Marvel released some news at San Diego Comic-Con 2022 about the upcoming Dark Web event featuring characters like Spider-Man and the X-Men. One of the most surprising announcements was the reveal that Norman Osborn will be starring in his own series as a new armored hero known as Gold Goblin.
Norman Osborn has used several identities since he first appeared as the Green Goblin. Gold Goblin isn't Osborn's first new alter ego, but it is very different from the rest. After tricking the general public during his time as Iron Patriot, Norman Osborn now wants to help people as penance for the actions of his past identities.
10 Norman Osborn Was The First Villainous Green Goblin Who Left A Dark Legacy
Green Goblin was Spider-Man’s greatest enemy, though his identity was a secret when he debuted in Amazing Spider-Man #14. Norman Osborn wouldn’t appear until Amazing Spider-Man #37 as the father of Peter Parker’s best friend Harry. The rivalry between Spider-Man and Green Goblin became personal after they learned of each other’s secret identities.
Green Goblin wore a frightening costume and rode atop his ghoulish goblin glider. Some of Green Goblin's best gadgets included various types of explosive pumpkin bombs, razor-edged batarangs and more. His son Harry Osborn and later Phil Urich both used the Green Goblin identity before Norman reclaimed his original title.
9 He Joined The Cabal Of Scrier As A Costumed Member Before Taking Over The Group
A mysterious being known as Scrier first appeared during the Clone Saga storyline. He was working with another new Clone Saga character named Judas Traveler. They were testing Spider-Man and his clone, Scarlet Spider in various ways. The ultimate mastermind behind the Clone Saga was eventually revealed to be Norman Osborn, who had allegedly died years earlier.
Scrier worked for Osborn as one of many different members in the Cabal of Scrier. They were originally formed to follow an ancient cosmic deity. However, the organization became a tool for corporate businessmen like Norman Osborn. He worked his way up through the ranks as a Scrier himself before he took over the Cabal. He used them as his agents while he remained hidden.
8 Norman Osborn Was The Director Of The Thunderbolts Before Founding H.A.M.M.E.R.
The Superhuman Registration Act introduced during the Civil War event gave a medicated Osborn a new role as the Director of the Thunderbolts program. He was able to strike a public blow against the Skrull Queen during the Secret Invasion event. He manipulated his new status with the public to become the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., which he rebranded as H.A.M.M.E.R.
Osborn was usually seen in an expensive business suit while in his role as Director. However, he also occasionally wore a green tactical outfit with both the Thunderbolts and H.A.M.M.E.R. He stopped taking the medication that helped him keep his Green Goblin persona under control, though he didn’t fully return to this identity during his Dark Reign.
7 He Modified A Suit Of Tony Stark’s Armor To Lead The Dark Avengers As Iron Patriot
When Osborn gained control of S.H.I.E.L.D., he also gained access to some of Iron Man's most powerful armors. He created his own suit to lead a new team of villains disguised as heroes he called the Dark Avengers. He used Captain America’s colors and Iron Man’s technology to further gain the public’s trust as Iron Patriot.
It wasn’t as advanced as some of Iron Man’s newer suits of armor, and he didn't have the knowledge to use it fully. He eventually lost the Iron Patriot armor during a memorable moment from the Siege event. Stark was able to take back control of the armor and leave Osborn defenseless. This revealed that the Goblin persona had completely resurfaced in Osborn’s mind
6 Norman Osborn Was Given The Incredible Abilities Of The Super-Adaptoid After Siege
Osborn spent some time in prison making connections with other criminals. He was able to organize a breakout before he rejoined his H.A.M.M.E.R. organization. Factions of A.I.M. and Hydra joined in his absence to further bolster the paramilitary force. A.I.M.’s Monica Rappacini put Osborn through an experimental process that gave him the powers of the Super-Adaptoid.
The experiment allowed Osborn to mimic the powers of the Avengers in battle. He increased his strength to deal with Luke Cage and even took on the power of Thor's unworthy clone, Ragnarok. Osborn wore a revamped suit of green and yellow armor as the Super-Adaptoid. He also assembled a new Dark Avengers that was as short-lived as this identity.
5 He Disguised Himself As Mason Banks When He Organized New York’s Crime As The Goblin King
Norman Osborn has disguised himself in quite a few different ways over the years. His work as a Scrier kept his identity hidden for years, though he also resorted to plastic surgery as well. Osborn created the identity of Mason Banks in an attempt to take over the Alchemax company. He also began to secretly organize New York’s criminals as the Goblin King.
The Goblin Nation continued to grow while he secretly operated as Mason Banks. He also began working with other goblin-themed villains like Phil Urich/Goblin Knight and Lily Hollister/Menace. He still wore his original Green Goblin suit during his time as the Goblin King. Phil Urich would later take on the Goblin King role before Osborn killed him.
4 Osborn Bonded With The Carnage Symbiote To Regain His Insanity As The Powerful Red Goblin
Spider-Man earned a final victory against his old foe when he managed to block the powerful Goblin formula in his blood that was causing his insanity. Desperate to recover his lost edge, Osborn got his hands on the Carnage symbiote. He offered to show the symbiote new ways to enjoy killing if the symbiote burned out Spider-Man’s cure in his system.
The Carnage symbiote agreed and bonded with Osborn. He further enhanced his new form with a new Goblin formula that gave the symbiote additional abilities. The most dangerous aspects of Carnage and Green Goblin joined together to become Red Goblin. Osborn even used his new symbiote to influence his grandson Normie into becoming the Goblin Childe.
3 He Was Taken Over By The Carnage Symbiote Again During The Absolute Carnage Event
Norman Osborn’s bond to the Carnage symbiote fractured his mind. He believed he was actually Cletus Kasady, the first host of Carnage. The symbiote god Knull resurrected Cletus Kasady as his agent in order to bring about his return in the Absolute Carnage event. He sought out every Carnage symbiote host to absorb their power or exert his control over them.
Dark Carnage created a new symbiote for Osborn which allowed his Cletus Kasady persona to take control. His living symbiote took on the form of Carnage instead of Osborn’s Red Goblin appearance. Spider-Man was able to defeat Osborn in his Carnage form, which ultimately removed Cletus Kasady’s persona from his mind.
2 An Alternate Reality Version Of The Character Gained Spider-Man’s Powers As Spider-Norman
Spider-Man encountered a dark and powerful variant of Norman Osborn from the multiverse during the Spider-Geddon event. Norman Osborn gained incredible abilities to become a terrifying evil version of Spider-Man from Earth-44145. He was later referred to as “Spider-Norman” by other Spider-Men from the Web of Life and Destiny during the multiversal event.
Spider-Norman had all of the powers of Spider-Man as well as four additional arms and the advanced technology at Osborn’s disposal. He also gained the ability to travel across the multiversal after stealing a part of the Web of Life and Destiny that connected the Spider-Verse. Spider-Norman later became a powerful enemy of the Superior Spider-Man after the event.
1 Norman Osborn Is Walking A New Path As An Armored Hero Known As The Gold Goblin
The Spider-Man villain known as Sin-Eater changed Osborn by cleansing the former Green Goblin’s sins. Osborn has become an ally of his old enemy in the ongoing Amazing Spider-Man series. He designed a powerful new costume for Spider-Man to help defeat Hobgoblin. He then created a new heroic identity called Gold Glider in an attempt to atone for his past crimes.
Gold Goblin’s sleek new armor and glider are a far cry from his villainous roots. However, he’s still falling into old habits with his new tech. He rides atop a golden glider and carries explosive energy bombs to replace his more iconic goblin glider and pumpkin bombs. Osborn’s new role as Gold Goblin could be his brightest yet, though it might not last.