Summary

  • Norman Osborn's transition from Green Goblin to Gold Goblin did not mean the end of his villainous identity. Marvel has continued to improve and innovate the character over the years.
  • Green Goblin is not only a major foe of Spider-Man, but also a threat to the entire Marvel universe. Marvel has made sure to refocus on Osborn to keep Green Goblin's story strong.
  • Osborn's rivalry with Spider-Man became personal when they discovered each other's secret identities, leading to a battle between their loved ones. Green Goblin has also developed rivalries with other villains, such as Mendell Stromm/Robot-Master and Hobgoblin.

Norman Osborn appeared to have left the villainous identity of Green Goblin behind as he transitioned into the heroic role of the Gold Goblin. However, his original identity has become a mainstay in the Marvel universe that only continues to get better. Marvel has improved one of Spider-Man’s greatest foes over the years with new innovations and story ideas.

Norman Osborn isn’t the only one to make the Green Goblin name stand out either. While the character has continued to grow beyond him, Marvel has made sure to refocus on Osborn when needed to keep Green Goblin’s story going strong. Green Goblin has become not only one of Spider-Man’s greatest villains but also a threat to the entire Marvel universe.

RELATED: Every Marvel Character Who Used The Green Goblin Identity, Ranked

10 Osborn's Rivalry With Spider-Man Became Personal

Norman Osborn revealing himself to be the Green Goblin to Peter Parker.

When Norman Osborn first appeared on the scene as Green Goblin, his goal was to take over the criminal underworld. However, his mission soon changed as the Goblin Formula damaged his mind. After countless defeats at the hand of Spider-Man, Goblin refocused his hatred on the friendly neighborhood web-swinger.

Everything changed between Green Goblin and Spider-Man when they each discovered the other's secret identity. Spider-Man learned Osborn's identity first, though he kept it a secret for his friend Harry's benefit. When Green Goblin discovered that Spider-Man was his son's friend, Peter Parker, Osborn started personally attacking him through his loved ones to further build their rivalry.

9 Green Goblin Became A Long-Lasting Legacy Character

Norman Osborn with Harry Osborn and Phil Urich as Green Goblins behind him in Marvel Comics

There have been a few different characters who used the Green Goblin identity over the years. While Norman Osborn was the first and arguably the best, his apparent death in battle with Spider-Man left the role vacant. His son Harry tragically followed in his footsteps to get revenge on Spider-Man.

Usurpers like Dr. Bart Hamilton stole Green Goblin's identity for themselves as well. Phil Urich debuted during the Clone Saga as the first heroic version of the Green Goblin. This furthered the ongoing legacy of the character that has continued to evolve alongside Spider-Man.

8 Osborn Has Developed Rivalries With Other Villains

Green Goblin vs Hobgoblin by Ryan Stegman

Norman Osborn became known for his personal vendetta against Peter Parker which impacted their encounters as Spider-Man and Green Goblin. However, Green Goblin has made quite a few villainous enemies of his own as well.

One of Green Goblin’s oldest rivalries is with the terrifying Marvel villain Mendell Stromm/Robot-Master. Their feud dates back to before they were supervillains. Osborn's best rivalry that has improved both characters is with Green Goblin and Hobgoblin. Osborn’s feud with multiple characters in the Hobgoblin identity has driven both villains to become better.

RELATED: Spider-Man: 15 Reasons Why Hobgoblin Is Deadlier Than The Green Goblin

7 Green Goblin Often Struggled With His Own Identity

Harry Osborn holding the Green Goblin mask

Truly evil villains aren’t always the biggest hits with fans, as Green Goblin has proven over the years. The character has frequently struggled with his villainous identity in various ways, bringing a unique drama to the character that fully evil villains can’t replicate. To be fair, Norman Osborn made terrible decisions well before he became Green Goblin.

Yet Osborn's often battled with the dark Green Goblin persona. His recent reform after the loss of his sins showcased his ongoing fight between good and evil. Harry Osborn also fought against the Green Goblin persona after he took on the role and used the unstable goblin formula to enhance his strength. He chose to save Spider-Man in their final battle, captivating fans with his sacrifice.

6 Green Goblin's Threat Continued After His Death

The Osborn AI talking to Normie through giant computer screens

While the death of some of Spider-Man's enemies usually means it's the last fans will see of them, that's never been the case with the Green Goblin. After the original died, new characters stepped up to carry on his legacy. However, both Norman and Harry Osborn activated incredibly detailed schemes before they died.

Norman Osborn actually survived his death and recovered in secret so he could orchestrate events like the Clone Saga from beyond the grave. Harry Osborn created a powerful Artifical Intelligence programmed with both Harry and Norman's personalities. The Osborn AI carried out a number of final plans to torment Spider-Man that culminated with Kindred's attack on the wall-crawler.

5 Osborn Became A Corporate War Profiteer As Well

Norman Osborn 2099 as the Galactic Goblin from Marvel Comics

Green Goblin presented a multi-layered threat to Spider-Man over the years. While he began as a costumed criminal after the Underworld, Osborn was also a corporate tycoon who used his business interests and connections over the years to build his own criminal empire while secretly plotting against Spider-Man.

After Norman Osborn dramatically returned in the Clone Saga, Spider-Man couldn't touch him due to his corporate image. Osborn even used his corporate skills to go undercover in Alchemax as Mason Banks, where he installed secret backdoor codes. He also sold his Goblin tech to global war criminals, furthering his empire while increasing his threat level over the years.

4 Green Goblin's Threat Continues Far Into The Future

Norman Osborn 2099 as the Galactic Goblin from Marvel Comics

The introduction of Marvel's original 2099 timeline featured its own Goblin, though there was no connection to Osborn or his legacy beyond the name. However, the most recent iteration of the 2099 timeline introduced a new version of the Green Goblin who was actually the original Norman Osborn from Marvel's present-day timeline.

Osborn survived over the decades by using the blood of his descendants to keep himself strong. He helped the Masters of Evil end the Heroic Age and he took control of the planet with his elite Black Cards. He eventually returned as the Galactic Goblin with the future Masters of Evil to fight Spider-Man 2099 and his new Avengers, who ended his corrupt society and reclaimed Earth.

RELATED: 10 Worst Secrets Norman Osborn Kept

3 Ultimate Green Goblin Became A Huge Fiery Monster

The Ultimate Green Goblin wields fire

Marvel's Ultimate Universe featured popular heroes like Spider-Man and X-Men reimagined in a modern world free from continuity. Ultimate Spider-Man updated the hero's classic villains, which resulted in a monstrous change for Norman Osborn. In the Ultimate universe, his strength-enhancing formula actually transformed him into a literal Green Goblin.

Osborn became a monstrous, fire-breathing villain whose mental instability fueled a twisted fascination with Peter Parker/Spider-Man. Ultimate Green Goblin was even more dangerous than his mainstream comic counterpart, though he didn't rely much on technology. Ultimate Green Goblin also succeeded in killing his version of Peter Parker before setting his sights on Miles Morales.

2 Green Goblin's Tech Has Only Continued To Improve

Norman Osborn as Gold Goblin

Another factor that has helped Marvel keep Green Goblin fresh and relevant is his ever-increasing arsenal of dangerous goodies. When Green Goblin first appeared in the comics, his most dangerous weapon was his sparkly finger gauntlets.

Green Goblin even rode a rocket-powered broomstick initially, though amped things up when he debuted the goblin glider. His arsenal has grown to include explosive pumpkin bombs of all kinds, as well as razor-sharp bats that have torn Spider-Man up on more than one occasion. Osborn even recently adapted and upgraded his Goblin tech for Spider-Man’s impressive new costume.

1 Green Goblin's Villainy Extended Beyond Spider-Man

Norman Osborn in his armor with Super-Adaptoid's powers

Rivalries with heroes like Spider-Man and villains like Hobgoblin may have driven Green Goblin over the years, though his threat grew beyond both characters. Norman Osborn extended his villainous reach across all of Marvel’s heroes during his Dark Reign.

Norman Osborn used other costumed identities like Iron Patriot and Super-Adaptoid during his war against heroes like the Avengers. However, the Green Goblin persona influenced all of his actions at all times. Marvel turned a long-lasting Spider-Man villain into one of the greatest threats in the Marvel universe which helped keep the villain fresh and exciting for fans.