Green Goblin

Creation & Design

The Green Goblin was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, first appearing in The Amazing Spider-Man #14. He was designed to be a formidable foe for Spider-Man, embodying the duality of Norman Osborn's character as both a wealthy industrialist and a deranged villain.

Early Years

Initially, Norman Osborn was portrayed as a successful businessman who became the Green Goblin after exposure to a chemical formula that drove him insane. His early confrontations with Spider-Man established him as one of the web-slinger’s most iconic adversaries.

Character Development

Over the years, the Green Goblin has evolved from a simple villain to a complex character with deep psychological issues, often reflecting the darker aspects of Norman Osborn's personality. His relationship with Spider-Man has been central to his character development, making him one of the most enduring and tragic figures in comic book history.

Cultural Reception

The Green Goblin is widely regarded as one of Spider-Man's greatest foes, with his character being praised for its depth and complexity. He has appeared in various media adaptations, including animated series, films, and video games.

Character Details

Real Name:
Norman Osborn
Aliases:
Green Goblin, Gobby, The Goblin
Species:
Human
Gender:
Male
Affiliations:
Sinister Six, Thunderbolts, Oscorp
Abilities:
Genius-level intellect, Expert hand-to-hand combatant, Goblin Glider, Pumpkin Bombs
Equipment:
Goblin Suit, Goblin Glider, Pumpkin Bombs
Weight:
180lbs
Height:
6' 10"
Eye Color:
green
Hair Color:
blonde

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1st appearance of the Green Goblin

First battle of Spider-Man versus the Hulk

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2nd appearance of Green Goblin

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3rd appearance of Green Goblin

Norman Osborn is seen briefly without the Green Goblin costume but it is not revealed that he is the costumed villain until The Amazing Spider-Man #39

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1st full appearance of Norman Osborn, not in Green Goblin costume, identified by name

1st appearance of Mendel Stromm, later becomes Gaunt and then Robot Master

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Green Goblin and Spider-Man discover one another's identities

First artwork on The Amazing Spider-Man by John Romita

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Origin of Green Goblin

Marvel ⋅ 1967

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First reprint of Amazing Spider-Man #14, the first appearance of Green Goblin

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Death of Green Goblin

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1st appearance of Will-O'-The-Wisp

1st appearance of Dr. Barton Hamilton, Harry Osborne's psychiatrist who later becomes the third Green Goblin

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1st appearance of Dr. Barton Hamilton as the third Green Goblin

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Battle of Green Goblin vs Hobgoblin

McFarlane adds the scroll to his cover signature

📖 Inferno Crossover: next, read X-Factor #36

Marvel ⋅ 1997

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1st appearance of Proto-Goblin, the test subject Norman injected with the Goblin Formula while trying to perfect it

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1st appearance of Gabriel and Sarah Stacy, the twin children of Gwen Stacy and Norman Osborn

Gabe and Sarah appear as unknown assassins but their identities are revealed in the next issue

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Controversial issue: Gabriel and Sarah Stacy are the result of an affair between Norman Osborn and Gwen Stacy, later retconned, removed, from continuity in The Amazing Spider-Man #73 (2021)

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New Thunderbolts Roster: Norman Osborn, Bullseye, Penance, Radioactive Man, Swordsman, Songbird, Venom

2nd Print ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2008

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Second printing

Dynamic Forces ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2008

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Dynamic Forces edition, limited to 1,499 copies with Certificate of Authenticity

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2nd appearance of Anti-Venom

Variant ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2008

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Variant cover art by Marko Djurdjevic

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Norman Osborn is given control of national security by the president and will go on to form H.A.M.M.E.R.

1st team appearance of the Dark Illuminati: Norman Osborn, Loki, Hood, Doctor Doom, Namor, Emma Frost

Marvel ⋅ 2009

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Partial appearance of the Dark Avengers: Norman Osborn (Iron Patriot), Noh-Varr (Captain Marvel), Daken (Wolverine), Moonstone (Ms. Marvel), Ares, Sentry and Bullseye (Hawkeye)

Dark Avengers appear briefly on television

Six-page preview of Black Panther #1 (2009) with J. Scott Campbell cover of Shuri in the Black Panther costume - preview art also appeared in Preview Catalog #64 and Young Guns Sketchbook '09

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1st full appearance of the Dark Avengers: Norman Osborn as Iron Patriot, Noh-Varr as Captain Marvel, Daken as Wolverine, Mac Gargan/Venom as Spider-Man, Bullseye as Hawkeye, Moonstone as Ms. Marvel, Sentry and Ares

Dark Avengers made a partial team cameo in New Avengers #49

First mention of H.A.M.M.E.R., the government organization that replaces S.H.I.E.L.D. under the leadership of Norman Osborn

[April 2024 - revealed at CinemaCon, the addition of an asterisk to the Thunderbolts title is causing speculation that there is a connection to the Dark Avengers]

1:200 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2010

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Variant cover art by Frank Cho

Marvel ⋅ 2012

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1st team appearance of a new Dark Avengers roster led by Norman Osborn: Gorgon as Wolverine, Superia as Ms. Marvel, Toxie Doxie as Scarlet Witch, Ai Apaec as Spider-Man, Skaar as the Hulk, Trickshot as Hawkeye

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1st appearance of Goblin King, Norman Osborn

1:100 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2018

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Variant cover art by Alex Ross

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Norman Osborn merges with Carnage

1:1000 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2018

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Variant sketch cover art by Ross Andru

Remastered edition

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Norman Osborn announces himself as the Red Goblin, now bonded with the Carnage Symbiote

1:500 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2018

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Variant cover art by Ross Andru, inspired by The Amazing Spider-Man #39 (1966)

Remastered edition

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1st cameo appearance of Normie Osborn as Goblin Childe

1:25 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2020

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Variant cover art by InHyuk Lee

1:25 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2020

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Variant cover art by InHyuk Lee

Web Exclusive ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2022

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Variant cover art by Patrick Gleason

1:25 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2022

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Variant cover art by Derrick Chew

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