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"What if Blade Became Ghost Rider?" Static Shock Writer Creates Nightmarish Fanart That Should Enter Marvel Canon

screenrant.com 1 day ago
MCU version of Blade (center, foreground) with the Ghost Rider's Penance Stare in the background.

Summary

  • Static Shock writer Nikolas Draper-Ivey's fan art combines Ghost Rider and Blade, sparking interest among fans in witnessing this concept integrated into the Marvel Universe.
  • The Blade/Ghost Rider fan-art posted by Draper-Ivey quickly garnered attention from fans online, leading readers to suggest that the author's Instagram "What-if?" could one day make its way into Marvel's official canon.
  • Both Ghost Rider and Blade have seen a resurgence in the past year, as part of Marvel's increased focus on supernatural characters, making this the perfect time for this fusion of the two iconic horror-heroes.

Ghost Rider and Blade make for the ultimate pairing, when fused by the creative mind behind Static Shock. Ghost Rider and Blade have a storied history dating back to their time together in the Midnight Sons. However, they've certainly never joined forces like this before, as artist Nikolas Draper-Ivey envisions Marvel's premiere vampire taking on a new role as the Spirit of Vengeance.

Nikolas Draper-Ivey posted on Instagram, sharing his "What-if?" scenario, combining Marvel's Daywalker and Ghost Rider. Draper-Ivey is the current writer/artist behind Static Shock, and his post has led to immediate calls from fans for this idea to become a reality at Marvel.

Engaging with the artist's post, readers were thrilled to speculate about everything from this hybrid character's name, to the story potential of such a combination. The immediate popularity of the concept should lead Marvel to explore it further.

The Blade/Ghost Rider "What-if?" is truly embodied by Draper-Ivey's fan art design, as he manifests Blade with the Rider's signature flaming skull, wielding an actual flaming blade in his hand.

Image of Johnny Blaze on his motorcycle
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Static Shock Artist Combines Marvel's Supernatural Heroes, Uniting Ghost Rider And Blade

Fan Art By @nikolasdraperivey

Nikolas Draper-Ivey's vision for a Blade that's been engulfed by a Ghost Rider presence is an enticing one...The imagery is striking enough to warrant easing it into Marvel's official canon.

Nikolas Draper-Ivey's fan art has generated a great deal of excitement, given that both Blade and Ghost Rider have returned to prominence this year, as Marvel makes a concentrated push to elevate its horror and supernatural characters. Though the publisher is known for asking "What-if?," the Static Shock author posed one question Marvel has yet to fully address: what if Blade was endowed with the powers of Ghost Rider. Though Marvel has come close to making this connection between the two powerful horror-heroes, it hasn't fully. Now, Draper-Ivey's fan art is a strong argument for why they should.

Blade
Created By
Marv Wolfman , Gene Colan
First Appearance
The Tomb of Dracula
Alias
Frank Blade, Eric Cross Brooks
Alliance
Avengers, MI: 13, Nightstalkers, Vanguard, Midnight Sons, Mighty Avengers, Structure

Marvel readers previously caught a glimpse of this in an arc where Blade once reluctantly absorbed powers from dark heroes to reach his strongest form. However, the Blade/Ghost Rider "What-if?" is truly embodied by Draper-Ivey's fan art design, as he manifests Blade with the Rider's signature flaming skull, wielding an actual flaming blade in his hand. Beside the sword-wielding Blade is a flaming motorcycle that makes it clear how effortlessly the vampire hero would fit into the Ghost Rider role, if he were to be given the opportunity in a future story.

Blade and Ghost Rider are two of Marvel's most notable supernatural beings. As such, they once combined their supernatural forces to become the Midnight Sons, a group of horror-themed heroes who Blade once likened to a family . Both the Johnny Blaze and Danny Ketch versions of Ghost Rider were involved with Blade in the Midnight Sons, alongside Morbius in the original lineup. The team eventually broke up, though they are currently scheduled to reunite when Blade, Ghost Rider, and Victoria Montessi appear in Blood Hunt: Midnight Sons.

Both Characters Are Having A Revival

Blade and the Midnight Sons, including both versions of Ghost Rider, ready for battle in Marvel Comics

Nikolas Draper-Ivey's vision for a Blade that's been engulfed by a Ghost Rider presence is an enticing one, and it's far too enticing to leave restricted to an Instagram post. The imagery is striking enough to warrant easing it into Marvel's official canon. There would be few better, more exciting ways to get Blade and Ghost Rider back together than melding the two together. Blade is currently being possessed by Varnae, the first vampire, but when he recovers, finding retribution by allowing himself to be possessed by Ghost Rider may be a fitting way to redeem the Daywalker.

Ghost Rider
Created By
Roy Thomas , Gary Friedrich , Mike Ploog
First Appearance
Marvel Spotlight
Alias
Johnny Blaze, Danny Ketch, Alejandra Jones, Robbie Reyes, Michael Badilino, Kushala
Alliance
Ghost Riders, Thunderbolts, Midnight Sons, New Fantastic Four, Defenders, New Avengers, Dark Avengers, Champions, S.H.I.E.L.D.
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