The Amazing Spider-Man #12 Finally Convinced Me On Marvel’s Controversial Norman Osborn Twist (Review)

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The latest issue of *The Amazing Spider-Man* has taken a surprising turn! Norman Osborn, traditionally Spider-Man’s biggest foe, has been working alongside Peter Parker, but now he’s gone even further – becoming a hero himself, and even wearing the Spider-Man suit! This is completely unexpected for fans, and in issue #12, Osborn faces off against the rest of the Spider-Man family. While a fight is inevitable in a Marvel comic, this isn’t just another villain versus hero battle. The story explores the reasons behind Norman’s changed behavior and how he’s different from his past self.

Since Joe Kelly returned to write *The Amazing Spider-Man*, the series has significantly improved, and this issue is a great example of that progress. The story primarily centers around Norman Osborn, showcasing his fight with criminals, a tense meeting with Roderick Kingsley, and a larger conflict involving Spider-Man and his allies.

Kelly does a fantastic job of making this Spider-Man story feel different, now that Norman Osborn is wearing the mask. The issue opens with Norman quickly realizing how challenging it is to be Spider-Man – juggling personal problems with superhero duties, and gaining a new appreciation for how much Peter Parker struggled. It’s a clever detail. Kelly clearly understands this version of Norman Osborn, and the writing is excellent, especially in the captions where Norman speaks. We also get glimpses into Norman’s difficult childhood and his relationship with his abusive father, which helps explain his current behavior.

Rating: 4.5/5

Pros Cons
Norman Osborn is incredibly well written Nothing beyond a minor two spread issue
Ed McGuinness’ artwork is stunning 
Norman Osborn is incredibly well-written 

The Amazing Spider-Man #12 Convincingly Reinvents Norman Osborn

The fight between Norman Osborn and the other Spider-People – Miles, Silk, Spider-Gwen, Spider-Boy, Arachne, and Spider-Girl – is exciting and reveals a lot about Norman’s current state of mind. He’s clearly haunted by his past as the Green Goblin, and the writer skillfully uses this to drive the conflict. A particularly impactful moment is when Spider-Gwen speaks to him, causing him to fall apart emotionally. The connection between Norman Osborn and Gwen Stacy is iconic in Spider-Man comics, and it’s handled beautifully here. While I’m not convinced Norman should be Spider-Man permanently, the writing is compelling enough to keep me invested. I’m a big fan of the Green Goblin, and this story is making me appreciate Norman Osborn’s character – something I didn’t expect.

Ed McGuinness is a truly gifted artist, and this issue perfectly demonstrates why he’s considered one of the best to ever draw Spider-Man. His pencil work, paired with Cliff Rathburn’s inks, is stunning throughout the book. While a couple of pages early on feel a bit crowded, that’s a minor issue. The level of detail in every panel is incredible, and his lines are consistently strong. He excels at portraying characters’ emotions, and along with Kelly’s writing, effectively conveys those feelings to the reader. The highlight of this issue is undoubtedly the action sequence, which is simply phenomenal.

The Action Scenes & Art Are Both Incredible

McGuinness is a fantastic artist, especially when it comes to action sequences. He’s always been skilled at showing movement in his comics, and that really shines here. The action feels dynamic and powerful, with characters moving in ways that burst out of the panels. You can *feel* the impact of every hit, and the characters themselves are incredibly expressive. This issue features a truly spectacular action scene that’s followed by some excellent character work. While the art on *Amazing* changes artists, McGuinness is definitely my favorite – even compared to talents like Pepe Larraz and John Romita Jr. – and the art in this particular issue is simply outstanding.

The latest issue of *The Amazing Spider-Man*, #12, is a fantastic continuation of the recent big changes to the Spider-Man story. Writer Joe Kelly has consistently delivered excellent comics for three decades, and this issue is no exception – he clearly understands these characters and is taking them in exciting new directions. The artwork by McGuinness and Rathburn is stunning, perfectly capturing the feel of a classic Spider-Man comic, enhanced by the beautiful colors of Marcio Menyz and Erick Arcieniega. I was initially hesitant about Norman Osborn taking on the role of Spider-Man, but this issue really showcased how great that storyline could be.

The Amazing Spider-Man #12 is on sale now.

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2025-09-18 00:40