Main Verse [ PINNED POST! ]
Well, I guess I’ll start this by getting all the nitty gritty bits outta the way. And by that I mean the inconsistencies of Johnny’s presence in recent comics spread throughout the years mixed with my personal headcanons. So heeeere we go!!
First thing’s first: Zarathos’ origins are defined by everything that was revealed in the Heaven’s on Fire arc. Despite what people might think, not all Ghost Riders are born from the same place. While some are made by warped, human souls or are clearly demonic in nature, a good chunk seen or unseen actually comes from Heaven. Zarathos is of the “angelic” brand, kind of, my origins for him are a mix of canon and headcanon stated in this HEADCANON POST right here.
Second: As far as the Thunderbolts [ 2012-2014 ] arc goes...some time between the mission that “didn’t happen” in Rio Patuca and the inevitable end to their little team, Johnny split. He only stuck around for a few, smaller missions before telling Ross he had other matters to attend to and they parted on good terms. He missed the whole Frank Castle debacle.
Third: Johnny’s death in Doctor Strange: Damnation. Comic canon can be very fickle with details of where Zarathos came from. A curse placed on Johnny by Mephisto after his rigged deal with the devil fell through or Zadkiel “saving” Johnny by giving him a Ghost Rider thus leaving Mephisto unable to claim his soul.
I prefer the latter and since that’s what I’m sticking with--- Mephisto removing Zarathos from Johnny is null and void. It is not in his right and more importantly: fuck Mephisto. So, instead of Johnny deriderizing by force, he does so willingly. Knowing full well that if he fights Mephisto as a human, he will lose, and he will die as a result. When he crashes through that window and falls to his death, he doesn’t let Zarathos take over nor allows himself to heal. Johnny succumbs to his wounds almost instantly and his soul drops into Hell. Fortunately, his Rider is dragged down with him.
Fourth: As for Johnny’s erratic behavior shown throughout the Ghost Rider [ 2019 ] run aka him being King of Hell, I find there are some inconsistencies that I don’t agree with. Not only towards the writer’s reasoning for Johnny’s understandable personality changes, but the inner workings to how Ghost Riders function for their hosts. More specifically when the Caretaker in #6 said: “...with every demon he takes down with that damnation stare of his--- the more their souls intermingle with his, pushing him toward anger...toward becoming the devil.” which doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me and, honestly, feels like a gross underestimation of a Ghost Rider’s capabilities to keep their host stable, when they quite literally, deal in souls and sin all the time. Yes, they primarily deal in human souls, but really, it’s not an excuse. So, no, I won’t be acknowledging that as the reason for Johnny’s spiral.
My thoughts on this simply boil down to Johnny; for a large portion of his time spent in Hell before everything went to shit, was in fact acting, being what he needed to be for the demons, for torturing damned souls, and running Hell as a whole. It is and was a persona, but after an extended period of time...Johnny had trouble differentiating himself from it. The persona became more prevalent than who he is as a person and he didn’t have anyone to really confide in to keep him, well, grounded so he lost himself to it. Which, lead him to saying and doing awful things that he would NEVER [ ex: hurt Robbie Reyes, threatening his little brother, Gabe, and needlessly maim his own brother, Danny. ] do if he could think clearly.
Whether or not Hell had a hand in influencing Johnny’s behavior is unclear, but in my opinion, it played a smaller part in it. Time over manipulation. The job wore on Johnny and he will undoubtedly struggle to piece himself back together once he’s free from it.
Changes aside, this verse is set nearly one year after the events of Doctor Strange: Damnation and Ghost Rider [ 2019 ].
Johnny ruled Hell for approximately six months [ which is a helluva lot longer by Hell standards, but not as severely as the comic implies ]. Eventually, he finds a suitable replacement willing to bear the weight of his throne. A friend he deemed trustworthy and more than capable. One he didn’t feel guilty offering the job to and one who insisted they could handle it. Shortly thereafter, Johnny returned topside and attempted to piece together [ y’know, despite it feeling like a foreign concept: being ALIVE. everything in him is screaming that he’s too warm and his heartbeat is too loud and breathing is...is so weird now. ] some semblance of a “normal” life.
His old apartment is gone and sold off, so he opts to buy a condo somewhere in Chicago. Resumes living, so to speak, albeit slowly. He does what he can to keep himself busy. Books stunt shows, takes a stab at acting again--- this time as a stunt double rather than being THE star, does a little modeling on the side, and freelance mechanic work strictly for repeat clients/friends. Despite all that, Johnny has time to spare [ off seasons and all that ] and continues to pursue his Rider duties. Zarathos and him are communicating, they’re in much better standing. The entity is the same. Grumpy with biting remarks, but oddly comforting. A reminder that Johnny isn’t alone. He can admit that freely now.
Which brings us to an important question. A query posed by Zarathos one night out of the blue: would you stand with me as an immortal beyond the barriers of Ghost Rider and human? A question that confuses Johnny at first given Riders are seemingly [ minor flaws or not ] immortal already. The spirit clarifies by saying it wouldn’t be the average host-rider relationship. It would far exceed that and make a more intricate bond. One with a list of benefits outweighing the chance of negatives, although at the time, Zarathos couldn’t specify an exact outcome.
He thinks to say no, but doesn’t. Waiting several days before offering a response. His no becomes a yes and the spirit wonders: why? Johnny’s reasoning comes in pieces. Spite. Self-punishment. And, most importantly, a chance to be better. Though he doesn’t elaborate further. Either way, it’s good enough for Zarathos and he follow-ups with a mention of their transformation needing time to develop. Again, the spirit couldn’t say what that entailed, but assured Johnny would find out soon.
Very soon.
Okay, okay. Now that I’ve given some backstory on my Johnny...let me attempt explaining the details of his “transformation” which is already in play at varying stages [ depending on which muses I’ve interacted with ].
After acceptance, there’s two phases: Tattoos and Soul Modification.
These tattoos appear on Johnny’s body over time. Starting from the base of his neck then spreading over his upper back only to stop midway. From there, tattoos wrap around both biceps fading partly when stretching down to elbows. Collarbones get a lighter treatment and fades into pecs. The final design he asked for personally from Zarathos--- around his left ring finger is a band of white ink, written in an old tongue. Unknown by most, but it spells out a name.
While his tattoos might be eye catching, they also serve a purpose. Within intricate designs of cathedral decor and artful depictions of a past life, there is layers upon layers of incantations hidden beneath stark lines. Spells to, essentially, lock them together and maintain a sort of stability for the next phase.
When the soul modification bit rolls around, it slaps Johnny with a high fever. He’s bedridden for one and a half days as his body goes through stages of pain. A mild bone-deep ache to excruciating agony as Zarathos peels away at his soul. Section by section, the spirit weaves new life into him. Fills in the cracks. Morphs his essence into something that can’t quite be called a soul anymore, but still IS. Johnny makes a speedy recovery--- he feels the change, faintly, but can’t describe it.
He just knows they’re different now.
Tidbits:
Since Johnny’s tattoos are of the “magical” kind, Zarathos added a second, surprise layer for him. In the dark, they ignite with an orange hue and while not all areas might glow, they speak a story of family. Of the wife and children he lost, portraits of them marked against skin, surrounded by a delicate array of tiger lilies and additional flowers he can’t identify. There are other parts, too, but of all the tattoos he’s received from the spirit this one made him shed a few tears.
Johnny has two pets-- a German Shepherd by the name of Banjo and a blood red corn snake affectionately named Scarlet. His neighbor Reese tends to them while he’s on business. He wishes he could take them with him.
Johnny owns the Quentin Carnival. His beloved childhood home might not be up and running, but he keeps it out of sentimental reasons in hopes that, one day, he can breathe new life into it. Until then, no one touches it or attempts to tear it down.
