Marvel Just Brought Back Spider-Man’s Most Underrated Villain

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Even though Spider-Man is currently lost in space, a lesser-known enemy of his has unexpectedly returned. The latest issue of *Amazing Spider-Man* sees the story jumping between Spider-Man’s adventures far from Earth and what’s happening with those he left behind. While Spider-Man is stranded with Rocket Raccoon, people back home are dealing with the fallout of his absence, including Norman Osborn pretending to be Spider-Man. Now, one of Spidey’s often-overlooked villains has emerged, and they’re specifically going after Osborn.

Hobgoblin returned earlier this year with some scary new technology, but Tombstone quickly dismissed him. Still, he played a major role in the most recent comic issue, and fans are hoping this will finally establish him as a top-tier villain – the threat he’s always had the potential to be.

Hopgoblin is Back in Spider-Man Comics

In *Amazing Spider-Man* #14, Norman Osborn promised to stop posing as Spider-Man because his aggressive fighting style was damaging the hero’s image. But he broke his promise after being attacked while trying to speak with Ben Reilly, who was still impersonating Peter Parker while the real Peter was away. This attack happened in a crowded restaurant, putting everyone inside at risk.

Norman Osborn was forced to suit up as Spider-Man again to battle a robotic enemy that resembled a Spider-Slayer. Teaming up with a new hero named Kintsugi, they managed to defeat the robot, revealing the person pulling the strings and launching a new investigation. It turns out Roderick Kingsley was involved, bringing him back into the world of supervillainy – and suggesting the Hobgoblin may be poised to become a major threat once more.

Why Hobgoblin Deserves to be More Respected

Hobgoblin reappeared earlier this year with some new enhancements, leaving fans curious about his plans. He initially seemed unstable and wielded a flaming sword, but it turned out to be a disguise. The technology behind it all is connected to a group Roderick is involved with. He previously appeared as Hobgoblin to speak with Tombstone, and it’s now clear he was planning to use a different identity to target Osborn, against whom he’s seeking revenge.

Hobgoblin emphasized he wasn’t interested in fighting Spider-Man, only in defeating Norman Osborn. Although his team claimed they were broke, Roderick Kingsley declared the operation a success and stated they needed more skilled and sophisticated help. This is a promising step in revitalizing a character that had fallen into disrepair.

When Hobgoblin first appeared in Marvel Comics, he was a complete mystery, making him a thrilling new villain for readers of *Amazing Spider-Man*. The big reveal that Hobgoblin was actually Peter Parker’s friend, Ned Leeds, was a huge shock. But the story became increasingly complex when it turned out Roderick Kingsley was the real Hobgoblin, and had brainwashed Ned into believing he was the villain. Marvel continued to change the story over time, eventually losing the interest of fans.

It’s a shame Hobgoblin hasn’t lived up to its potential. With Norman Osborn now a hero seemingly committed to continuing as Spider-Man, Hobgoblin would be an ideal foil. He’s a great contrast to Osborn and could help restore Spider-Man to his former glory. Hobgoblin was incredibly popular when first introduced, and Marvel could easily make him a compelling villain again by revisiting what made him so captivating initially.

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2025-10-20 00:13