The Green Goblin, or Green Goblin in the original version, is certainly one of the most famous villains in the Spider-Man universe and perhaps even in the entire Marvel universe. However, after more than 60 years of existence, this character has had time to be surrounded by many mysteries. From his place in Stan Lee's creation to his role in the MCU, we look back at 9 facts you might not know about the Green Goblin.
#10 Stan Lee Isn't the Only Creator of the Green Goblin
The creation of the Green Goblin isn't solely down to Stan Lee. Indeed, Steve Ditko, co-creator of Spider-Man, has shared a different version of the character's origin. According to him, Stan Lee originally envisioned a scenario in which a film crew discovered an Egyptian sarcophagus containing an ancient mythological demon, named the Green Goblin, who came to life. However, Ditko chose to change this idea. He transformed this mythological demon into a human villain, making the character closer to reality and the world of Spider-Man. Thus, the Green Goblin became a villain with a human identity, more complex and psychologically interesting. This also resulted in the French translators christening the character "the Green Goblin".
#9 The identity of the Green Goblin was a real dilemma for the authors
The identity of the Green Goblin was initially a mystery. The problem is that on the one hand, Stan Lee and John Romita Sr. wanted the Green Goblin to be someone Peter Parker knew, while on the other, Steve Ditko preferred it to be a new character. Ditko wanted an unknown villain, faithful to the idea that in real life, an enemy is often an unknown person. Stan Lee's idea was that the proximity of the potential Green Goblin would directly impact the reader; On the other hand, Lee feared that revealing an unknown would mislead readers and render the clues useless.
Because of this debate between the authors, the truth about the Green Goblin's identity remained unclear for longer than expected. Ultimately, Steve Ditko left the series, and the Lee/Romita version won out: Norman Osborn was the Green Goblin. Stan Lee claimed to be the sole custodian of this idea, but the uncertainty persisted, as Ditko, who had resigned himself to the idea of a close friend before his departure, claimed to have included visual clues leading to Harry Osborn. The only certainty: Romita Sr. said he doubted that, if Ditko had stayed, "the Goblin's identity would have been revealed in Amazing #39." Willem Dafoe's first Green Goblin costume was very different. The actor revealed that early tests showed a "vomit green" mask with large insect eyes, very similar to a Halloween costume, but which would have included parts animated by different animatronic systems. The challenge for the creative team was to make the character disturbing without falling into ridicule. They therefore opted for a more angular and modern costume, inspired by a suit of armor. However, even the final costume from the first film was not unanimously approved. So, when the character returns in Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), he sports a revisited version: Osborn breaks his mask and adopts a purple hood, more faithful to the comics, while retaining his armor. Dafoe said he was pleased with the new costume, which was more comfortable and gave him more freedom to perform.
#7 The Green Goblin's death in the films is faithful to that of the comics
The Green Goblin, Norman Osborn's version, dies in the comics from injuries sustained by his own glider, as he did in the 2002 film. This was a huge shock to fans, as the Green Goblin is one of Spider-Man and Marvel's most famous villains. His death occurred in the epic story arc The Amazing Spider-Man #122, shortly after his tragic and pivotal killing of Gwen Stacy. This story is often cited as one of the character's best. Of course, despite this demise, the Green Goblin didn't completely disappear from the Marvel universe. His role was taken up by other characters over the decades, and Norman Osborn himself would eventually return later. However, his death marks a crucial turning point in the Spider-Man saga, and this story arc would inspire films, video games, and animated series.
#6 The 2nd Green Goblin Saved Spider-Man
Harry Osborn, son of the first Green Goblin and longtime friend of Peter Parker/Spider-Man, takes over the identity of the Goblin after the death of his father, Norman. Appearing in the comics since The Amazing Spider-Man #38, Harry undergoes a profound emotional upheaval and vows revenge on Spider-Man, whom he holds responsible for Norman's death. Throughout his journey, Harry struggles with his own inner demons (he is marked, among other things, by drug problems). In The Spectacular Spider-Man #200, he finally comes to his senses and saves Peter and Mary Jane, just before dying himself. While the idea of the Green Goblin's return, played by his son, might initially seem like a somewhat lazy plot twist, his redemption arc ultimately remains one of the best stories in the lore.
#5 The MCU version of the Green Goblin is very different from Spider-Man's other enemies
In the adventures of Spider-Man played by Tom Halland, the Green Goblin stands out as the only major antagonist in the Spider-Man films whose origin is in no way related to Tony Stark. Vulture had his company ruined by Stark, who created Damage Control, while Mysterio was a bitter ex-employee, fired for his instability. But hey... Given that this Norman Osborn comes from another universe and was brought back by a failed spell from Doctor Strange, Tom Holland's Spider-Man seems definitively doomed to resolve the mistakes and conflicts of others.
#4 There is a trio of Green Goblins
In the tormented universe of Spider-Man, there exists a singular and disturbing trio: the Green Goblins, called Goblinettes. These female robots were created by Harry Osborn for a sinister purpose: to force his son, Normie, to take up the mantle of the Green Goblin after his death. Led by an artificial intelligence merging the digital minds of Harry and Norman Osborn, the Green Goblins attempt to capture Normie and inject him with the same deadly serum that took his father's life. Fortunately, this gruesome plan is thwarted by the heroic alliance of Spider-Man, Molten Man (a former villain who exceptionally helps Spidey), and journalist Ben Urich (whom some fans may have already seen in the Daredevil series, Netflix period). Together, they put an end to this threat by destroying the three Goblins and the super-intelligence that controlled them.
#3 The return of Norman Osborn is linked to one of Spider-Man's worst adventures
Norman Osborn's return in The Amazing Spider-Man #400 marks one of the most unexpected twists in the Marvel Universe. Thought to be dead, impaled by his own glider, it is revealed that the Green Goblin's serum has given him a powerful healing factor, allowing him to survive in secret. For years, Osborn operates in the shadows, manipulating events before reemerging as the mastermind behind the controversial "Clone Saga," a complex plot designed to destroy Spider-Man. While his return reaffirms his position as the iconic, cold, and calculating supervillain, it also raises a major issue in comics: the disappearance of the concept of permanent death. By constantly bringing back characters who were supposed to be dead, Marvel diminishes the emotional impact of its stories.
#2 There is a Spider-Goblin
In 2024, Marvel made a real fan craze official. Indeed, in The Amazing Spider-Man #53, it is none other than Peter Parker who becomes the Spider-Goblin. Under the influence of the Green Goblin, Peter adopts a hybrid costume, a mix of his own uniform and Norman Osborn's armor. The result: a corrupt, violent hero consumed by hatred who mercilessly strikes down his enemies. He attacks Tombstone, confronts Norman himself, and hunts down poor Mary Jane, who didn't ask for so much. Norman then tries to save him by recovering the mystical spear capable of reabsorbing evil. It is ultimately Peter's moral strength that ultimately pushes back the harmful influence. His spirit gradually crushes that of the Goblin, until it is destroyed.
#1 The Green Goblin has become a real goblin
In the Ultimate Marvel universe, the Green Goblin is no longer a simple criminal in armor: Norman Osborn literally transforms into a goblin after injecting himself with an experimental formula. He gains superhuman strength, can jump over 30 meters and throw fireballs. His regeneration is terrifying: pierced, burned, or even killed, he always comes back. At first dependent on the serum, his body eventually produces the substance itself, allowing him to transform at will. A monstrous and near-immortal version. However, while in the original version this transformation makes sense to long-time readers, in the French version the transformation of a Green Goblin into a Goblin seems a bit out of nowhere for the lay reader.
And if you want to discover more about the world of Marvel heroes and villains, check out Marvel: we ranked the 8 best comics about Wolverine or Marvel: The 10 most terrifying Spider-Men.
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