Death Ryder

The Death Ryder is a fictional personification of the concept of Death featured in comic books published by Marvel Comics. He made a single appearance in this form in the "Deathrace!" story from Ghost Rider, Volume 2 #35 in April, 1979.

Biography
This version of Death was a male aspect of the being, but was represented as a gaunt, skeletal figure clad entirely in black. The Death Ryder had a bit more zeal for his profession and took delight in the opportunity to snuff out the life of the living, but usually under a specific set of circumstances.

Many years ago, the Death Ryder perceived how Johnny Blaze had come to lose faith in his own existence and even craved Death's touch. It believed that Blaze's death wish was the reason why he always engaged in life-threatening pursuits, such as stunt-riding. The Death Ryder sought to bring Blaze's true feelings to bear in the form of a test.

Riding astride a motorcycle and calling itself the Death Ryder, Death issued Blaze a challenge. The two of them would race across the desert to a predetermined finish line. In the middle of the desert however was a lost little girl named Anna Devere. Should the Death Ryder reach her first, then he would take Anna's life, thus winning the race. However, if the Ghost Rider reached her first, then her life would be spared - and so too would Johnny Blaze.

As the race wore on, the Death Ryder did everything it could to cheat, but Ghost Rider leaped from his own motorcycle and reached Anna before the Death Ryder could touch her. Her life was spared and the Death Ryder let Johnny Blaze be.

Notes & Trivia



 * Although Death has made numerous appearances across the Marvel Universe, it has only manifested itself as the Death Ryder for a single appearance.


 * Reprinted appearances of the Death Ryder may also be found in the Essential Ghost Rider, Volume 2 trade paperback and the Ghost Rider: Highway to Hell one-shot.

Appearances

 * Ghost Rider Vol 2 35