Norman Osborn as Spider-Man?! These 5 Marvel Characters Would Never Accept It

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Fans understand Peter Parker needing a break to improve and come back as a better Spider-Man, and they know other heroes could fill in during his absence. However, they were shocked when Marvel announced the Green Goblin – one of Spider-Man’s biggest enemies – would be his temporary replacement. This surprising decision, revealed in a comic by Joe Kelly and John Romita Jr., left readers stunned and sparked a lot of debate.

The news that someone from the Osborn family is becoming Spider-Man isn’t just surprising to fans-it’s going to cause major upheaval throughout the Marvel Universe, particularly for those closest to Peter Parker. Here’s a look at the characters who, like Ben Reilly, will strongly reject the idea of Norman Osborn as Spider-Man.

1) Mary Jane Watson

As a huge Spider-Man fan, I’ve always felt terrible for Mary Jane Watson. Seriously, after Harry, Peter, and even Peter himself, she’s suffered *so* much because of Norman Osborn. It’s Osborn’s twisted obsession with people connected to Spider-Man that always puts her in the line of fire, and some of the things he’s done to her are just heartbreaking. The worst, for me, is still that storyline in *The Amazing Spider-Man* #418-419, where she’s told her baby didn’t make it. To then find out that whole tragedy was *planned* by Osborn? It’s brutal. Honestly, after everything, it’s no wonder Mary Jane has zero affection for that man.

It’s unthinkable that Mary Jane Watson would be okay with Norman Osborn pretending to be Spider-Man. She’d be deeply offended, especially knowing everything Peter Parker has gone through to be a great hero. Considering Osborn caused Peter, her, and her family so much suffering – even if he’s trying to make amends – it would be too much for her to accept. She’d likely do everything she could to make sure Osborn never wore the Spider-Man mask again.

2) Black Cat

Felicia Hardy, also known as Black Cat, has a long and complex relationship with Spider-Man. Despite being a professional thief and him being a dedicated hero, they share a strong connection. Even when she disagrees with his actions, she greatly respects Spider-Man’s unwavering courage, self-control, and commitment to justice – qualities she secretly admires, even as someone on the wrong side of the law.

Felicia Hardy, the Black Cat, would strongly disapprove of Norman Osborn taking on the role of Spider-Man. Having fought with Peter Parker for a long time, she understands his heroic principles and what he’s trying to achieve. Plus, with her own history as a criminal, she knows firsthand how ruthless and controlling Osborn can be. She clearly distinguishes between true heroism and simple cruelty, and Osborn’s aggressive, brutal methods as the “Resolute Spider-Man” completely betray everything Peter believed in. To Black Cat, Osborn pretending to be Spider-Man isn’t just a bad imitation – it’s a disrespect to the hero she respects and cares for. She’d willingly risk her life to help Peter, and now she’d risk it again to stop Osborn’s version of Spider-Man.

3) Daredevil

Spider-Man and Daredevil are similar to street-level heroes who protect their communities. Though they focus on different parts of New York City, their paths frequently cross because crime doesn’t stay confined to one area. This has led to many team-ups and times they’ve helped each other, particularly when facing common villains like Green Goblin. Over time, they’ve developed a strong sense of respect and trust for each other, and they even know each other’s secret identities.

Daredevil rejects Osborn’s Spider-Man for two main reasons. First, he has a strong personal connection with Peter Parker, admiring his dedication to helping everyday people and his compassionate approach. Daredevil wouldn’t let anyone tarnish that heroic legacy. He also empathizes with what it would be like if his own enemy, Kingpin, tried to take over as Daredevil, and believes others would fight to prevent it. Second, as a lawyer, Daredevil deeply understands the difference between true justice and oppressive control. He sees the danger of someone with a dangerous personality posing as a hero and refuses to allow that distorted version of heroism to continue.

4) Punisher

Frank Castle, the Punisher, and Spider-Man started as rivals, but quickly understood they shared a common goal: making New York City safer by fighting crime. Their main disagreement comes down to *how* they fight it. Spider-Man believes in giving criminals a chance to change and seeks justice that allows for redemption. The Punisher, however, operates under a strict, unforgiving rule: guilt means certain death. He uses extreme violence against criminals, believing they are beyond saving. Castle feels this harsh approach is necessary because he thinks the criminal justice system itself is deeply flawed.

Look, as a Punisher fan, it totally makes sense why he’s got a problem with Osborn being Spider-Man. The guy *knows* Osborn – he knows the Green Goblin – and all the damage he’s done. Frank just can’t buy this whole ‘reformed villain’ act. Even if Osborn really *has* changed, he still needs to answer for everything that happened before. With Osborn swinging around as Spider-Man *and* being mayor, you can bet I’ll be keeping a close eye on him, just to make sure he’s really doing the right thing.

5) The Avengers

Spider-Man has always been a capable hero, especially when it comes to protecting everyday people and making them feel safe – something the Avengers don’t always prioritize. Though they once thought he was too inexperienced to join them, Spider-Man often worked alongside Avengers like Iron Man, Captain America, and Black Panther. These successful partnerships eventually led to the Avengers inviting him to officially join the team, and he happily accepted.

The Avengers usually focus on large-scale threats, but they’ll get involved when something truly dangerous appears-and Norman Osborn definitely fits that description. Considering his history with them, the idea of Osborn becoming Spider-Man isn’t just a bad idea, it’s a complete violation of the principles Spider-Man and the Avengers believe in. It would bring up painful memories from the *Dark Reign* storyline, disrespect Peter Parker’s accomplishments, and erode public trust in heroes.

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2025-09-20 14:44