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Green Goblin
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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
First Appearance:
Amazing Spider-Man #14
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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Amazing Spider-Man #14
Marvel ⋅ 1964
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Amazing Spider-Man #14
 
Low
$800
Mid
$2k
High
$8k

Key Facts

1st appearance of the Green Goblin

First battle of Spider-Man versus the Hulk

Amazing Spider-Man #17
Marvel ⋅ 1964
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Amazing Spider-Man #17
 
Low
$125
Mid
$480
High
$1.6k

Key Facts

2nd appearance of Green Goblin

Amazing Spider-Man #23
Marvel ⋅ 1965
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Amazing Spider-Man #23
 
Low
$110
Mid
$330
High
$1.1k

Key Facts

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

Amazing Spider-Man #37
Marvel ⋅ 1966
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Amazing Spider-Man #37
 
Low
$35
Mid
$110
High
$360

Key Facts

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

Amazing Spider-Man #39
Marvel ⋅ 1966
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Amazing Spider-Man #39
 
Low
$60
Mid
$175
High
$900

Key Facts

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

First artwork on The Amazing Spider-Man by John Romita

Amazing Spider-Man #40
Marvel ⋅ 1966
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Amazing Spider-Man #40
 
Low
$70
Mid
$190
High
$700

Key Facts

Origin of Green Goblin

Marvel Tales #9
Marvel ⋅ 1967
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Marvel Tales #9
 
Low
$9
Mid
$20
High
$90

Key Facts

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

Amazing Spider-Man #122
Marvel ⋅ 1973
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Amazing Spider-Man #122
 
Low
$45
Mid
$120
High
$450

Key Facts

Death of Green Goblin

Amazing Spider-Man #167
Marvel ⋅ 1977
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Amazing Spider-Man #167
 
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$20

Key Facts

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

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

Amazing Spider-Man #176
Marvel ⋅ 1978
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Amazing Spider-Man #176
 
Low
$3
Mid
$9
High
$30

Key Facts

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

Amazing Spider-Man #312
Marvel ⋅ 1989
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Amazing Spider-Man #312
 
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$20

Key Facts

Battle of Green Goblin vs Hobgoblin

McFarlane adds the scroll to his cover signature

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

Spider-Man #-1
Marvel ⋅ 1997
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Spider-Man #-1
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$3

Key Facts

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

Amazing Spider-Man #509
Marvel ⋅ 2004
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Amazing Spider-Man #509
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$8

Key Facts

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

Amazing Spider-Man #512
Marvel ⋅ 2004
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Amazing Spider-Man #512
 
Low
$1
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$2
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$3

Key Facts

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)

Thunderbolts #110
Marvel ⋅ 2007
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Thunderbolts #110
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$5

Key Facts

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

Amazing Spider-Man #546
2nd Print ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2008
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Amazing Spider-Man #546
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$10

Key Facts

Second printing

Amazing Spider-Man #568
Dynamic Forces ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2008
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Amazing Spider-Man #568
 
Low
$12
Mid
$40
High
$120

Key Facts

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

Amazing Spider-Man #571
Marvel ⋅ 2008
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Amazing Spider-Man #571
 
Low
$1
Mid
$5
High
$15

Key Facts

2nd appearance of Anti-Venom

Amazing Spider-Man #573
Variant ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2008
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Amazing Spider-Man #573
 
Low
$1
Mid
$5
High
$15

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Marko Djurdjevic

Secret Invasion #8
Marvel ⋅ 2009
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Secret Invasion #8
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$3

Key Facts

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

New Avengers #49
Marvel ⋅ 2009
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New Avengers #49
 
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$20

Key Facts

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

Dark Avengers #1
Marvel ⋅ 2009
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Dark Avengers #1
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$10

Key Facts

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]

Dark Reign: The List - Amazing Spider-Man #1
Non-Key
1:200 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2010
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Dark Reign: The List - Amazing Spider-Man #1
 
Low
$5
Mid
$15
High
$50

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Frank Cho

New Avengers #18
Marvel ⋅ 2012
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New Avengers #18
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$10

Key Facts

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

Superior Spider-Man #10
Marvel ⋅ 2013
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Superior Spider-Man #10
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$3

Key Facts

1st appearance of Goblin King, Norman Osborn

Amazing Spider-Man #798
Non-Key
1:100 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2018
View Details
Amazing Spider-Man #798
 
Low
$5
Mid
$15
High
$55

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Alex Ross

Amazing Spider-Man #795
Marvel ⋅ 2018
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Amazing Spider-Man #795
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$10

Key Facts

Norman Osborn merges with Carnage

Amazing Spider-Man #797
1:1000 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2018
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Amazing Spider-Man #797
 
Low
$12
Mid
$40
High
$120

Key Facts

Variant sketch cover art by Ross Andru

Remastered edition

Amazing Spider-Man #798
Marvel ⋅ 2018
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Amazing Spider-Man #798
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$5

Key Facts

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

Amazing Spider-Man #797
1:500 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2018
View Details
Amazing Spider-Man #797
 
Low
$5
Mid
$18
High
$75

Key Facts

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

Remastered edition

Amazing Spider-Man #799
Marvel ⋅ 2018
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Amazing Spider-Man #799
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$4

Key Facts

1st cameo appearance of Normie Osborn as Goblin Childe

Amazing Spider-Man #49
Non-Key
1:25 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2020
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Amazing Spider-Man #49
 
Low
$1
Mid
$3
High
$12

Key Facts

Variant cover art by InHyuk Lee

Amazing Spider-Man #50
Non-Key
1:25 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2020
View Details
Amazing Spider-Man #50
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$10

Key Facts

Variant cover art by InHyuk Lee

Amazing Spider-Man #1
Web Exclusive ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2022
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Amazing Spider-Man #1
 
Low
$4
Mid
$12
High
$40

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Patrick Gleason

Amazing Spider-Man #2
Non-Key
1:25 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2022
View Details
Amazing Spider-Man #2
 
Low
$1
Mid
$5
High
$18

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Derrick Chew

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