It hasn't enjoyed the huge success of its cinematic cousins, but Marvel's Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. has done well enough to warrant a fourth season. And the new run of episodes will feature the arrival of iconic, demonic character Ghost Rider.
Gabriel Luna is the man who was chosen to play the Spirit Of Vengeance (sorry if you were expecting Nicolas Cage), and now we have a look at him in action above, going full flame-head. Don't go expecting the name Johnny Blaze to come tripping off of anyone's lips, though. He'll actually be embodying the Marvel NOW! version, called Robbie Reyes, a Mexican-American who becomes bonded to the spirit of a killer who offers to help him sort out the gang trouble in his neighbourhood. The TV version will likely blend that idea with its own plot lines and find a new spin. One of those changes (though based on the comics update) is the Rider's vehicle – as the promo at the bottom of the page shows – he's swapped his motorcycle for a 1969 Dodge Charger. Bet those flaming tyres are a nightmare to keep replacing.
The use of the character enables the S.H.I.E.L.D. gang to not only take advantage of a shift in time slot across the pond (from 9pm to 10pm) to try riskier and darker material, but also allows a deeper dive into the supernatural side of Marvel. And, with the arrival of the scary skull-headed one, the show will explore themes of vengeance and penance, and the line between good and evil. So now you know.
Of bigger concern, however, is whether the show's TV budget will allow for GR to be brought to the screen effectively. We'll find out when Marvel's Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. returns to US TV on September 20, and the show's new season should be arriving on our shores later in the autumn.