SPIDERMAN AND THE GREEN GOBLIN: A HISTORY

Let’s “swing” into things shall we?

There’s always so much talk about where the Spidey-verse will go next. What villains will they bring about? Are they going to redo villains they’ve already done? Are they going to continue traveling through the Spidey-verse? Questions that should definitely be answered. Inquiring minds want to KNOW!!!

Let’s take a trip down memory lane, and revisit one of Spidey’s biggest arch nemesis.

Now if you’ve never watched anything related to Spiderman then you will have no clue who we’re gonna talk about. Green Goblin. Their history is definitely one to note. Because (SPOILER ALERT) Green Goblin was Peter Parker’s best friend’s father. Oh and if you didn’t know, Peter Parker is Spiderman.

Let’s just go ahead and assume if you know nothing about the Spidey-verse all of this is about to be a HUGE SPOILER!

Norman Osborn, who later becomes Green Goblin, is the head of Oscorp. After being exposed to an experimental formula, he gains enhanced physical abilities and intellect. Of course he was already intelligent, he was the head of his own business. Now when I say he was exposed, I mean he found this enhancement formula after having his business partner arrested for embezzlement. Afterwards, Norman goes through their possessions, finds the said enhancement formula. He tries to create the serum and it turns green then explodes in his face.. But, with the positive comes some negative. The experimental Formula may have given him more intellect but was also driving him insane!

Osborn then adapts the Green Goblin persona to take over and become the leader of organized crime in New York City. In order to assert himself and cement his hold, he plans to defeat Spiderman. No matter how he attacks Spidey, he is thwarted. Matters worsen when Spidey saves him once his ex business partner returns from jail. Stromm, the ex partner, tries to exact his revenge on Osborn with a robot army. Spidey swings in to save Osborn! Talk about embarrassing. Stromm became a non-issue because he died from a heart attack.

Now stick with me, because this is about to get messy. Osborn creates a gas that takes away Peter’s spidey senses. During that time period, Osborn stalks Spiderman in an effort to figure out who he is. Well he does! He then knocks Parker unconscious and takes him to his waterfront base. Where he reveals himself. Parker gets Osborn to explain how he became the Green Goblin and uses that time to free himself. During a fight Osborn is knocked into some electrical wiring which wipes his memory. Once again, Parker saves Osborn. He destroys the Green Goblin suit and saves Osborns reputation by claiming he was helping Spiderman to take down Green Goblin.

If you thought it ended there, you’re wrong! Osborn is plagued by ghost memories of the Green Goblin and Spiderman. They end up not being ghost memories but repressed memories that come to light when he sees a NYPD showing of Supervillains by George Stacy. With his memory back he’s at it once again. Trying to defeat Spiderman. He attacked his friends and even his aunt. The Goblin however just can’t catch a break. He’s thwarted by one of his own psychedelic bombs and the amnesia relapses.

This happens a bunch of time. Memory loss only to return, only to lose it again. Upon the last and final memory return Green Goblin goes above and beyond. He makes a move that will change everything. Green Goblin kidnaps Gwen Stacy.

Now I know we haven’t talked about Gwen, but she’s really important to Spidey. She’s his first love.

Spidey chases down Goblin to rescue Gwen.

Goblin shoves Gwen off the Bridge.

Gwen Dies.

Spidey loses it, bent on revenge, chases down Green Goblin once again.

During their battle, Goblin is impaled on his own Goblin Glider.

Just so you all know this is only a touch on their history. Because in the Comic Book World anything can happen. Green Goblin does live on. Through none other than Parker’s Best Friend and Norman Osborn’s son Harry.

SO many things happen and even a later edition brings about facts that Norman didn’t end up dying. The enhancement formula that blew up in his face gave him healing properties. His return just goes into a whole new slew of criminal organizations, evil doing, villainess ways.

If any villain that Spidey has had to go up against is thought of to be brought out or redone, I for one am rooting for Green Goblin. There is so much of a history between them, no matter which person was the Green Goblin. Another rendition of this psychotically intelligent persona could be amazingly written and portrayed.