Green Goblin

This article is about the fictional character originating from Marvel Comics. For the film adaptations of the character, see Norman Osborn (Sam Raimi film series) and Harry Osborn (Sam Raimi film series).
"Green goblin" redirects here. Note that many goblins are frequently depicted as being green in color.

Green Goblin
Norman Osborn as the Green Goblin.
Art by Luke Ross.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceThe Amazing Spider-Man #14 (July 1964)
Created byStan Lee
Steve Ditko
In-story information
Alter ego
SpeciesHuman mutate
Notable aliases
  • Goblin King
  • Goblin Knight
  • Red Goblin
Abilities
  • Superhuman strength, intelligence, speed, stamina, agility, durability, reflexes, and healing
  • Uses Halloween-themed paraphernalia, high-tech gadgetry, and a Goblin Glider equipped with various weapons

The Green Goblin is the alias of several supervillains appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, the first and best-known incarnation of the Green Goblin is Norman Osborn, who is regarded as one of the superhero Spider-Man's three archenemies, alongside Doctor Octopus and Venom.[1] Originally a manifestation of chemically induced insanity, others would later take on the persona, including Norman's son Harry Osborn. The Green Goblin is depicted as a criminal mastermind who uses an arsenal of Halloween-themed equipment, including grenade-like Pumpkin Bombs, razor-sharp bat-shaped blades, and a flying Goblin Glider, to terrorize New York City.

Comics journalist and historian Mike Conroy writes of the character: "Of all the costumed villains who've plagued Spider-Man over the years, the most flat-out unhinged and terrifying of them all is the Green Goblin."[2] The Green Goblin has appeared in numerous media adaptations of Spider-Man over the years, including films, animated television series, and video games. Norman and Harry Osborn were portrayed by Willem Dafoe and James Franco in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man film trilogy (2002–2007), and by Chris Cooper and Dane DeHaan in the film The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014). Dafoe reprised his role as Norman Osborn in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) which used the concept of the multiverse to link the Raimi trilogy to the MCU.

  1. ^ Rovin, Jeff (1987). The Encyclopedia of Supervillains. New York: Facts on File. pp. 148–149. ISBN 0-8160-1356-X.
  2. ^ Conroy, Mike. 500 Comicbook Villains (Collins & Brown, 2004), p. 55