Ghost Rider is the name of many antiheroes and superheroes appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Marvel had previously used the name for a Western character whose name was later changed to Phantom Rider.
The first supernatural Ghost Rider is stunt motorcyclist Johnny Blaze, who, in order to save the life of his father, agreed to give his soul to an arch-demon named Mephisto. At night and when around evil, Blaze finds his flesh consumed by hellfire, causing his head to become a flaming skull. Blaze was featured in the Ghost Rider series from 1972 to 1983.
The subsequent Ghost Rider series (1990–1998) featured Danny Ketch as a new Ghost Rider. In 2000s comics, Blaze briefly again became the Ghost Rider, succeeding Ketch. In 2013, Robbie Reyes became Ghost Rider as part of the Marvel NOW! initiative.
Nicolas Cage starred as the Johnny Blaze iteration of the character in the 2007 film Ghost Rider and its 2012 sequel, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. Gabriel Luna played Robbie Reyes in the television series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. [More info]
