The Origin of Ghost Rider, the Popular Marvel Comics Character

Many individuals have called it the best song ever written. It is a "cowboy song" that really isn't that old. It was written in 1948 by Stan Jones. It was so well received that it had countless cross-over recordings by many different artists. Even yet today the cross-overs continue.

The lyrics to the song tells the story about a cowboy that has a vision about a red eyed fire breathing cattle thundering across the sky. It is being chased by the ghosts of dammed cowboys. One of the cowboys warm him that if he doesn't change his ways, he too will soon be involved in the chase. Trying to catch the devil's herd for eternity. The song has been sung by the likes of Johnny Cash, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, and even Bing Crosby.

The name Ghost Rider was first given to members of the old southern KKK. They were also referred to as the Night Rider. Besides old western legends from the past, the term "Ghost Rider was used by Marvel Comics for the first time in 1967.

The original "Ghost Rider" was a former lawman by the name of Carter Slade. Slade wore a white costume, cape and mask. He had a white horse by the name of Flaming Star. Does this sound familiar to an old Elvis movie? Carter, a school teacher, arrives in the west from someplace in Ohio.Although not a lawman yet, he takes on a group of bandits that wound him. Sioux Indians rescue and revive him to health. A medicine man named "Flaming Star" tells him that he was to be the "Ghost rider" that appeared to him years before in a vision. The medicine man gives Carter a special dust that he got from a falling star to make him look like a ghost in disguise. Unlike other super hero's, Carter has no super powers.

Carter then takes up his costume and similar to the Lone Ranger, hides behind a mask and fights for law and order. Carter is killed and others take his place. However, in modern day, an off spring by the name of Hamilton Slade finds the grave with the clothing remains of Carter. Carter's spirit returns and processes the body of Hamilton. Hamilton then seeks vengeance for the innocent victims of criminals. The only difference is that Hamilton rides a motorcycle. This where the movie plot with Nicolas Cage comes from.