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GHOSTAVA STARR (MCU)
A corporate saboteur who can phase through solid matter. In the comics, Ghost is a mysterious figure whose true identity remains unknown—a tech genius driven mad by corporate betrayal who now wages war on capitalism itself. The MCU reimagined Ghost as Ava Starr, a tragic figure whose phasing powers are killing her, desperate for a cure. Hannah John-Kamen's sympathetic portrayal turned a villain into one of the franchise's most compelling antagonists.
CARD
#055
DEBUT
1987
FIRST
IM #219
DEMAND
MED
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2025 TOPPS MARVEL MINT
This premium trading card is part of the 2025 Topps Marvel Mint collection. Each card showcases Marvel's greatest heroes and villains with exceptional artwork and collectible value.
The Corporate Phantom
Ghost first appeared in Iron Man #219 (June 1987), created by David Michelinie and Bob Layton. The character was introduced as a mysterious industrial saboteur who targeted corporations, using advanced technology to phase through solid matter. Ghost's true identity has never been revealed in the comics—even their gender was ambiguous for years.
The comic book Ghost was driven by anti-corporate ideology. A brilliant engineer who was betrayed by the company he worked for, Ghost dedicated his life to destroying corporations from within. His intangibility suit allowed him to infiltrate any facility, making him one of Iron Man's most dangerous enemies—not because of raw power, but because he was nearly impossible to catch.
Ghost later joined the Thunderbolts, a team of reformed villains working for the government. This gave the character more depth, showing that beneath the anti-corporate crusade was someone who could work toward redemption. The Thunderbolts connection makes Ghost a potential candidate for the MCU's upcoming "Thunderbolts" project.
Powers and Abilities
PHASING POWERS
- Intangibility through solid matter
- Invisibility
- Electronic disruption
TECH EXPERTISE
- Genius-level engineer
- Hacking and infiltration
- Weapons systems design
MCU: Ant-Man's Sympathetic Villain
Hannah John-Kamen portrayed Ghost in "Ant-Man and the Wasp" (2018), with the character reimagined as Ava Starr. In this version, Ava was the daughter of scientists whose quantum experiment went wrong, leaving her in a state of molecular instability. Her phasing is involuntary and painful—she's literally falling apart at the quantum level.
This tragic backstory made Ghost one of the MCU's most sympathetic antagonists. She wasn't evil—she was desperate to survive. By the film's end, Janet Van Dyne used quantum energy to stabilize her condition, leaving Ava's future open. Her Thunderbolts comic history makes her a prime candidate for the upcoming MCU team project.
INVESTMENT ALERT: Ghost cards benefit from Thunderbolts speculation and sympathetic MCU portrayal. Iron Man #219 (first appearance) is an undervalued key. Hannah John-Kamen's performance earned fan appreciation. Any Thunderbolts casting confirmation would significantly boost interest.
Team Affiliations
THUNDERBOLTS
Reformed villain team
S.H.I.E.L.D. (MCU)
Former operative
SOLO OPERATIVE
Corporate saboteur
2025 Marvel Mint Collector Analysis
Card #055 Ghost offers Silver tier value with strong Thunderbolts speculation potential. The MCU's sympathetic reimagining created emotional investment in the character's future. Her unique phasing powers provide visual distinctiveness in any collection.
PARALLEL CHASE
White and Grey parallels match intangible aesthetic
INVESTMENT RATING
MEDIUM-HIGH - Thunderbolts speculation target