History
Origin[]
Zarathos was an evil ancient and powerful demon who had claimed the Medallion of Power. In the distant past, he fought the ancient Spirits of Vengeance and corrupted a number of their overseers, the Blood into his "Fallen". Although he promised them increased power, in actuality Zarathos was using their powers to further augment himself.[7]
Native American shaman named K'Nutu summoned Zarathos on Earth to help his tribe, and in exchange he would be offered countless souls to consume. Zarathos helped the tribe to fend off their enemies by bestowing them his power, causing a cult venerating him to form. After gaining power and worshippers, Zarathos then challenged Mephisto for ownership of his realm. Mephisto tricked Zarathos with the aid of the soulless Centurious. Centurious' lack of a soul rendered him immune to many of Zarathos' power. With his followers abandoning him, Zarathos was easily defeated.[8]
Ghost Rider[]
On occasion, Mephisto would forcibly bond Zarathos to mortals as a mockery of the Spirits of Vengeance. In their investigation of Henry Brandeis's death, his daughter Cammy, brother-in-law Max Parrish, and their friends the siblings Johnny and Sue Storm claimed the Medallion of Power from Comte St. Germain who wished to give it to his master Dracula. As the four of them were being chased by Germain's minions, Zarathos manifested near them to warn them of their arrival.[9] Fleeing from Max's apartment, Zarathos offered to bond to Johnny, but as the ceremony started Max interfered, becoming the Ghost Rider. With this new power, Max killed Germain, but soon lost control too Zarathos. Thankfully, with the help of the three teenagers, he came to his senses and rejected the evil demon, before getting rid of the medallion.[10]
When carnival stunt cyclist Johnny Blaze made a deal with the Devil to save his adoptive father Crash Simpson, Zarathos bonded to him, transforming him into the Ghost Rider.[11] Chasing down some criminals, Blaze went into a trap set by the Crimson Mage which separated him from Zarathos. At last freed from Johnny, Zarathos went on a rampage, destroying everything on his path. Although Johnny was also happy to be rid of the Spirit of Vengeance, seeing the destruction brought on by Zarathos, attempted to reunite with the demon, only for Zarathos to attack back and try to kill his former host. Luckily, Blaze managed to survive and track the Crimson Mage down. He killed the mage and then tricked Zarathos to get merged together again, returning to their form of Ghost Rider.[12]
Asmodeus, at the behest of Mephisto, split Zarathos and Blaze using the Sword of Demonicus so he could have control over the Spirit of Vengeance. Zarathos and Johnny fought back and rejoined back, killing Asmodeus and vowing vengeance against Mephisto.[13] When Blaze was captured by Renaldo, Nightmare assisted Zarathos in usurping his host's body. Johnny ascertained his dominance, thwarting Zarathos attempt to steal his body and freeing himself from Renaldo's trap.[14] Ghost Rider clashed with the Power Cult, but during the battle, Zarathos began absorbing the cultists' power before planning to exchange his captive soul with that of Veronica Stryker in order to be finally free. Thankfully, he was prevented by her father and cult leader Reverend Stryker who detonated the bombs around his base, saving his daughter in the process.[15] Centurious returned and with the help of his minion Sin-Eater trapped Blaze's spirit inside the Crystal of Souls.[16] Without a mortal soul to be attached to, Zarathos was becoming weaker as he couldn't maintain himself on Earth. Because of this, he shattered the Crystal, freeing not only Blaze's soul but many other, while Centurious was trapped inside the crystal as it reformed. Despite this, Zarathos wished to get his revenge on his foe, and had Sin-Eater assist him into pursuing Centurious, also trapping himself inside the mystic relic and leaving Blaze free.[17]
Freedom[]
The Beyonder, wishing to destroy all of reality, challenged Mephisto that if the demon won the cosmic being would give the universe another day. This challenge involved choosing two champions to represent the both of them, those being Zarathos and Spider-Man. He was briefly released by the Beyonder in an attempt to tempt Spider-Man into allowing the death of the Kingpin. Zarathos attempted to corrupt Spider-Man, but the hero was able to overcome him and successfully saved Kingpin. As Zarathos caused the Beyonder to lose, the demon was imprisoned once again in the crystal.[18]
However, Zarathos appeared again, having hid inside Centurious until freed by Lilith.[19] Zarathos was left in an amnesiac state, allowing Lilith to manipulate him, convincing him that he was one of her children. The duo were soon met with Blaze, Danny Ketch the new Ghost Rider, and Vengeance, who each carried fragments of the Medallion of Power. Ketch alone fought Zarathos and Lilith, blasting into a fissure where they were sealed.[20] Joining with Lilith, they planned to take over Earth and were opposed by the Midnight Sons. Zarathos and Lilith proceeded to mate with each other, conceiving a monstrous child,[1] only for him to leave upon realizing that she was just using him to get the Medallion.
The Fallen also returned to assist Zarathos who with their help regained his memories and with his full power. With his power fully restored, Zarathos attempted to absorb Danny Ketch. This backfired, as a piece of Ghost Rider still resided within him, giving the Midnight Sons an opportunity to strike him down. Following the Fallen's destruction, Blade took the powerful blood-soaked weapon, Justiciar, and impaled Zarathos with it, turning him into stone and leaving for dead.[21]
Return[]
Mephisto's son, Blackheart, sought to use Zarathos in his plan to spread Hell on Earth. He tracked Blaze down and choked him, allowing Zarathos to go back to his host and become Ghost Rider again. In a manic state, Ghost Rider went to the Freshkills Federal Penitentiary where he proceeded to use Penance Stare on each of the inmates, but was convinced by Blackheart that no matter what he did people would never change, so he instead began killing them. Blaze went on to drop the inmates' bodies in Blackheart's hellish dimension where he found Ketch, their sister Barbara and his lover Roxanne. Ketch absorbed Blaze's Spirit of Vengeance power into himself, turning him back into the Ghost Rider and foiling Blackheart's plan.[5]
Unfortunately for Blaze, Zarathos reformed inside of him, turning him into Ghost Rider. He was forced to abandon his former life and resume his pursuit of sinners, this time caring less for those caught on his path. Blaze became desperate to lift this curse, and hired the mercenary Gunmetal Gray to kill him. Eventually, Zarathos and Johnny reconciled with one another and began working together.[22]
Wanting to have his own Ghost Rider to get rid of humanity's sins, Adam convinced Blaze to give his curse. Adam then had the Seeker help him in transferring Zarathos over to Alejandra Jones, transforming her into the new Ghost Rider.[23] Jones operated as Ghost Rider for some time, but following Blackheart's attempt to bring Hell on Earth and the fight against Adam, Zarathos returned to Johnny, though Jones still held some of the Spirit of Vengeance's power.[24]
During Mephisto's takeover of Las Vegas, Blaze was killed, causing both him and Zarathos to end up in Hell. Since Mephisto's throne of Hell was now currently empty, Zarathos guided Johnny through the underworld and to the throne. Merging back together, Johnny and Zarathos usurped the throne from Mephisto and became the new ruler of Hell.[25] However, deeming himself unfit to properly rule Hell, Blaze abdicated the throne, allowing Mephisto to retake out of necessity.[26]
The Hood[]
Following the loss of Talia Warroad, Blaze went to confront a spider monster, only for Mephisto to command Zarathos to leave Johnny and get transferred to someone else. Zarathos obeyed and left Blaze at the mercy of the giant spider, going around the world to find his next host. He went through different hosts, which included a poor single mother named Lisa, Skrymir, Danger, a Brood, Kraven, before settling within the recently depowered Hood, finding a kindred spirit in him.[27]
Zarathos greatly helped Hood in regaining his criminal power, until it came crashing down which left him in misery. Johnny eventually confronted the Hood to reclaim Zarathos, and during the battle he managed to come into contact with the demon. Despite Zarathos telling him that their time together was over, Johnny was determined to reunite with him, and after enough struggle the two rejoined. Johnny became Ghost Rider once again, which left Hood to be damned to Hell.[28]Attributes
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Powers
Demonic Physiology: Zarathos was a demon of uncertain classification who possessed a number of superhuman attributes,[6] to what extent all of his abilities reach are unknown, but it is said that he rivals the demon lord Mephistopheles in terms of raw power.
- Superhuman Strength: Zarathos possesses Class 10 superhuman strength.[6]
- Superhuman Speed[6]
- Superhuman Stamina: Zarathos possesses immesurable endurance in all physical activities.[6]
- Superhuman Reflexes[6]
- Superhuman Durability: Zarathos is almost completely immune to all forms of damage.[6]
- Nature Manipulation: By his lonesome, the Spirit of Vengeance can manipulate the forces of the world to his whim.[29] Zarathos has many abilities that would grant him dominion over the earth, sea, and sky which he can impart upon the hosts of whom he possesses; i.e. making the earth crack open and swallow people or create impaling stalagmites, conjuring the weather to create and summon lightning as is the case with Alejandra Jones. He can also, through his proxy, expel a host of ravenous locusts which burn and consume the flesh and spirit of those their set upon from his mouth.
- Magical Energy Manipulation: Zarathos possesses extensive knowledge of the supernatural and can harness mystic energies to achieve any number of mystical effects that he desires.[6]
- Force Field: Creating energy shields among other feats are at his disposal.[29]
- Size Manipulation: Zarathos can grow to 30 feet tall.[29]
- Teleportation
- Immortality[6]
- Spiritual Enhancement: Zarathos is capable of increasing his powers by drawing strength from the faith of his worshippers.[8][29]
- Negative Energy Augmentation: The demon can further embolden himself by feeding on the negative energies of the world and its inhabitants. Evil actions, darker emotions, sinful intent the works; all of which serving to make him stronger than before.[29]
- Soul Consumption Empowerment: Through consuming the souls of other living entities, Zarathos grows in power and menace.
- Hellfire Manipulation: Zarathos can project supernatural flames, called "hellfire", which can burn his opponents physically or spiritually.[29]
Abilities
Notes
- The nature of Zarathos has changed significantly over the years.
- Initially, John Blaze assumed a demon form to become Ghost Rider in Marvel Spotlight #5. However, at first there was no indication this demon had its own mind and personality; it was merely the form Johnny took when he transformed.
- By Ghost Rider (Vol. 2) #29, the Ghost Rider began demonstrating a different personality diverging from Johnny's own. After several years, it was confirmed that the Ghost Rider was actually a demon called Zarathos, a former rival of Mephisto's who was rendered amnesiac and forced into his service, related in Ghost Rider (Vol. 2) #77.
- A different story was told by the Caretaker in the crossovers Road To Vengeance: Missing Link and Siege of Darkness. Here, Zarathos was the foe of the benevolent Spirits of Vengeance, who sacrificed themselves to bind their spirits and his inside their sacred Medallion of Power. The Medallion was broken into four pieces and the essence of the pieces cast into two sacred bloodlines. As part of this bloodline, John Blaze was channeling the Spirit of Vengeance linked to his own fragment of the medallion when he became Ghost Rider, and later began channeling Zarathos as well.[30]
- In Ghost Rider (Vol. 6), however, it was revealed that the Caretaker's story was a complete lie, fabricated to hide the Spirits' true origins as black ops Angels in the service of Heaven.[31] How this revelation influences the origins of Zarathos has not been explicitly dealt with.
- In Spirits of Vengeance #5, Daimon Hellstrom states that the term "demon" is used rather generically when referring to Zarathos given that, technically, he's not a denizen of Hell.
Trivia
See Also
- 159 appearance(s) of Zarathos (Earth-616)
- 9 appearance(s) in handbook(s) of Zarathos (Earth-616)
- 48 minor appearance(s) of Zarathos (Earth-616)
- 20 mention(s) of Zarathos (Earth-616)
- 8 mention(s) in handbook(s) of Zarathos (Earth-616)
- 2 invocation(s) of Zarathos (Earth-616)
- 13 image(s) of Zarathos (Earth-616)
- 6 quotation(s) by or about Zarathos (Earth-616)
Links and References
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 Marvel Zombies: The Book of Angels, Demons & Various Monstrosities #1 ; Zarathos' profile
- ↑ [[Marvel Zombies: The Book of Angels, Demons & Various Monstrosities 1; Demons' profile|[[Marvel Zombies: The Book of Angels, Demons & Various Monstrosities #1|Marvel Zombies: The Book of Angels, Demons & Various Monstrosities 1]]; Demons' profile]]
- ↑ Ghost Rider (Vol. 6) #18
- ↑ Midnight Sons Unlimited #4
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Ghost Rider: Crossroads #1
- ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Master Edition #36
- ↑ Ghost Rider (Vol. 3) #42–44
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Ghost Rider (Vol. 2) #77
- ↑ Before the Fantastic Four: The Storms #2
- ↑ Before the Fantastic Four: The Storms #3
- ↑ Marvel Spotlight #5
- ↑ Ghost Rider (Vol. 2) #43–44
- ↑ Ghost Rider (Vol. 2) #76
- ↑ Ghost Rider (Vol. 2) #77–78
- ↑ Marvel Super-Heroes (Vol. 2) #11
- ↑ Ghost Rider (Vol. 2) #80
- ↑ Ghost Rider (Vol. 2) #81
- ↑ Amazing Spider-Man #274
- ↑ Ghost Rider (Vol. 3) #43
- ↑ Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance #16
- ↑ Siege of Darkness
- ↑ The Hammer Lane
- ↑ Ghost Rider (Vol. 7) #1
- ↑ Ghost Rider (Vol. 7) #9
- ↑ Damnation: Johnny Blaze - Ghost Rider #1
- ↑ King in Black: Ghost Rider #1
- ↑ Ghost Rider: Final Vengeance #1
- ↑ Ghost Rider: Final Vengeance #6
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 29.4 29.5 29.6 Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z #14
- ↑ Ghost Rider (Vol. 2) #42–43
- ↑ Ghost Rider (Vol. 6) #26–28
- ↑ Venom (Vol. 2) #13.2
- ↑ Venom (Vol. 2) #13.4
- ↑ Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z #14
- ↑ Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z Vol 1 14