Amazing Spider-Man Shows How Spidey Has Redeemed Two of His Oldest Foes

by

A well-known Simpsons episode centers around Homer Simpson voicing a new character on The Itchy and Scratchy Show. This character, Poochie, is designed to be extremely cool, but he disrupts the show’s dynamic and is immediately disliked by viewers.

The show’s creators really wanted to make sure viewers loved the new character, Poochie. They even had a running joke – the other characters would constantly ask, “Where’s Poochie?” – whenever he wasn’t on screen. This was a funny jab at how cartoons sometimes introduce new characters that feel forced, like Scrappy-Doo. It also highlights a common mistake writers try to avoid: overly pushing a character on the audience.

The principle is that a well-developed character should demonstrate their own strengths and personality – readers should see those qualities, not have them explained by other characters. However, there are times when knowing what other characters think about someone is valuable, and a good example of this can be found in Amazing Spider-Man #18.

The comic Amazing Spider-Man #18 features writing by Joe Kelly, art by John Romita Jr. (pencils) and Scott Hanna (inks), colors by Marcio Menyz, and lettering by Joe Caramagna. In a surprising turn, the story centers around Norman Osborn confiding in none other than J. Jonah Jameson about his difficulties as Spider-Man!

What do J. Jonah Jameson and Norman Osborn have in common?

It’s fascinating to see how Spider-Man’s villains have evolved over time. For a long time, everyone thought Norman Osborn was dead, so he wasn’t considered one of Spider-Man’s biggest threats. Interestingly, J. Jonah Jameson, who we often don’t see as a true villain, used to be considered a major enemy.

Over time, both characters have experienced significant changes for the better. Norman Osborn, for example, was once freed from his past wrongdoings by the Sin-Eater and became a hero alongside Spider-Man. Although those past sins eventually returned, he’s continued to work with Spider-Man, even after learning Peter Parker’s secret identity.

J. Jonah Jameson discovered Peter Parker’s secret identity as Spider-Man. As a result, he completely changed his stance, going from a vocal critic of Spider-Man to a strong supporter in the media.

We first encountered Norman Osborn long before anyone knew he was the Green Goblin – even the original artist, Steve Ditko, pointed that out! Back then, he was part of a group of important New York businessmen, alongside J. Jonah Jameson. They’ve known each other for over sixty years, a connection with a long history.

It’s logical that Osborn would seek out Jameson – they’ve known each other for years, and importantly, both know Spider-Man’s true identity. This connection allows Osborn to get Jameson’s input on his new role as Spider-Man. Recently, a major theme in Amazing Spider-Man has been the difficulty Norman Osborn faces trying to be as good a Spider-Man as Peter Parker – a challenge Ben Reilly also experienced while temporarily taking over the role when Peter was off-world.

Joe Kelly beautifully illustrates the struggle of following in a legend’s footsteps. In a conversation between him and Jameson, they reflect on Peter’s presumed death and the immense pressure of living up to the standards set by a hero of his time—a hero whose personal life was marked by tragedy.

This comic is really well done, and John Romita Jr. consistently delivers an engaging narrative. While his depiction of Norman Osborn can occasionally look a bit off, the overall story remains strong and well-paced.

What about the other Spider-heroes? What about the other Goblins?

Kelly is gradually building a story arc focused on villains targeting Norman Osborn. This issue shows that threat isn’t limited to Osborn himself – other characters who have taken on the Goblin persona, like Phil Urich, Ned Leeds, and the Goblin Queen, are also being hunted.

This issue also continues storylines for supporting characters. We see Peter Parker’s boss struggling with a personal tragedy, and there are hints of developing stories involving Peter’s friend and coworker, Brian, as well as Ben Reilly’s secret plans. Readers are left wondering if Ben’s intentions are good or if he’s up to no good.

The Spider-Heroes are facing a dilemma: what to do with Norman Osborn. They’re trying to decide his fate, but discover someone is actively hunting him. This sparks a debate among the heroes about whether they should protect Osborn or let him face the consequences on his own.

Uniting the Goblins for a personal grudge is a smart move, and a nice way to celebrate the series’ history. Over time, we’ve seen more and more familiar faces from the Goblin world reappear, and this brings all that history together.

One positive aspect of Norman Osborn’s recent arc is that it feels sustainable, even after Peter Parker returns as Spider-Man. Osborn doesn’t require the Spider-Man mantle to grow as a character, but the events have definitely accelerated his development. It will be compelling to see how he reacts when the original Spider-Man reappears.

This season of the show has been quite a ride, and as it wraps up, I’m curious to see what happens next.

Read More

2026-01-12 07:23