If you are a fan of Marvel comics, movies, or TV shows, you may have heard of the name Johnny Blaze, also known as Ghost Rider, the fiery-skulled anti-hero who rides a hellish motorcycle and wields the power of the Spirit of Vengeance. But who is Donny Blaze, the sleazy magician who appeared in the Disney+ series She-Hulk: Attorney at Law? Is he related to Johnny Blaze in any way? Or is he just a coincidence or a joke by the writers? In this article, we will explore the origins and connections of these two characters and reveal the truth behind their names.
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Who is Johnny Blaze?
Johnny Blaze is one of the most iconic and popular characters in Marvel comics, created by Gary Friedrich, Roy Thomas, and Mike Ploog in 1972. He is the second Marvel character to use the name Ghost Rider, following Carter Slade, a Western hero who later became known as the Phantom Rider. Johnny Blaze was a stunt motorcyclist who made a deal with the demon Mephisto to save his foster father from cancer. However, Mephisto tricked him and bound him to Zarathos, a powerful Spirit of Vengeance who had been enslaved by Mephisto for centuries. As a result, Johnny became the Ghost Rider, a flaming skeleton who could control hellfire and punish the wicked with his Penance Stare.
Johnny Blaze has had many adventures and battles as Ghost Rider, both alone and with other heroes such as the Champions, the Defenders, the Midnight Sons, and the Thunderbolts. He has also faced many enemies, such as Blackheart, Lilith, Lucifer, Zadkiel, and Mephisto himself. He has also encountered other Ghost Riders, such as Daniel Ketch, his long-lost brother; Alejandra Jones, a young girl who briefly inherited his power; and Robbie Reyes, a car mechanic who became possessed by a different Spirit of Vengeance. Johnny Blaze has also appeared in various media adaptations, such as animated shows, video games, and live-action movies. He was portrayed by Nicolas Cage in Ghost Rider (2007) and Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2011), and by Tom McComas in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2017).
Who is Donny Blaze?
Donny Blaze is a new character who made his debut in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2022), a Disney+ series that follows Jennifer Walters, a lawyer and cousin of Bruce Banner who gained super strength and green skin after receiving a blood transfusion from him. Donny Blaze is played by Rhys Coiro, an actor best known for his roles in Entourage and 24. Donny Blaze is a magician who performs at the Mystic Castle in Los Angeles, where he uses a Sling Ring to open interdimensional portals and send his audience members to different locations or realms. However, he is not a real sorcerer, but rather a former student of the Masters of the Mystic Arts who was kicked out of Kamar-Taj after summoning his frat brother and a keg to the ancient temple.
Donny Blaze’s magic shows attract the attention of Wong, the Sorcerer Supreme and former mentor of Doctor Strange. Wong is furious that Donny is abusing his magic and exposing it to the public. He hires Jennifer Walters, aka She-Hulk, to represent him in a legal case against Donny. However, Donny refuses to stop his shows and claims that he has every right to use magic as he pleases. He also mocks Wong and She-Hulk for being uptight and boring. The case goes to court, where Donny puts on a flashy display of magic tricks with his lawyer and assistant. He also brings Madisynn King, one of his former audience members who claims that she enjoyed being sent to another dimension by Donny. The judge seems to side with Donny until Wong reveals that Madisynn is actually an undercover agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. who was sent to investigate Donny’s activities.
The case takes a dramatic turn when Donny accidentally opens a portal to Hell and unleashes a horde of demons into the courtroom. He realizes that he has made a grave mistake and asks Wong for help. Wong agrees to help him on one condition: that he signs a cease and desist order that forbids him from using magic ever again. Donny reluctantly agrees and apologizes for his actions. Wong then uses his magic to banish the demons back to Hell and close the portal.
Is Donny Blaze Related to Johnny Blaze?
The short answer is no. Donny Blaze is not related to Johnny Blaze in any way. They are not brothers, cousins, or even distant relatives. They have never met or interacted with each other in any Marvel story or media adaptation. They do not share any common history or origin. They do not have any connection to the Spirit of Vengeance or the Medallion of Power. They do not even have the same real name. Johnny Blaze’s full name is Johnathan Blaze, while Donny Blaze’s full name is Donald Blaze.
The long answer is that Donny Blaze’s name is most likely a homage, a reference, or a joke by the writers of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. The series is known for its humor, satire, and metafictional elements, such as breaking the fourth wall and making fun of comic book tropes and clichés. Donny Blaze’s name could be a way of acknowledging the existence and popularity of Johnny Blaze in the Marvel universe, or a way of poking fun at the coincidence and confusion that their names might cause. It could also be a way of subverting the expectations of the fans who might think that Donny Blaze is somehow connected to Johnny Blaze or Ghost Rider. However, there is no official confirmation or explanation from the writers or producers of the series about why they chose to name the character Donny Blaze.
Conclusion
Donny Blaze and Johnny Blaze are two very different characters in the Marvel universe. They have nothing in common except for their similar names and their use of magic. Donny Blaze is a new character who appeared in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law as a minor antagonist and comic relief. Johnny Blaze is an old character who has been around since 1972 as a major hero and anti-hero. They are not related to each other in any way, shape, or form. Their names are most likely a homage, a reference, or a joke by the writers of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, but there is no official confirmation or explanation for this choice. Therefore, the truth behind their names remains a mystery and a source of speculation for the fans.
