Norman Osborn's recent return to the Spider-Man books has seen him team-up with a surprising ally in his attempt to finally achieve victory against Spider-Man - the murderous Carnage symbiote. Osborn's new persona as the Red Goblin is being hyped as part of the most brutal Spider/Goblin clash yet, bringing to an end Dan Slott's decade long run at the helm of Amazing Spider-Man. Yet the question has to be asked -- while Norman Osborn has gone to great lengths to restore his fighting edge, unable to move beyond his fixation with the web-slinger, do the Spider-Man books still need Norman?

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Since his first appearance as the Green Goblin in 1964's Amazing Spider-Man #14, Norman Osborn has been a recurring thorn in Spider-Man's side. Vying with Doctor Octopus for the coveted mantle of Spidey's greatest foe, Norman's schemes and plots over the years have had huge ramifications on both Peter Parker's civilian and costumed identities. He was the first villain to discover Peter's identity as Spider-Man, was revealed as the mastermind behind the controversial Clone Saga and, in a character-changing moment for the webslinger, was directly responsible for the death of Gwen Stacy, the love of Peter's life.

The aftermath of this incident led to Norman's 'death,' where he was impaled on his own Goblin Glider. He was subsequently absent from the Spider-Man books for more than two decades, with his legacy enduring through the mental travails of his son, Harry, and the numerous Goblin imitators that were inspired by his legacy. Gone but not forgotten, even from beyond the grave he corrupted others with his malign influence.

In 1994 came The Clone Saga, the divisive storyline that turned the Spider books upside down. Peter Parker was eventually replaced as Spider-Man by Ben Reilly, the supposed clone who had been revealed as the real Peter Parker. When Marvel creators sought to bring this interminable storyline to an end, restoring Peter to his position as Spider-Man, various weird and wacky scenarios were considered. The eventual decision was one that involved a huge retcon. The true mastermind behind the Clone Saga was revealed to be Norman Osborn, who had been living in Europe after having escaped his brush with death.

Norman Osborn return from the dead

If this seems like the kind of crazy retcon thought up by a group of creators desperate to end a controversial storyline then, well, that's because it essentially was. But despite the reveal being understandably controversial, there was also an undeniable logic to it. As Spider-Man's greatest foe, only Norman Osborn was thought to have the necessary gravitas to be the mastermind pulling the strings. The same trick was used again a few years later when Aunt May's 'death' in Amazing Spider-Man #400 was revealed to be another of Norman's schemes (It involved an actress genetically modified to look like May. Don't ask...)

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In the following years, Norman was a constant presence in the Spider-Man books, reinserting himself into Peter's world in all manner of ways. He bought out the Daily Bugle, presenting himself as a respectable businessman who had gone into hiding due to Spider-Man's threats against his life. This period of Norman's comeback, when he was primarily seen in a business suit rather than goblin colors, was almost enough in itself to justify his comeback from the dead. He manipulated Peter's friends and supporting cast, weaved subtle machinations in the background, and by not resorting to his Green Goblin persona made it almost impossible for Spider-Man to retaliate.

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The one time when Peter did - when, after being pushed too far he assaulted Norman Osborn in his office - Norman released the security footage to the media as proof of Spider-Man's vendetta against him. In terms of sheer power the Green Goblin may not have been the most formidable of Spidey's foes, but in terms of knowing how to get into his head, Norman was unsurpassed. And in the days before Peter's identity was common knowledge, this psychological aspect to their conflict gave their meetings an additional depth.

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If Norman's return from the dead was one epic status-quo changer, another was when he unexpectedly found a life outside the Spider-Man books. In 2006 he was appointed the leader of the Thunderbolts and, in 2009, after his pivotal role in Secret Invasion's final conflict, he was appointed as director of H.A.M.M.E.R, the law enforcement agency formed to replace S.H.I.E.L.D. In the period after this, similar to how Tony Stark was used in the aftermath of Civil War, it's no exaggeration to say that Norman Osborn was appearing all over the Marvel Universe. He was leading the Dark Avengers as the Iron Patriot, he was appearing in the X-Books, he was hunting down Tony Stark and he was the new darling of the great Marvel public. (Indeed, Norman's widespread acceptance by the general public of the Marvel Universe is yet further evidence that MU citizens aren't the world's brightest bulbs).

Norman Osborn Iron Patriot

It couldn't last, of course. Norman overreached himself with a audacious attempt to invade Asgard, where the world's heroes united to stop him and his Goblin psychosis was revealed. Humiliated and disgraced, he was stripped of his command position and imprisoned in the Raft prison. After one final attempt to restore his status with a bizarre storyline where he gained the powers of the Super Adaptoid, Norman once again decided to focus his attentions on Spider-Man.

It's easy to see why Norman chose to do this. In both Thunderbolts and Siege his Goblin persona was shown to be still present, with his hatred of Spider-Man remaining all consuming. Yet Norman's return to the Spider books can't help but bring to mind an old adage - that you can't go home again. It's a similar problem to that faced by Doc Ock after his tenure as the Superior Spider-Man. When a villain has been showcased in such depth, when readers have seen them in different situations and playing off against different characters, it feels strange to see them attempt to slip back into old roles that no longer fit so comfortably.

Norman Osborn in Goblin Facepaint Siege Iron Patriot

Norman may need Spider-Man in his life, but among Spider-Man foes, he's no longer unique. He no longer has the notable aspect of being one of the few to know Peter's secret, and there are many foes that offer a greater physical threat. Where once Peter Parker would have obsessed for weeks about Norman there's now a sense that he may have moved beyond this. Even Norman's family bonds no longer have the same impact, with Harry Osborn having come into his own and finally stepping out from his father's shadow.

Perhaps the merger of Carnage and Goblin will be a game-changer, showing readers a new side of Norman Osborn. If not, then Norman may be best advised to turn his attentions elsewhere. And with Dan Slott taking over Invincible Iron Man and Tony Stark likely to return to the armor, there seems an obvious path for Norman to follow if he is able to grow beyond his self-imposed obsessions.