The 10 Best Green Goblin Storylines in Marvel Comics, Ranked by Impact

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Norman Osborn, the Green Goblin, has arguably had the most complex transformation of any villain in Marvel Comics, and his stories are among the most important ever published. His descent into crime began with a deal with the devil, Mephisto, where he traded his son Harry’s soul for power and wealth. This success fueled his ambition, leading him to create the Goblin Formula, which granted him incredible abilities but also drove him insane. While Norman is now trying to make amends for his past actions, the path he took has resulted in some of Marvel’s most compelling stories.

Here’s a ranking of the best Green Goblin stories in Marvel Comics, from his famous fights with Spider-Man – including a particularly disliked storyline – to his powerful role during the ‘Dark Reign’ era.

10) Sins Past (JMS run)

The 2004 storyline “Sins Past,” created by J. Michael Straczynski and Mike Deodato Jr. for Amazing Spider-Man issues #509-514, is still a very debated story among Spider-Man fans. It revealed that Gwen Stacy secretly had twins, Gabriel and Sarah, with Norman Osborn before she died. These children were rapidly aged by the Goblin Formula and raised by Norman to despise Peter Parker. Gabriel later became the Gray Goblin and fought Spider-Man. However, writer Nick Spencer changed this storyline in 2021 with “Sinister War.” Marvel essentially reversing “Sins Past” after nearly twenty years demonstrates the lasting negative impact it had on the characters of Green Goblin and Gwen Stacy.

9) Best of Enemies (Spectacular Spider-Man #200)

The storyline “Best of Enemies” is notable because it focuses on the relationship between Spider-Man and Harry Osborn, not Norman Osborn. At the time, Norman was presumed dead, and Harry held Spider-Man responsible. Discovering Spider-Man was actually his friend Peter Parker pushed Harry to become one of Spider-Man’s most complicated foes. Their conflict reached a peak in The Spectacular Spider-Man #200 (1993) with a final battle that tragically resulted in Harry’s death. He remained dead for nearly twenty years until the “Brand New Day” storyline brought him back, making his story one of the most heartbreaking in Marvel Comics.

8) Dark Reign (2008-2009)

The “Dark Reign” storyline dramatically changed the Marvel Universe by putting Norman Osborn, formerly the Green Goblin, in a position of power. This began after the Skrull invasion, when Osborn unexpectedly killed the Skrull Queen. Marvel used this shocking moment to create a major twist: Osborn was put in charge of SHIELD, which he renamed HAMMER. Using this new authority, he targeted heroes like Iron Man and Spider-Man. He formed a team of villainous imposters called the Dark Avengers, and even reinvented himself as the hero Iron Patriot. Osborn remained the main villain of the Marvel Universe until the “Siege” event in 2010.

7) The Osborn Journal (1997)

Spider-Man: The Osborn Journal was a single-issue story created by Glenn Greenberg and Kyle Hotz. It explores what Norman Osborn was up to after seemingly dying in Amazing Spider-Man #122, leading up to the “Revelations” storyline. The story unfolds through Norman’s own journal entries, detailing his activities in Europe as the leader of the Cabal of Scrier. It also revealed that he was secretly behind the events of the later “Clone Saga,” re-establishing him as Spider-Man’s most dangerous enemy.

6) American Son (Amazing Spider-Man #595-599)

“American Son” is a story arc that happened during the “Dark Reign” event, but it’s compelling enough to be enjoyed separately. Published in Amazing Spider-Man #595-599 (2009), it centers around Norman Osborn manipulating his son, Harry, into joining the Dark Avengers. Norman equips Harry with new armor and a special formula combining the Super-Soldier and Goblin serums, rebranding him as the American Son. Though Harry hoped this would finally free him from his father’s control, it ultimately led to a confrontation where he fought Norman, allowing him to reclaim his heroic identity and begin to mend his relationship with Peter Parker.

5) Goblin Nation (Superior Spider-Man #27-31)

The ‘Goblin Nation’ storyline marked the conclusion of the Superior Spider-Man saga, pitting Norman Osborn (as the Green Goblin) against Otto Octavius (who was currently Spider-Man). Osborn had created a vast criminal organization, dubbing himself the Goblin King. Surprisingly, it was the harsh, controlling methods of the Superior Spider-Man that pushed New York City’s criminals to turn to Osborn for help, allowing him to gain power. This event was crucial because Otto finally understood he couldn’t defeat Norman. He ultimately gave up control of Peter Parker’s body, bringing the original Spider-Man back into the Marvel Universe.

4) Amazing Spider-Man #39-40

Issues #39 and #40 of Amazing Spider-Man delivered a huge twist: Norman Osborn was unmasked as the Green Goblin! This reveal also led Norman to discover Spider-Man’s secret identity – that he was Peter Parker. These issues marked artist John Romita Sr.’s first work on the title, following Steve Ditko’s unexpected exit from Marvel. It was a groundbreaking moment in Marvel history, as it was one of the first times a villain learned the true identity of a superhero. This storyline also kicked off the complex, ongoing relationship and rivalry between Norman and his son, Harry Osborn.

3) Red Goblin (Amazing Spider-Man #794-801)

The “Red Goblin” storyline unfolded across issues #794-801 of Amazing Spider-Man and Annual #42 in 2018. It featured a terrifying combination of two of Spider-Man’s greatest enemies: Norman Osborn, and the Carnage symbiote. After retrieving Carnage from a secure underwater facility, Osborn bonded with it, creating the Red Goblin. This fusion combined the Green Goblin’s ruthless personality with the symbiote’s immense power, resulting in arguably the strongest version of Carnage yet. It overcame the symbiote’s usual vulnerabilities to sound and fire, and drastically increased Norman Osborn’s physical strength. Facing such a powerful foe required Spider-Man to call on help from many of his allies, and the events of this storyline significantly altered Norman Osborn’s character for years to come.

2) Revenge of the Green Goblin (2000)

Published in 2000, Spider-Man: Revenge of the Green Goblin was a three-part comic series created by Roger Stern and Lee Weeks. The story begins after Mary Jane Watson’s apparent death, leaving Peter Parker emotionally devastated. Taking advantage of this vulnerability, the Green Goblin launches a particularly dangerous attack. Norman Osborn is at his most sinister, secretly drugging Peter and manipulating him into a downward spiral, with the ultimate goal of transforming Spider-Man into the new Green Goblin. Many fans consider this storyline to be the most psychologically challenging battle between Spider-Man and the Green Goblin ever depicted in comics.

1) The Night Gwen Stacy Died (Amazing Spider-Man #121–122)

The most well-known Green Goblin story in Marvel Comics is “The Night Gwen Stacy Died,” followed by “The Green Goblin’s Last Stand.” These events unfolded in issues #121 and #122 of Amazing Spider-Man. The story begins with the Green Goblin throwing Gwen Stacy off a bridge, and despite Spider-Man’s efforts, he couldn’t save her, tragically holding her as she died. Driven by grief and rage, Spider-Man pursued the Goblin, intent on revenge. Though he almost killed him, an accident ultimately led to the Goblin impaling himself on his own glider. This storyline is considered a turning point in Marvel comics, marking the end of the Silver Age and the beginning of a new era of darker, more impactful storytelling.

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2026-04-30 22:16