Spoilers ahead for Amazing Spider-Man #7
In the latest issue of Marvel Comics' Amazing Spider-Man, a genuine opportunity has been created for Peter Parker to be partners with Norman Osborn, the former Green Goblin. While Osborn has been Spider-Man's arch-nemesis for years, recent events have truly changed the villain where the Green Goblin seemingly no longer exists. Having rebuilt Oscorp with a renewed sense of altruism, it does seem as though Norman and Peter could join forces for the long term.
In previous issues of Marvel's current Amazing Spider-Man run, it's been revealed that Peter Parker did something six months before the start of this new series that was really bad. While the details are still unclear, Peter has burned several bridges with his friends, collected massive debt, and Mary Jane Watson (whom he was about to move in with) now has a family of her own. In desperate need of a job, it seems as though none other than Norman Osborn is wanting to give him one at the new Oscorp.
During Nick Spencer's previous run, Norman's sins and darkness as the Green Goblin were cleansed by the Sin-Eater, making him remorseful for his past actions and seemingly curing him. Now, the new Amazing Spider-Man #7 from Zeb Wells and John Romita Jr. sees Norman doing what he can to help Peter, offering Spider-Man a new suit he designed while also wanting to be genuine partners going forward. However, Peter Parker is right to be suspicious of Norman given their long history as rivals and the countless times Norman has tormented the Webslinger. That being said, this may be the first time where Peter and Norman genuinely have a shot at joining forces (if Peter can let go of the past).
It seems as though Spider-Man could get his life back on track and do some good as Peter Parker if he can figure out how to trust the former Green Goblin. However, that's obviously a very hard thing for the Webslinger to do. Regardless of his cleansed sins, Norman Osborn is still the man who killed Spider-Man's first love Gwen Stacy and committed a legion of other atrocities in the name of making Spider-Man suffer. However, letting go of the past could allow the like-minded geniuses to work together in earnest, going far beyond Norman making Peter a new suit.
If the idea of Spider-Man and the former Green Goblin becoming partners seems odd to fans, that's because it is. There's so much baggage and bad blood that working together for the long term initially seems impossible. However, Norman's intentions do seem genuine if Peter can figure out how to reconcile their past and move towards something that could be pretty exciting. Amazing Spider-Man #7 is on sale now.