thrust into the Contest of Chaos, a special line-wide event running through all 2023 annuals, pitting hero against hero - and in Fantastic Four Annual #1, the Human Torch matches his nova flame against Ghost Rider’s Hellfire in an epic, no-holds-barred battle.

Fantastic Four Annual #1 will be written by Zac Gorman and drawn by Alan Robinson, with covers by sco Manna and Todd Nauck. The Contest of Chaos will see Marvel's heroes forced to fight by dark magic, leaving their heroism and sense of restraint at the door. It has been revealed that Agatha Harkness will somehow play a role in Contest of Chaos, with the suggestion that she's the one organizing these hero vs hero bouts. Fans must wait until the annual goes on sale in August for more answers.

Human Torch vs Ghost Rider in Contest of Chaos

fantastic four annual ghost rider vs human torch

The Fantastic Four is drawn into the mayhem when the Human Torch is pitted against Johnny Blaze, the Ghost Rider! It’s flame versus hellfire when the two heroes face off – but who will emerge victorious?! Plus: More of Agatha Harkness’s plan is revealed – along with those determined to stop her!

Contest of Chaos will be in a similar vein to the publisher’s previous Contest of Champions miniseries, but this time with the superhuman competitors magically pushed not to soften any of their blows. Contest of Chaos promises some truly epic battles, as heroes who rarely associate with each other are suddenly plunged into combat, with Storm fighting Iron Man and Moon Knight taking on Taegugki. Every superhero fan loves some 'hero vs hero' speculation, and Contest of Chaos will answer those hotly contested questions.

Human Torch & Ghost Rider Have History

fantastic four human torch ghost rider

While fans would rarely put Human Torch and Ghost Rider together, the two have a strong connection. When the Fantastic Four were indisposed, Ghost Rider ed the New Fantastic Four as Johnny's fiery equivalent, and has helped the team out in times of crisis. By all rights, the two should be on friendly , but the Contest of Chaos doesn't care for friend or foe - it's all about who wins.

Agatha Harkness Holds the Key

David Nakayama Agatha Harkness Variant Cover for Midnight Suns #2

Agatha Harkness’ stock has risen since her Marvel Cinematic Universe in WandaVision; as its central villain, Agatha was responsible for shattering Wanda’s world and leading directly to the events of Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness. Agatha Harkness’ prominence in the comics has increased as well, with a major role in the recent Midnight Suns title. Harkness was once Franklin Richards’ nanny, which gives her a connection to the Fantastic Four and the Human Torch - is the Torch fighting for her, or does her dark magic give her control over Ghost Rider? With the MCU's Agatha: Coven of Chaos on the way, it seems that Marvel is keen to draw a connection between Agatha and its mysterious Chaos Magic.

And now, thanks to her, Ghost Rider and the Human Torch are heading for a fiery showdown. Both are fire-based heroes, but whose flames will prove victorious in the end? Whether Johnny Storm succumbs to Ghost Rider’s soul-searing Hellfire or the Spirit of Vengeance is vanquished by Human Torch’s cosmically-irradiated flames, the conflict between the two promises to be Contest of Chaos' hottest battle.

Fantastic Four Annual #1 is available from Marvel Comics August 23.