TheGreen Goblinis the alias of severalsupervillainsappearing inAmerican comic bookspublished byMarvel Comics.Created by writerStan Leeand artistSteve Ditko,the first and best-known incarnation of the Green Goblin isNorman Osborn,who is regarded as one of the superheroSpider-Man's threearchenemies,alongsideDoctor OctopusandVenom.[1]Originally a manifestation of chemically induced insanity, others would later take on the persona, including Norman's sonHarry Osborn.The Green Goblin is depicted as a criminal mastermind who uses an arsenal ofHalloween-themed equipment, including grenade-like Pumpkin Bombs, razor-sharp bat-shaped blades, and a flying Goblin Glider, to terrorizeNew York City.
| Green Goblin | |
|---|---|
 Norman Osborn as the Green Goblin. Art byLuke Ross. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | The Amazing Spider-Man#14 (July 1964) |
| Created by | Stan Lee Steve Ditko |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | |
| Species | Human mutate |
| Notable aliases |
|
| Abilities |
|
Comics journalist and historianMike Conroywrites of the character: "Of all the costumed villains who've plagued Spider-Man over the years, the most flat-out unhinged and terrifying of them all is the Green Goblin."[2]The Green Goblin has appeared in numerous media adaptations of Spider-Man over the years, including films, animated television series, and video games. Norman and Harry Osborn were portrayed byWillem DafoeandJames FrancoinSam Raimi'sSpider-Manfilm trilogy(2002–2007), and byChris CooperandDane DeHaanin the filmThe Amazing Spider-Man 2(2014). Dafoe reprised his role as Norman Osborn in theMarvel Cinematic Universe(MCU) filmSpider-Man: No Way Home(2021) which used the concept of themultiverseto link the Raimi trilogy to the MCU.
Publication history
editAccording to Steve Ditko:
Stan's synopsis for the Green Goblin had a movie crew, on location, finding anEgyptian–likesarcophagus.Inside was an ancient,mythologicaldemon,the Green Goblin. He naturally came to life. On my own, I changed Stan's mythological demon into a human villain.[3]
The Green Goblin debuted inThe Amazing Spider-Man#14.[4]At this time his identity was unknown, but he proved popular and reappeared in later issues, which made a point of hissecret identity.According to both Stan Lee andJohn Romita, Sr.,who replaced Ditko as the title's artist, Lee always wanted the Green Goblin to be someone Peter Parker knew, while Ditko wanted his civilian identity to be someone who had not yet been introduced.[5][6][7]Lee elaborated:
Steve wanted him to turn out to be just some character that we had never seen before. Because, he said, in real life, very often a villain turns out to be somebody that you never knew. And I felt that that would be wrong. I felt, in a sense, it would be like cheating the reader.... if it's somebody you didn't know and had never seen, then what was the point of following all the clues? I think that frustrates the reader.[7]
However, Lee prefaced this statement by admitting that, due to his self-professed poor memory, he may have been confusing the Green Goblin with a different character.[a][7]Moreover, in an earlier essay he had said that he could not remember whether Norman Osborn being the Green Goblin was his idea or Ditko's.[8]Ditko has maintained that it was his idea, even claiming that he had decided on it before the first Green Goblin story was finished, and that a character he drew in the background of a single panel ofAmazing Spider-Man#23 was meant to be Norman Osborn (who is not introduced until issue #37).[3][9]
Ditko left the series with issue #38, just one issue after Norman Osborn was introduced as the father ofHarry Osborn.The first issue without Ditko saw the Green Goblin unmasked.John Romita, Sr.,who replaced Ditko as the title's artist, recalled:
Stan wouldn't have been able to stand it if Ditko did the story and didn't reveal that the Green Goblin was Norman Osborn. I didn't know there was any doubt about Osborn being the Goblin. I didn't know that Ditko had just been setting Osborn up as a straw dog. I just accepted the fact that it was going to be Norman Osborn when we plotted it. I had been following the last couple of issues and didn't think there was really much mystery about it. Looking back, I doubt the Goblin's identity would have been revealed inAmazing#39 if Ditko had stayed on.[10]
In the landmark story, "The Night Gwen Stacy Died"(The Amazing Spider-Man#121–122), the Green Goblin killsGwen Stacyand later perishes in a fight against Spider-Man. However, the story's writer,Gerry Conway,had Harry Osborn adopt the Green Goblin identity in that story's aftermath, later remarking that "I never had any intention of getting rid of the Green Goblin as a concept".[11]Harry Osborn's becoming the Green Goblin was mostly well-received, with fans remarking that Harry was more menacing than his father had ever been.[12]
Several other characters would take on the Green Goblin identity, and writerRoger Sternlater introduced theHobgoblinto replace the Green Goblin as Spider-Man's archenemy.[13]In addition, aretconduring the "Clone Saga"determined that the original Green Goblin survived the events ofThe Amazing Spider-Man#122 and had been playing a behind-the-scenes role in Spider-Man's adventures since then.
Fictional character biography
editNorman Osborn
editNorman Osbornis the first and most-known character connected with the Green Goblin alias who developed the equipment used by the others ever since he was exposed to the Goblin formula.
Harry Osborn
editHarold "Harry" Osbornis Norman Osborn's son and the second character who used the Green Goblin alias.
Bart Hamilton
editDr. Barton "Bart" Hamiltonwas a psychologist born inScarsdale, New Yorkand the third character to use the Green Goblin alias. When Harry was put under medical care, Dr. Hamilton managed to make Harry bury the vendetta as the Goblin identity from Harry'ssubconsciousviahypnosis.[14]Dr. Hamilton uses these secrets to be the third Goblin.[15]But since Harry has no knowledge of where Norman's strength-enhancing Goblin formula is, Hamilton is unable to locate it. He hatches an elaborate plot to killSilvermanebut Harry resumes the Goblin identity to stop him. They battle and Hamilton is accidentally killed by a bomb with which he meant to killSpider-Man.[16]
Years later, there was speculation that Hamilton was theHobgoblinbut this is disproved.[17]
A Goblin that was presumably Hamilton appears as a member of the second incarnation of theLegion of the Unlivingcreated by theGrandmaster.After being pitted against theAvengers,the group and their master are vanquished byDeath.[18]
During the "Dead No More: The Clone Conspiracy"storyline, Bart's Goblin form is cloned by theJackal's company New U Technologies.[19]
Phil Urich
editPhilip Benjamin "Phil" Urichis the nephew ofBen Urichand the fourth character to use the Green Goblin alias.
Nameless construct
editNorman begins trying to convince the public after returning from the dead of never being the infamous supervillain, and conspired with associate Doctor Angst genetically engineer a new Green Goblin, one slavishly devoted to help his case.[20]Norman uses this Goblin as abodyguard,[21]to torment Spider-Man,[22]and in ploys designed to draw public sympathy (such as kidnappingNormie Osbornfor ransom).[23]After Norman is incapacitated bythe Gathering of Five,the Goblin is left alone and begins to degenerate due to no longer having access to the Goblin Formula required to keep him stable. The Goblin goes afterLiz Allanin a desperate bid to find a cure for his condition, but is driven off by Spider-Man.[24]During a second attempt to capture Liz, the Goblin unmasks himself in front of Spider-Man (shuffling through a variety of faces (with the most prominent being Harry Osborn) after doing so) and melts into a pile of protoplasm as he claims Norman would return.[20]
Powers and abilities
editIn his first appearances, the Green Goblin seems to be a normal man (albeit very nimble and athletic) who gets his powers from his many gadgets. In later appearances, it is established that due to the "Goblin Formula", Norman and most successors to the Green Goblin persona possesses superhuman strength (lifting nine tons under optimal conditions), increased speed, reflexes, endurance, intelligence and healing rate.
Norman started with a portion of the chemical's power, because he only received an accidental splash in the face at a time where one had to bathe in it long enough to get the full effect. Eventually a new version of the chemical was developed, which was suitable for directly drinking it. Though much slower than the likes ofWolverine,he can regenerate damaged tissue and organs. However, if seriously wounded, it would leave scars on his body.
His intelligence has been enhanced to gifted levels, though at the price of his sanity. His involvement with the Gathering of the Five loosened his grip on reality, though he is able to maintain some semblance of his sanity via chemically treated dermal patches. When not impaired by mental illness, Osborn is a cunning businessman, masterful strategist, and highly skilled in electronics, mechanics, engineering and chemistry.
He wears a green bulletproofscale armorcostume with an overlapping purple tunic. His mask has a built-in gas filter to keep him safe from his own gases, and his gloves are woven with micro-circuited filaments which channel pulsed discharges of electricity at nearly 10,000volts.
Goblin Glider
editIn the Green Goblin's first appearance inThe Amazing Spider-Man#14, he rides a steel rocket-powered wingless broomstick. In his second appearance inThe Amazing Spider-Man#17, he changes to the familiarbat-shaped glider. The Goblin Glider's controls andmicroprocessorare located behind the head of the glider. The pilot is attached to the glider viaelectromagneticclasps on the wings of the glider. It has great maneuverability and is steered mostly by leaning, but manual controls are available behind the head of the glider. The Goblin later added radio-linked voice controls to his mask.
Its top speed is 90 miles per hour (140 km/h), and it can support about 400 lb (180 kg), though it could lift far more for brief periods. Flying at top speed with a full load and a full fuel tank would deplete its fuel supply in about an hour. In the Goblin's later appearances, the glider possesses a wide array of armaments, including heat-seeking and smart missiles, machine guns, extending blades, a flamethrower and a Pumpkin Bomb dispenser/launcher.
Pumpkin Bombs, Ghost Bombs, and the "Bag of Tricks"
editThe Green Goblin wears an over-the-shoulder satchel called his "Bag of Tricks", containing various weapons including grenades called "Pumpkin Bombs", which resemble miniatureJack-o'-lanterns.When thrown, they ignite almost soundlessly and produces enough heat to melt through a 3-inch (76 mm) thick sheet of steel. Other weapons in the satchel include razor bats (akin to bladed boomerangs), and miniature "Ghost Bombs", The Green Goblin has a range of other "Pumpkin Bombs" and "Ghost Bombs" at his disposal, including smoke and gas-emitting bombs. Some releasehallucinogenicgases, while others emit a specially-created mixture that neutralizesSpider-Man's spider-sense for a limited period of time. Still others emit a flame-retarding gas, which the Goblin once used against theHuman Torch.[25]All of these are covered in a light plastic coating.
Groups
editGoblinettes
editSome time after Norman's death, Harry is abducted by a trio of mysterious female Goblins. With the aid ofBen UrichandMolten Man,Spider-Man discovers that these "Goblinettes" are robots created by Harry, and controlled by a supercomputer containing copies of Harry and Norman's minds. The Goblinettes are destroyed along with the computer, which had been programmed to expose Normie Osborn to the same version of Goblin serum that killed Harry, in attempt to create a new Green Goblin.[26]
Order of the Goblin
editAn offshoot of the Scriers cult founded by Norman, consisting of only his most loyal followers.[27]
Goblin Gangs
editFollowing Norman'sriseandfallfrom power, a number of Goblin Gangs sprang up across America. Composed mostly of white supremacists who agreed with his plans to remove theAsgardiansfrom the country, they wear purple clothes, green face makeup and have goblin-based tattoos.[28]Vin Gonzaleswas revealed to have received one of these tattoos while in prison passing a message from Norman to Harry about Stanley Osborn.[29]
Goblin Nation
editThe Goblin Nation, also known as the"Goblin Underground",is a group of organized crime composed of Goblin-themed villains led by the Goblin King against theSuperior Spider-Man.[30]
War Goblins
editIn the eight-monthellipsisthat occurred subsequent to the events ofSecret Wars,a heavily bandaged arms dealer claiming to be Norman Osborn began selling Goblin-based costumes and equipment on the black market, establishing private armies of "War Goblins".[31]
Other versions
editAs a fictional character, the Green Goblin has appeared in a number of media, fromcomic bookstofilmsandtelevision series.Each version of the character is typically established within its owncontinuitywithinparallel universes,to the point where distinct differences in the portrayal of the character can be identified. Various versions of the Goblin are depicted in works such as Marvel'sUltimate lineandEarth X.
Avataars: Covenant of the Shield
editIn the miniseriesAvataars: Covenant of the Shield,which takes place in an alternative universe referred to as Eurth created by theShaper of Worlds,the Green Goblin appears as theGoblin King.A small, nimble creature green in color and adorned in purple rags, the Goblin King is shown to speak solely in rhyme and runs a toll booth in the Webwood, extorting goods from travelers along with his henchmen theSix Most Sinister.[32]
Earth-6160
editIn 2023, Marvel announced that writerJonathan Hickmanwould be rebooting the Ultimate Marvel universe, launching a brand new timeline beginning with the limited seriesUltimate Invasion.This new Ultimate Universe, designatedEarth-6160will follow a married Peter Parker in his 30s. The Goblin will debut in the title's second issue, scheduled for release in February 2024. Unlike his previousUltimate Universe counterpart,this version will take more similarities from his Earth-616 variant, such as being a man in a costume and glider, as well as taking partial inspiration from the live-action version ofWillem Dafoe'sGreen Goblin.
House of M
editIn theSpider-Man: House of Mfrom the 2005 Marvel comics seriesHouse of M,there are two versions of the Green Goblin.
- The first is Peter's wrestling friend and rivalCrusher Hogan,who uses the identity as his wrestling franchise.
- The second isPeter Parkerhimself, who, feeling guilty posing as a mutant when really he was a human given powers in the usual Spider-Man fashion (radioactive spider bite), poses as the Green Goblin to reveal the information about him being a human toJ. Jonah Jameson,his then publicist, and eventually the entire world. Norman Osborn is also present in this continuity, as an industrialist whose company is bought out by Peter.[33]
Marvel 2099
editIn theMarvel 2099setting, there are different versions of its Green Goblins.
Unidentified shapeshifter
editThe Goblin is a radical trickster who wants to prove thatSpider-Man(Miguel O'Hara) is in the pay of a megacorp likeAlchemax.He has bat-like glider-wings and a bag of "tricks", similar to the 20th century version. He also has the ability to project illusions.[34]
He is eventually unmasked, and appears to be Spider-Man's brotherGabriel O'Hara,although it is later revealed, in aretcon,that he is ashapeshifterwho took Gabriel's identity. WriterPeter David,who quit the book between creating the character and the unmasking, has said that it was his intent for the Goblin to be a femaleCatholicpriestnamed Father Jennifer, and for Gabriel to be ared herring.[35][36]This Goblin was never called the Green Goblin, but instead simplyGoblin 2099.[34]
Jennifer D'Angelo
editJennifer D'Angelois an ordained priest in each of the 2099 realities.
Earth-928
editOn Earth-928, Jennifer D'Angelo is an ordained priest.[37]She later took on the alias of Goblin 2099 to fight Spider-Man and later allied withVulture.[38]
Unidentified 2099 reality
editInAll-New, All-Different Marvelduring a travel to 2099 which turned out to be different from the version that he knows, Spider-Man (O'Hara) is captured by that alternate 2099's era'sVenomandDoctor Octopus.Miguel later wakes up in Alchemax, which is run by that era'sSinister Six.The Sinister Six discover that the Goblin is actually Father Jennifer D'Angelo, an undercover ally of Kasey. After receiving a message from the Sinister Six, Miguel and Kasey go to Alchemax to rescue Father Jennifer. Upon escaping, Spider-Man and Father Jennifer arrive at an area where the time door appears, but Jennifer is killed by Doctor Octopus.[39]
MC2
editFury the Goblin Queen
editÉlan DeJunae, daughter of the San Mardeo DeJunae crime family in South America, is betrothed to Normie Osborn when she is just a baby because of her father's involvement with the Order of the Goblin.[volume & issue needed]
From then on, Élan learns the family business and eventually makes connections with theBlack Tarantula.She grows up training to follow Norman Osborn's footsteps, and eventually becomes the leader of the Order of the Goblin. Following a near fatal attack on Normie, Élan returns to New York to follow through with their arranged marriage, but Normie was not aware of the betrothal. Meanwhile, Élan and the Black Tarantula plot to useSpider-Girlto destroyLady OctopusandCanisso they can take control of the New York underworld. Following plans made by Norman Osborn before his death, the Queen of the Goblins tries to dose Normie Osborn with a new version of the Goblin Formula. Spider-Girl manages to defeat Élan, but in the battle, the formula explodes and the Queen escapes.[volume & issue needed]
Because Normie spurned her and denied his place in the Goblin legacy, Fury crashes his wedding toBrenda Dragoand forcibly bonds theVenom-symbioteto him in an attempt to corrupt him. This backfires, as Normie gained control of the symbiote and went on to become a hero. After Fury crashed Normie's wedding,Phil Urich(the good Green Goblin) defeats her and sends her to prison.[volume & issue needed]
Fury the Goblin Queen appeared as a member of a Multiversal group called theSinister Squadronwhere they attacked the Spider-Society before it can be formed.[40]
Normie Osborn
editNormie Osborn is the son of Harry Osborn and Liz Allan, and the grandson of Norman Osborn. In the alternative timeline of theMC2universe he becomes the Green Goblin and battles Spider-Man's daughter,May "Mayday" Parker,before reforming and becoming her ally.[volume & issue needed]
Phil Urich
editIn the MC2 timeline, Phil Urich marries his girlfriend Meredith and is aforensic scientistand friends with Peter Parker. He is aware of both Peter andSpider-Girl's identities. Phil Urich resumes the Goblin identity, first under the name of theGolden Goblin,then as the Green Goblin with the assistance of Normie Osborn (III). After Phil lost a long series of battles, Normie recreates Phil's original mask, which grants him superhuman strength and other abilities, greatly enhancing his effectiveness. He is also a founding member of the NewNew Warriors.[41]
In the universe where Marvel characters are animals, Norman Osbird, as he's called in this universe, is a crazyturkeywho calls himself the Green Gobbler.
Spider-Man: India
editSpider-Man: IndiafeaturesNalin Oberoi,a ruthless businessman inMumbai,who is ravaging villages for a mystical amulet to connect with evil, supernaturaldemonswho once ruled the world.[42]The process works and transforms Oberoi into "Green Goblin". He also transforms a meek doctor into"Doctor Octopus"and sends him to find Pavitar Prabhakar (Spider-Man). Oberoi later burns down Pavitar's village (branding it with his initials NO), and kidnaps MJ, and Aunt Maya (Aunt May).[43]At Oberoi HQ, he tries to bring down the demons, until a reformed Octopus and Pavitar attack and rescue the ladies. After killing the doctor, Oberoi is later defeated by Pavitar.[44]Oberoi also has a son mentioned by Pavitar, Hari.[44]
Ultimate Marvel
editIn other media
editNotes
edit- ^It is possible that Lee was thinking ofThe Big Man.The Big Man was a mob villain who, like the Green Goblin, was created by Lee/Ditko and had the mystery of his identity played up before being unmasked as someone Spider-Man knew from his civilian life. Moreover, later in the interview Lee suggests that he had the Green Goblin confused with "a gangster".
References
edit- ^Rovin, Jeff (1987).The Encyclopedia of Supervillains.New York: Facts on File. pp.148–149.ISBN0-8160-1356-X.
- ^Conroy, Mike.500 Comicbook Villains(Collins & Brown, 2004), p. 55
- ^abMurray, Will (July 2002). "Spider Time".Starlog and Comics Scene Present Spider-Man and Other Comics Heroes.
- ^Manning, Matthew K.; Gilbert, Laura, ed. (2012). "1960s".Spider-Man Chronicle Celebrating 50 Years of Web-Slinging.Dorling Kindersley.p. 26.ISBN978-0756692360.
Spider-Man's arch nemesis, the Green Goblin, as introduced to readers as the 'most dangerous foe Spidey's ever fought.' Writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko had no way of knowing how true that statement would prove to be in the coming years.
{{cite book}}:|first2=has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^Ro, Ronin.Tales to Astonish: Jack Kirby, Stan Lee and the American Comic Book Revolution,p. 107 (Bloomsbury, 2004)
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- ^abcThomas, Roy (August 2011). "Stan Lee's Amazing Marvel Interview!".Alter Ego(104).TwoMorrows Publishing:7.
- ^"Preface".Spider-Man Vs. Green Goblin(First ed.).Marvel Comics.August 1995. pp.4–5.ISBN9780785101390.
- ^"Comic Book Legends Revealed #400 (Part 1) | Comics Should Be Good @ CBR".January 4, 2013. Archived fromthe originalon April 24, 2008.RetrievedJuly 17,2016.
- ^Comics Creators on Spider-Man,pg 29–30, Tom Defalco. (Titan Books, 2004)
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- ^DeFalco, Tom (2004).Comics Creators on Spider-Man.Titan Books.ISBN1-84023-422-9.
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- ^Dan Slott (w), Giuseppe Camuncoli (p), Cam Smith (i), Marte Gracia (col), VC's Joe Caramagna (let), Nick Lowe (ed). "High Priority"The Amazing Spider-Man,vol. 1, no. 4 (December 9, 2015). United States: Marvel Comics.
- ^Len Kaminski (w), Oscar Jiminez and Javier Saltares (p), Eduardo Alpuente and Chris Ivy (i). "Wild Kingdoms"Avataars: Covenant of the Shield,vol. 1, no. 2 (October 2000). Marvel Comics.
- ^Spider-Man: House of M#1-3. Marvel Comics.
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- ^Peter David (April 27, 1996)."who is GOBLIN 2099. - alt.fan.peter-david | Google Groups".RetrievedSeptember 16,2010.
- ^Smith, Zack (March 4, 2009)."RememberingSpider-Man 2099With Peter David, II ".newsarama.Newsarama.RetrievedFebruary 24,2014.
- ^Spider-Man 2099#8. Marvel Comics.
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- ^Spider-Man 2099Vol. 3 #11-12. Marvel Comics.
- ^Spider-Society#1. Marvel Comics.
- ^"Green Goblin VI".Angelfire.RetrievedSeptember 16,2010.
- ^Spider-Man India#1. Marvel Comics.
- ^Spider-Man India#3
- ^abSpider-Man India#4. Marvel Comics.
External links
edit- Green Goblin (disambiguation)at the Marvel Universe
- Green GoblinonMarvel Database,aMarvel Comicswiki