Green Goblin
You and I are not so different, Spider-Man.
Abilities
- •Goblin Formula — superhuman strength, speed, reflexes, and durability
- •Goblin Glider — jet-powered, armed with missiles and blades
- •Pumpkin Bombs — explosive grenades disguised as jack-o-lanterns
- •Razor Bats — razor-sharp bat-shaped throwing weapons
- •Genius-level intellect — runs Oscorp Industries
- •Regenerative healing factor from the Goblin Formula
- •Master manipulator and strategist
- •Finger blasters — electrical discharge from glove tips
- •Hallucinogenic gas grenades
- •The Goblin Formula also induced violent insanity
Powers & Abilities
Biography
Norman Virgil Osborn was a ruthless industrialist and co-founder of Oscorp Industries. Brilliant but emotionally cold, Norman was driven by an obsessive need for power and control that stemmed from a childhood of poverty and an abusive father. When he discovered his business partner's notes on a super-strength formula, Norman attempted to recreate it — but the unstable Goblin Formula exploded in his face, granting him superhuman strength and intelligence while shattering his already fragile sanity.
Adopting the terrifying persona of the Green Goblin, Norman became Spider-Man's most dangerous and personal enemy. While other villains wanted to defeat Spider-Man, the Green Goblin wanted to destroy Peter Parker. He was the first villain to discover Spider-Man's true identity, and he used that knowledge to inflict unimaginable pain — culminating in the murder of Gwen Stacy, the love of Peter's life, by throwing her from the George Washington Bridge in Amazing Spider-Man #121.
Norman was believed dead for over two decades after being impaled by his own Goblin Glider, but his enhanced healing factor kept him alive. He returned to become an even greater threat — not just as the Green Goblin, but as the Iron Patriot during Dark Reign, when he manipulated his way into controlling America's national security apparatus and formed the Dark Avengers. Norman Osborn has been a street-level villain, a global dictator, and everything in between.
The Green Goblin legacy has been carried by multiple people — Harry Osborn (Norman's son, who became the Goblin to avenge his father), the Hobgoblin (Roderick Kingsley, who found Norman's equipment), and Phil Urich (who briefly used the identity as a hero). But Norman Osborn remains the definitive Green Goblin — Spider-Man's arch-nemesis and one of the greatest villains in comic book history.
First Appearances & Identity
Amazing Spider-Man #14
1964First appearance of the Green Goblin — a mysterious villain on a jet glider attacks Spider-Man. His identity is deliberately kept secret from readers.
Find on eBay →
Amazing Spider-Man #17
1964Second appearance of the Green Goblin — teams up with the Enforcers against Spider-Man. Human Torch guest appearance.
Find on eBay →
Amazing Spider-Man #23
1965Third appearance — the Green Goblin returns with new weapons. Spider-Man is still trying to figure out who he is.
Find on eBay →
Amazing Spider-Man #26-27
1965Green Goblin leads the Crime-Master in a gang war — both villains' identities are still unknown. First appearance of the Crime-Master.
Find on eBay →
Amazing Spider-Man #37
1966Norman Osborn first appears without the mask — Steve Ditko's final issue. The groundwork is laid for the identity reveal.
Find on eBay →
Amazing Spider-Man #39
1966The Green Goblin discovers Spider-Man's secret identity — Norman Osborn is finally revealed as the Green Goblin. John Romita Sr.'s first issue. A landmark moment in comics.
Find on eBay →
Amazing Spider-Man #40
1966Norman Osborn's origin — reveals the Goblin Formula explosion that gave him powers and drove him insane. Peter defeats him and Osborn loses his memory of Spider-Man's identity.
Find on eBay →
The Death of Gwen Stacy
Amazing Spider-Man #96-98
1971The drug issues — Harry Osborn's drug addiction, published without Comics Code approval. Norman's Goblin persona begins to resurface as his son spirals.
Find on eBay →
Amazing Spider-Man #121
1973The Night Gwen Stacy Died — the Green Goblin kidnaps Gwen Stacy and throws her from the George Washington Bridge. Spider-Man's web catches her, but the snap kills her. The most important single issue in Spider-Man history. Ended the Silver Age of Comics.
Find on eBay →
Amazing Spider-Man #122
1973The Death of the Green Goblin — consumed by rage, Spider-Man hunts Norman Osborn. The Goblin is impaled by his own glider in the climactic battle. Norman Osborn is believed dead for over 20 years.
Find on eBay →
Harry Osborn as Green Goblin
Amazing Spider-Man #136
1974Harry Osborn becomes the Green Goblin — discovers his father's lair and Peter's identity. Takes up the mantle to avenge Norman.
Find on eBay →
Amazing Spider-Man #137
1974Harry Osborn's first full battle as the Green Goblin — attacks Spider-Man at a public event
Find on eBay →
Amazing Spider-Man #176-180
1978Harry Osborn returns as the Green Goblin again — a longer arc exploring his obsession and mental instability
Find on eBay →
Spectacular Spider-Man #200
1993Death of Harry Osborn — Harry saves Spider-Man's life after poisoning himself with a new Goblin Formula. Dies as Peter's friend, not his enemy. One of the most emotional Spider-Man issues ever.
Find on eBay →
Amazing Spider-Man #312
1989Green Goblin (Harry) vs Hobgoblin — two Goblins battle for supremacy. Todd McFarlane art.
Find on eBay →
Norman Osborn Returns
Spider-Man #75
1996Norman Osborn revealed alive — returns after being "dead" since 1973. Reveals he survived the glider impalement and has been pulling strings behind the Clone Saga. A massive shock.
Find on eBay →
Spider-Man: Revenge of the Green Goblin #1
2000Norman Osborn kidnaps Peter and attempts to make him his heir — a psychological horror story exploring their twisted relationship
Find on eBay →
Peter Parker: Spider-Man #25
2000Norman Osborn's most personal attack — kidnaps Peter and tortures him mentally and physically. Explores the full depth of their hatred.
Find on eBay →
Amazing Spider-Man #797-800
2018"Go Down Swinging" — Norman Osborn bonds with the Carnage symbiote to become the Red Goblin. Dan Slott's epic finale to his 10-year run.
Find on eBay →
Dark Reign — Norman Osborn in Power
Secret Invasion #8
2009Norman Osborn kills the Skrull Queen on live television — becomes a national hero and is given control of national security. The beginning of Dark Reign.
Find on eBay →
Dark Avengers #1
2009Norman Osborn forms the Dark Avengers — assembles a team of villains disguised as heroes. Osborn himself becomes the Iron Patriot.
Find on eBay →
Dark Reign: The List
2009Norman Osborn's hit list — a series of one-shots where Osborn targets various Marvel heroes for elimination
Find on eBay →
Thunderbolts #120
2008Norman Osborn runs the Thunderbolts — uses the government-sponsored villain rehabilitation team for his own agenda
Find on eBay →
Siege #1
2010Norman Osborn invades Asgard — the climax of Dark Reign. Osborn leads H.A.M.M.E.R. and the Dark Avengers in an assault on the gods.
Find on eBay →
Siege #4
2010Norman Osborn's downfall — defeated and unmasked, his Green Goblin persona taking over on live TV. Arrested and imprisoned. End of Dark Reign.
Find on eBay →
Other Goblins
Amazing Spider-Man #238
1983First appearance of the Hobgoblin — Roderick Kingsley discovers Norman Osborn's Goblin lair and creates a new Goblin identity. One of the biggest ASM keys.
Find on eBay →
Amazing Spider-Man #250
1984Hobgoblin vs Spider-Man — a major battle that cements the Hobgoblin as a top-tier villain
Find on eBay →
Web of Spider-Man #125
1995First appearance of Phil Urich as the Green Goblin (heroic version) — a teenage hero who finds a Goblin stash
Find on eBay →
Amazing Spider-Man #649
2011Phil Urich becomes the Hobgoblin — takes the villain path, working for the Kingpin
Find on eBay →
Hobgoblin Lives #1
1997Roger Stern returns to finally reveal the Hobgoblin's true identity — Roderick Kingsley unmasked. Resolves a 14-year mystery.
Find on eBay →
Amazing Spider-Man #512-514
2004"Sins Past" — controversial storyline reveals Gwen Stacy had children with Norman Osborn. One of the most debated Spider-Man stories ever written.
Find on eBay →
Sinister Six & Team Appearances
Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1
1964First appearance of the Sinister Six — Doctor Octopus assembles Vulture, Electro, Kraven, Sandman, and Mysterio. Green Goblin not yet a member but the template is set.
Find on eBay →
Amazing Spider-Man #334-339
1990"Return of the Sinister Six" — Doctor Octopus reforms the Six. Erik Larsen art.
Find on eBay →
Marvel Knights: Spider-Man #1-12
2004Norman Osborn orchestrates a massive attack from prison — assembles the Sinister Twelve. Mark Millar's dark Spider-Man saga.
Find on eBay →
Superior Spider-Man #1
2013Doctor Octopus takes over Peter's body — Norman Osborn lurks in the background planning his return throughout the series
Find on eBay →
Modern Era & Legacy
Amazing Spider-Man #850 (#49)
2020Norman Osborn freed from the Carnage symbiote's influence — begins a new chapter. Spencer run milestone.
Find on eBay →
Amazing Spider-Man #73 (2021)
2021Norman Osborn atones — the sins of the Green Goblin weigh on a reformed Norman. Explores whether true redemption is possible.
Find on eBay →
Amazing Spider-Man #14 Facsimile
2019Facsimile reprint of the original 1964 issue — a collector's edition reproducing the first Green Goblin appearance exactly
Find on eBay →
Green Goblin #1
1995Phil Urich stars in his own series as a heroic Green Goblin — a unique take on the legacy
Find on eBay →
Amazing Spider-Man #800
2018Red Goblin climax — the oversized finale to Dan Slott's run. Norman Osborn bonded with the Carnage symbiote vs Spider-Man and all his allies. 80 pages.
Find on eBay →
Browse All Green Goblin Comics
Search thousands of Green Goblin listings on eBay
SEARCH GREEN GOBLIN COMICS →