Warning: Spoilers for The New Fantastic Four #2!
While Ghost Rider who takes a run at that title, replacing Johnny Storm as the firebrand du jour in The New Fantastic Four series. For all of the Human Torch's untapped potential, Ghost Rider shows a quick-wittedness and unpredictable nature in combat the Torch simply can't match.
The New Fantastic Four series is set just after the events of 1991's Fantastic Four Vol. 1 #347-349 by Walt Simonson, Arthur Adams, Art Thibert, Gracine Tanaka, and Al Milgrom. In these issues, the Fantastic Four have been captured by the rogue Skrull agent De'Lila. Looking to take advantage of more heroes, De'Lila psychically summons Spider-Man, Wolverine, Ghost Rider, and Mr. Fixit (an alter-ego of the Hulk). Tricking them into thinking the Fantastic Four have been killed, De'Lila sends the four of them out as a new iteration of the "Fantastic Four," though her machinations are quickly discovered and stymied. New Fantastic Four picks up shortly afterward when a priest calls Spider-Man, Wolverine, Mr. Fixit, and Ghost Rider to Las Vegas to confront a demonic incursion.
In New Fantastic Four #2 by Peter David, Alan Robinson, and Mike Spicer, Ghost Rider finds himself cut off from the rest of the team and left alone to battle the devil Asmodeus and his horde of demonically possessed humans. While Ghost Rider fends off the demons, Wolverine, Mr. Fixit, and Spider-Man team up with the Human Torch to make their way back to Las Vegas. By the time they arrive, however, Ghost Rider is gone and Asmodeus's army of demons is bearing down on the city. Likewise, the Human Torch is quickly possessed during the conflict as well.
With his flaming head and penchant for speed, Ghost Rider shares many aspects with the Human Torch. However, the Human Torch's power set gives him very limited options in a fight (namely, blasting the opponent with fire, and then more fire). Ghost Rider's showdown with Asmodeus shows his versatility and ingenuity with his primary weapon: hellfire chains. In addition to using the chains as whips to keep his opponents at bay, Ghost Rider rapidly spins them to deflect blasts of fire while also snapping them rigid to use as a spear, landing a powerful blow against Asmodeus. When Asmodeus threatens to swarm Ghost Rider with his army, Ghost Rider brutally responds by breaking the links of his chains and sending the individual pieces flying at his foes. It's this level of quick thinking and mastery that makes him a far better combatant than the Human Torch, despite the latter's incredible power.
Johnny Storm’s a living dynamo, but Ghost Rider is the literal spirit of vengeance. It makes sense that Ghost Rider would have greater martial prowess. After all, the Fantastic Four are primarily scientists and explorers. No matter how bright the hottest member of the Fantastic Four might blaze, Ghost Rider remains the better and far more brutal fighter.
The New Fantastic Four #2 is now available from Marvel Comics.
