Fans are usually divided about who Spider-Man's archenemy is. Some claim it's Doctor Octopus while others favor the symbiote Venom. However, most people would agree that the Green Goblin is Spidey's ultimate foe. The alter ego of Norman Osborn, the Green Goblin debuted in The Amazing Spider-Man #14, quickly becoming one of the web slinger's deadliest opponents.
Goblin and Spidey have clashed numerous times throughout their shared comic book history, causing each other significant damage. Their ongoing rivalry is complicated, tragic, and filled with details that mainstream audiences might ignore, but Marvel Comics fans know by heart.
Spider-Man And Green Goblin's Backgrounds Share Many Similarities
At first sight, Norman Osborn and Peter Parker's backgrounds might seem polar opposites. Norman was power-hungry since childhood, a trait that stems from an abusive and frustrated father, while Peter grew up in a loving and humble home with a very encouraging paternal figure.
However, the two have more in common than anyone realizes. Both Peter and Norman were brilliant students eager to learn. They attend Empire Estate University, although only Peter graduates. Finally, they form lasting bonds with teachers from school: Norman with Mendel Stromm, who later becomes his business partner, and Peter with Curtis Connors, who later transforms into the Lizard, one of Spider-Man's most sympathetic villains.
Green Goblin Chose Spider-Man As His Enemy
Soon after being exposed to the Goblin formula, Norman becomes obsessed with becoming the ultimate gang-lord. He decides he'll unite all the minor gangs in the city under his leadership, concluding he'll need to prove himself and cement his reputation first. To do so, he chooses Spider-Man as his first victim.
In many ways, Spider-Man and Goblin were destined to become enemies. However, it's telling that Goblin distinguished Spidey above all others from the very beginning, considering New York City was home to several heroes at the time.
Spider-Man's First Battle With Green Goblin Featured The Hulk
"The Grotesque Adventure of Green Goblin" is one of the best Green Goblin arcs from the comics and the character's first proper appearance. Goblin tricks Spider-Man into appearing in a movie about himself, attacking him for real during one of the supposed action scenes.
The battle accidentally leads them to the Hulk's territory in New Mexico, and the enraged green monster becomes the new enemy. Goblin allows Spider-Man to fight the Hulk and escapes thanks to Spidey being too tired to pursue him.
Goblin Was Indirectly Responsible For Spider-Man's Bad Reputation
Fans know that Spider-Man spends a lot of time being persona non grata in New York City. The roots of his bad reputation trace back to his second fight against the Green Goblin. While at a fan club meeting organized by Flash Thompson, Goblin attacks and begins a fierce battle with Spidey.
However, the encounter comes to a halt when Spider-Man learns that his Aunt May is very ill. He immediately retreats and rushes to her side, seemingly escaping the battle and earning scorn from the public. The citizens of New York begin seeing Spider-Man as an enemy, encouraged by the Daily Bugle's J. Jonah Jameson.
Spider-Man And Green Goblin Learned Each Other's Identity
Peter Parker guards his secret identity jealously. Not even Johnny Storm, with whom he shares one of the best friendships in Marvel Comics, learns about Peter Parker until years after they first meet. However, Norman is an exception, as he finds about Spider-Man's true identity after successfully nullifying his spider-sense and following him home.
Norman then takes Spider-Man to his hideout and straight-up reveals his own identity by removing his mask. The moment cements their relationship as unique. It confirms the Goblin's desire to beat Spider-Man under his own terms while adding a layer of familiarity to their already complex relationship.
Gwen Stacy Plays A Pivotal Role In Spider-Man And Green Goblin's Lives
For a long time, Gwen Stacy was Peter Parker's love interest in the comics. The two had a fan-favorite relationship that eventually ends after she dies, either by the Green Goblin or Peter's hand, during the iconic and timeless storyline, "The Night Gwen Stacy Died."
However, her legacy received a heavy blow when the outright awful "Sins Past" storyline premiered. The plot revealed that Gwen engaged in a brief affair with Norman while dating Peter, resulting in the birth of twins Gabriel and Sarah. Marvel would later retcon this misguided plot point in the "Sinister War" storyline, but it remains a stain on Spidey and Gwen's story.
Spider-Man Has Nearly Killed Green Goblin
Spider-Man is one of the most wholesome heroes in comics, but his rivalry with Green Goblin often brings out his worst side. During their confrontation after Gwen Stacy's death, Spidey savagely beats Goblin and comes close to killing him. He stops himself just in time, and the Goblin seemingly dies after being impaled by his glider.
When Norman returns from death after Harry Osborn's demise, he assumes control of the Daily Bugle and begins a rehabilitation campaign that paints him as the victim of a setup. After a particularly traumatic series of events, including the stillbirth of his child with Mary Jane and the death of Ben Rilley, Peter loses control and beats Norman in public, confirming Osborn's reputation as a victim. Spider-Man again becomes a public enemy and flees the scene.
Several Others Have Assumed The Green Goblin Identity
After the Goblin's apparent death following Gwen's murder, many tried to follow in his footsteps and become the new Green Goblin. Most prominently, Norman's unstable and drug-addicted son, Harry, adopts the Goblin persona, blaming Spider-Man for his father's death.
Therapist Barton "Bart" Hamilton and millionaire Roderick Kingsley also created their own variations of the Goblin persona. Spider-Man defeated them all, confident that none of these imposters would ever come close to the danger Norman once represented.
Norman Osborn Possibly Killed Peter And MJ's Child
Peter Parker and Mary Jane's child was stillborn, bringing great distress to the couple. However, the end of the issue reveals that Norman seemingly kidnapped the baby girl and gave her to Alison Mongrain. The plot point goes nowhere, and the question of whether Peter and MJ's baby survived remained unanswered for years.
Eventually, Norman confirms to Peter that the baby did indeed die, going so far as to hint that he was responsible for her death, cementing their hatred for each other.
Norman Osborn Sees Peter Parker As A Son
Comics fans know Harry Osborn has a tragic life. Norman uses his death as an excuse to return and rekindle his rivalry with Spider-Man, but never shows any genuine regret for his passing. At one point, Norman even confesses that he considers Peter the son he never had.
Since Norman's return, he constantly searches for ways to elevate his rivalry with Peter, taunting the web slinger to bring out the worst side of him. Norman ultimately reveals he wishes to die by Peter's hand, although the Spider-Man remains staunchly opposed to finishing the deed.