7 Best Green Goblin Comics of All Time, Ranked

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Since first appearing in 1963, the Green Goblin has been Spider-Man’s greatest enemy and one of the most terrifying villains in comics. The original Green Goblin, Norman Osborn, a brilliant and wealthy man, has always focused on ruining Spider-Man’s life. Beyond his incredible strength and arsenal of dangerous gliders and pumpkin bombs, Norman’s most powerful weapon is knowing Spider-Man’s secret identity – that Peter Parker is the man behind the mask. This allows him to attack Spider-Man and those he cares about at their weakest, aiming not just to defeat the hero, but to break him mentally. Responsible for some of Spider-Man’s most painful experiences, Norman Osborn has cemented his place as one of Marvel’s most famous villains.

Norman Osborn, one of Marvel’s smartest and most menacing villains, is a truly frightening opponent. The Green Goblin consistently threatens Spider-Man, even overcoming death through returns from the grave or by others adopting the villainous persona. These storylines have cemented the Green Goblin’s reputation as Spider-Man’s greatest and most bitter enemy.

7) Marvel Knights Spider-Man #1-12

Even after Norman Osborn is unmasked as the Green Goblin and imprisoned in 2004, he continues to torment Spider-Man. While in jail, Norman reveals Spider-Man’s secret identity to a mysterious enemy, leading to the kidnapping of Aunt May. Peter Parker is then caught in a desperate struggle to find his aunt and battle a powerful alliance of twelve of his most dangerous foes, known as the Sinister Twelve. The situation becomes even more critical when Mary Jane’s life is also threatened. This story brilliantly demonstrates that Norman Osborn’s true power isn’t his technology or strength, but his cruel intelligence and strategic planning.

6) “The End of the Green Goblin”

Although called “The End of the Green Goblin,” the 1966 story actually marks the true start of the famous rivalry between Spider-Man and his foe. This is because the story reveals the Green Goblin’s secret identity. It begins with the Green Goblin using gas to disable Spider-Man’s Spider-Sense, allowing him to track Spider-Man back to his home and discover he is Peter Parker. After kidnapping Peter, the Green Goblin is revealed to be Norman Osborn, the father of Peter’s close friend, Harry. The story also explains how Norman became the Green Goblin. This shocking reveal of the villain’s identity and origin dramatically changed the relationship between Spider-Man and the Green Goblin forever.

5) “A Death in the Family”

In 2002, Norman Osborn orchestrated a cruel plan: he put Flash Thompson, a friend of Peter Parker’s, into a coma and then falsely blamed Spider-Man for Gwen Stacy’s death through leaked videos. Norman did this to goad Peter into killing him, hoping to corrupt the hero and turn him into a murderer. This conflict pushed Peter to his emotional limit, forcing him to consider taking Norman’s life. Despite the horror of Norman’s actions, the storyline manages to evoke sympathy for him, portraying him as a deeply troubled and unhappy man whose life revolves solely around his hatred for Spider-Man.

4) “The Green Goblin Lives Again”

Even after Norman Osborn’s death, his influence continues to torment Spider-Man and those he cares about. In 1974, while still mourning his father, Harry learns that his best friend, Peter Parker, is actually Spider-Man. Believing Peter was responsible for Norman’s death, Harry takes his father’s Goblin formula and becomes the Green Goblin. This turns the person Peter trusted most into a dangerous enemy. It’s a heartbreaking story about how revenge can endlessly repeat itself, and how sadly, kind-hearted Harry ultimately follows in his father’s footsteps as the Green Goblin.

3) “Trick of the Light”

Spider-Man is known for being a positive and ethical hero, but a 2000 storyline called “Trick of the Light” explores a truly frightening scenario. In it, Norman Osborn attempts to turn Peter Parker into the next Green Goblin. The story depicts Peter being kidnapped and subjected to intense physical and psychological torture, designed to break his will and force him to become Osborn’s successor. Peter fights desperately to maintain his sanity and resist the transformation. “Trick of the Light” delves into the backgrounds of both Norman Osborn and Peter Parker, revealing the personal motivations behind their masked identities.

2) “The Child Within”

As a longtime Spider-Man fan, I have to say ‘The Child Within’ is a truly devastating story. It’s the final, tragic chapter in Harry Osborn’s life, seeing him fully embrace the Green Goblin persona and become completely consumed by revenge. He doesn’t just want to fight Spider-Man; he’s determined to break him, psychologically tormenting Peter and everyone he cares about. What makes it even harder to watch is that Harry’s own family gets caught in the middle of this madness, facing real danger. This isn’t just a superhero brawl; it’s the heartbreaking end to a decades-long friendship, and features one of the most genuinely tragic deaths I’ve ever seen in a Spider-Man comic. It’s a powerful, emotional story that really sticks with you.

1) “The Night Gwen Stacy Died” and “The Goblin’s Last Stand”

The conflict between Spider-Man and Norman Osborn is legendary in Marvel Comics, and it reached a critical point in a series of stories from 1973. Norman Osborn, reverting to his Green Goblin persona, kidnapped Peter Parker’s girlfriend, Gwen Stacy, and held her hostage on the Brooklyn Bridge. In a shocking and unforgettable moment, he caused Gwen’s death, leaving Spider-Man unable to save her. Devastated, Peter vowed revenge, leading to a climactic battle between the two. This tragic storyline features two of the most well-known deaths in comic book history and firmly established the Green Goblin as Spider-Man’s greatest enemy.

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2026-01-26 23:13