The following contains spoilers for Gold Goblin #5 from Marvel Comics.
Spider-Man/Peter Parker publicly stands up for Norman Osborn, the supervillain formerly known as the Green Goblin who has since reinvented himself into a superhero, in Marvel's Gold Goblin #5.
Gold Goblin #5 comes from writer Christopher Cantwell, artist Lan Medina, color artist Antonio Fabela and letterer VC's Joe Sabino. In recent Marvel continuity, Norman and Peter have found themselves working closely together after the Green Goblin's sins were erased by the Sin-Eater. After giving Peter a job at Oscorp and designing him a brand-new Spider-Man suit, Norman decided he wanted to venture either further into heroics and transformed himself into Gold Goblin.
While Norman continues to try and fight off his demons so he doesn't return to being the Green Goblin, he and Spider-Man team up together and take to the streets of New York City in Gold Goblin #5. The pair find crashing a press conference only after Ashley Kafka (who is actually a clone of the real Ashley Kafka)/Queen Goblin appears on live television and begins talking about how Norman is still "dangerous" despite his seemingly noble intentions. "I still hold to the belief that everyone is treatable," Kafka tells the crowd of reporters. "Everyone can be helped. Ever someone like Osborn. But to think that he can call himself a goblin again and act like a hero as an easy fix to serious deep-seated disturbance is foolish and naive."
As Kafka continues to call Norman a "menace," Spider-Man comes swinging in and interrupts her, saying that he's also been called a menace before but has "come to see it as a compliment." Spider-Man continues to back Norman in front of the reporters as Kafka transforms into Queen Goblin.
Spider-Man's Uneasy Relationship With Norman
While Norman may be technically free from his past life, Peter has been hesitant to fully lend his former enemy his trust, thus making his public backing of Gold Goblin all the more notable. Peter initially rejected Oscorp's job offers as he didn't want to be anywhere around Norman. He eventually gave in and accepted Norman's suit; however, even after Norman essentially gave Peter free rein to do whatever he pleases at the company, Spider-Man has still been skeptical. He even admits before leaving to deal with Kafka that he doesn't fully trust Norman but still wants to help him in some way nonetheless.
Gold Goblin #5, the final issue in the miniseries, features cover art by Taurin Clarke. The issue is on sale now from Marvel. Norman's journey as Gold Goblin will continue in Marvel's ongoing Amazing Spider-Man series by writer Zeb Wells and artist John Romita Jr.
Source: Marvel