, who fired on Ghost Rider instead of thanking him. Despite putting up a good fight, Ghost Rider was trapped in a bear hug from Slaugher-Boy, whom Ghost Rider managed to subject to the Penance Stare. With Slaughter-Boy defeated, Ghost Rider was ordered to freeze by police Lt. Jim Sokolowski but Ghost Rider declined, announcing that he was finished for the night. Before he departed, Ghost Rider explained to Stacy Dolan that what he had done that night was his own actions and had nothing to do with Dan Ketch.

(Blaze I#1 (fb) - BTS) - Terrified about a man named Ice Box Bob, young Holden Blevins ran into Noble/Ghost Rider at a cemetary crossroads at midnight and asked Ghost Rider for help. Concerned that Ice Box Bob might spill innocent blood, Ghost Rider told Holden to seek out John Blaze at the Quentin Carnival for help. Ghost Rider expressly told Holden to let Blaze know that Ghost Rider had told him to seek out Blaze, secretly hoping that Holden might be able to also help Blaze with the recent loss of his family. Ghost Rider then drove off, announcing that Holden and Blaze could help each other.

(Ghost Rider III Annual#2 - BTS) - Controlling Dan's body as the Ghost Rider, Noble searched New York for the Scarecrow, who had been abducting and killing innocents. Clotheslined from his motorcycle by the Scarecrow's pitchfork attached to a policeman's insides, Ghost Rider was briefly stunned when he hurled his chain through Scarecrow's chest. When Scarecrow retreated, claiming Ghost Rider had killed him, Ghost Rider followed but was knocked from the Scarecrow's headquarters and onto the ground, giving Scarecrow time to escape. After Scarecrow abducted two police officers and attempted to kill Capt. Gerard Dolan, Ghost Rider caught up to Dolan and warned him to keep the police off the streets and leave Scarecrow to him. Tracking Scarecrow to his twisted, makeshift house comprised of both living and dead abductees, Ghost Rider was knocked off his body by dangling abductees then gave chase after the Scarecrow, who led him to an area where the walls were comprised of living abductees tied to dead victims. When Ghost Rider hurled his chain at Scarecrow, Scarecrow dodged and the chain hit an innocent, forcing Ghost Rider to realize that Scarecrow had designed the deathtrap to prevent Ghost Rider from attacking out of fear of harming an innocent. Eventually confronting Scarecrow face-to-face, Ghost Rider admitted that he couldn't kill Scarecrow but he instead broke every bone in Scarecrow's body, then held him in place so that the bones healed crooked, hoping to prevent Scarecrow from ever contorting his way out of another's grasp. After Ghost Rider had departed, the police found the immobile Scarecrow laying on the ground.

(Midnight Sons Unlimited I#7 - BTS) - After Dan Ketch helped Morbius and Brother Voodoo track down a voodoo hougan named Ellery Snow, who was animating the corpse of Nathaniel "Nat" Mare to commit murders, Dan unleashed Noble Kale to assume his form as Ghost Rider in order to stop the hougan. Nat Mare easily threw Ghost Rider off of him and managed to pull Ghost Rider's chain right out of his hands. Brother Voodoo soon managed to stop Nat Mare by having the spirit of his brother Daniel possess Ellery Snow, preventing Nat from receiving further orders. Using Daniel to show Ghost Rider and Morbius visions of Ellery Snow's life and motivations, Brother Voodoo was content to have stopped further murders and following the vision, Brother Voodoo suggested they restrain Nat Mare before Daniel left Ellery's body lest Mare continue his attack. The assembled heroes soon found that Nat Mare had escaped without having orders to do so while they had been entranced by the vision of Ellery's life. Using the non-possessed Ellery to track Nat Mare to the home of Eileen Cross. Refusing to let Nat Mare hurt Eileen, Ghost Rider pounded Mare to the ground. Mare weakly revealed that he had only wished to speak to Eileen. As Ghost Rider, Brother Voodoo, Morbius and Ellery Snow watched, Nat Mare explained that he had always loved Eileen and he would be waiting for her on the other side when she died. Eileen promised she would meet him there and Mare crumbled to dust before everyone's eyes.

(Ghost Rider III#52 - BTS) - Despite Dan growing tired of being connected to Ghost Rider, he obsessively read through Lt. Michael Badilino's journals for a clue to take down Anton Hellgate. His obsessive thoughts of taking down Hellgate caused Noble to assume control of his body as Ghost Rider and pull the motorcycle Dan had just knocked into the river back to the surface. Deciding that the time had come to rescue Badilino, who had been captured by Hellgate, Ghost Rider drove off, unaware that he was being watched the stealthy Shriker. Following Badilino's notebook, Ghost Rider hit nearly all of the locations in the notebook, taking down Hellgate's thugs and destroying Hellgate's property. Arriving at Hellgate's location to find Anton Hellgate escaping in a helicopter, Ghost Rider was met by Shriker, who hurled a spike to take down a thug who was about to fire on Ghost Rider. Realizing Hellgate had left a trap for him, Ghost Rider teamed with Shriker against Hellgate's agents. After taking them all down, Ghost Rider asked who Shriker but Shriker departed, promising that he would explain later. Breaking inside Hellgate's compound, Ghost Rider rescued Michael Badilino, who announced that he would be leaving New York in the care of Ghost Rider.

(Ghost Rider III#53 - BTS) - When a gang fight erupted near Dan Ketch's home, Dan prayed that blood would not be shed. He soon began feeling Noble fighting for control of his body and Caretaker appeared, attempting to get Dan to stop resisting Noble's control. Eventually, Dan could not fight it anymore and Noble was released as Ghost Rider, who admitted to Caretaker his concern that Dan had resisted the change. Caretaker told Ghost Rider to worry about it later and Ghost Rider left to stop the gang fighting. During the battle, the lights in the nearby area went out and Ghost Rider immediately recognized it as the work of Blackout. Eventually, Blackout showed himself and took a police officer hostage, offering a deal to Ghost Rider that he would leave both Ghost Rider and Dan Ketch alone if Ghost Rider allowed Blackout free reign. Ghost Rider announced that he could not let that happen. Before Blackout could kill the police officer, Ghost Rider stopped him but Blackout escaped Ghost Rider's grasp, refusing to fight him one-on-one. Following Blackout's escape, Caretaker appeared and suggested that it was time Ghost Rider and himself had another talk. Ghost Rider agreed.

(Ghost Rider III#54 - BTS) - Noble/Ghost Rider took down a group of thugs, subjecting at least one of them to the Penance Stare. Following the battle, Caretaker appeared and explained that Ghost Rider was a force of nature and that the sooner both Dan Ketch and Noble accepted that, the better. Ghost Rider explained that he had no problem with his role and Caretaker commented that perhaps he was talking to the wrong side then. He further explained that Ghost Rider had full control of whether Dan or himself was in control of the body, asking that Ghost Rider allow Dan to have control back. Noble did so and Dan was later summoned to the apartment of reporter Linda Wei, who wished to have Blackout killed. Dan reminded her that Ghost Rider did not kill and Linda pointed out a wet spot on her carpet where Blackout had killed a man. Upon touching the blood, Dan offered no resistance to Noble controlling his body as Ghost Rider in order to take down Blackout. Tracking Blackout to an alley where Blackout had taken a young boy named Timmy hostage, Ghost Rider jumped into battle against Blackout, forcing Blackout to let Timmy go. During the battle, Ghost Rider broke Blackout's arm and prepared to subject Blackout to the Penance Stare. Fighting back, Blackout impaled Ghost Rider on a lamppost, surprisingly causing Ghost Rider intense pain, then attempted to go after Timmy again. Ghost Rider summoned up the strength to force Blackout to retreat and rescued Timmy. Later, as Dan Ketch watched on television as Linda Wei apologized for her past discrediting of Ghost Rider, Blackout attacked Linda on live television, prompting Noble to forcibly assume Dan's body as Ghost Rider.

(Ghost Rider III#55 - BTS) - Controlling Dan's form as Ghost Rider, Noble took down a group of criminals who planned to take turns cutting up a homeless man. Hunting down the leader of the group, Ghost Rider forced him to look into Ghost Rider's eyes for a Penance Stare. Later, after Dan Ketch took a one-night bartending job at the Skin and Bones Club, unaware of its true status as a murder club, Dan's form was forcibly assumed by Noble Kale when a man was brought on stage to be murderered. Soon finding that the Werewolf was also present to stop the murders, Ghost Rider teamed with the Werewolf to take down the Club's founders, Mr. Hyde and a man called Morphine. The battle literally destroyed the Skin and Bones Club, forcing Mr. Hyde to flee. Leaving Morphine to be handled by the Werewolf, Ghost Rider pursued Mr. Hyde, eventually catching up to him in an alley. Hyde's screams were heard several feet outside of the alley.

(Ghost Rider III#56 - BTS) - When Stacy Dolan revealed to Dan Ketch that she had been asked to join the Team, a special police task force originally created to take down Ghost Rider, Dan insisted that Ghost Rider did more good. Stacy commented that Ghost Rider might do more good if Dan had more control of him, prompting Dan to allow Noble to assume his form and bring out Ghost Rider. As Ghost Rider, Noble asked Stacy not to come after him, as he served a purpose that, while sometimes conflicting with the police, would not be stopped. He then drove off, leaving Stacy to mumble that she also would not be stopped. Ghost Rider's drive was interrupted by Shriker, who explained that they were both needed in Chinatown, but Ghost Rider grumbled that he rode where he wanted, when he wanted...alone. While riding, Noble thought how he could not go a block without sensing spilled innocent blood and thought how much more work he could do if he were not bonded to Dan Ketch. He briefly thought how he could be separated without killing Dan before focusing on the task at hand and moving forward toward a crime in progress. Finding the police in a standoff against the mercenary Next Wave, Ghost Rider warned Stacy Dolan to stand down, as she would only be hurt or killed in a superhuman battle. Admitting that he did not wish to have to avenge Stacy's death, Ghost Rider stood by as Lt. Jim Sokolowski ordered one of his officers to shoot Ghost Rider before Noble noticed Shriker battling some of the Next Wave's thugs on a nearby rooftop. Helping Shriker defeat the thugs and force many of them to retreat, Ghost Rider then focused on Next Wave, who dropped a bomb to seal their escape. Ghost Rider quickly ordered Shriker to get Stacy and the police to safety while he rode off with the bomb, which exploded mid-drive over the river.

(Ghost Rider III#57 - BTS) - An hour later, the weakened Noble/Ghost Rider found that the Medallion of Power was all that remained of his motorcycle, with the rest laying at the bottom of the East River. Initiating his trip back to the void for Dan Ketch to resume control of his own body once more, Noble and Dan painfully went through the repeated transformations before Dan eventually gained full control back of his body. Admitting to himself that he could no longer handle his half-life, Dan cowered under the East River pier, fighting with all his will against Noble's attempts to assume his form, until Wolverine arrived and helped get Dan away from the pursuing police. Seeking refuge at Redman's Bar and Grill, Dan admitted to Wolverine that he was scared to let Noble assume his form, worried that if he did, the injured Noble might die and take Dan with him. When Noble began forcing his control of Dan's form, a terrified bartender called the police and Wolverine helped take down the police as Noble eventually succeeded in taking over Dan's form as Ghost Rider once more. Still severely weakened from the earlier bomb explosion, Ghost Rider asked Wolverine to help him retrieve his motorcycle, explaining that the Next Wave still had to pay for their crimes. Using the Medallion of Power to summon forth his motorcycle from the East River, Ghost Rider then accompanied Wolverine to another police standoff between the police and the Next Wave. Jumping into battle against the Next Wave's agents, the bandaged Ghost Rider announced that the agents must also be punished. Ghost Rider told Wolverine to leave the Next Wave for him, as only one of their number received the Penance Stare during their last encounter. After rounding up the Next Wave's agents, Wolverine left Agent-X for Ghost Rider. Despite Agent-X's attempts to surrender, Ghost Rider gave him the Penance Stare before departing with Wolverine on motorcycles. Stacy Dolan briefly ordered them freeze, asking that Ghost Rider not force her to shoot Dan Ketch, but Ghost Rider and Wolverine continued on their way until Ghost Rider began driving erratically. Dan then forcibly assumed his own form again, explaining to Wolverine that Ghost Rider had been trying to get more and more of his life. Wolverine sympathized but warned that Dan shouldn't fight Noble for dominance of his body, as eventually, any demons inside come out. He then suggested they keep moving to put more distance between Dan and the police.

(Ghost Rider/Wolverine/Punisher: Dark Design (fb) - BTS) - When the town of Christ's Crown became a focal point for the demon Blackheart's corruption and he transformed many of the town's residents into members of his Corrupt, Lucy Crumm, who had by now manifested psychic abilities, telepathically summoned Ghost Rider, Wolverine and Punisher back to the town to help. Dan Ketch arrived first but before he could get information on the state of Christ's Crown from Lucy, they were attacked by the Corrupt and he allowed Noble to assume his form as Ghost Rider to help get Lucy to safety.

(Ghost Rider/Wolverine/Punisher: Dark Design - BTS) - Noble/Ghost Rider ran away with Norma from agents of the demon Blackheart, carrying the young Lucy Crumm. When Ghost Rider was shot by Blackheart's agents, he ordered Norma to protect Lucy and he engaged the agents, destroying the agent Vana's weapon. The other agents jumped in and Ghost Rider battled them, refusing to take their lives, as Norma and Lucy ran. Defeating the agents with difficulty, Ghost Rider reunited with Lucy and Norma but one of the agents grabbed Ghost Rider's hand and attempted to corrupt him with Blackheart's influence, prompting Norma to kill the agent. Realizing that Lucy could not touch his hand due to the Blackheart corruption and knowing that he could not help them with Blackheart's poison running through his body, Noble ordered Norma Jean to get them away before more of Blackheart's Corrupt showed up. He then allowed Dan to control his own body in order to stave off Blackheart's corruption. After Wolverine and Punisher arrived in Christ's Crown, they met up with Lucy and Dan Ketch. While trying to stop Blackheart and keep Lucy from being corrupted, they were attacked by the Corrupt and Dan was forced to release Noble to control his form. Upon transforming Dan's body into Ghost Rider, Noble found that Blackheart's corruption had spread up his entire arm. Fighting furiously against the Corrupt, Ghost Rider was eventually overwhelmed and taken by the Corrupt along with Lucy Crumm. When Wolverine and Punisher located Blackheart and stormed his citadel, Blackheart revealed the near completely corrupted Ghost Rider hanging on his wall. Blackheart quickly captured Wolverine and Punisher as well and subjected them to psychic visions of torment.

(Ghost Rider/Wolverine/Punisher: Dark Design) - Within Dan's psyche, Noble Kale found himself at Barbara Ketch's grave in Cypress Hills Cemetary. Seeing a man kneeling over Barbara's grave, Noble assumed he was an agent of Blackheart sent to defile Barbara's grave and began strangling the man with his chain. The spirit of Barbara Ketch soon appeared and forced Noble to see that Blackheart was manipulating Noble into murdering his own human host on the psychic plane.

(Ghost Rider/Wolverine/Punisher: Dark Design - BTS) - Fighting back against Blackheart's manipulations, Noble halted his attack on Dan Ketch and returned to physical plane in Dan's body as the Ghost Rider, breaking free of Blackheart's corruption and bindings at the same time Wolverine and Punisher did the same. Ghost Rider quickly wrapped Blackheart in chains as Punisher shot Blackheart several times. Wolverine then stabbed Blackheart with his claws and Blackheart asked that the heroes help him take down Mephisto, an offer answered by the Punisher with bullets. Weakened and on his knees, Blackheart pleaded with Ghost Rider for help, reminding Ghost Rider of the innocents he could save. Ghost Rider instead reminded Blackheart that he had done nothing but show he was just as bad as Mephisto by corrupting and killing townspeople in Christ's Crown. He then joined in the attack against Blackheart as Norma Jean and the other resistant townspeople entered the stronghold. With Lucy rescued, she forgave Blackheart as Blackheart was returned to Mephisto's Hell and Ghost Rider, Wolverine and Punisher departed the scene, unaware that Blackheart ultimately ended up assassinating Mephisto and assuming control of Mephisto's Hell realm.

(Morbius I#29 - BTS) - Assuming control of Dan Ketch's form as Ghost Rider, Noble attended the burial of Morbius, who had apparently died while exposing himself to sunlight. During the burial, a revived Morbius exploded from his casket and announced that he felt alive, prompting Ghost Rider to warn Blade not to try anything. The following day, Ghost Rider was present when many heroes showed up to attend Morbius' funeral, only to find the body missing. As Spider-Man departed the scene, Ghost Rider witnessed a cloud of mist cover the gravesite and when it dispersed, a bouquet of flowers appeared on Morbius' grave from Modred the Mystic and Wildpride.

(Wolverine II#89 (fb) - BTS) - The shedding of innocent blood in New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art drew Noble/Ghost Rider to the scene and Ghost Rider quickly sensed the name "Logan" reverberating through the Museum's empty halls. Sensing a longing for confrontation with Wolverine, Ghost Rider began seeking out his mutant ally.

(Wolverine II#89 - BTS) - As Wolverine returned to New York towards Salem Center, Noble/Ghost Rider caught up to him and revealed that an evil from Wolverine's past had been spilling innocent blood. Wolverine commented that Ghost Rider would have to say something better than that to keep him from Salem Center and when Ghost Rider mentioned the name Ogun, Wolverine decided to follow Ghost Rider. Arriving at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Ghost Rider explained how he sensed a longing for battle with Wolverine within the Museum and showed Wolverine the demon mask of Ogun that Wolverine had once destroyed. When the two heroes heard noises in the armor section of the Japanese exhibit, they invesigated but Ghost Rider soon deduced that the armor exhibit was merely a ruse to take them away from the demon mask. Quickly returning, they found the demon mask and its accompanying sword missing. Noticing a shadow of Ogun despite Wolverine's senses picking up a familiar yet different scent, Ghost Rider and Wolverine were soon attacked by a seemingly resurrected Ogun. Ogun retreated to the Egyptian wing, where he tossed his sword into the air and offered for Wolverine to attack him unarmed. Realizing too late that the sword was bound to fall, Wolverine was saved from a lethal stabbing by Ghost Rider's chain. Wolverine then managed to split the demon mask in two, briefly seeing his own face before the mask and armored suit crumbled to dust. Shocked to also see Wolverine's face in the armor, Ghost Rider asked if "Ogun" had been a doppelganger of Wolverine but Wolverine replied that it was Ogun, assuming Wolverine's own form from beyond the grave to attack.

(Ghost Rider III Special#1 - BTS) - When Dan Ketch found the city rioting and its residents fueled by rage, he drove his motorcycle through the crowd. As the rage-filled crowd surrounded him, he allowed Noble to assume his form as Ghost Rider to protect himself. Unsure of what caused the bystanders to turn to rioting, Ghost Rider used his Penance Stare on a rage-corrupted woman and learned that the radio had broadcasted a word that caused the public to erupt in rioting. Ghost Rider then released links of his chain to take down the other corrupted bystanders before departing the scene to learn more about what caused the rage corruption.

(Ghost Rider III Special#2 - BTS) - Knowing that Lt. Michael Badilino had been assigned to a new precinct, Noble/Ghost Rider rode into the precinct and met with Vengeance, who had also been quelling the radio broadcast riots, thinking that perhaps Vengeance would need assistance. Their reunion was interrupted by John Blaze, who had arrived under similar circumstances. Vengeance soon asked what their plan was to stop the riots and Ghost Rider told Blaze and Vengeance to remain there in attempt to calm the riots while he left to fight the riots at their source.

(Ghost Rider III Special#4 - BTS) - Finding Blackout at the radio station's headquarters and learning that Blackout had initiated the rage-filled broadcast, Noble/Ghost Rider rescued a technician from Blackout's grasp, knocking aside a fire extinguisher thrown at him by Blackout. When Blackout again tried to take the technician hostage, Ghost Rider ensnared Blackout with his chains and forced Blackout to reveal his plan. Blackout proudly admitted that Zarathos was returning to the Earth dimension and had tasked Blackout with causing the radio-induced riots via a spell spoken over the airwaves in order to keep Ghost Rider and his allies distracted. When Blackout announced that Ghost Rider was too late to stop Zarathos' resurrection, Ghost Rider exclaimed that he would find a way to prevent Zarathos from returning.

(Ghost Rider III Special#6 - BTS) - While John Blaze battled the Lilin Skinner, Noble/Ghost Rider and Vengeance heard about the battle and arrived to help, only to find that Blaze had taken care of Skinner on his own. Vengeance explained the situation of Zarathos' impending return to Blaze, who explained that Skinner had arrived at the hospital seeking a woman named Lynda, who was destined to help in Zarathos' resurrection. As Ghost Rider, Vengeance and Blaze continued their discussion, they missed the injured Skinner cutting the hospitalized Lynda, whose psychic powers provided a doorway for Zarathos to be re-enter the Earthly plane. Zarathos made quick work of Ghost Rider, Blaze and Vengeance, promising that human destiny would be ground under his heel.

(Ghost Rider III Special#8 (fb) - BTS) - Noble/Ghost Rider and his allies "ruined" Zarathos' plans to conquer the world.

(Ghost Rider III Special#8 - BTS) - From his dimension of banishment, Zarathos viewed Noble/Ghost Rider, Vengeance and John Blaze, foreseeing trials in their future, tests that Zarathos hoped would teach him all of his enemies' strengths and weaknesses.

(Ghost Rider III Special#11 - BTS) - Dan Ketch felt Noble Kale attempting to take control of his body as Ghost Rider. Sensing the urgency, he allowed Noble to resume controlling his body. Soon finding John Blaze under the sway of Zarathos and transformed into a duplicate of his original Ghost Rider form, Noble/Ghost Rider was injured by Blaze's hellfire weapons but soon found a shield composed of hellfire and used it to protect himself from Blaze's attacks. Noble managed to ensnare Blaze in his chains and attempted to use his Penance Stare but Blaze fought back until Noble managed to successfully subject Blaze to the Penance Stare. The Stare restored Blaze to normal and removed Zarathos' influence from his mind. Blaze thanked Ghost Rider for restoring his mental faculties and the two heroes wondered what Zarathos might plan next from his dimensional exile.

(Ghost Rider III#58 - BTS) - When Dan Ketch came upon a mugging, he managed to hold back Noble's attempts to assume his form, causing his eyes to burn with fire and scare off the mugger. He later was present on a subway when a thug named Flash and his allies tried to rob the subway patrons. Despite his attempts to hold back, Noble managed to gain control of Dan's form and became Ghost Rider to take down the thugs, noticing that the subway patrons were just as scared of him as they were of the thugs. Weakened by Dan fighting for his own control, Noble stumbled away from the subway and Dan briefly assumed control, announcing that it was his life and he wanted control. Noble regained control, exclaiming that there was too much innocent blood to be avenged but Dan again gained control, screaming no. Noble again regained control of Dan's body, warning that if Dan continued to fight against Noble's attempts to avenge the innocents, all control of Dan's body would be taken from him. Active again as Ghost Rider, Noble came face-to-face with the Team. Knowing Stacy Dolan was among their number, Ghost Rider fled the scene, rescuing innocent bystanders along the way in an effort to prevent civilian casualties from the Team's attack. Blasted by the Team, Ghost Rider fled into the sewers.

(Ghost Rider III#59 - BTS) - After Dan received several beatings from a homeless man in the sewers, Noble forced himself to control Dan's form and fought back as Ghost Rider. He then subjected the man to the Penance Stare before continuing to run through the sewers, commenting on how he had to keep Dan from fighting against his own psyche. Soon running into the sewer-dwelling Abomination, who mistook Ghost Rider as a predator of the homeless, Ghost Rider was easily knocked to the ground and Dan Ketch soon began trying to take over his own body again. A homeless boy, Max, quickly defended Ghost Rider, explaining to Abomination that Ghost Rider had taken care of the man who had been attacking the sewer-dwelling homeless. When Abomination wondered what Ghost Rider's story was, Dan assumed control and transformed back into his human form. Dan soon regained consciousness and warned for Abomination to put him down or he wouldn't be held responsible. Abomination figured he could handle and Noble briefly assumed control before Dan regained control. Abomination eventually suggested Dan go to his family and friends for help but also ordered him to leave the sewers, as he would ultimately end up drawing the police to Abomination's underground community. When the Team infiltrated the sewers and began opening fire, Noble assumed control and saved the young boy Max as Ghost Rider. Ghost Rider then returned Max to Abomination and fled, drawing fire away from Abomination's community. Feeling Dan fighting for control again, Noble avoided the Team but Dan regained control as Noble was going up a ladder to the surface. Shot in the leg by a Team agent, Dan found himself face-to-face with Shriker.

(Ghost Rider III#60 - BTS) - After Dan shrugged off the help of Shriker and Caretaker, he sought refuge with Stacy Dolan, whom he asked how to turn himself in to the Team. He soon began feeling Noble trying to take control again and, overhearing the commotion, the visiting Team member Sean Tully came in the kitchen to see what was wrong. Upon seeing Ghost Rider, Sean went to grab a gun and Noble Kale assumed control of Dan's body, telling Stacy that Dan's body was now his. Sean returned and shot Ghost Rider in the shoulder. Dan and Noble then began fighting for control of Dan's body and Sean managed to shoot Ghost Rider in the torso before Dan gained control. Dan attempted to turn himself but Sean refused. Before Tully could kill Dan, Noble assumed control and hit Tully's gun with his chain, causing it to backfire and fatally wound Sean Tully.

(Ghost Rider III#61 - BTS) - Following the death of Sean Tully, Noble, still in control of Dan Ketch's form as Ghost Rider, hid out to determine what exactly he had done while the news media reported on Ghost Rider's status as wanted for murder. Visiting a Brooklyn church that he recognized from Dan's memories to seek forgiveness, Ghost Rider allowed Dan to assume control of his form once more. When Anton Hellgate's agents Dread and Rak burst into the church seeking Ghost Rider, Dan was unable to fight for control of his form and Noble gained control to confront the criminals, refusing to fight them on sacred ground. Suffering a brutal beating at the agents' hands, Ghost Rider tried to fight back when they threatened Father Flynn. When Dread missed a sword slice and hit a gas main, an explosion took the fight outside, where soldiers ordered Ghost Rider to freeze. Unable to resist Dan fighting for control, Noble relinquished Dan's form back to Dan, who was about to be captured by Dread and Rak when the Punisher and Daredevil intervened and helped Dan take cover inside the church. Eventually, Dan refused to hide and ventured back outside, allowing Noble to resume control of his body as Ghost Rider, who prepared to surrender, only to be blasted by the Team soldiers. As he lay seriously injured, Ghost Rider asked Stacy Dolan why they had attacked him when he was preparing to surrender for the sake of Dan. Taken into the Team's custody, Ghost Rider reminded Stacy that she had done what she had to, suggesting that they weren't so different, he and her. The Team's capture of Ghost Rider was soon overruled when SHIELD arrived and assumed custody of Ghost Rider.

(Ghost Rider III#62 - BTS) - As SHIELD transferred custody  of Ghost Rider over to the enigmatic Spook, Noble/Ghost Rider broke free and fled into the Black Hole research facility ran by the Spook, who had the SHIELD agents stand down while they took care of Ghost Rider. Ghost Rider was eventually shot and taken into custody by the Spook while Noble desperately tried to keep Dan from fighting for control of his body lest they both die. Ghost Rider was then led into the Black Hole facility and hooked up to machinery so that he could be experimented on. Shortly after, Black Hole scientists began conducting experiments, causing Ghost Rider's hellfire to rage out of control. As Noble begged for Dan not to fight for control, the two psyches ended up confronting each other in the void.

(Ghost Rider III#62) - Inside the void, Dan Ketch asked Noble Kale where they were and Noble replied that they were inside the void where he normally resided while Dan was in control of his own body. Having only ever met face-to-face with Noble's spirit within Nightmare's Dream Dimension, Dan asked if they were dreaming but Noble replied that they were not and he suspected they were both brought into the void to work out their recent fights for control of Dan's body. Dan at first just opted to give up control but Noble suggested they work out some sort of compromise so that they could both survive. Dan agreed not to fight Noble's control until they were able to escape the Black Hole.

(Ghost Rider III#62 - BTS) - Noble then assumed control of Dan's body and fought back against the Black Hole scientists but recent events had left Noble too tired and weak, causing him to lose consciousness and forcing Dan to assume control of his own body by default.

(Ghost Rider III#63) - While Dan Ketch was contained within the Government Research and Containment Facility#24501 (aka the Black Hole) by the Spook, Noble Kale was trapped within the void between realms, battling illusory criminals for vengeance. When Dan was placed under sedation, his mind arrived in the realm and found Noble fighting the criminals, asking if that's what Ghost Rider did to keep busy while not in control of Dan's body. Noble replied that his life was vengeance, prompting Dan to ask why Noble did what he did and Noble admitted that he occasionally received glimpses of a past life he could no longer fully recall, a life that drove him to become the Spirit of Vengeance. Dan then asked him if he had any ideas of how to escape the facility they were in and Noble replied that the only chance they had involved Danny allowing Noble full control of his body. Noble then asked that Danny stop fighting him for control of his body. Danny was then forcibly pulled from the void when the facility scientists woke him up from sedation and as he left, Noble asked Dan to try to work with him.

(Ghost Rider III#63 - BTS) - Later, when the facility was preparing to dissect Dan, Dan contacted Noble and announced the situation, which Noble agreed would kill them both. Noble then suggested that they merge totally and completely and Dan agreed to do so. Noble then took control of Dan's form and busted his way from the facility's shackles as Ghost Rider, summoning his motorcycle from rooms away and rampaging through the facility. Ghost Rider's rampage also freed both Skinner and the Scarecrow from the facility's custody.

(Ghost Rider III#64 - BTS) - Still in control of Dan's form, Ghost Rider found the Black Hole's Dr. Keene and Wright before the Spook informed Ghost Rider over the loudspeaker that he was going to flood the room with radioactivity. Angry that he might fail despite Dan trusting control of his form to him, Ghost Rider began punching the walls until the Spook's countdown was aborted due to the Scarecrow's involvement. Feeling like things felt better with him and Dan not vying for control of Dan's body, Ghost Rider prepared to escape the Black Hole, only to hear screams from Dr. Keene, who was being attacked by the Lilin Skinner. Ready to rescue Dr. Keene, Ghost Rider found Skinner holding Wright hostage and battled Skinner, subjecting him to the Penance Stare. Due to Skinner's Lilin metabolism, the Penance Stare was also reflected back on Ghost Rider, who felt the pain of all of those that he was unable to save. Despite that, Ghost Rider determined that the difference between himself and Skinner was that Skinner brought the pain on himself. He then rescued Dr. Keene and Wright and got them to safety with Nick Fury and Black Widow, leaving Skinner behind and confronting the Scarecrow as well.

(Ghost Rider III#65 - BTS) - Still controlling Dan's form as Ghost Rider, Noble held back the Scarecrow as Nick Fury attempted to disarm the detonation program set in motion by the Spook. After Scarecrow escaped the facility in the only escape pod, Ghost Rider had himself, Nick Fury, Black Widow, Dr. Keene and Mr. Wright pile onto his motorcycle and they fled the facility just as it exploded. Ghost Rider was thanked by Nick Fury, who explained that things weren't over between them as Ghost Rider departed and eventually allowed Dan Ketch to resume control of his own body. Later, when the Punisher saved Dan Ketch from agents of the Spook, Dan allowed Noble to resume control of his form as Ghost Rider in order to deal with the Spook. Sensing that the Punisher was erratic and had recently crossed a line he had previously dared not cross, Ghost Rider announced that he would take care of the Spook before coming back for the Punisher. Ghost Rider then captured the Spook and prepared to subject him to the Penance Stare before Punisher shot the Spook through the head, claiming that the Spook would return if not finished. Ghost Rider then decided that the Punisher's crazed rampage had to be stopped but before he could take action, Punisher hurled a grenade to cover his escape which launched Ghost Rider into a nearby car. When Ghost Rider regained his senses, the Punisher had left a note on the Spook's corpse stating that Nick Fury would be next.

(Double Edge: Omega - BTS) - Noble/Ghost Rider brutally interrogated a Hell's Kitchen thug named Charlie, demanding to know the person supplying the Punisher with weapons and ammunition. Demanding to know if the thug had sold to the Punisher, Ghost Rider ordered him to answer or feel the Penance Stare. When the thug's friends showed up to take care of Ghost Rider, Daredevil made an appearance and teamed with Ghost Rider to take down the thugs. Once the thugs had been defeated, Daredevil asked what Ghost Rider was up to and Ghost Rider explained that the Punisher mistakenly thought Nick Fury had murdered his family. Having been involved in the crossfire between Punisher and Fury, Daredevil agreed to help with Ghost Rider's plan to get close enough to Punisher to use his Penance Stare to clear the Punisher's mind. Ghost Rider insisted that he did not need a partner but Daredevil reminded him that Hell's Kitchen was his turf and suggested Ghost Rider keep up while he helped search for Punisher. After Daredevil used his superhuman senses to track the Punisher's heartbeat, he regrouped with Ghost Rider to inform him of Punisher's location. In order to get close to the Punisher, Ghost Rider relinquished control of Dan's form back to Dan Ketch. Tracking Punisher down, Dan and Daredevil witnessed the Punisher shoot Nick Fury, an act which prompted Noble Kale re-assuming Dan's form as Ghost Rider. Daredevil incapacitated the Punisher while Ghost Rider submitted Punisher to the Penance Stare, restoring his senses. Daredevil then confirmed the apparent death of Nick Fury and SHIELD agents soon moved in to collect the corpse, telling Ghost Rider and Daredevil to go their own way. 

(DC vs. Marvel I#1 - BTS) - When beings from a Distant Cosmos began appearing on Earth-616, Noble/Ghost Rider found himself battling the alternate universe's Etrigan the Demon.

(Ghost Rider III#66 - BTS) - After lamenting his fate at being merged with Noble Kale and driving to a location where Ghost Rider was needed, Dan Ketch allowed Noble to take over his form as Ghost Rider in order to stop some muggers from killing their victim. Easily defeating the thugs, Ghost Rider subjected them to the Penance Stare before departing, not hearing the victim's thanks. Thinking to himself how tempting it was to remain in control of Dan's body, Noble admitted that if the two were to coexist to their mutual benefit, it was time to return control to Dan Ketch. Later, Dan Ketch stumbled upon a police action involving a terrorist organization in a riverfront warehouse and allowed Noble to control his form as Ghost Rider in order to investigate. Learning that the organization had ties to his old foe Anton Hellgate, Ghost Rider attacked the organization and picked up their radio, telling Anton Hellgate that he was coming for him, unaware that was precisely what Hellgate wanted. Returning to Cypress Hills Cemetary to return control to Dan, Ghost Rider was met by a shadowy figure who offered to provide information on known super-powered criminals in New York. Not trusting someone who kept himself hidden, Ghost Rider declined the offer until the man showed Ghost Rider a photo of Alicia Walker, a victim of Blackout, and offered to help Ghost Rider find Blackout. Shortly thereafter, having located Blackout, Ghost Rider burst into Blackout's posh Manhattan apartment and announced that Blackout would kill no more. Threatening to kill Dan Ketch's friends, Blackout tried to make a deal with Ghost Rider for their lives then tossed a table at Ghost Rider and jumped out the nearest window. Taking hostage the nearby Clark and Lois, Blackout threatened to kill them but Ghost Rider explained that it was not Clark that Blackout wanted but rather Dan Ketch and allowed Dan to control his body again. When Blackout tried to bite Dan, Dan returned control of his body to Noble and the transformation into Ghost Rider knocked Blackout back. Taking Blackout captive, Ghost Rider chained him to a high tower when the sun came up, burning Blackout. As Ghost Rider rode off, he commented to himself that vengeance would no longer be denied.

(Ghost Rider III#67 - BTS) - As Dan Ketch rode his motorcycle to meet his mysterious informant, he allowed Noble to take control of his form so that the informant could meet with Ghost Rider. Upon hearing the informant's proposition to provide information on superpowered criminals in exchange for his identity remaining a secret, Ghost Rider agreed to the terms and the informant announced his plans to strike against Anton Hellgate. Ghost Rider then departed, thinking of the informant's suggestions before allowing Dan to resume control of his body. Later, when Dan was on a walk with his girlfriend Paula, he allowed Noble to control his form as Ghost Rider when screams from a nearby alley turned out to involve the alien Brood. When Ghost Rider began strangling one of the Brood with his chains, the human host begged for mercy despite the Brood "victim" trying to goad Ghost Rider into killing it. Stacy Dolan then pointed a gun, prompting Ghost Rider to let her know that he did not harm the human Brood host but Stacy instead fired on the "victim," revealing it to be a Brood alien as well. Capturing one of the Brood, Ghost Rider demanded to know where the Brood Queen was and the Brood announced that, by then, the other Brood would have overtaken the X-Man Gambit but Gambit arrived to prove the Brood wrong. Realizing they had unfinished business with the Brood, Gambit asked Ghost Rider if he was ready to hunt and Ghost Rider replied that he was.

(Ghost Rider III#68 - BTS) - When Noble/Ghost Rider asked Gambit how they would find the Brood Queen, Gambit commented that they would follow Wolverine's nose as Wolverine joined in their Brood hunt, battling a Brood that nearly got to Ghost Rider and Gambit. Upon seeing Ghost Rider, Wolverine asked how he had been since their most recent encounter with Blackheart and asked if he had heard from Lucy Crumm. As they teamed against the Brood alien, Wolverine commented how he had heard Punisher had gone off the deep end and Ghost Rider replied that he had recently had a run-in with Punisher and not as an ally. Gambit soon grumbled that if Wolverine and Ghost Rider were finished with the Brood and talking about old times, they needed to continue their Brood hunt. Stacy attempted to join them but Ghost Rider commented that they couldn't explain the entire situation to police officers who wouldn't listen and he couldn't try to watch over Stacy while also battling the Brood. Stacy insisted that Ghost Rider wouldn't have to look after her but Wolverine interrupted her, saying that Ghost Rider didn't mean any offense, before Ghost Rider, Wolverine and Gambit departed to find the Brood Queen. Wolverine's senses led them to the Federal Reserve Bank and Ghost Rider and Wolverine prepared to bust into the bank but Gambit suggested they sneak it to avoid police interference. Breaking into the back of the bank, Ghost Rider ripped open a vault door and the heroes found a terrified bank employee. Determining that he was not a Brood in disguise, Wolverine, Gambit and Ghost Rider learned from the employee where the Brood had taken their other captives, unaware that Stacy Dolan had organized a police strike on the surface. Led into the lower vaults by Brood, Wolverine, Ghost Rider and Gambit found a Brood Queen that wished to talk and was holding Stacy Dolan and her officers hostage after their failed strike. The Brood Queen offered the three heroes a deal: Stacy and her captive officers in exchange for Wolverine, Ghost Rider and Gambit themselves. Wishing to spare Stacy Dolan's life, Ghost Rider agreed to sacrifice himself for Stacy's life. Wolverine and Gambit tried to stop Ghost Rider but he agreed to go freely. As the Brood tried to take over Ghost Rider's form, Ghost Rider asked that Stacy Dolan shoot him with the Team's molecular guns designed to hurt Ghost Rider. Connected to the Brood via the Brood Queen's hive mind, the pain experienced by Ghost Rider when the molecular gun tore him apart killed the Brood present. With the Brood defeated, Ghost Rider began to recover and commended Stacy for a job well done. The other Team members ordered Stacy to kill the weakened Ghost Rider while she could but Stacy instead quit the Team and helped Ghost Rider leave the scene with Wolverine and Gambit.

(Over the Edge I#4 - BTS) - After Frances Ketch's home was bombed and emergency crews reported seeing Ghost Rider, Dan Ketch relinquished control of his body over to Noble Kale, who announced that the imposter couldn't be Ghost Rider. Chasing the imposter to Cypress Hills Cemetary, Ghost Rider overheard the imposter commenting about how the Cemetary was where it all began, where Angel went to Heaven. Unsure about whether or not the imposter knew his dual life with Dan Ketch and that the Cemetary was also where Noble was reborn on Earth, Ghost Rider continued the chase. After the imposter bombed the Cemetary, Ghost Rider chased him into the subway, where he rode through one of the trains and proclaimed himself the last remaining Cypress Pool Joker. He then led Ghost Rider then a swarm of Team members with Ghost Rider commenting that the Team must have reassembled and that even Stacy Dolan must think him to be the bomber. After the imposter led the chase onto a ferry boat, continuing to announce that he was the last Cypress Pool Joker and that he was doing this for the deceased Angel, Ghost Rider announced that he did not kill Angel and unmasked the imposter as Cypress Pool Joker Ralphie D'Amato. Asking where Ralphie had been, Ghost Rider was told that Ralphie had been in an asylum due to mind-unhinging drugs he had been taking. The Team members soon tracked down Ghost Rider and Ralphie, blowing up the ferry boat. After Noble returned control of Dan Ketch's form back to Dan, Dan visited Ralphie in the hospital with Stacy Dolan.

(Ghost Rider: Crossroads I#1 - BTS) - Within Cypress Hills Cemetary, Noble Kale returned control of his Ghost Rider form to Dan Ketch, whose body transformed back to human. As Dan reemerged, he wondered why Noble kept bringing him back to Cypress Hills Cemetary each time he had finished his missions of vengeance. Dan was quickly met by Blackheart in a limousine and was prevented from touching the Medallion of Power on his motorcycle before Blackheart drove off with Dan. Blackheart then separated Noble Kale from Dan Ketch and forced him to fight his way through Blackheart's Hell realm against the Scarecrow, with the victor being allowed to leave Hell with one thing. After Blackheart tried to force Zarathos to bond again with John Blaze, whom he had also captured, Dan beat Scarecrow and chose to leave with Noble Kale re-bonded to himself in an effort to spare Blaze the pain of becoming Ghost Rider again. As Blackheart gloated and attempted to manipulate Dan and Blaze by commenting on how they had left Roxanne Blaze and Barbara Ketch behind to die again, Dan allowed Noble to take over his body. Recreating his motorcycle out of hellfire, Noble/Ghost Rider warned Blackheart that next time, he would find out what a game really was. Blackheart scoffed at Ghost Rider's comments as Ghost Rider rode out of Hell with John Blaze in tow.

(Ghost Rider III#69 - BTS) - Dan Ketch drove his motorcycle into a group of armored gunmen, allowing Noble to assume control mid-jump. As Noble landed, he thought on how much better things were since Dan had embraced Noble's mission of vengeance and began working together instead of against Noble's time as Ghost Rider. Thinking about how his recent informant had been directing him to strike at Anton Hellgate's assets, Noble felt more at ease with his role as Ghost Rider and enjoyed taking down the "depraved" and "evil" Hellgate. When Anton Hellgate released the super-strong Choam in the streets of New York to draw out Ghost Rider, Dan Ketch's Medallion of Power began glowing and he released Noble Kale to take over his body to confront Choam. Angry that Choam would kill just to get his attention, Ghost Rider attacked Choam and even subjected him to the Penance Stare with no effect. In order to stop Choam's killing, Ghost Rider wrapped his chain around Choam's neck and strangled him seemingly to death. Horrified by what he had done, Ghost Rider was shocked when Choam got back up but soon managed to tie Choam down with his chains. The police informed Ghost Rider that Guardsmen from the Vault would arrive shortly after to take Choam into custody and asked what to do about Ghost Rider's chain. Ghost Rider grimly replied that when he needed the chain, it would come to him. Before he left the scene, Stacy Dolan walked up to Ghost Rider and whispered that Dan's girlfriend Paula was in trouble. Ghost Rider told her that she had done the right thing to tell him and he left the scene.

(Over the Edge I#9 - BTS) - At 4:13a.m. in the Bronx, Noble/Ghost Rider returned from a night of vengeance and allowed Dan to resume controlling his own body.

(Over the Edge I#9) - As he rejuvenated within the void, Noble Kale sensed a vision of chaos looming closer. Despite the sense of dread, Noble remained determined to stick to the agreement he had made with Dan and opted to allow Dan to continue living his life until the evil struck and Noble was needed.

(Over the Edge I#9 - BTS) - When Dan Ketch and John Blaze investigated a series of explosions, Blaze found the Lilin Skinner in the center of the explosions and Dan released Noble as Ghost Rider despite Blaze's insistence that the battle was between Skinner and himself. Ghost Rider jumped into battle against Skinner, claiming that the Penance Stare forced him to see his own tortured soul and despite Skinner's claims to the contrary, Skinner had no one to blame but himself for the murder of his human family. Skinner angrily demanded that Ghost Rider kill him or be killed but Ghost Rider instead announced that he pitied Skinner. Before Blaze could kill Skinner, Ghost Rider wrapped Skinner in his chains and bashed him into explosion debris until Skinner relented and was taken into Vault custody.

(Ghost Rider III#70 - BTS) - Released as the Ghost Rider and riding the rooftops, Noble thought to himself how it been some time since he had been released to control Danny Ketch's form as the Ghost Rider. Despite knowing that his rapport with Ketch seemed to be diminishing, Noble continued his mission of vengeance and soon located "Choocho" Colon and his friends Toother and Randolph attempting to rob bodega owner Luz Santos. Slamming down in the midst of the thugs, Ghost Rider terrified Randolph and Colon into fleeing but a defiant Toother tried to fight back and Noble eventually used Ghost Rider's Penance Stare on Toother before warning Luz's cat Fidel to flee as well and departing. Later, after buying some groceries, Danny Ketch witnessed a group of thugs getting out of a vehicle and relinquished his form to Noble Kale to allow the Ghost Rider to stop the thugs. After terrifying the thugs into turning themselves in, Noble returned to Danny's apartment, thinking that it was a good place for a Spirit of Vengeance, as there were many innocents in the apartment building to protect.

(Ghost Rider III#71 - BTS) - In control of the Ghost Rider form, Noble contemplated his mission at Woodlawn Cemetary before rushing out and rescuing a bystander from a car crash caused by a police chase. Finding the woman terrified of him and the other bystanders calling him a demon, Ghost Rider began to use his Penance Stare on the captured criminals before being interrupted by police gunfire. He then warned the police that the next time they risked innocent lives to catch a crook, he would be there. He then departed.

(Ghost Rider III#72) - As he floated in the void while Dan Ketch was in control of his own form, Noble thought on how peaceful and calm the void was but considered his own doubts, fears and premonitions that something bad was about to happen.

(Ghost Rider III#72 - BTS) - Dan soon relinquished control of his form over to Noble and, using Dan's form as Ghost Rider, Noble found himself in front of Melissa Maro, who was dying from gunshot wounds fired by "Choocho" Colon and his friend Randolph. Contemplating whether to save Melissa's life and risk failing his mission of vengeance by allowing the culprits to get away, Noble ultimately decided that a life must always come before vengeance and raced Melissa to the nearest hospital. Crashing through the hospital window as Ghost Rider, Noble ordered the doctors to give Melissa medical attention while he departed to disperse vengeance onto her shooters. Finding "Choocho" and Randolph hiding out in an alleyway, Ghost Rider used his Penance Stare on Randolph before departing, leaving "Choocho" alone and returning to North Bronx Central Hospital, where he relinquished Dan Ketch's body back to Dan's control. After reporting the shooting to police, who were on the scene thanks to Ghost Rider's earlier hospital entrance, Dan Ketch returned home where he was met by Stacy Dolan, who questioned whether Ghost Rider was killing people following a series of grisly vengeance-themed killings. Determined to find out what was going on, Dan took a stick of lipstick and wrote the words "Ghost Rider, are you killing?" on his mirror. Dan then forcibly triggered his change into Ghost Rider, allowing Noble to see the message through Ghost Rider's eyes. Noble then replied with the message "I have never willingly killed!" written on the mirror before returning to the void and allowing Dan full control again. Later, Noble appeared as Ghost Rider in Woodlawn Cemetary and met with his enigmatic informant, who warned Ghost Rider to be careful, as the recent killings had made a lot of people want Ghost Rider dead. Reminding Dolan that he fear nothing and only his mission of vengeance was important, Ghost Rider left and was soon drawn to the Bronx, where Luz Santos was attacked by agents of Snowblind. Chasing the agents around asking if they wanted a taste of his hellfire, Ghost Rider was soon surrounded by a dome of white light by Snowblind, who hit Ghost Rider with a molecular disruption gun, causing Ghost Rider intense pain.

(Ghost Rider III#73 - BTS) - Noble remained in control over Dan Ketch's form as Snowblind gloated about his victory. Ghost Rider managed to muster up the strength to strangle Snowblind with his chains until Snowblind admitted defeat and removed the white light dome. Unfortunately, Ghost Rider's form was almost immediately riddled with bullets fired by Anton Hellgate's men. Hellgate's agents then began toying with Ghost Rider, slashing at his throat and threatening him, prompting Capt. Dolan to order them all to freeze, only to be kicked aside by Hellgate's agent Rak. Noble managed to use Ghost Rider's chains to pull Rak away but was easy prey for another agent, Ripper. Ghost Rider was soon after rescued by John Blaze, who single-handedly defeated Hellgate's agents before pointing a gun at Ghost Rider himself, accusing him of murder.

(Ghost Rider III#74 - BTS) - Unsure why Blaze was treating him with such mistrust, Ghost Rider became angry when Blaze accused him of controlling Danny Ketch's life and the two began fighting. When the police soon arrived on the scene, Capt. Dolan suggested they retreat to Woodlawn Cemetary, where Blaze demanded that Noble relinquish control of his form back to Danny. In an effort to clear up the misunderstanding, Noble allowed Danny full control of his own body once more.

(Ghost Rider III#75 - BTS) - When Blaze, Danny Ketch, Capt. Gerard Dolan and Stacy Dolan snuck into the Atlantic City Mobsters' Cotillion hoping to find Vengeance, an explosion rocked an upper floor of the hotel, leaving Stacy hanging from a ledge. Danny immediately gave Noble control of his form to rescue Stacy as Ghost Rider. Commenting to the unconscious Stacy that he always seemed to be rescuing her and one day he may be too late with the way her life was, Ghost Rider found Vengeance killing bystanders in his mission to destroy all evil. Realizing Vengeance had went mad, Ghost Rider leapt into battle against him, eventually falling into the main room housing the mobsters (including Anton Hellgate and his agents).

(Ghost Rider III#76 - BTS) - Remaining in control of Dan's form as Ghost Rider, Noble continued his battle with Vengeance until Vengeance subjected Ghost Rider to the Penance Stare and transformed back into Michael Badilino. When John Blaze prepared to shoot Badilino while he was powerless, Ghost Rider stopped Blaze, reminding him that he was no man's judge. The two argued about what to do with Badilino until Anton Hellgate had his agents attack Ghost Rider, Blaze, Stacy Dolan and police officers Lt. Sokolowski and Alec Maloni. Badilino soon transformed into Vengeance once more and prepared to take Hellgate and his agents with him as he destroyed himself. Warning Ghost Rider and his allies to get out of the building, Vengeance exploded, taking Hellgate and his agents with him. When Stacy realized that Capt. Dolan was still inside, Ghost Rider rushed back in and rescued Capt. Dolan, promising to take him to the nearest hospital with Stacy.

(Ghost Rider III#77 (fb) - BTS) - Ghost Rider managed to get Capt. Dolan to St. Bernard's Hospital in Atlantic City.

(Ghost Rider III#77 - BTS) - Still in control as Ghost Rider, Noble brooded outside St. Bernard's Hospital and began having flashbacks to his past due to his exposure to Vengeance's Penance Stare. Recalling a vision of a burning woman, Ghost Rider wondered if he had killed the woman before Blaze arrived and asked if he was ok. Ghost Rider replied that he was recovering from the battle and Blaze announced that it was time to allow Danny control of his own form again. Ghost Rider sternly exclaimed that he did not choose to have Blaze's brother Danny as a host then allowed Danny to control his own form once more. Dan soon began experiencing visions of Noble's past as well and Blaze took him to Doctor Strange for help. Strange, in turn, suggested they visit sorceress Jennifer Kale and they mystically forced Noble's spirit to assume Dan's form in order to speak with him. Once Noble had assumed control, Doctor Strange quickly explained that, at some point in the past, a memory spell had been placed on him that was currently leaking Noble's memories and threatened to destroy both Noble and Danny. Strange then asked if Ghost Rider would allow himself and Jennifer Kale to reach into his memories and bring them under control. Somewhat nervous due to what he might learn if his full memories were restored, Ghost Rider reluctantly agreed in order to save Danny's life. When Strange and Jennifer started the spell to view Ghost Rider's memories, they were immediately bombarded with a mystic vision of the burning woman and Jennifer suggested that Ghost Rider focus on a less painful memory, asking if he could remember his name. Finally recalling part of his earliest memories, Ghost Rider remembered that his name was Noble Kale as Danny found himself confronted by the Furies inside the void between realms.

(Ghost Rider III#78 - BTS) - Continuing to control Danny's form, Noble yelled in anguish as long-forgotten memories flooded into his mind. Realizing that the spell that had released Noble's memories had also undone a centuries-old cloaking spell, Dr. Strange had Jennifer Kale astrally enter the void between realms, where she found Danny Ketch under attack by the Furies, who sought to kill Ghost Rider. Kale returned and informed Ghost Rider how the Furies only targeted those who were murderers of women. Strange, Jennifer Kale and Blaze then began asking if Ghost Rider had killed a woman but Noble insisted that he did not kill. In order to find out the truth, Jennifer Kale asked to enter Noble's mind and access his memories once more. Agreeing to allow Jennifer access, Noble was shocked when the memories returned too fast. Recalling a scene of his wife Magdalena burning at the stake, Noble screamed and Jennifer lost her connection to Noble's memories. Haunted at the thought that he could not recall if he had murdered his own wife, Noble paced and replied to Blaze how he could not remember for sure. Jennifer then reminded them that the Furies were coming after Ghost Rider whether he was a murderer or not and would soon be going after Noble's bloodline, which included both Jennifer and John Blaze. Blaming Noble for the Furies but knowing that the Furies had to be stopped, Jennifer then asked Noble to relinquish control of the form back to Danny so that Danny could make some hard choices. When Noble asked what kind of choices, Jennifer replied that it was none of his business. Before allowing Danny to return, Noble warned Jennifer not to disrespect him as he would be needed when Hell arised.

(Ghost Rider III#78) - Once back in the void between realms, Noble noticed that its form had changed as his memories returned. Wishing he could recall all of his memories, Noble altered his outfit and announced that if the Furies came, his fury would burn like a scythe of destruction.

(Ghost Rider III#79) - Within the void in the form of Ghost Rider, Noble witnessed the void continuing to change as portions of his memories returned. Knowing that the Furies had come seeking vengeance against him through his host Dan Ketch, Noble realized that he would remain trapped in the void until he was called forth to control Dan's form. Thinking himself alone, Noble was soon visited by the spirit of his deceased brother Dante, who informed Noble that the Furies were actually seeking vengeance for the murder of Noble's wife and also informed Noble that he would have to face the blood on his hands if he were to eventually die in a state of grace. As Noble continued to travel through the void, images of his father telling that he reaped what he sowed and his wife Magdalena sadly telling him that ruin had made it so Noble would have to die horribly. His memories not fully intact, Noble was unsure how he could have hurt Magdalena so.

(Ghost Rider III#79 - BTS) - Noble was soon brought forth from the void when Dan Ketch relinquished his form to the Ghost Rider to battle the Furies.

(Ghost Rider III#80 - BTS) - Once more in control of Dan's form as the Ghost Rider, Noble leapt into battle against the Furies, who accused Noble of betraying his former love Magdalena. Constantly exclaiming that he would never betray Magdalena and that he loved her, Ghost Rider was reminded of his memories of Magdalena's persecution at the hands of his father, Pastor Kale, and how he had allowed it to happen out of fear of his father. Despite these resurfaced memories, Noble continued to express his love of Magdalena until Jennifer Kale managed to summon forth the spirit of Magdalena, who released the Furies of their obligation of vengeance. Ghost Rider tried to ask if the memories revealed by the Furies were true but Magdalena quieted Noble and explained that her time on the Earthly plane was short and that Noble must seek answers with his father. Shocked at the possibility that Pastor Kale could still be alive, Noble agreed to Magdalena's wishes and, in Ghost Rider's form, said his goodbyes to Magdalena with a kiss. Once Magdalena's spirit had dissipated, Ghost Rider admitted that he thought he would never be at peace again.

(Ghost Rider III#81 - BTS) - Still controlling the form of Ghost Rider, Noble helped in the cleanup following the battle against the Furies and thought about how he deserved his inhuman state and how he had lost Magdalena once more. His thoughts were interrupted when John Blaze found Black Rose amidst the debris, prompting an appearance by Blackheart, who announced that Ghost Rider deserved destruction and suggested that Blaze's children were missing. Ghost Rider jumped at Blackheart, who quickly disappeared in time for the police to arrive on the scene and demand everyone freeze. Angry at recent events, Ghost Rider lashed out at the police officers before being threatened by Valkyrie. Growing tired of wasting time, Ghost Rider drove off, warning Valkyrie that if she ever drew her sword to his throat again, she would die on it. Landing his motorcycle a short distance away amidst a mugging, Ghost Rider made quick work of the thugs, only to find the victim terrified of him. Moving on his way, Noble thought how someone as corrupted as he had any right to judge the guilty and decided to visit the grave of Barbara Ketch in lieu of Magdalena's unknown grave. Finding Barbara's grave disturbed, Ghost Rider opted to relinquish control of his form back to Dan Ketch so that he could better deal with family business.

(Ghost Rider III#82 - BTS) - After Dan and Frances Ketch visited Barbara's grave and returned home to find hundreds of attacking crows, Dan released Noble to take care of the situation as Ghost Rider. Noble scared the crows away before recognizing Frances Ketch's neighborhood. Thinking that he should not be there, Noble ended his time in Dan's form and allowed Dan Ketch's psyche to return to his body. After seeing John Blaze on television with Devil Dinosaur, Moon-Boy and Howard the Duck, Dan thought that Blaze needed help against Devil Dinosaur and unleashed Noble as Ghost Rider to aid Blaze. Jumping into battle, Ghost Rider grabbed Moon-Boy and turned him over to the police to be arrested alongside Howard the Duck then focused his attention on Devil Dinosaur. Eventually bringing Devil Dinosaur down as well, Ghost Rider was spit on by Blaze, who was angry that each time Noble was out, his brother Dan was losing that much of his life. Ghost Rider quickly grabbed Blaze and warned that he would not tolerate that sort of disrespect, even from someone that carried Noble's blood in his veins. As Ghost Rider left, Blaze began to suspect that Noble was turning evil.

(Marvel Fanfare II#3 - BTS) - Following a series of savage attacks in New York, Noble/Ghost Rider burst into Central Park searching for the killer, only to find the new Spider-Man, Ben Reilly. When Spider-Man suggested teaming up to find the killer, Ghost Rider warned Spider-Man to stay out of his way but he interrupted himself when he sensed that the killer was in Central Park. Soon finding a Wendigo creature attacking a young girl named Roseanne, Ghost Rider jumped into battle against the Wendigo and was nearly overpowered by it before a group of cryptozoolists intervened and distracted the Wendigo into fleeing. Spider-Man stayed behind to hear about how the Wendigo had escaped the cryptozooligists' custody over New York but Ghost Rider announced that he needed no explanations, claiming that vengeance would be served before driving off. Ghost Rider later re-entered the battle, hitting Wendigo with chain link shurikens until Spider-Man argued that Ghost Rider shouldn't attack the creature. Ghost Rider announced that Spider-Man could not tell him how to mete out vengeance and warned that if Spider-Man stood in the way, he could share the Wendigo's fate. Spider-Man then grabbed Ghost Rider's motorcycle and slammed it down, convincing Ghost Rider not to kill the Wendigo. Instead, Ghost Rider allowed the Wendigo to be judged by the Penance Stare and when he subjected the Wendigo to it, Ghost Rider learned that the Wendigo had once been Michael Fleet, husband of the cryptozoologist Tamara and Jonas' brother. Feeling as if the Wendigo was not so unlike himself, Ghost Rider helped Spider-Man and the cryptozoologists take Wendigo into custody before departing.

(Ghost Rider III#83 - BTS) - Noble, as Ghost Rider, fell from the roof of a building laughing maniacally, and grabbed a purse snatcher around the neck with his chain. Laughing while bashing the thug into a stone wall, Ghost Rider asked the thug what the magic word was. When the thug pleaded with Ghost Rider not to kill him, Ghost Rider warned him to do no more evil or he would come for him a final time. Bouncing on the roof of a car as he left, still laughing, Noble paused in an alleyway and began to entertain thoughts of leaving Dan Ketch in the void to enjoy the time on Earth. Shelving such thoughts, Noble relinquished the body back to Dan Ketch. Later, when the Scarecrow possessed the corpse of Barbara Ketch and threatened Dan, he started to unleash Noble upon the Scarecrow, who reminded Dan that Ghost Rider might hurt Barbara. Stopping the process of allowing Noble control, Dan was rescued by John Blaze, who took refuge in Dan's home. When Scarecrow's crows made their way inside, Dan was possessed by Scarecrow himself and he knocked John Blaze out with a bottle.

(Ghost Rider III#84) - With Scarecrow possessing his body, Dan was cast into the void, where he met face-to-face with Noble Kale. At first unsure how it was possible for Dan to be there at the same time he was, Noble attacked Dan, demanding to know who dared to infiltrate the peace of his sanctum. He quickly relented, however, realized that it was truly Dan and that something was wrong. Danny angrily replied that yes, something was definitely wrong, and blamed his cursed existence as Ghost Rider for everything that was wrong with his life. A short time later, as Noble and Dan walked the void, Dan apologized, admitting that he knew Noble could not help his own cursed life and how he was bonded to Dan. Noble explained that his own cursed life was indeed his own fault but agreed that it was unfair that the succeeding generations of his bloodline should not have the suffer the same curse due to his own sins. Dan then came up with a plan to have Noble attempt to possess Johnny Blaze, Dan Ketch's brother and another of Noble's bloodline, in order to force the Scarecrow out of Dan's body. Unfortunately, Noble proved unable to do so and Dan sadly resigned himself to being stuck in the void forever. The spirit of Barbara Ketch then appeared and explained that Noble could not enter Blaze's body due to its hellfire saturation, further revealing that Noble could only inhabit those of his bloodline if they were not already tainted by hellfire. Knowing what he then had to do, Noble announced that he must possess the corpse of Barbara Ketch and fight Scarecrow, or be trapped in the void forever.

(Ghost Rider III#85) - Still within the void, Noble blamed himself for Barbara's death and Barbara quickly reminded him that she died because she had stumbled onto Deathwatch. Barbara also reminded Dan that it was not his fault either and that she should have been the one to house Noble Kale's spirit instead of Dan and that due to her premature death, Dan and Noble's bonding was clumsy at best. She then went over the plan for Noble to possess her corpse, explaining that Noble would need to use Scarecrow's pitchfork to force Scarecrow out of Dan's body so that Noble himself could re-enter. As Dan finally accepted that Noble would returning to Earth inside Barbara's corpse, Barbara prepared him for the spirit transfer and explained to Dan that, while she wouldn't see Dan again, she might be reincarnated as one of Dan's children in the future.

(Ghost Rider III#85 - BTS) - Assuming Barbara Ketch's corpse as a body, Noble walked out of the Ketch home and announced that Scarecrow must be punished. Brother Voodoo, who was also present alongside the vampire Lilith, held Scarecrow in place while Noble used Scarecrow's pitchfork to force Scarecrow out of Dan's body. Noble then re-entered Dan Ketch's body and relinquished it back to Dan himself.

(Cyblade/Ghost Rider I#1 - BTS) - When Eternity contacted Jennifer Kale to right a universal imbalance, she was sent to retrieve Ghost Rider. Appearing to him on a subway train, Jennifer revealed that Mephisto had not died but had crossed into another universe and Ghost Rider was needed to fix the problem. Using the power of Eternity, she then forced Noble into dominance of Dan's form. After Jennifer explained Mephisto's cross-universal mayhem, Ghost Rider readily agreed to help remove Mephisto's influence from the other universe. Jennifer then used Eternity's power to open a portal into the other universe, which Ghost Rider rode through. Arriving on a rooftop in the other universe, Ghost Rider began an immediate search for Mephisto, much to Mephisto's dismay. Police officers, not recognizing the demonic Ghost Rider's visage, ordered him to freeze and soon opened fire, prompting Ghost Rider to knock the officers out with his chain. Upon seeing Ghost Rider taking down police officers, that universe's heroine Cyblade attacked Ghost Rider, who grew tired of her distracting him from his mission to stop Mephisto. The two nearly fought each other before Ghost Rider noticed that the police he had knocked out had become demonically transformed. Taking one of the officers down with his chain, Ghost Rider demanded to know if Cyblade was a hero or villain. When she replied hero, Ghost Rider suggested they team up against the forces of darkness. Easily taking down the demonically-possessed, Ghost Rider and Cyblade were soon confronted by another native from Cyblade's universe, Killrazor, who asked them to bow before Mephisto and be spared. After Cyblade beat the corrupted Killrazor nearly to death, Ghost Rider subjected Killrazor to the Penance Stare, releasing Mephisto from Killrazor's body. Mephisto boasted that Ghost Rider did not have sufficient power to destroy him and announced Cyblade's universe would be his. Ghost Rider promised to crush Mephisto and attempted to warn Cyblade that a war was coming, only to find nothing but a smoldering crater where Cyblade had once stood.

(Ghost Rider/Ballistic (fb) - BTS) - After the other universe's heroic team Cyberforce expressed concern for their missing ally Ballistic, Noble/Ghost Rider set out to find her, soon locating her in a bar overrun with Mephisto's minions. Once he had explained the situation of Mephisto's influence on her Earth, Ghost Rider rode Ballistic up the side of the building on his motorcycle to survey Mephisto's damage. Ghost Rider then revealed that Times Square had become Mephisto's base of operations and Ballistic replied by saying that Ghost Rider was extremely boring and any attempts at getting him to laugh might cause his jaw to fall off. Ghost Rider responded by pulling his jaw off until Ballistic got on his motorcycle and suggested they hit Times Square to kill as many of Mephisto's minions as possible. Ghost Rider immediately went grim and warned her that no one touched the motorcycle before they teamed up and went into Times Square. After killing many minions, Ghost Rider and Ballistic were faced with Mephisto, who warned them away and made Ghost Rider realize that Mephisto had fed on too many souls too quickly, making him too powerful for Ghost Rider and Ballistic alone. He suggested that Ballistic be returned to Cyberforce before they noticed a small group of Mephisto's minions heading for the Midtown tunnel.

(Ghost Rider/Ballistic - BTS) - Taking on the minions in the Midtown tunnel, Noble/Ghost Rider and Ballistic trashed the minions' taxi before Ballistic set off an explosion in the tunnel to destroy the demonic minions. Emerging from the tunnel unscathed, Ghost Rider was offered drinks by Ballistic but he admitted that he did not drink. Ballistic then asked if he was able to pick his nose with a skull for a head.

(Ghost Rider III#86) - Back on Earth-616, after having remained in the void between realms for two months while Danny Ketch lived his life, Noble Kale, suspecting that the long slumber would once again take him, thought that perhaps it might be for the best if his light went out forever, given the Hell he had put Danny Ketch and his family through. He then began thinking that his mission of vengeance must come first over the lives of another but questioned his own thoughts as to whether it truly must come before. As time passed, the void became more and more empty as Noble fought off the slumber of not being active, knowing that it was a fight he was destined to lose.

(Ghost Rider III#86 - BTS) - Danny Ketch ultimately released Noble to control his body as the Ghost Rider when a group of children who were playing with fireworks accidentally started an apartment fire. Laughing, Ghost Rider rode over the heads of Damage Control agents Kirk Eden and Jim Palmetto and rescued the children from the burning apartment. Once the children were safe, Ghost Rider told one of the girls to do no more evil as Eden and Palmetto rethought their report against Ghost Rider.

(Ghost Rider III#87 - BTS) - Controlling Dan Ketch's form as Ghost Rider, Noble Kale fiercely chased muggers Joey and his older accomplice. Eventually catching up to them, Ghost Rider announced to the accomplice that there would be no sorrow from the punishment he was about to receive. However, Ghost Rider quickly became distracted, sensing the despair from the nearby Melinda Pressman, who had attempted to commit suicide. Picking up Melinda, Ghost Rider rushed her to Central Bronx Hospital and demanded the doctors make her well before departing. Stopping on a nearby rooftop, Noble thought to himself how he would have to relinquish the form back to Danny Ketch soon and wondered if there would soon be a time when Danny refused to give up his form to Noble, leaving Noble to remain in the void forever. He then exclaimed that there was still evil out there and asked for just one more day of controlling Dan's form. Ghost Rider later arrived on the scene when the ghost Wallow attempted to kill his still-living son Michael. After forcing Wallow to flee, Ghost Rider demanded Michael tell him everything he knew about Wallow and, upon learning that Wallow was after both Michael and Melinda, Ghost Rider rushed to Central Bronx Hospital. Crashing through a window, Ghost Rider prepared to subject Wallow to the Penance Stare but upon removing Wallow's baby-faced mask, Wallow seemingly crumbled to dust. Before the police arrived on the scene, Ghost Rider fled into the night.

(Ghost Rider III#88 - BTS) - Noble/Ghost Rider visited Chinatown, where he confronted slave trader Lau Tak Wah, whom he introduced himself too as the sword of justice for the innocent lives Lau had taken. Grabbing Lau by the neck, Ghost Rider burned Lau's skin before Lau's thugs jumped in the fight. Ghost Rider easily rounded up Lau and his thugs but before he could subject Lau to the Penance Stare, police officers opened fire on him. Announcing that he was aware of his hideousness, Ghost Rider explained that the officers' reaction was inexcusable and swung the bound Lau and his thugs into the police cars before he boarded his motorcycle, warning the officers to question first, shoot later next time. He then quipped for them to do no more evil before driving off, laughing. Riding up the side of a building to its roof, Ghost Rider thought about how violent the city was and how he was actually looking forward to his time in the quiet void. He then returned control of Dan Ketch's body back to Dan. Later, when Dan witnessed one of Lau's potential slaves, Lian Goh, being attacked by more of Lau's thugs, he unleashed Noble once more to take care of the thugs. After subjecting two thugs to the Penance Stare at the same time, Ghost Rider tended to the injured Lian, whom he rushed to a hospital, where Lian died.

(Ghost Rider III#89 - BTS) -  In control of Dan's form as Ghost Rider, Noble investigated the sewers searching for clues to a series of recent disappearances. Thinking about how the police were doing nothing to stop the disappearances, Ghost Rider soon noticed the rat-like Verminus Rex, who recognized Ghost Rider as an old foe. Recognizing his foe as well from World War I, Noble demanded to know how Verminus could still be alive after dying to a land mine and subjected Verminus to the Penance Stare, only to have Verminus gloat about how the Penance Stare would not work on the undead. His anger getting the best of him, Ghost Rider plunged his fist into Verminus' chest and began laughing and gloating himself about how he could affect the undead after all. After seemingly killing Verminus, Ghost Rider was startled at what he had apparently done and began suspecting that someone was toying with him by stirring up things long thought gone. Growing tired of a life filled with ghosts of his past, Noble departed, soon relinquishing the form back to Dan Ketch.

(Ghost Rider III#89) - In the void between realms while Danny Ketch was actively in control of his body, Noble thought about his seeming destruction of Verminus Rex, unaware he could perform of such a feat and worrying about the darkness inside consuming him. The spirit of his former human host Naomi Kale soon appeared in the void, keeping her identity hidden, and warned that Noble would need to many forgotten things in order to reach his full potential, which would needed in the coming storm. Unsure what she was referring to, Noble asked her to remain but Naomi's spirit dissipated.

(Venom: Sign of the Boss I#1 - BTS) - Dan was present in a church when Venom attempted to stop a gang of super-criminals and terrorists. Noticing that Venom was being way too brutal, Dan unleashed Noble Kale to stop Venom as Ghost Rider. Announcing that Venom had always smelled of blood, Ghost Rider forced Venom to the ground and exclaimed that it was time Venom was stopped once and for all.

(Venom: Sign of the Boss I#2 - BTS) - Noble/Ghost Rider announced to Venom that he would be released if Venom would dissolve the symbiotic webbing around the terrorists' (that Venom had earlier fought) faces. Exclaiming that the terrorists were the bad guys, Venom knocked Ghost Rider off and attempted to say he was only doing his job as protector. While Ghost Rider ripped Venom's webbing from the terrorists and gave them the Penance Stare, he warned Venom that Venom's attitude of bad guys being disposable was exactly what made Venom so dangerous. Once he took care of the terrorists, Ghost Rider then prepared to also subject Venom to the Penance Stare, causing a fight to break between the two vigilantes. As the nun Sister Maryann took out the terrorist Teraknid, Ghost Rider cornered Venom and was about the give the Penance Stare but Venom insisted that he was now sanctioned as a hero. Freeing Venom, Ghost Rider commented that innocent lives came first and walked upstairs to stop more of the terrorists. Venom followed, helping take down the terrorists before both vigilantes confronted President Franco Santera, who was feigning reformation and had ordered everyone in the church killed. Ghost Rider burned his handprint into Santera's face and left him for the police, escaping the church while laughing as he drove away.

(Daredevil I#372 - BTS) - Sensing an impending evil, Noble telepathically warned Dan Ketch to prepare for his assumption of Dan's body. Daredevil later found Noble/Ghost Rider interrogating a corrupt warden in his home, demanding to know if the warden knew what he had unleashed. Daredevil intervened, wishing to question the warden himself, and asked if perhaps Ghost Rider would be willing to let Daredevil question the warden before subjecting him to the Penance Stare. Ghost Rider angrily announced that vengeance waited for no man and Daredevil briefly battled Ghost Rider, during which time the warden escaped. Daredevil continued attempting to get Ghost Rider to work with him rather than against him. After Ghost Rider accused Daredevil of awakening "this evil," he made his way to the ground near Kathy Malper's car. He asked Kathy if his image frightened her and explained that underneath his image, he was the same as she, reminding her not to forget that. Ghost Rider then drove off, soon catching up to the escaping warden and causing him to crash. Subjecting the warden to the Penance Stare as Daredevil arrived on the scene, Ghost Rider was hit by Daredevil's motorcycle and Daredevil tried to get information about Mr. Fear out of the warden, who was unfortunately incapacitated due to the Penance Stare. Daredevil angrily yelled at Ghost Rider, demanding to know how sentencing the warden to the Penance Stare without hearing his confession was justice. Ghost Rider replied that there were forces at work beyond Daredevil and that Daredevil had interrupted Ghost Rider's attempt to learn the truth. He further revealed that the worst humanity had to offer had been unleashed and that Ghost Rider would have to wait to learn the truth. Displeased at Daredevil's interference, Ghost Rider announced that whatever came in the following months was on Daredevil for his interference.

(Ghost Rider III#90) - Naomi Kale's spirit appeared once more to Noble Kale within the void between realms, still refusing to reveal her identity. Naomi warned Noble once more that he would need to be ready for the coming storm. She also transformed his clothing back into its original black leather and spikes, claiming to prefer that to the outfit he had been wearing.

(Ghost Rider III#90 - BTS) - Unaware that Blackheart had pulled Noble's lifeless original body from the bowels of Hell, Noble was later released in control of Dan Ketch's form as Ghost Rider to battle Doghead, a new Spirit of Vengeance that was attacking a woman who had formerly falsely accused him of murder. Recognizing the Medallion of Power on Doghead's collar, Ghost Rider exclaimed that Doghead had no right to judge the guilty and disputed Doghead's claims of being a Spirit of Vengeance. When another Spirit of Vengeance, Wallow, attempted to kill the woman Doghead had attacked while Doghead was battling Ghost Rider, Ghost Rider denounced the pair as abominations and reminded them that Spirits of Vengeance protect innocent blood. A resurrected Verminus Rex soon joined in the attack on Ghost Rider as well and Ghost Rider demanded to know how many times he must kill Verminus before turning his attention toward Doghead once more when Doghead attempted to ride Ghost Rider's motorcycle. Stopped in his assault by Pao Fu, yet another Spirit of Vengeance, Ghost Rider was offered the chance to lead the Spirits of Vengeance but he replied that he would rather die. Pao Fu then ripped out his heart.

(Ghost Rider III#91 - BTS) - Still controlling Danny's form, Ghost Rider was sent to Blackheart's Hell realm, where Naomi Kale's spirit reminded him to think hard before making the choices that were looming in his future. His near-lifeless form was summoned to Blackheart's throne room and he was given a portion of Black Rose's lifeforce enough to give him the strength to speak to Blackheart. Pao Fu then arrived with the other Spirits of Vengeance (as well as Doghead's hostage) and delivered Ghost Rider's heart to Blackheart, who gloated over his victory. Blackheart then opened a portal further into Hell for Doghead's hostage and Ghost Rider weakly tried to save her to no avail. Refusing to listen to Blackheart, Ghost Rider then tried to strangle Blackheart with his chains but Blackheart shrugged them off, explaining his plan to succeed where Mephisto failed and asked Ghost Rider to lead his new Spirits of Vengeance. When Ghost Rider yelled "no," Blackheart offered to sweeten the deal by allowing Pao Fu to become Ghost Rider's wife. Realizing that Pao Fu was a transformed Lian Goh, whom Ghost Rider had recently tried to save, Ghost Rider tried to reason with the Spirits of Vengeance, claiming that Blackheart was using him and must be fought. Blackheart then tried to sweeten the pot further by offering to restore Noble Kale to his original human body. When Noble's human body was summoned from its original storage place, Ghost Rider demanded to know what Blackheart had to gain by offering these things and Blackheart replied that he only wanted respect as ruler of Hell. Thinking hard, Ghost Rider agreed to Blackheart's terms on the condition that he also have Black Rose as a second wife. Blackheart agreed to the terms and gave Ghost Rider his heart, which Ghost Rider placed in the chest of his original human body.

(Ghost Rider III#91) - Separated from Daniel Ketch and restored to his original human body, Noble Kale awoke with the Medallion of Power on his chest as the Spirits of Vengeance watched.

(Ghost Rider III#92) - Noble looked around Blackheart's Hell, thinking that all of the things Blackheart had provided were certain to be too good to be true. While Dan Ketch relived the memories of Noble's early life due to the spells of Naomi Kale's spirit, Noble announced that he would lead Blackheart's Spirits of Vengeance but warned that if he found them wanting, he would destroy them.

(Ghost Rider III#93) - While preparing for his wedding to Pao Fu and Black Rose, Noble thought about what all Blackheart had offered him and suspected that when the other shoe dropped, it would sound like thunder. Continuing to think about how Pao Fu and Black Rose would be freed from Blackheart once they were married to him, Noble Kale put on his wedding tuxedo and went to meet his brides. Unaware that Blackheart had tasked Black Rose with killing Noble once their marriage was official, Noble met his brides and upon request from Pao Fu, transformed into his skeletal Ghost Rider form before walking down the aisle. At the altar, Noble commented how the wedding was nothing but spectacle and Blackheart asked if perhaps Noble wished to back out of their agreement but, wishing Dan Ketch and his subsequent generations to be free of the Ghost Rider curse, Noble opted to continue the wedding. Following the wedding, Noble and his brides were led to their honeymoon cottage by Blackheart, who explained that the cottage gave Noble access to everything his Hell realm had to offer. Black Rose then bade Noble to embrace her, prepared to stab him with a sword hidden in her thorny hair, but Noble declined, instead kissing Pao Fu and admitting that he was flattered by her willingness to care for him. He then announced that the wedding was a mere technicality and he then freed Black Rose and Pao Fu of their obligation to him. Revealing that he knew of Black Rose's true identity as a resurrected Roxanne Blaze, Noble explained that he discovered her identity when she gave part of her essence to bring Noble back from near death. Refusing to admit to Noble's accusations, Black Rose attacked Noble, who was defended by Pao Fu. Trapping them both in his chains, Noble angrily reminded them that they were free of such petty squabbles. Pao Fu warned Noble to never draw weapons on her again before Blackheart arrived and laughed at how easy Noble seemed to be to manipulate. Forcing Black Rose to drop her sword, Blackheart announced a contest and allowed his other Spirits of Vengeance to enter. Blackheart explained that the sword was the only thing capable of destroying a Spirit of Vengeance and began a contest where the last Spirit of Vengeance standing would receive Noble Kale's title as their leader. Doghead immediately drew the sword and attacked Noble, admitting that he actually liked Noble but that Blackheart had threatened to kill Doghead's family if he didn't participate. Noble kicked Doghead and used the sword to stab Wallow before asking that they listen to Pao Fu's accusations that they had all fallen for Blackheart's lies again. Taking the fight directly to Blackheart, Noble impaled Blackheart with the sword but Blackheart was unaffected and forced Noble to transform back into human form, showing Noble how much control Blackheart had over him. Noble then tried to goad Blackheart into killing him, claiming he never had control of his life to begin with and at least in death he would be free. Before Blackheart could do so, the spirit of Naomi Kale, Michael Badilino and Dan Ketch arrived and distracted Blackheart. Noble quickly announced that it was his fight and ordered Dan to get Black Rose and get out of Hell but Dan, who had been reliving Noble's forgotten memories thanks to a spell from Naomi Kale, instead leapt onto Noble and forced Noble's forgotten memories back into Noble. Recalling his entire past and no longer bound within the void between realms, Noble was transformed into his Angel of Death form and used his newfound power to seemingly destroy Blackheart. With Blackheart gone, Skritch announced that Noble was the new king of Hell.

(Ghost Rider: Finale/2) - Ruling over Blackheart's realm, Noble Kale began to grow bored as other Splinter Realm Lords Belasco, Pluto and Hela arrived to inform him that they were choosing not to involve themselves in his destruction as a competing Hell lord. Upon their departure, Noble asked his servant Skritch if the other Splinter Realms wished his destruction and Skritch informed Noble that Dormammu and Satannish were never to be trusted. Skritch continued, explaining that other Lords of the Splinter Realms might want to take advantage of the change in powers and Noble eventually ordered Skritch to assemble the inhabitants of Hell, as he wished to speak with his subjects. Commenting to Naomi Kale that he wished to give the demon inhabitants free will, Noble then asked Naomi what she would do now that she had freed her bloodline from the Spirit of Vengeance curse. Noble's brother Dante then appeared and reunited with his brother before explaining that he was there to take Naomi into the afterlife. After saying a tearful goodbye to Dante, Noble was reminded that his servants were getting restless and he then went out to speak with his subjects, announcing that he would be granting them their freedom on the condition that they do no evil. The angel Uriel then appeared and announced that Noble could free the demons, as it would upset the balance of things if evil did not have a place to roost, but Noble angrily replied that he was tired of being told what to do and banished Uriel from Hell. Uriel warned that Noble would pay for his hubris and Noble soon decided to enjoy his newfound freedom by leaving Hell and appointing Vengeance to rule in his stead. Assuring Vengeance that he would return to check on things, Noble bade for Black Rose to accompany him to Earth, explaining that she had unfinished business there. Pao Fu quickly drew her sword to Noble and announced that she would not be abandoned but Noble reminded her that she was free and could choose to do whatever she liked. After he promised Pao Fu that he would return as well, Noble departed Hell with Black Rose, whom he left in the Bronx to reunite with her husband John Blaze. Watching from a rooftop and happily laughing as Roxanne Blaze reunited with her husband, Noble transformed into his Spirit of Vengeance form and rode off into the sky.

(Werewolf by Night II#6) - Sitting at a booth in the Underworld Club, Noble Kale watched as the Werewolf was attacked by the vampiric Children of the Night. When they threatened to overwhelm the Werewolf, Noble ordered them to stand apart. As the Children of the Night watched, Noble met with the Werewolf, who commented on Noble's recent status as Lord of Hell, asking if that was a promotion or a demotion. Kale responded that it was neither and also both then commended the Werewolf on the recent downfall of the Wolf Demon. The Werewolf then admitted that he had called their meeting together because he owed some favors and thought Noble might be able to help assist against some downtown killings. Noble calmly replied that he could not and when Werewolf asked if things had changed, Noble simply replied that Hell would do that to you. Noble further explained, commenting that one doesn't simply ask for help of a Hell-Lord, but Werewolf interrupted, explaining that the man he owed a favor to had helped him big time. Kale admitted that he could see all of the Werewolf's current contacts and suggested that perhaps the Werewolf had only exchanged one debtor for another, exclaiming that he could also not be seen favoriting one of Hell's children over another. When the annoyed Werewolf prepared to leave, grumbling that it was his fault for trying to get help from a glorified politician with a flaming head, Noble looked over at Jack Russell and told him that he needn't go any further than the room he was in to find the killer he sought.

(Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe HC Vol. 6: Dan Ketch entry - BTS) - Noble Kale was forced out as Lord of Hell when Mephisto reclaimed his Hell realm.

(Spider-Man I#93) - Noble was reborn on Earth in Cypress Hills Cemetary and erupted in New York, confused and unable to control his raging hellfire. Inadvertently starting fires wherever he went, Noble passed by Spider-Man and Mary Jane Watson, prompting Spider-Man to investigate. Collapsing in Times Square, Noble announced that while he was a Spirit of Vengeance, he was unable to control his hellfire and warned bystanders to get away from him. Confused and mixed up from his time as a Hell-Lord and various past manipulations by Mephisto and Blackheart, Noble proved unable to concentrate on anything other than a desire for vengeance. Spider-Man soon intervened and the confused Noble Kale warned Spider-Man to leave, claiming his pain was too great and if he did not act soon, the streets would run red with blood. After trying to bat Spider-Man away using his chain, Noble collapsed again, claiming that the pain was too great but "they" must be stopped. Unsure what Noble was talking about, Spider-Man looked in the hole created by Noble's chain and found a group of bombers planning to blow up New York. Easily subduing them, Spider-Man returned to Noble's side and apologized for not listening to him. The weak Noble could barely reply before Dan Ketch came forth out of the crowd and asked how Noble had escaped Hell. Still confused, Noble claimed that he was not Noble Kale and Dan attempted to remind Noble of their time bonded together. The weakened and addled Noble again tried to convince Dan that he was not truly Noble Kale, reminding Dan that both Mephisto and Blackheart were lords of the lie. Spider-Man soon interrupted their conversation, reminding them of the still-ticking bomb left behind by the bombers. Noble announced that he thought he could handle the bomb but admitted that he was incomplete without being bonded to Dan. Explaining that he couldn't ask Dan to submit himself to being bonded to Noble once more, Noble watched as Dan reluctantly agreed to become the human host for Noble Kale once more. The two then merged together again.

(Spider-Man I#93 - BTS) - His memories not fully restored but his strength renewed in Dan Ketch's body, Noble announced that he would absorb and contain the bomb, asking Spider-Man to use his webbing to contain any excess that might escape Noble's absorption. The bomb then exploded and was absorbed by Noble, who was unable to prevent the concussion of the blast from shattering windows. Spider-Man managed to web the windows to contain the falling glass and Noble, once again as Ghost Rider, rode off without thanking Spider-Man for the assistance.

(Ghost Rider: Danny Ketch I#2 (fb) - BTS) - Tried of being cursed, Dan Ketch had amateur mystic Mary LeBow exorcise Noble Kale from his body. The week after, Dan, addicted to the power he once possessed, tried to douse himself with gasoline and tried to immolate himself before being subdued by the police.

(Thing II#6 - BTS) - When Spider-Man counted himself as a past member of the Fantastic Four while teaming up with the Thing, the Thing asked when he had become a Fantastic Four member, prompting Spider-Man to remind Thing of the time Wolverine, Noble/Ghost Rider, Hulk and himself had teamed up as the new Fantastic Four.

(Ghost Rider VI#26 - BTS) - While working for the angel Zadkiel, Dan Ketch thought back on his time bonded with Noble Kale and how he was a hero, often battling Blackout. Unsure of what he had become, he knew it was something else entirely. Later, when he confronted Caretaker, he reminded Caretaker of the time he sought to train Dan how to use the powers given to him by his merger with Noble Kale.

(Ghost Rider VI#27 - BTS) - At some point, a tome was written about Noble Kale's time as the Ghost Rider and the book came into the possession of Caretaker, who placed it within a storehouse below his shack alongside tomes written about history's other Ghost Riders. Upon entering Caretaker's storehouse, his granddaughter Sara experienced a vision of various Spirits of Vengeance, including Noble's time as Lord of Hell, as she absorbed all of the knowledge contained within the storehouse.

(Ghost Rider: Danny Ketch I#1 - BTS) -  Danny Ketch thought back on his time bonded with Noble Kale and the numerous villains he had fought as Ghost Rider.

(Wolverine & the X-Men I#22 - BTS) - When Frankenstein's Monster used the witch Calcabrina to mesmerize the Westchester County adults, Noble Kale's journals were among the mystic artifacts within Frankenstein's Monster's circus.

(Superior Spider-Man I Annual#1 - BTS) - After Spider-Man's Aunt May was kidnapped by Blackout, Spider-Man (Otto Octavius in Peter Parker's body) contacted Dan Ketch for information on Blackout. Recalling Noble/Ghost Rider's first battle with Blackout, Dan mentioned that Blackout had killed his sister and would find everything a person cared about and take it from them, and that no one was off-limits including women and children. He continued, stating that Blackout would murder without thought and suspecting that Blackout's half-demon heritage must have had something to do with his return. Ketch then gave Spider-Man a rundown on Blackout's powers and suggested that if Spider-Man had to fight Blackout, he should kill him lest he put a noose around everyone he cared about.

Comments: Created by Howard Mackie, Javier Saltares and Mark Texeira. Further fleshed out, named and explained by Ivan Velez, Jr., Salvador Larroca and Sergio Melia.

I think it is worth mentioning that while Noble Kale was controlling Dan's Ghost Rider form throughout most of Dan Ketch's time as Ghost Rider, neither Dan nor Noble himself were aware of who Noble was. Dan had no idea that Ghost Rider was actually Noble Kale and, due to the angel Uriel's forgetfulness enchantments, Noble did not even recall his own name or history, only his mission of vengeance. Noble occasionally had memory flashes and familiar feelings, finally recalled his name in Ghost Rider I#77 (1996). Therefore, while I mention Noble within the history text, it is mainly to keep the focus of this profile on Noble, even if at the time of the appearance, he might not have remembered that he was Noble and Dan Ketch sure didn't know who Noble was. This might also explain why Noble was so confused and did not recall his own name in Spider-Man II#93 when Mephisto sent him back to Earth after retaking his realm. His status as a Spirit of Vengeance had returned and presumably, so did Uriel's enchantments.

Since Noble Kale was merged with Dan Ketch and others throughout most of his appearances, I chose to write this profile pertaining only to Noble Kale and the History, Affiliations, Enemies, etc. to pertain only to Noble Kale, either him physically or him while controlling another's form as a Spirit of Vengeance. For example, the enemies of Ghost Rider (Dan & Noble merged) would be included because Noble met them while in control of Dan's form but characters met while Dan was in control would not be included. As the actual Ghost Rider was a form assumed by Noble & Dan merged together with Noble's spirit controlling the form, Noble would only be behind-the-scenes during Ghost Rider's appearances even if he were controlling the form at the time since he was not physically there. As such, the Group Affiliations of Ghost Rider (Midnight Sons, new FF, etc.) are only listed in this profile if they were affiliations made while Noble was in control. Much of the appearances and affiliations of Ghost Rider without Noble Kale in control are better saved for a profile of the merged Noble & Dan Ghost Rider or one of Dan Ketch himself. For the sake of less confusion, I broke down Noble's affiliations and such, separating them between those he met in his own form and those met while controlling another's form. I did list appearances where we saw Noble as a spirit, either separated from Dan Ketch or in the spiritual void awaiting to be released as Ghost Rider, as full appearances since he was acting independently and in his own form at the time.

While Noble/Ghost Rider was seen to die in Mys-Tech Wars I#2, those events were diverged from Earth-616 when time was rewound. Therefore, Ghost Rider-616 did not die but his Earth-93031 (the Earth that diverged from Earth-616) counterpart did, effectively making that an appearance of Ghost Rider-93031, not Ghost Rider-616.

Despite the numbering, Spirits of Vengeance I#12 actually takes place before Spirits of Vengeance I#11.

Sadly, Ghost Rider III Special#7 was never published. According to Special#8, it apparently contained a story in which Ghost Rider and his allies defeated Zarathos and prevented his permanent return to Earth, as #8 starts with Zarathos banished and whining about he was defeated by Ghost Rider. The Ghost Rider Specials were mini-comics packaged with Toy Biz's Ghost Rider action figure line. These books have never been officially announced as in-continuity for Earth-616 and a few minor things could possibly make it non-616. For example, in #8, Caretaker gives Blaze armor to prevent hellfire from erupting from wounds suffered at the hands of the Lilin Outcast. While similar events occured on 616, I don't recall it involving Outcast. Despite this slight difference, one could argue that Blaze had donned the armor once to stave off the hellfire and later, after no longer using the armor, he was briefly given it again by Caretaker due to the Outcast injuries. It's not the best explanation but it works. Until something definitively excludes the Ghost Rider Specials from 616 continuity, I choose to include them. If they ever are officially denounced, I will remove those appearances from Noble Kale's profile.

Noble Kale's hair is shown blonde in all of his flashbacks as well as blonde when his body is first brought forth from Hell but during Ghost Rider III#93 & Ghost Rider: Finale, it is colored brown. I chose to list his hair as strawberry blonde since it was apparently darker than normal blonde hair.

Also, Noble Kale is wed to both Black Rose and Pao Fu in Ghost Rider III#93, only for him to free them once the wedding had ended. Despite this, both women remained by Noble's side until he left Hell. Black Rose was reunited with her original husband Johnny Blaze and Pao Fu remained in Hell to await Noble's return. Since Noble had already freed them, one could look at their marriage as being annulled and Black Rose/Roxanne is still married to Blaze. However, they did remain by his side after they were freed and Noble refers to Pao Fu as his queen in Ghost Rider: Finale. Because of that, I chose to list them in Noble's relatives as his wives.

Danny Ketch had an entry as Ghost Rider in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Master Edition I#3 (February, 1991), as Ghost Rider (Ketch) in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Marvel Knights 2005 (2005) and as Danny Ketch in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z HC Vol. 6 (2009). While these entries are not profiles of Noble Kale directly, they do include information about Noble Kale, as he was bonded to Danny Ketch for so long.

Profile by Proto-Man.

CLARIFICATIONS:
Noble Kale has no KNOWN connections to:

• Kale, Andrew Jackson, Noble's descendant, brother of Jennifer, transformed into Hellphyr via Tome of Zhered-Na, destroyed by the Witches @ Adventures into Fear I#11
• Kale, Dante, Noble's younger brother @ Ghost Rider III#77
• Kale, Destin, pastor father of Noble, made deals with Mephisto to protect town, burned Magdalena Kale at the stake when she learned his secret @ Ghost Rider III#78
  
• Kale, Illyana, Noble's ancestor, given knowledge to form the Tome of Zhered-Na @ Adventures into Fear I#13
  
• Kale, Jennifer, Noble's descendant, sorceress, former member of Legion of Night & Witches @ Adventures into Fear I#11
• Kale, Joshua, Noble's descendant, grandfather of Jennifer & Andrew, member of Cult of Zhered-Na @ Adventures into Fear I#13
• Kale, Magdalena, Noble's wife, burned at the stake @ Ghost Rider III#
• Kale, Naomi, Noble's descendant & one-time host in Ghost Rider form, mother of John Blaze & Dan Ketch @ Ghost Rider III#-1
• or any other "Noble" or "Kale" characters
  

images: (without ads)
Ghost Rider: Finale, p60, splash page (Noble Kale in Ghost Rider form, main image)
Ghost Rider: Finale, p57, p3 (Noble Kale in human form, headshot)
Ghost Rider III#92, p9, pan4 (Noble Kale with Magdalena)
Ghost Rider III#92, p17, pan5 (Noble Kale's rebirth as Ghost Rider)
Ghost Rider III#92, p18, pan1 (Noble Kale's original Ghost Rider form in his own body)
Ghost Rider III#-1, p22, pan3 (Noble Kale's Spirit of Vengeance form without a human host)
Ghost Rider III#89, p4, pan4 (Noble Kale's Ghost Rider form in WWI human host)
Ghost Rider III#-1, p17, pan1 (Noble Kale's Ghost Rider form in Naomi Kale host)
Ghost Rider III#3, p17, pan1 (Noble Kale's 1st Ghost Rider form in Danny Ketch host)
Marvel Comics Presents I#65, p5, pan4 (Noble Kale's battle-damaged Ghost Rider form without gloves)
Thor I#429, p21, pan4 (Noble's hellfire raging out of control)
Marc Spector: Moon Knight I#25, p30, pan7 (Noble Kale as bubbling protoplasmic stain on the ground)
Ghost Rider III#18, p19, pan1 (Noble Kale's battle-damaged Ghost Rider form with gloves, battling Reverend Styge)
Marvel Comics Presents I#99, back flip cover (Noble Kale's battle-damaged Ghost Rider form with missing sleeves, surrounded by D'Sprytes)
Marvel Swimsuit Special I#1, p19, splash page (Noble Kale's Ghost Rider form in swimming goggles)
Slapstick I#4, p16, pan1-5 (Slapstick attempting to douse Noble's head)
Spider-Man I#23, p12, pan2 (Noble Kale's Ghost Rider, head severed and bouncing)
Sleepwalker I#11, p18, pan4 (Noble Kale's Ghost Rider, crushed by a subway train)
Marvel Comics Presents I#104, back flip cover (alternate Noble Kale Ghost Rider form with shoulder pad spikes)
Marvel Comics Presents I#105, back flip cover (alternate Noble Kale Ghost Rider form with wooden, spiked shoulder pads & chained, spiked ball)
Ghost Rider III#26, p23, splash page (Noble Kale's Ghost Rider form, infected by Brood alien)
Ghost Rider III#29, p17, pan2 (Noble Kale's Ghost Rider form, being blown up)
Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme I#50, p35, pan1 (Noble Kale inhabiting Dr. Strange's body)
Ghost Rider III#36, p20, pan3 (Noble Kale's Ghost Rider form with broken jaw & missing ribs)
Marvel Swimsuit Special I#2, p29, splash page (Noble Kale's Ghost Rider form, lounging in the nude)
Marvel Comics Presents I#138, p21, pan2 (Noble Kale's battle-damaged Ghost Rider form, with exposed ribs)
Spirits of Vengeance I#15, p2, pan3 (Noble Kale's battle-damaged Ghost Rider form, holding John Blaze w/Seer)
Ghost Rider III#57, p19, pan1 (Noble Kale's battle-damaged Ghost Rider form, wearing bandages)
Ghost Rider/Wolverine/Punisher: The Dark Design, p35, pan1 (Noble Kale's Ghost Rider form, corrupted by Blackheart's influence)
Ghost Rider III#84, p2, pan8 (Noble Kale's 2nd Ghost Rider form in Danny Ketch host)
Ghost Rider III#85, p21, pan3 (Noble Kale in Barbara Ketch's corpse)
Ghost Rider/Ballistic, p13, pan3 (Noble Kale's Ghost Rider form, with jaw popped off)
Ghost Rider III#92, p1, splash page (Noble Kale in restored physical form)
Ghost Rider III#93, p24, pan2 (Noble Kale in tuxedo)
Ghost Rider III#93, p34, pan8 (Noble Kale's Angel of Death form)
Ghost Rider: Finale, p51, pan1 (Noble Kale as ruler of Hell)
Spider-Man I#93, p10, pan1 (Noble Kale, re-bonded to Dan Ketch)

First Posted: 10/27/2015
Last updated: 10/27/2015

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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