Many classic elements of the Spider-Man mythos were reimagined for the Ultimate Universe, including most of his villains. Notably, instead of using technology to become a threat to Spider-Man, the Ultimate Universe version of Norman Osborn/Green Goblin received his own distinct superpowers. But that's only part of what makes this version of Spider-Man's deadliest nemesis so compelling. The Ultimate Green Goblin is even potentially one of the best versions of the character ever.

Ultimate Norman Osborn

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Like in the core Marvel Universe, the Ultimate version of Norman was a business mogul with his own massive company. Norman was also a major scientist in this reality, who'd dedicated himself to creating a new version of the Super-Soldier Serum. He eventually developed OZ, a potential new version of the power-granting drug. Experimenting with it on various test subjects, one such experiment produced the spider that would later go on to bite Peter Parker and grant him the amazing powers he used as Spider-Man. Impressed with the results and observing Peter from afar, Norman decided to use the OZ on himself to potentially give himself powers

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Working with one of his personal scientists -- Otto Octavius -- Norman injected himself with a big dose of OZ. The ensuing transformation created massive explosions, which severely injured Octavius. Norman was transformed into the Green Goblin, a hulking and destructive force with the additional power of creating massively powerful fireballs with his hands. Going on a rampage, he destroyed all evidence of his actions by wiping out his home -- accidentally killing his wife in the process. His attack against his son Harry led to Spider-Man defeating him for the first time.

Why Is Ultimate Green Goblin the Best?

While the Green Goblin is usually held up as one of Spider-Man's most fearsome foes, the Ultimate version proves to be a far more dangerous and deadly figure than most incarnations of the character. While Norman has always been presented as having mental health issues, the Ultimate Norman is shown hallucinating Spider-Man-like creatures and arguing with them, giving him a very real disconnect from reality. He's far more unstable and unpredictable as a result, which makes his inherent ability and power all the more frightening. It all makes the character actually threatening in a way the traditional Norman isn't.

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His twisted connection with Spider-Man is amplified as well, with Norman developing a deeply disturbing obsession with the young hero and wanting to convince him to become his "heir" in a much more literal sense than in the core Marvel Universe. Norman even began to fully see Peter as his true son, with his relationship with Harry deteriorating to the point where he beat him to death when they came to blows. Osborn eventually became a consistent threat not just to Peter but SHIELD as well, often being held in the Triskelion for his attempts on the life of Nick Fury.

Deciding to finally end his dispute with Parker once and for all, he led a group of villains to Peter's house and attacked him with their full might. They even did so after Spider-Man had been wounded protecting Captain America during a battle between the Avengers and the Ultimates, taking full advantage of their superior power. Although Spider-Man and his friends were successful in protecting his family, Spider-Man still seemingly perished from his wounds.

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This gives this Green Goblin a major edge over most versions of Norman Osborn, who never prove capable of actually killing their enemies. He even survived the battle thanks to the OZ formula (which would later also revive Peter), and even got the chance to confront both Peter and his successor, Miles Morales. Norman also killed his world's versions of Doctor Octopus and J. Jonah Jameson, among others. He's a murderer in the very real way that 616-Norman is suggested to be but never really feels like. This version of the Green Goblin has even made the leap to the core Marvel Universe alongside Ultimatum, continuing to target Spider-Men.

Almost all forms of the Green Goblin are great villains, but the Ultimate Norman has been shown to be genuinely dangerous and unpredictable in a way most versions of the character aren't. Ultimate Norman is a nice reminder that the core Norman while threatening, has been overutilized to the point where he doesn't always feel like a threat on his own anymore. Meanwhile, the Ultimate Norman is a casual killer who's always looking to add another dead Spider-Man to his body count.

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