Carter Slade was a Texas Ranger who became a Ghost Rider. He is the first of the Ghost Riders to ever turn against Mephistopheles.
Biography[]
Ghost Rider[]
Carter was the Ghost Rider before Johnny Blaze. Carter was once a Texas Ranger, but he became greedy. Carter was sentenced to death, but a certain stranger came to him offer a deal that would free him. The deal turned Carter into a Ghost Rider. Mephistopheles then sent Carter to the town of San Venganza, where he collected a contract that was worth 1,000 souls. Knowing that these evil souls would cause hell on earth, Carter did what no Ghost Rider had done before; he was going to outrun the Devil. For the next 150 years, Carter hid the contract.
Carter became known as the caretaker at a chapel's cemetery. Carter made a fake grave for himself to throw Mephistopheles off his trail. When the new Ghost Rider, Johnny Blaze, passed out at the cemetary after his first transformation, Carter tended to his wounds. Carter also explained to Johnny the penance stare. The next day, Carter told Johnny of the grave belonging to him.
Carter tells Johnny that the grave holds the contract of San Venganza and that it must not fall into the hands of Blackheart nor Mephistopheles. Later that night, Johnny comes back to dig up the grave. Carter then reveals to him that the contract was in his shovel. Although Carter cautions Johnny to think about this, Johnny convinces Carter to let him go. Carter accepts this because Johnny isn't doing it for greed, but for love which puts God on his side. Carter decides to go with Johnny and transforms, revealing his identity.
Carter rides with Johnny, guiding him to San Venganza 500 miles away. When they reach the outskirts of San Venganza, Carter gives Johnny his shotgun and tells him to stick to the shadows. Carter then rides away, telling Johnny that he only had enough power to change one more time. Carter hopes that God might give him a second chance. Johnny thanks Carter and he fades in the distance.
Powers and Abilities[]
Powers[]
- Demonic Physiology: After becoming the host of the fallen angel Zarathos, Carter gained several physical and supernatural attributes. Carter is also one of the most powerful supernatural entities in existence. Even after Johnny Blaze become the new host of Zarathos, Carter still maintained most of his supernatural abilities.
- Superhuman Durability: Carter is far more durable than normal humans and most other supernatural entities. He is completely immune to all types of physical harm.
- Accelerated Healing Factor: Carter is able to heal much faster, more extensively and efficiently than than normal humans and most other supernatural entities. He can completely heal from physical injuries in a matter of seconds.
- Immortality: Carter is immortal; as he cannot be killed by natural means or most other supernatural means.
- Superhuman Longevity: Carter ages much slower than normal humans. Despite being at least over 150 years old, he still maintains the physical appearance of a man in his 60s.
- Pyrogenesis: Carter can generate, create and project bright amber fire from both of his hands or his entire body.
Former powers[]
- Demonic Physiology: After Johnny Blaze become the new host of Zarathos; Carter lost most of his other supernatural attributes.
- Transformation: Carter was capable of transforming into a fiery skeletal entity at will. After Johnny Blaze become the new host of Zarathos; Carter only had enough supernatural energy left; to transform into his fiery skeletal form one last time.
- Penance Stare: Carter was able to burn the souls of the guilty via direct eye contact; inflicting on them the equivalent pain or suffering they have inflicted on their victims.
Abilities[]
- Expert Tactician: Carter is a highly skilled tactician. He was not only able fake his death; in order to throw Mephistopheles off his trail, but he was also able to keep the Contract of San Venganza hidden for 150 years.
- Expert Marksman: Due to Carter's training from the Texas Rangers, he is a highly skilled marksman.
Weaknesses[]
- Limitations: Carter's connection to Hell has greatly diminished his physical and supernatural attributes.
Relationships[]
- Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider - Successor and ally.
- Mephistopheles - Enemy and former master.
- Zarathos - Ally and former angel possessor.
- Blackheart - Enemy; deceased.
- Banshee - Steed.
Appearances/Actors[]
- Earth-121347 (1 film)
- Ghost Rider (First appearance) - Sam Elliott
- Earth-121347 (1 video game)
Trivia[]
- In the comics, Caretaker is a member of the Blood.
- Carter Slade is a separate character in the comics.
- Carter is also known as the "Phantom Rider". As he is seen with a cowboy hat and rides a horse instead of a bike.
- When the Caretaker was created in comics, he was based off the actor Sam Elliott.
- Sam Elliott previously portrayed Thaddeus Ross in Hulk.
- The design of Carter Slade as Ghost Rider may have been influenced or inspired by Caleb from the comics.
Gallery[]
Ghost Rider[]
See Also[]
- Caretaker
- Ghost Rider
