Origin

Ava Starr comes from a future where Doctor Doom installed himself as world emperor at the expense of the world. When she was 14 years old, she was imprisoned in a Negative Zone gulag and tormented by the warden, Ghost. She would be locked up for almost a decade, birthing a son behind bars. During an escape attempt, the prison was attacked by the Annihilation Wave and her son was possessed by one of the bugs. In the chaos, Ava attacked Ghost and stole her power suit to aid in her escape. She assumed Ghost's identity and joined Doom's other acolytes when they time traveled to the present where Doom had just taken the title of Sorcerer Supreme. They formed the Superior Avengers and served as an example that Doom's reign was worth it.

Creation

Ghost was introduced in Superior Avengers #1 by Steve Foxe and Kyle Hotz. Her name and design are inspired by the Marvel Cinematic Universe's version of Ghost (John Morley).

Major Story Arcs

One World Under Doom

In their future, the Superior Avengers were left defenseless against an invading Annihilation Wave, because Doom had destroyed all sources of magic. When Kristoff Vernard, son of Doom, invited them to the present, they saw their chance to horde magical artifact and create an arcane warhead they could use to destroy Annihilus. They would store these artifacts and build their weapons in the ruins of Prison 42 in the Negative Zone, far from the prying eyes of World Emperor Doom. As a distraction, Killmonger would seduce Kristoff so Doc Ock could replace her teammates with robot doubles.

To keep up appearances, they would still often go on missions doing good. When they tried to stop fugitive supervillain Graviton, they came into direct confrontation with the present's actual Avengers. In the ensuing fight, Vision seemingly mortally wounded Ghost, only to reveal that she had sent one of Doc Ock's robot doubles in her place. Ghost had secretly been a victim of these Superior Avengers, killing and switching places with the team's real Ghost before they were brought to the present. The Superior Avengers went looking for her before she blew their cover, but their hand was forced. They killed Kristoff and left him for dead, if not for being saved by Ghost, who believed Doom was a safer bet to end the Annihilation Wave in her future than the arcane warhead.

The Superior Avengers were about to take their warhead to the future when teammate, Abomination revealed he had been possessed by Annihilus the whole time. Annihilus rips out of Abomination's body and attacks these Avengers, eating Doc Ock. Onslaught and Malekith attempt to attack the enemy, but Doctor Doom arrives sacrificing both of those Avengers for weapons against the dragon. Killmonger, as the final Avenger, abandons the battlefield to go for the time platform. She is taken out by Ghost who phased her thirty feet into the dirt and trapped her in an air pocket, before running off entirely.

Powers and Abilities

Ghost Suit: Ghost has a suit that allows her to become intangible and invisible.

• Energy Blasts: Her gauntlets are capable of firing energy blasts
• On-Board Computer: The original Ghost was paranoid and kept detailed files on the other Doom acolytes on her the computer in her mask. This aided in Ava's ability to assume Ghost's identity.
• Levitation: The suit allows her to levitate and hover.
• Respirator: Her mask includes a respirator to protect the user's breathing.

Other Media

Marvel Cinematic Universe

Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)

Ghost revealed to be Ava Starr, the daughter of Elihas Starr, a bitter former enemy of Hank Pym. After a botched experiment involving the Quantum Realm kills Elihas and his wife, Ava is left as an orphan. It is soon discovered that the accident granted Ava the ability to become intangible, and she is taken in by Bill Foster, who seeks to cure her condition. She is then taken in by S.H.I.E.L.D., whose scientists build her an advanced containment suit that allows her to switch between solid and intangible forms at will. She becomes a covert ops agent for the organization but grows increasingly bitter and vicious after realizing they have no intention of actually curing her condition.

In the present day, Ava returns to Foster's home after the fall of S.H.I.E.L.D., and the two begin working together to find a way to save her life after learning that her powers are slowly killing her.

Thunderbolts* (2025)

Hannah John-Kamen reprises her role as Ava Starr alongside the Thunderbolts*. She was working for Valentina de Fontaine and was one of the assets Fontaine tried to kill, along with Yelena Belova, Sentry and the U.S.Agent. Later on, they all, except Bob, unite with Red Guardian (Shostakov), and get kidnapped by Bucky Barnes. All recognising the common enemy, Valentina, they work together in stopping her, having to fight the Sentry in the process. Unable to defeat Val after she gets the press involved, the team becomes the New Avengers.

Video Games

Marvel Future Fight

Both versions of the character (The female one from the movie and the male one from the comics) are playable characters in the game.

Marvel Avengers Academy

The female version from the movie is a playable character in the game. She was released during the Ant-Man and The Wasp Event.

Ghost is voiced by Keyondra Shanae

Marvel Contest of Champions

The female version of the character in a playable character in the game

Merchandise

• The movie version of Ghost is featured in the "Quantum Realm Explorers" Lego kit.
• The movie version of Ghost is featured in Funko's POP! line of bobbleheads.
• A miniature Ghost figurine was included as a Disney Store Ant-Man and the Wasp play set.
• The movie version of Ghost is featured in Hasbro's Marvel Legends line as part of a two-pack with Luis.