Green Goblin
Rather than being a specific character, the Green Goblin is instead a terrifying identity assumed by several supervillains in the world of Spider-Man.
In the comics: Originally appearing in The Amazing Spider-Man #14 in 1964, the Green Goblin was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. Having the appearance of an unhinged, mythological demon, the real identity of the Green Goblin was initially unknown until he was unmasked as Norman Osborn in The Amazing Spider-Man #39. Norman Osborn is the industrialist head of Oscorp whose son, Harry, is at first a rival of, then firm friends with, Peter Parker – also known as Spider-Man.
In later storylines, Harry Takes over the Green Goblin identity, followed by his psychologist, Dr. Bart Hamilton. Harry intermittently resumes the identity until he dies, at which point, Phil Urich – whose uncle is a journalist for The Daily Bugle – takes up the equipment and tries to create a superhero. Norman Osborn re-surfaces, however, and oversees the genetic engineering of a separate, independent Green Goblin.
In the movies: In 2002’s Spider-Man, Norman Osborn is seen trying to develop a super-soldier serum for the military and, under extreme pressure, tests it on himself. He loses his rational mind and becomes the Green Goblin. In 2004’s Spider-Man 2, Harry Osborn discovers that Peter Parker is Spider-Man when a vision of Norman Osborn appears demanding Harry avenge his death. In 2007’s Spider-Man 3, Harry has become the New Goblin, but is persuaded to help Peter Parker rescue Mary Jane Watson – sacrificing his life in the process. In 2014’s The Amazing Spider-Man 2, the Green Goblin is created when Harry Osborn injects he venom of genetically mutated spiders into himself and transforms into the ghoulish creature.
Powers: While the Green Goblin benefits from super strength, speed, heightened reflexes, endurance, intelligence, and the ability to heal quickly, he gets most of his advantage from his vast range of gadgets. These include an armed rocket glider, bombs and grenades.
Enemies: Unlike many other Marvel supervillains, the Green Goblin remains largely within the world of Spider-Man – terrorizing the superhero and those closest to him.
Casting: In animation, the Green Goblin has been voiced by Len Carlson, Dennis Marks, Neil Ross, Rino Romano, Steven Blum and Steven Weber. In Spider-Man and its sequels, Norman Osborn is played by Willem Dafoe, while James Franco plays his son, Harry. Dane DeHaan takes the role of Harry Osborn in The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Though not confirmed, any future Spider-Man film projects will almost certainly contain at least some reference to the Green Goblin.
