Editing Phantom Rider

{{Short description|Comic book superhero}}
{{Redirect|The Phantom Rider|the 1936 film serial|The Phantom Rider (1936 serial)|the 1946 film serial|The Phantom Rider (1946 serial)}}
{{Infobox comics character<!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
|character_name     = Phantom Rider
|image              = [[File:GhostRider western 1.jpg|250px]]
|caption            = The Western ''[[Ghost Rider (comic book)|Ghost Rider]]'' #1 (February 1967).<br>
Art by [[Dick Ayers]].
|real_name          = Carter Slade<br />Jamie Jacobs<br />Lincoln Slade<br />Reno Jones<br />Hamilton Slade<br />J. T. Slade<br />Jaime Slade
|species            = Human<br>[[Ghost]]
|publisher          = [[Marvel Comics]]
|debut              = ''[[Ghost Rider (comic book)|Ghost Rider]]'' #1 (February 1967)
|creators           = {{Plainlist|
* [[Dick Ayers]]
* [[Gary Friedrich]]
* [[Roy Thomas]]
}}
|alliances          = [[Hydra (comics)|HYDRA]]
|partners = [[Kid Cassidy]]<br>[[Nick Fury]]<br>[[Crossfire (comics)|Crossfire]]
|previous_alliances =
|aliases            = Galloping Ghost<br>Ghost Rider<br>Haunted Horseman<br>He Who Rides the Night Winds<br>Night Rider
|powers             = Excellent [[horsemanship]] and [[sharpshooting]] skills<br>Costume provides [[phosphorescent]] glowing effect
}}
'''Phantom Rider''' is the name of several [[American frontier|Old West]] heroic [[gunfighter]] characters appearing in [[American comic book]]s published by [[Marvel Comics]]. The character was originally called '''[[Ghost Rider]]''', and was renamed following the introduction of Marvel's [[Ghost Rider (Johnny Blaze)|motorcycle-riding character of the same name]].

The character has made minor appearances across media. He made his live-action debut in the 2007 film ''[[Ghost Rider (2007 film)|Ghost Rider]]'', portrayed by [[Sam Elliott]].

==Publication history==
[[Marvel Comics]]' first Ghost Rider look was based on the [[Magazine Enterprises]] character Ghost Rider (Rex Fury), created by writer Ray Krank and artist [[Dick Ayers]] for editor [[Vincent Sullivan]] in ''[[Tim Holt]]'' #11 (1949). The character appeared in horror-themed Western stories through the run of ''Tim Holt'', ''Red Mask'', and ''A-1 Comics'' up until the institution of the [[Comics Code]].<ref name=toonopedia>[http://www.toonopedia.com/ghrider1.htm Ghost Rider (Magazine Enterprises)] at [[Don Markstein's Toonopedia]]. [https://archive.today/20240527152408/https://www.webcitation.org/6ddLFbngu?url=http://www.toonopedia.com/ghrider1.htm Archived] from the original on December 8, 2015.</ref>

After the trademark to the character's name and motif lapsed, Marvel Comics debuted its own near-identical, horror-free version of the character in ''[[Ghost Rider (comic book)|Ghost Rider]]'' #1 ([[cover-date]]d February 1967), by plotter and original ''Ghost Rider'' artist Ayers, and writers [[Gary Friedrich]] and [[Roy Thomas]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=DeFalco |first1=Tom |last2=Sanderson |first2=Peter |last3=Brevoort |first3=Tom |last4=Teitelbaum |first4=Michael |last5=Wallace |first5=Daniel |last6=Darling |first6=Andrew |last7=Forbeck |first7=Matt |last8=Cowsill |first8=Alan |last9=Bray |first9=Adam |title=The Marvel Encyclopedia |date=2019 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-7890-0 |page=270}}</ref>

In an interview, Ayers recalled how the character was conceived, "Vin would come in and sit down and describe what he wanted in The Ghost Rider. He told me to go see Disney's [[The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad|Sleepy Hollow-Ichabod Crane]], The Headless Horseman, and then he told me to play the [[Vaughn Monroe]] record, "[[(Ghost) Riders in the Sky: A Cowboy Legend|Ghost Riders in the Sky]]." And then he started talking about what he wanted the guy wearing."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.twomorrows.com/alterego/articles/10ayers.html | title=TwoMorrows Publishing - Alter Ego #10 - Dick Ayers Interview }}</ref>

With the introduction of Marvel's supernatural Ghost Rider in the 1970s, Marvel renamed its Western Ghost Rider&nbsp;— first, to the unfortunate '''Night Rider''' (a term previously used in the [[Southern United States]] to refer to members of the [[Ku Klux Klan]]) in a 1974–1975 reprint series, and then to '''Phantom Rider'''. At least five men have been the Phantom Rider, one of whom is active in the modern day.

The Magazine Enterprises library of characters, including its version of Ghost Rider, was reprinted by [[AC Comics]] in the 1980s. While the copyrights have lapsed due to non-renewal, AC renamed the Ghost Rider as the Haunted Horseman, due to Marvel having maintained the Ghost Rider trademark.

==Fictional character biography==

===Carter Slade===
'''Carter Slade''', the first to wear the mask, debuted in ''Ghost Rider'' #1 (February 1967). He battled evil while dressed in a phosphorescent white costume, complete with a full-face mask, cape, and the hat. Slade received his outfit and horse from '''Flaming Star''', a [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] [[medicine man]].

He was never called the Phantom Rider in these original appearances. In Marvel continuity, it was not until after his death that the Phantom Rider name was given to the character, and reprints now [[retcon|retroactively]] use that name for Slade.

[[Ghost Rider (Johnny Blaze)|Johnny Blaze]], the modern era [[Ghost Rider]], eventually found himself transported into the 19th century where the latter met and teamed up with Slade. Carter was badly wounded and Blaze took him to Flaming Star to be healed and then dealt with Carter's enemies. Carter recovered and Johnny returned to the present.<ref>''Ghost Rider'' (vol. 2) #50 (November 1980)</ref>

Slade's spirit, however, returned and possessed his descendant Hamilton to make into a Phantom Rider and rode out to rescue Blaze from certain doom.<ref name=":0" />

===Jamie Jacobs===
{{Redirect|Jamie Jacobs|the footballer|Jamie Jacobs (footballer)}}
After Slade's death in ''[[Western Gunfighters]]'' #7 (January 1972), his sidekick '''Jamie Jacobs''' became the second Phantom Rider. He was soon killed in action.<ref name=":1">''[[Western Gunfighters]]'' #7 (January 1972)</ref>

===Lincoln Slade===
'''Lincoln Slade''' is Carter Slade's brother and a [[U.S. Marshal]], as well as the third Phantom Rider.<ref name=":1" /> Lincoln was driven [[Insanity|insane]] by his powers.{{Volume needed|c=y|date=January 2019}} When the [[West Coast Avengers]] are traveling through time on one of their adventures, Lincoln becomes infatuated with [[Mockingbird (Marvel Comics)|Mockingbird]]. Lincoln [[Kidnapping|kidnapped]] the Avenger and fled to a secret location. He then drugs Mockingbird, removing the latter's ability to give or deny [[consent]], and rapes her. Once the effects of the drugs wear off, the enraged Mockingbird fights and defeats him. In the battle's course, he is knocked over a cliff. As he clings to the cliffside, he first pleads with Mockingbird to help him, then attempts to reassert his hypnotic authority and orders her to help him. Hating him for his violation of her, Mockingbird allows him to fall to his death.<ref>''[[West Coast Avengers]]'' (vol. 2) #18-23 (August 1987)</ref> Years later, Lincoln's spirit possesses his descendant Hamilton to seek "vengeance" against Mockingbird. His spirit returns a second time to make Mockingbird return his feelings.<ref>''Mockingbird'' #6-7 (October - November 2016)</ref>

[[Comic Book Resources]] placed him as one of the superheroes Marvel wants you to forget.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Smith|first1=Gary|title=15 Superheroes Marvel Wants You To Forget|url=http://www.cbr.com/superheroes-marvel-wants-you-to-forget/|website=CBR|access-date=2 September 2017|date=20 August 2017}}</ref>

===Reno Jones===
{{main|Gunhawks}}
In the miniseries ''[[Blaze of Glory (comics)|Blaze of Glory]]'', the [[African American]] gunslinger '''Reno Jones''' used the Ghost Rider identity briefly in a battle with the [[Ku Klux Klan]]-affiliated mercenaries called the Nightriders. Jones was one-half of the team called the [[Gunhawks]], along with his former friend [[Kid Cassidy]], whom Jones had believed dead. Cassidy was revealed to be alive and the leader of the Nightriders; he was killed, and Jones retired.<ref>''[[Blaze of Glory: The Last Ride of the Western Heroes]]'' #3–4 (March 2000)</ref>

===Hamilton Slade===
In present-day continuity, '''Hamilton Slade''' is Lincoln Slade's distant descendant who was an [[archaeologist]] who found the burial site of his legendary ancestor, in the [[supernatural]]-[[motorcyclist]] series ''Ghost Rider''. As he explored the site, he found a large [[burial urn]] and from it appeared the ghostly garb of his ancestors (Carter and Lincoln). Possessed by the spirits of his ancestors, he became a new version of the Phantom Rider, and rode off to rescue Johnny Blaze, the current Ghost Rider, from one of his foes.<ref name=":0">''Ghost Rider'' (vol. 2) #56 (May 1981)</ref> However, he would have no memory of his adventures as the Ghost Rider and eventually Lincoln's ghost would take over more frequently and haunt Mockingbird for his death.<ref>''West Coast Avengers'' (vol. 2) #31 (April 1988)</ref> An [[exorcism]] released the spirits of Carter and Lincoln from Hamilton. Lincoln is defeated and banished while Hamilton agrees to have Carter possess him.<ref>''West Coast Avengers'' (vol. 2) #41 (February 1989)</ref> Hamilton attempted a similar exorcism to save his daughter Jaime from the returning spirit of Lincoln. He was killed by [[Crossfire (comics)|Crossfire]] as the exorcism was being completed.

===J. T. Slade===
{{main|Hellfire (J. T. Slade)}}
[[Nick Fury]] recruits Carter Slade's grandson, James Taylor Slade (also known as '''J. T. Slade'''), introduced in ''The Mighty Avengers'' #13, to be part of Fury's team against the "[[Secret Invasion]]" of [[Skrull]]s. He has superhuman reflexes and the ability to cause a chain to ignite in flame and cause massive damage.<ref>''Secret Invasion'' #3 (August 2008)</ref> The character roll call at the beginning of ''Secret Invasion'' #4 (September 2008) refers to J. T. as "Hellfire". Hellfire goes on to make numerous appearances in the ongoing series, ''[[Secret Warriors (2009 series)|Secret Warriors]]''. He is revealed to be a [[Hydra (comics)|HYDRA]] [[double agent]], after which Fury allows him to fall to his death.<ref>''Secret Warriors'' #16 (July 2010)</ref><ref>''Secret Warriors'' #22 (January 2011)</ref>

===Jaime Slade===
In the 2010 series ''[[Hawkeye & Mockingbird]]'', it is revealed that Hamilton Slade had a daughter named '''Jaime Slade'''. While she was examining an urn belonging to the Slade family, Lincoln Slade's spirit possessed her, transforming Jaime into the new Phantom Rider. Claiming to be both "the spirit and the heir", the Phantom Rider teamed up with [[Crossfire (comics)|Crossfire]] to battle the heroes [[Hawkeye (Clint Barton)|Hawkeye]] and [[Mockingbird (Marvel Comics)|Mockingbird]]. Jaime's father Hamilton Slade attempts to exorcise her, but is killed by Crossfire.<ref>''Hawkeye & Mockingbird'' #1–5 (August - December 2010)</ref>

==Other versions==
The '''Phantom Riders''', a gang inspired by the Phantom Rider, appear in ''[[Old Man Logan]]''.<ref>''Dead Man Logan'' #7 (July 2019)</ref>

==In other media==
===Television===
An original incarnation of the Phantom Rider appears in the ''[[Ultimate Spider-Man (TV series)|Ultimate Spider-Man]]'' episode "Return to the Spider-Verse" Pt. 2, voiced by [[Clancy Brown]].<ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=The Phantom Rider Voice - ''Ultimate Spider-Man'' (TV Show) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/Ultimate-Spider-Man/The-Phantom-Rider/ |access-date=October 17, 2024 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref> This version is a [[American frontier|Wild West]]-themed [[Multiverse (Marvel Comics)|alternate reality]] variant of '''[[Uncle Ben|Ben Parker]]'''.

===Film===
The Carter Slade incarnation of Phantom Rider, credited as and amalgamated with the '''[[Caretaker (comics)|Caretaker]]''', appears in ''[[Ghost Rider (2007 film)|Ghost Rider]]'', portrayed by [[Sam Elliott]].{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} This version is a former [[Texas Ranger Division|Texas Ranger]] from the 19th century who [[Deal with the Devil|sold his soul]] to [[Mephisto (Marvel Comics)|Mephistopheles]] and became his servant as [[Ghost Rider]] before leaving his service and becoming a cemetery caretaker. After [[Ghost Rider (Johnny Blaze)|Johnny Blaze]] becomes the new Ghost Rider, Slade mentors him and gives him his shotgun before vanishing into the afterlife.

===Video games===
* The Phantom Rider appears as an alternate costume for Johnny Blaze / Ghost Rider in ''[[Marvel: Ultimate Alliance]]''.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}
* Carter Slade, based on the film incarnation, appears in the ''[[Ghost Rider (video game)|Ghost Rider]]'' film tie-in game, voiced by [[Fred Tatasciore]].{{citation needed|date=September 2016}}
* The Phantom Rider appears in ''[[Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kooistra |first=Darik |date=November 16, 2017 |title=The Old West Side Missions - ''LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2'' Wiki Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/lego-marvel-super-heroes-2/The_Old_West_Side_Missions |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://toonopedia.com/ghrider2.htm Ghost Rider (1967)] at [[Don Markstein's Toonopedia]]. [https://archive.today/20150414052117/http://toonopedia.com/ghrider2.htm Archived] from the original on March 28, 2016.
* [http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/g/ghostridertimely.htm International Hero: Magazine Enterprises' Ghost Rider]
* {{Marvunapp|http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix4/phantomridercarter.htm|Phantom Rider (Carter Slade)}}

{{Marvel Western Characters}}
{{Ghost Rider}}

[[Category:African-American superheroes]]
[[Category:Groups of fictional characters]]
[[Category:Characters created by Dick Ayers]]
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