User:Jhenderson777/Fictional history of Green Goblin

This is an fictional history of the Marvel Comics character Green Goblin.

Fictional character biography

The pre-Goblin years

Norman Osborn, the original Green Goblin, was the son of wealthy businessman Amberson Osborn. The Osborn family fortune was established by Alton Osborn (Norman's great-grandfather), a man referred to by his enemies as a "robber baron". That did not last, because Norman's father loses almost all of the family fortune that Alton had attained, claiming to have been cheated and that someone had stolen his invention. Amberson eventually becomes a drunkard, often lashing out at his wife and son because of his own failures. Distraught by the abuse from his father, the young Osborn kills the family dog, considering it another unnecessary mouth to feed. Norman was subjected to not only verbal abuse from his father, but psychological abuse as well. On at least one occasion in Norman's childhood, Amberson locked Norman in one of the family's empty estates in an attempt to toughen him. It is in that darkened mansion that Norman is haunted by "a green, goblin-like creature" that is "waiting to pounce on him".

Norman attended ESU for college where he studied chemistry and electrical engineering and soon meets and marries the love of his life: Emily Osborn. The two married and had a son (Harry Osborn) but Emily died before Harry turned a year old. The loss of Emily caused Osborn to re-focus on his plan to attain wealth and power, a decision that left him very little time for Harry. He frames the co-founder of his chemical company (Mendel Stromm) for embezzlement. Stromm claimed to have only borrowed the money from their account and that he had no intention of stealing it. Osborn turned Stromm over to the police anyway, leaving Norman the sole owner of the chemical company, Osborn Industries. Norman then began experimenting on his own employees with some strength enhancing formula, but he struggled to decipher Stromm's notes. One such employee (Nels Van Adder) went on a killing spree as the red, demon-like monster called the "Proto-Goblin". When Van Adder tried to kill Norman at Stromm's private laboratory, Norman is saved by Arthur and George Stacy. After the dust settled, Norman found more of Stromm's notes hidden within the structure of his old desk. He was convinced that this is the remaining information needed to recreate Stromm's work. Interestingly, Norman's original intent is not to make a strength enhancing formula to use on himself, rather a formula that he could sell for profit to become wealthy. However, when Osborn attempted to duplicate Stromm's formula, it turned green and exploded in his face, leaving him in the hospital. He quickly recovered and soon realized that the explosion had greatly increased his intelligence and strength. Although given these tremendous gifts, his delicate disposition was tipped and the explosion had made him insane.

Siege on the underworld

Since the origin of the Green Goblin was first told as a flashback in Amazing Spider-Man #40, it is sometimes difficult to discern in retconned stories whether or not Norman has already been exposed to the exploding green serum that ultimately gives him his powers. In Marvel Knights Spider-Man #9, Mac Gargan, the Scorpion, tells Peter Parker the history of supervillains. He states that they were created in the forties when the “ruling class”, companies responsible for putting governments into office, desired to keep emerging superheroes at bay, and away from discovering the corruption that they have been utilizing to prevail. This “divide and conquer” tactic led to contracted supervillains, of which Norman Osborn was one of the favorites, until he went out of control with the Goblin persona. It is unclear exactly when and how this fits into Norman’s early escapades as the Goblin, but with all of the super-criminal alliances he was forming, it is possible that some of these connections were made through this “ruling class” cabal.

In Amazing Spider-Man #10, Spider-Man defeats the Enforcers and unmasks Frederick Foswell as the Big Man. With the Big Man out of commission, Osborn sends the Headsman to take out Spider-Man, whom Osborn feels is going to be disruptive to his plans. Spider-Man defeats the Headsman and the Enforcers as well. At this point, Osborn has the Scorcher, Enforcers, and the Headsman working for him. He has hired the Scorcher specifically to steal more plans for electronics equipment, turbine engines, and explosives so that Osborn can use them for his desires. However, Osborn is infuriated by the failure of his associates and resolves to handling the problem himself. Osborn sketches the mask for his Goblin persona.

Osborn adopts the bizarre identity of the Green Goblin, based on a monster he feared in his childhood. His arsenal of weapons includes a personal flying device, which starts in a broomstick-like shape and evolves into his Goblin Glider. He also develops hand grenade-like explosive weapons resembling pumpkins, sharp shuriken-like razor-bats, and gloves that fire blasts of energy from the fingertips.

The first direct conflict between Spider-Man and the Green Goblin occurs when the Goblin convinces Hollywood movie executive B.J. Cosmos that he can get Spider-Man and they can then make a movie with him. The Goblin enlists the help of the Enforcers for his trap, since they were recently defeated by Spider-Man. During a "rehearsal", Spider-Man is attacked and the fight interrupts the Hulk, who was seeking solitude. The Green Goblin escapes while Spider-Man is distracted by the Hulk and the Enforcers. Later, the Green Goblin approaches Lucky Lobo and claims to be able to take out Spider-Man and the Headsman. While Spider-Man struggles against the Headsman, the Goblin easily defeats the Headsman who claims he failed while using technology given to him by the Goblin. Spider-Man is unaware that it is the Goblin who has defeated the Headsman. Later, the Green Goblin feels he’s ready to defeat Spider-Man. He attacks Spider-Man at the first meeting of the Spider-Man Fan Club. The Human Torch interrupts the fight, but the Goblin evades him and escapes. Spider-Man bails out of the fight because he hears that Aunt May has suffered a heart attack. Soon after, the Green Goblin approaches the Scarecrow and offers an alliance with him as he, the Green Goblin, unites the underworld. The Scarecrow refuses to be his ally. The Green Goblin then approaches the gang boss Lucky Lobo and requests that he hand over the leadership of his criminal operations to him. Lucky refuses. The Green Goblin then exposes Lucky to the public and the police raid Lucky’s establishments. Spider-Man sees this and he tails the Goblin as he goes after Lucky. Spider-Man takes down Lucky’s crew and then goes after the Goblin. The Goblin escapes before being captured by Spider-Man.

After unsuccessfully taking over Lucky Lobo's operations, the Green Goblin initiates an alliance with the Crime Master. The Crime Master agrees to ally himself with the Green Goblin, if the Goblin reveals his true identity to him. Osborn double-crosses the Crime Master and exposes himself as J. Jonah Jameson. During a dedication ceremony, a distraction set up by Osborn, the Crime Master’s men attempt to steal a Seismic Ray Device (S.R.D.). Spider-Man stops them and the Green Goblin intervenes to get the S.R.D. The Crime Master feels the Green Goblin is settling a personal vendetta, so he tries to kill Spider-Man and the Green Goblin at the same time. The Goblin escapes from Spider-Man and vows to "deal" with the Crime Master who now has the ability to reveal his identity because of his close association with J. Jonah Jameson. It is revealed that the true identity of the Crime Master is Nick Lewis. The Crime Master decides he no longer wants to work with the Green Goblin and that he is going to pursue uniting the underworld on his own. The Crime Master begins making power moves at known mobs and he even manages to take down Spider-Man, or so he thinks. The Green Goblin manages to sneak up on Spider-Man and is able to deliver a knockout blow with his glider. He then takes the unconscious Spider-Man to the collection of gangsters that the Crime Master has assembled in an effort to assert his leadership. The Green Goblin has a chance to unmask Spider-Man but Spider-Man was wearing a cheap second-hand costume (as he had lost the original at this point) which he kept together with webbing. The mask was webbed on and therefore impossible to remove With Spider-Man as a captive of the Green Goblin, he swayed a whole room filled with mobsters to follow his lead. However, Spider-Man soon regains consciousness from the nerve gas he was exposed to and is able to get out of the chains that had bound him. With the help of the police, Spider-Man is able to subdue the mobsters, yet the Crime Master and the Green Goblin get away. Soon after, however, the Crime Master is caught and killed by the police before he can reveal the Goblin’s identity. The Goblin is now fed up with Spider-Man and his goals switch from uniting the underworld to a personal vendetta with Spider-Man.

Personal vendetta with Spider-Man and amnesia spells

After multiple conflicts with Spider-Man, the Green Goblin soon begins to view his foe as a personal rival, and not just an obstacle on his way to controlling the underworld. The Goblin soon returns from the shadows and stages a robbery in an effort to attract Spider-Man. During the fight with the robbers, Spider-Man is exposed to a gas, designed by the Goblin, to dull his Spider-Sense. This allows the Goblin to track Spider-Man and obtain his true identity as Peter Parker. The Goblin then confronts Spider-Man outside his home and the Goblin is able to subdue Spider-Man. Back at his waterfront hideout while Spider-Man is restrained, the Green Goblin exposes his true identity as Norman Osborn. The Goblin soon frees Spider-Man from the restraints because it would be a hollow victory to defeat an impaired Spider-Man. The Goblin is confident because he feels Spider-Man has yet to defeat him in battle. During the ensuing fight, the Goblin is knocked unconscious by an "electro-chemical charge". His exposure to the charge results in Osborn getting temporary amnesia and forgetting the “last few years” and thus ever becoming the Green Goblin. Peter changes Osborn back into one of his civilian suits and the authorities believe the Green Goblin died in the fire.

Later, while Osborn is living a Goblin-free life, Kraven the Hunter crosses his path because he is convinced Osborn is the Goblin's messenger. Kraven claims that the Green Goblin offered him $20K to kill Spider-Man and he wanted an advance payment, but he couldn’t collect from the Goblin directly because he believed the Goblin was dead. Unable to locate Osborn, Kraven abducts Harry Osborn only to be thwarted by Spider-Man. Norman Osborn arrives during the fight and Kraven immediately attacks him. However, Kraven soon becomes convinced that Osborn does not know anything about the Green Goblin nor the money he owes Kraven. Kraven leaves Osborn unharmed, as Osborn was saved by his amnesia. Some time after those events, Osborn meets Kraven and offers him a great deal of money as well as an alliance. Osborn assures Kraven that he will someday control a vast worldwide empire. However, Kraven feels dishonored by Osborn's actions and ends their brief alliance.

Osborn continues to be periodically troubled by memories of the Green Goblin and Spider-Man. The memories amount to nothing other than lashing out at the people around him, namely Harry, J. Jonah, and Peter. During a presentation by Captain George Stacy on supervillains, Osborn's memory is sparked by images of the Goblin battling Spider-Man. He remembers that he is the Goblin and he is ready to exact his revenge on Peter Parker. Osborn holds a gathering for Harry and his friends in order to get Peter in a vulnerable situation. Parker creates a diversion and gets out of Osborn's home, but the Goblin goes to Aunt May’s house. A fight ensues and Spider-Man is exposed to a psychedelic bomb, which allows the Goblin to render Spider-Man helpless. However, Spider-Man soon recovers and he uses the same psychedelic bomb on the Goblin, which induces another amnesia spell. At this point, Osborn is still unaware the he is the Green Goblin.

Some time later, after watching a show featuring Mary Jane Watson, Osborn is troubled by a door that he sees in a back alleyway. Parker follows Osborn and changes into his Spider-Man costume. The door turns out to be that of an old Goblin hideout and when Osborn goes in his memory is jogged and he again becomes the Green Goblin. A fight ensues and the Goblin thinks he has left Spider-Man to fall to his death. Harry overdoses on pills in an attempt and is hospitalized. A second battle between the Goblin and Spider-Man occurs and Spider-Man guides the Goblin on his glider to see Harry in the hospital. The vision of Harry causes Osborn to breakdown, once again having temporary amnesia and forgetting that he is the Goblin and that Parker is Spider-Man.

Famous bridge scene

Stress causes Osborn to revert once again to the Green Goblin, and he kidnaps Gwen Stacy, Peter Parker's girlfriend. Spider-Man tracks the Goblin to the Brooklyn Bridge (as picture) or the George Washington Bridge (as given in dialog), where a fight ensues and the Goblin knocks Stacy off a bride tower. Spider-Man shoots a web line to catch her, but the jolt from the sudden stop appears to snap her neck. Enraged, Spider-Man continues fighting the Goblin,but the Goblin to escape. A tip leads him to finding Osborn at his Goblin hideout. In the ensuing fight, the Goblin is accidentally impaled on his Goblin Glider, causing his apparent death. A mysterious figure watching these events is later revealed to be Harry Osborn.

Popmatters refers to this as "a significant moment in Spider-Man lore".

Colorado Springs Gazette stated "Probably no death rocked the comics world more than that of Gwen Stacy the girlfriend of Peter Parker aka SpiderMan"

Sun Journal calls this issue "groundbreaking" and writes "A major recurring character had been killed, and comic books instantly became more than just a child's pastime".

Aftermath

While Osborn was believed to be dead, multiple individuals raided his Goblin hideouts and used his Green Goblin technology. The most notable were his son Harry Osborn; Harry's psychiatrist Bart Hamilton, Roderick Kingsley— remaking the costume into that of the Hobgoblin — and Ben Urich's nephew Phil.

However, Osborn did not die. The Green Goblin formula that gave Osborn his powers, also endowed him with a healing factor, which allowed him to circumvent this certain death. Osborn first awakes inside a morgue, where he realizes that he has survived the impalement of the glider. He sees Harry bribing the mortician and decides to let Harry have a chance to be a man and take up the mantle of the Green Goblin. Osborn leaves for Europe where he can move more freely and be unnoticed. He also becomes the undisputed leader of the Scrier cabal, which he utilizes to carry out his revenge on Peter Parker. Norman schemes to play mind games with Parker using Seward Trainer, Judas Traveller, the Jackal, and Mendel Stromm (who is now the cyborg-like Gaunt) as his pawns. It is this group of individuals who become crucial in duping Peter during the infamous Clone Saga.

As the Clone Saga comes to an end, Peter Parker and Ben Reilly have accepted the "fact" that Peter is the clone and Ben is the original Spider-Man. Mary Jane is pregnant with Peter’s child, who’s due date is approaching. Seward Trainer, a friend of Ben Reilly, is killed by Norman Osborn, who is now ready to return from hiding and confront Peter. Later, Peter and Ben fight Gaunt and neutralize him, however during the fight Mary Jane goes into labor. Gaunt is then killed by Norman because of his failure. Mary Jane is informed that the baby did not survive the birthing process. Alison Mongrain, who was working for Norman, along with the help of a Doctor Folsome were responsible for deceiving Mary Jane about the baby and kidnapping it. Alison is instructed by Norman to "make sure it’s never seen again." Parker soon leaves to see Mary Jane in the hospital and when he gets there, Dr. Folsome informs him that “there’s been a problem”, before sedating Parker. Meanwhile, J. Jonah Jameson, Flash Thompson, Liz Allan, and others have been mysteriously invited to the Daily Bugle from different sources; they soon realize that they have been trapped. Norman reveals himself to Peter along with explaining how he survived the glider impaling him with his healing factor, that he's been in Europe hiding all this time, and that he has returned because he was tired of Peter rebounding from all the things he’s thrown at him and he wants to exact his final revenge. He also informs Peter that Ben Reilly was actually the clone, not Peter. Norman reveals himself as the mastermind behind the entire Clone Saga hoax. He then leads Peter to the Daily Bugle where he wants Peter to watch him kill “all those close to him”, before he kills Peter. Ben sneaks the hostages out of the Daily Bugle, and makes his way to Peter, who has neutralized the Goblin. Ben is killed when he steps in front of the Goblin Glider in an attempt to save Peter. The glider impales him. Parker hurls a bag of pumpkin bombs at the Green Goblin, which explode when they hit him, and the Goblin vanishes from sight. Ben Reilly dies and his body disintegrates, revealing him as the true clone. Parker does not find Norman's body, but he knows that he has not seen the last of his enemy. The significance of this era of Norman Osborn's life is that from the moment he awoke in the morgue, he has always been aware that he is the Green Goblin, his amnesiac episodes over.

Distancing himself from the Green Goblin

Neither Osborn nor the Green Goblin were seen since the events of Peter Parker Spider-Man #75. Prior to a public announcement of his return, Osborn sneaks up on Daily Bugle reporter Betty Brant and informs her that he now owns half of the Daily Bugle. At the press conference, Norman states that he was hiding in Europe to avoid his enemies, which include Spider-Man. He also states that he has come back because of the “smear campaign” bestowed upon his family name by Ben Urich. Urich had written a book called The Legacy of Evil, which outed Norman Osborn as the Green Goblin. Osborn states that he has now dedicated his life to finding out who the Green Goblin “really is”. When Parker returns to his ransacked home, he attacks Norman at his apartment, beating him up very badly. Unfortunately, this is all caught on tape and the Daily Bugle puts a $1 million reward on Spider-Man’s head.

During the Spider-Hunt saga, Dr. Jonas Meuller, aka Dr. Angst, is working for Osborn on a genetic construct that will fill the role of the Green Goblin and prevent Norman from being suspected as such. Norman’s grandson, Normie Osborn, is kidnapped by this construct “Green Goblin” and Spider-Man amongst others, try to find Normie. Spider-Man tracks down this alternate Goblin and the Goblin “dies” in an explosion that occurred during the fight. Normie is returned to Norman by Override and Clarence Fielding, a regular guy. At the conclusion of the story it is revealed that Norman arranged the kidnapping of Normie by the alternate Goblin in an effort to sway public opinion away from him being the Green Goblin.

The reward on Spider-Man's head is now $5 million because he is also the suspected murderer of a thug named Joey Z. Peter retires his Spider-Man costume and chooses to don four new costume identities: The Hornet, Ricochet, Dusk, and Prodigy. As the Dusk persona, Peter aids the Trapster who also seeks revenge on Norman Osborn, having deduced that the Trapster was responsible for Joey Z's death as the only person capable of manufacturing a substance similar to his webbing. The Trapster threatens to kill Osborn, but Dusk stops him from doing so and Osborn gets away, leaving the Trapster's only remaining 'weapon' against Osborn being to publicly confess to having killed Joey Z and exonerates Spider-Man. As the Prodigy persona, Peter battles with Conundrum and Jack O’Lantern to return Tabriaz Chaliz, the kidnapped daughter of the Sufindian ambassador. We learn later Osborn had orchestrated that kidnapping as well. Prodigy exonerates Spider-Man by stating that it was either Conundrum or Jack O'Lantern who disguised themselves as Spider-Man and attacked Norman Osborn at his apartment. Spider-Man is no longer a wanted criminal, and the Identity Crisis story arc comes to an end.

Soon after, Roderick Kingsley, who is in prison for his crimes as Hobgoblin, spreads word out that he has an incriminating diary exposing Norman Osborn as the true Green Goblin. This sets up the first conflict between the original Green Goblin and the Hobgoblin. While being transferred from prison, Roderick is abducted by the alternate Goblin and brought to Norman Osborn. Norman suspects fraud, stating that any journals that did exist were burnt up during the Spider-Man and Hobgoblin battle that occurred in Amazing Spider-Man #250. Roderick was bluffing about having the diary, and Norman takes over all of Roderick’s financial interests in Kingsley Ltd. During a fight between the Hobgoblin, the Green Goblin, Norman Osborn, and Spider-Man the Hobgoblin escapes, as does Osborn wearing the Goblin mask.

In an attempt to kill Norman Osborn and seize control of the NYC underworld, the Kingpin sends the assassin Nitro to blow Norman up at the Daily Bugle building. After Nitro detonates himself, Norman, Peter, Normie, and Betty Brant become trapped in the destroyed elevator remains. After some psychological provoking by Norman, Peter decides to save Betty and Normie from the elevator despite the risk of the internal cameras witnessing him displaying superhuman strength (Although it is subsequently confirmed that the cameras were down). After saving Betty and Normie, Peter goes back and saves Norman in the nick of time. Despite the rescue, Norman would soon return to the role of the Green Goblin to terrorize Peter and those close to him.

The Gathering of Five

Norman Osborn now gathered 5 individuals together for the arcane ritual of the Gathering of Five in which each participant receives one of five possible gifts: power, immortality, knowledge, madness, or death. Each individual must make the choice to be a part of the ritual with an open heart and a conviction of purpose. The five members are Madame Web, Martha “Matt” Franklin, Gregory Herd (aka Override), Morris Maxwell, and Norman Osborn. Meanwhile, Alison Mongrain, along with Joe Roberston, is making her way to Peter Parker in an attempt to deliver vital information to him. She doesn’t reach Peter, but she finds Mary Jane and before she “dies” she tells MJ that May Parker is still alive and she is being held at Norman’s hunting lodge upstate. Mary Jane tells Peter this and he resolves to go after Norman; MJ tries to stop him claiming that it is probably just another trap set by Norman. Meanwhile, after the Gathering of Five ritual, Norman becomes convinced that he is given the gift of power.

Peter makes his way to Norman’s hunting lodge and after battling some mutant beasts he confronts Norman, who is now garbed as the Green Goblin. Norman claims that he is now tired of “his personal vendetta he’s waged” against Peter and their dealings will soon come to an end. Norman also claims that he is planning on releasing a "DNA bomb" in order to reshape the world in his image, a threat that appears substantiated due to a report that 50 people were killed, just "melting" in their clothing at a subsidiary of Osborn Industries. After neutralizing the Goblin with webbing, Spider-Man heads into the estate to find his baby May. However, he was misled, as the May Alison Mongrain was referring to was his deceased Aunt May.

Peter takes this Aunt May to Reed Richards who runs a slew of tests on her. Reed claims that she is human and not a clone and that untampered DNA evidence would be the final piece of confirmation that she is the real deal. Peter finds an old blood sample of Aunt May’s to bring to Richards. Upon Peter's return to the Baxter Building, Reed informs Peter that someone has implanted a device at the base of the skull of his aunt and if it is not removed soon she will die. Peter confronts Norman, who has been waiting for him, to find out what the purpose of the device is. Norman provides ample information. First, the device in her skull is the “trigger” for the worldwide DNA bomb; once it is removed the bomb will detonate. Second, this Aunt May is the real Aunt May and the person who died in Amazing Spider-Man #400 was an actress hired by Norman and infused with May’s genetic matrix. This actress, who was to play her final role, was trained to mimic every aspect of May in order to confuse and destroy Peter. Norman, as the Green Goblin, proceeds to defeat Spider-Man and unmasks him publicly.

However, it is soon revealed that this was just a delusion: the Green Goblin himself is defeated, Norman Osborn having received the gift of madness from the Gathering of Five. The other gifts were as follows: Martha Franklin receives power, Madame Web receives immortality, Morris Maxwell receives knowledge, and Gregory Herd receives death. Gregory Herd, formerly Override, eventually becomes the villain Shadrac. During the fight between Spider-Man and the Green Goblin, the Daily Bugle building was destroyed, but Peter manages to temporarily stop it from falling by webbing it up. Reed Richards neutralizes the device in May’s skull and she is now recuperating from the surgery. Norman is taken to the psychiatric ward at Bellevue where he is unmasked by the guards/doctor, who immediately cry out, “his face”. Before they could do anything else, a group of Scriers take out the guards/doctor and steal Norman Osborn claiming that he “belongs to the Scriers”.

The Goblin Heir

Norman Osborn, now dependent upon a cocktail of drugs to maintain his sanity, is in a safehouse as he ponders recent dealings with Spider-Man. His companion, Donald Menken, who was first introduced in Amazing Spider-Man #239 as an employee of Osborn Industries, is at Norman's side. Menken is revealed to have been one of the loyal Scriers who removed Osborn from the psychiatric ward after the events of the Gathering of Five ritual. Norman has fallen in love with his nurse, Kolina Frederickson, and he states that she reminds him of his now deceased wife Emily. Norman feels the time is perfect for an attack on Spider-Man with the recent death of Mary Jane and the loss of all his savings. Norman disguises himself as a mailman and tampers with Peter and Randy Robertson’s mail.

Norman created a cabal known as the Order of the Goblin from those Scriers who remained loyal to him during his recent “incapacitation”, his bout with insanity. After Kolina inadvertently stumbles upon Norman in his Goblin garb, he tosses a gas bomb at her, not knowing it was her, and he nearly kills her. Norman than decides to reveal his life story to Kolina and come clean. Peter Parker is now suffering from hallucinations induced by the toothpaste Norman planted in his mail, causing him to have Goblin-related delusions. Norman states that he desires to make Peter the heir to his Osborn Legacy and that he shall become the next Green Goblin. Osborn sends Kolina and Donald to his estate in the Adirondacks.

Norman then visits an old family estate and recalls the memory of his father forcing him to stay in the old house overnight to become a man and face the darkness. Peter is still experiencing hallucinations involving the Goblin and is beginning to figure that Norman is behind these hallucinations. When Peter once again regains consciousness he is being held captive by Norman who is determined to make Peter face the darkness and become an Osborn.

We also learn that the hallucinogens that Peter was exposed to contained some of the Goblin formula. Peter is tortured by Osborn for what appears to be weeks as Norman tries to break Peter’s spirit and accept the darkness. Peter eventually overcomes the mind games and rejects being the heir to the Osborn legacy as well as accepting the darkness. Norman tells Peter that he realized Peter was the rightful heir when he came to visit the birth of his grandson Normie and saw that Peter was secretly visiting the hospital as well. Norman claims that he has won, because for a brief moment during the torture, Peter “blinked” at the darkness, and that meant that Peter would no longer be able to maintain his altruistic façade.

A Death in the Family

The story begins with Norman visiting Harry’s grave, and in Norman's introspection he states that he had reached out to Peter and that he had refused him, and that Norman can’t let things stand at that. Meanwhile, Peter is haunted by a dream and he has no one he can confide in; he tries Mary Jane, but decides not to talk to her (she is in California and they aren’t together). As if drawn to each other, Spider-Man and the Green Goblin meet up in the middle of a rain storm; a fight ensues and Norman leaves Peter with an invitation to a family reunion – a funeral. The Green Goblin then appears on TV stating that it was Spider-Man who was responsible for the death of Gwen Stacy and that he had originally planned to catch her after her drop. Peter confronts Norman while Norman is with some clients and Norman tells Peter that one of them, either Peter or Norman, has to die. The Green Goblin then force feeds Flash Thompson, a recovering alcoholic, whiskey and then has him drive a truck that crashes into Midtown High. Due to the accident, Flash goes into a coma.

Norman offers to repair Midtown High since it was his company’s truck that crashed into the school. Later, Norman has Peter meet him at one of Osborn’s chemical companies. While there, Norman states that he plans to kill his grandson, Normie Osborn. The fight continues and Norman states that only one of them can leave there today and that he has operatives stationed all over the place and they are ready to kill those close to Peter at any time. An enraged Peter Parker pummels the Green Goblin, beating him mercilessly. Just before delivering the final blow, Peter releases Norman and says that he can’t kill him. The two even share a laugh at that point. He then confides in Norman about his dream at which point Peter realizes the meaning of the dream. Every day, he refuses to hate Norman for what he did and Gwen lives; if he caves into the anger she dies. He doesn’t cave into the anger and Peter calls Norman’s bluff concerning killing young Normie. As the story arc closes, the two rivals share a laugh, in a scene reminiscent of the conclusion to Alan Moore’s Batman: The Killing Joke. It appears as though Norman set the whole thing up because he wanted Peter to kill him; that was the “death in the family” and Norman contemplates suicide at the conclusion. The ramifications from this story arc are numerous; however, one of the major results is Flash becoming a paraplegic.

The Goblin outed publicly

Terri Kidder, a reporter for the Daily Bugle, follows a lead she was given from a friend concerning missing persons at Oscorp. Her friend is an employee at Oscorp. In an attempt to break the story, she tricks her way into the office of Norman Osborn to question him about the missing people. She is then found dead and mutilated in the reservoir on the east side of Central Park. Ben Urich puts the pieces together and eventually the police come to investigate Norman for the missing bodies. When they arrive at Norman’s office, they find the Green Goblin instead. Spider-Man intervenes and neutralizes the Goblin, who nearly kills both Ben Urich and Jessica Jones, girlfriend of hero-for-hire Luke Cage. Angered by the attack upon his then-pregnant girlfriend, Luke retaliates against Norman after he had already surrendered to the authorities. To escape this attack Norman dons his Goblin apparel, but Luke subdues him. The story concludes with Norman being confirmed publicly as the Green Goblin and being placed in jail.

Norman kidnaps Aunt May

This story arc picks up immediately after the events of The Pulse, where Spider-Man is now in the process of tracking down the Green Goblin. He succeeds and the Goblin is brought into prison, but Norman sues Spider-Man for aggravated assault charges due to the nature of which Spider-Man overpowered him. When Peter returns home, he gets a phone call in the middle of the night that someone has defaced his Uncle Ben’s grave. Peter goes to the grave site to see. Unfortunately, this was a decoy because Aunt May was kidnapped from his home while he was gone. He confronts Norman in prison, thinking that he is to blame, and Norman plays mind games with Peter as to whether or not he is involved, basically providing no information for him. Interestingly, in the course of the conversation we learn that Norman's age is 55.

Later, Mac Gargan approaches Peter Parker, claiming to be the one responsible for kidnapping Aunt May, and he says that he was working for Norman Osborn, but that this kidnapping is the “tip of the iceberg” for Norman’s plans. Gargan tells Peter the history of supervillains and that they were created in the forties when the “ruling class”, companies responsible for putting governments into office, desired to keep emerging superheroes at bay, and away from discovering the corruptness which this "ruling class" has been utilizing to prevail. This “divide and conquer” tactic led to contracted supervillains, of which Norman Osborn was one of the favorites, until he went out of control with the Goblin persona. This corrupt administration is no longer operating but there were some famous names in the “original cabal”. Due to that Norman has become a target because he knows where “all the bodies are buried” and he is a sitting duck in prison. So Norman Osborn orchestrated the kidnapping of Aunt May in order to solicit Peter’s help to break him out of prison; he has to help him or Aunt May dies. Peter reluctantly decides to help break him out, and in the process of doing so he receives help from the Black Cat. Peter successfully breaks Norman out, but when he does, the Green Goblin has a surprise for him. The Green Goblin double crosses Peter and has the Sinister Twelve, a group composed of classic Spider-Man villains such as the Rhino, Hydro-Man, and Electro waiting for him. Fortunately, Mary Jane called S.H.I.E.L.D. as well as the Avengers, Daredevil, and the Fantastic Four to help neutralize them. The Green Goblin leaves to go kill Mary Jane, and Spider-Man then goes after him. They meet on what looks to be the George Washington Bridge. A mind controlled Doctor Octopus, who has been programmed to kill Norman Osborn, arrives at the scene. A lightning bolt strikes and hits the Goblin, who was holding his Goblin Glider in the air as well as Doc Ock, and sends both of them plunging into the water below. Peter finds Aunt May buried alive in the grave site of his Uncle Ben, reaching her just in time to save her life. The story concludes with a letter written from Norman to Peter thanking him for providing the intellectual and physical challenge as Spider-Man as they have provided his life with both structure and meaning.

Sins Past

Main article: Gabriel and Sarah Stacy

This controversial story arc begins with Peter receiving a letter in the mail from Gwen Stacy. There is only one page of the letter and it's clear information is missing. Peter takes the letter to Detective Lamont, who passes the letter on to forensics in order to figure out if something was written on the back side of the paper, which might possibly provide more insight into what is going on. While visiting Gwen’s grave, Peter is attacked by two unknown assailants, one male and one female. Lamont gives the letter back with what could be retrieved from the original letter and it is revealed that Gwen was pregnant with twins and that she had given birth to them; their names were Gabriel and Sarah. The two assailants were Gabriel and Sarah and they are determined to kill Peter Parker/Spider-Man because they are convinced that he is their father who abandoned them and killed their mother. Realizing that they could not have been born normal to begin with, since they would only be a few years old by this point, Peter runs DNA tests on the letters to see if they really are Gwen’s kids. The tests confirm they are her biological children.

Mary Jane tells Peter that she knows who the real father is and that Gwen confided in her in regards to an affair she had with Norman Osborn roughly 7 months before she died. She had given birth to the children in Europe, where they remained hidden. This provides Peter the insight into some of Norman's prior motivations including why he chose Gwen of all people to kill and why he went hiding in Europe after his “death”. Also, Gwen would not let Norman have the children, which explains why Norman was so hungry for an heir and wanted Peter to fill that role. Gwen had wanted Peter to help raise the children. There was still the question as to why the children were as old as they were, as the timeline didn't make sense. It turned out that Norman’s Goblin formula, which has integrated into his DNA and provides him with rapid regenerative capabilities, had been passed down to his offspring and explained their rapid aging. Unfortunately, the twins are now dying and need Peter’s help in order to stay alive. Norman, while in Europe, fed the children the false information that Peter was their father and that he was responsible for their mother’s death. At the Brooklyn Bridge, Peter tells Sarah and Gabriel that Norman is their father, explaining that they need help. Whereas Sarah believes him, Gabriel refuses to listen, and in the ensuing fight, he inadvertently shoots Sarah. Peter gives Sarah his blood to keep her alive, while Gabriel remembers instructions he was given by Osborn to find a Goblin hideout. When he arrives there, Norman has a pre-recorded message for him and an enhancing formula that should have curb the aging process. He then dons the Grey Goblin costume. The Grey Goblin attacks Peter in the hospital, but Sarah steps in to help. Gabriel is knocked into the water and he washes up on shore with temporary amnesia.

Civil War

Main article: Civil War: Front Line

While in S.H.I.E.L.D. custody, Osborn watches in shock as Spider-Man publicly reveals his secret identity as Peter Parker (also confirming Osborn's identity as the Goblin and his role in Gwen's death in the process), railing that Peter "broke the rules". He is then approached by S.H.I.E.L.D. agents who are seeking his aid. The Goblin confronts and attacks Ben Urich in an alley, but S.H.I.E.L.D.'s nano-machines cause him to stop, involuntarily making him collapse and foam at the mouth.

Later, he makes a deal with a shadowy figure who gives him a serum to override the control of nano-machines implanted by S.H.I.E.L.D. In the next two issues, Osborn attacks a group of Atlanteans in his Goblin gear, killing and wounding many. Later, when one Atlantean ambassador attempts to give a speech, Norman appears and shoots at him, wounding but not killing him. As he is being taken away by security, Norman says he is 'sick' and is not in control of his actions. While being interrogated by two officers, Norman becomes increasingly agitated when they question who gave Norman access to the press conference and assisted in smuggling a weapon there. At first, Norman gets angry, threatening to kill the two officers' families, but then becomes more and more afraid until the shadowy figure arrives at which point Norman begs the officers not to let him go, even promising to reveal all he knows to them.

Thunderbolts

Norman Osborn is the government's appointed new director of the Thunderbolts and has been prescribed medication to stabilize his personality. He has alternately used diplomacy, force, and humiliation to keep the field team in line, and enjoys the status and power he has, as well as his criminal career being quietly swept under the carpet. He remains unbalanced, however, due to his habit of mixing his medication and because Thunderbolt Moonstone has influenced attendants to switch his medication with placebos on alternate days so as to get him fired and take his place. He has also forced the supervillain Whirlwind and his allies to secretly work for him directly. As a Director for the Commission on Superhuman Activities, Osborn was present and involved in a joint CSA/UN tribunal against Tony Stark, being aggressive and clashing with witness Doc Samson.

When four telepaths try to destroy the Thunderbolts from the inside, they target Osborn with hallucinations of his Goblin mask, eventually causing him to break down completely in response to Swordsman going rogue. Driven to become the Green Goblin again, he brutally assaults and crucifies Swordsman before being telepathically nudged into murdering the entire Thunderbolt Mountain staff. He engages Songbird in battle, and both knock each other unconscious. When Bullseye murders the four telepaths in their cells, all of the Thunderbolts return to normal.

New Ways to Die

Main article: New Ways to Die

During the course of the One More Day storyline, which ended with the removal of Peter and Mary–Jane's marriage from all memories, the situation changes so that Norman's son, Harry, is revealed to be alive once more and no one (including Norman) knows Spider-Man's secret identity. Norman returns to the Amazing Spider-Man title in a storyline entitled New Ways to Die. In addition to calling the Thunderbolts to New York to hunt down Spider-Man, Norman agrees to help New York mayoral candidate Randall Crowne, who got into trouble when Ben Urich's newspaper Frontline revealed that he had been operating an illegal sweatshop. Norman confronts the man who took the photos: Peter Parker. Norman is unable to find a way Parker can contact Spider-Man and leaves him. When he later observes a fight between Venom, Anti-Venom, and Spider-Man, Norman is confronted by Menace. After a short confrontation, Menace spares him, after accusing Osborn of being a fool for devoting all his time and assets to Spider-Man's destruction. As Menace leaves, Norman finds Peter Parker's camera and uses it to reverse engineer the tracing system allowing the camera to zero on Spider-Man's chest. Norman later uses the captured villain Freak to produce a counter-measure for Anti-Venom, at the same time providing Gargan with a protective Scorpion battle suit that will distribute the cure throughout his body, healing the symbiote faster. However when faced with the combined might of Anti-Venom and Spider-Man, Anti-Venom flees the fight and Norman had to destroy his recent New York Headquarters after his fight with Spider-Man. However, he is still proclaimed a hero within the eyes of the public.

Secret Invasion

Main article: Secret Invasion

Captain Marvel, revealed to be a Skrull sleeper agent, attacks Thunderbolt Mountain, but he can't bring himself to kill. Norman Osborn offers him a chance to explain himself, speaking with him in private, and convincing him to leave. Following this, it becomes clear the Thunderbolts – due to Norman forcing the usage of Oscorp technology over Stark Industries products, the latter of which has been deactivated by Skrull agents – are the only team that can reach and defend Washington, D.C. Norman successfully manages and directs the team, while personally joining the battle with a machine gun. During the conflict, several Skrulls shapeshift into duplicates of Spider-Man, the sight of whom drives Norman into an apparent nervous breakdown. He guns down every one of them, stating the slaughter to be "therapeutic" for him.

After saving the capital city, Norman is able to successfully manipulate the media to promote himself and the team as patriotic heroes, as well as undermining the CSA and his former industrial rival Tony Stark, who appeared to retreat in the heat of battle. He subsequently leads the team to New York, joining the final battle. His heroic status is exemplified when numerous TV cameras capture his gunshot killing the Skrull Queen Veranke. When the President of the United States shuts down S.H.I.E.L.D. and indicts Tony Stark, Norman is given the role of running the SHRA and the Avengers Initiative. He then meets with his newly created 'Cabal', consisting of Doctor Doom, Namor, Emma Frost, The Hood, and Loki. They have been pulling the strings to help Osborn and themselves gain control of all governments and business empires, the desire of most supervillains.

Dark Reign

Cementing power

Main article: Dark Reign (comics)

Promoted to Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. and head of the entire Avengers/Initiative set-up created by the now disgraced Tony Stark, Norman stamps his authority on the Marvel Universe by changing S.H.I.E.L.D. into H.A.M.M.E.R., with S.H.I.E.L.D. secretary Victoria Hand as his second, using the aftereffects of the invasion to his advantage. Norman has operatives track down the living computer QUASIMODO. QUASIMODO agrees to help Osborn and for his first act creates a database of 189 "persons of interest", each of whom mostly straddles the line between good and evil. Norman then reorganizes the 50 State Initiative, claiming it was a failed program from the mind of Stark and placed villains on Initiative teams. He also buys out and takes control of StarkTech, merging it with Oscorp. This gives him hundreds of classified documents and tech specs, along with Tony's armada of Iron Man suits.

Osborn next ceases the Thunderbolts Initiative, claiming it has done its job. By doing this, he actually turns the current Thunderbolts team into the Cabal's personal black ops team. With Black Widow II leading it, this team will do the dirty work for them, starting with taking down any and all superhero threats to their plans. When overseeing the shutdown of Thunderbolts Mountain, an irate Swordsman confronts Norman about his action. Norman seizes his sword and murders him in a psychotic tantrum. Norman Osborn then throws Swordsman out of a window, watching as the body tumbles down the mountainside. Norman then realizes that his Green Goblin side is starting to go berserk.

Norman is called to ride aboard Air Force One by the new U.S. President. On board, Doc Samson reveals that he has footage of Norman as the Goblin murdering security forces inside Thunderbolts Mountain. Osborn tries to frame Samson by suggesting that he was actually involved. Before Samson can play this evidence, the new Thunderbolts take control of Air Force One, and someone dressed as the Green Goblin attacks. At the same time, a Gamma Radiation emitter planted on Samson by Ant-Man causes Samson to "Hulk out", becoming stronger and less rational, even threatening the President. Norman uses a device to knock out everyone on the plane (except himself, Samson, and the Goblin) and has Ghost phase Samson out of the plane. When the President awakens, Norman starts fighting the Goblin, their dialogue suggesting that the Goblin had tried to kill Norman at Thunderbolts mountain. Norman throws the Goblin out of the plane. At this point, it is revealed (to the reader) that the Goblin is actually Headsman, one of Norman's new Thunderbolts, who is saved from the fall by his teammates. In the aftermath, the President places Norman in charge of the country's security.

Dark Avengers

Norman's next order of business is setting up his new team of Avengers. He is able to recruit Ares, The Sentry, and Marvel Boy (now calling himself Captain Marvel), as well as giving his former Thunderbolts new identities (Moonstone becomes Ms. Marvel, Venom becomes Spider-Man, Bullseye becomes Hawkeye, and Daken takes the identity of Wolverine.) Osborn is able to use the Ghost to break into Tony Stark's armor vault and create his own suit, becoming the Iron Patriot.

However, certain factions, both good and evil are threatening to undermine Osborn and expose him for the psychopath that he is. Clint Barton, the real Hawkeye, went live and accused him of placing criminals in the Avengers and as his black ops team; Loki, disguised as the Scarlet Witch, assembled her own team of Avengers, who were considered by other countries to be "true" Avengers; heroes in the Initiative formed the Avengers Resistance to expose him; and Nick Fury and his Secret Warriors are coercing H.A.M.M.E.R. agents to join his side against Osborn and the renewed HYDRA threat. All this was to make Osborn slip up more and more. They know that Osborn will crack sooner or later, especially because he hasn't slept since his rise to power.

World's Most Wanted

After Tony Stark is removed from power, Osborn attempts to attain the former Superhuman Registration Database to find out the identities of the registered superhumans. After a confrontation with Stark, Osborn learns that Stark has downloaded the entire database into his mind. Osborn becomes enraged and starts sending assassins after Stark, unaware that he is deleting his mind with his powers in order to keep the database out of Osborn's hands. After offering Tony a surrender, Osborn seizes all Stark Industries buildings across the country and serves a warrant for Tony's arrest. As Tony begins fleeing around the world, Osborn devotes HAMMER's resources to finding him. After seeing War Machine being defeated by Tony, Osborn asks Namor to capture him. Namor fails to capture Stark and Tony continues his escape, but he detains Stark's friend Pepper Potts, who also has a suit of armor. After a while, he lets her go and brings in Madame Masque to find Stark. After Stark and Pepper escape from her Osborn decides that he will go out and take Stark on his own. The two clash and get into a very brutal battle. Tony's intelligence is almost gone, so Osborn easily begins to beat him. He brutally beats Tony so badly that Tony gets brain damage, but Tony had set up a trap. Their whole fight had been taped for the whole world to see, and now Osborn's name has been damaged beyond repair and Tony is delivered into the medical hands of Donald Blake, the alter-ego of Thor.

American Son

Main article: American Son (comics)

A storyline in Amazing Spider-Man details Norman's relationship with his son, Harry. During a dinner at Mayor J. Jonah Jameson's residence (celebrating his father and Aunt May's upcoming nuptials), Norman stops by and offers Harry a job at H.A.M.M.E.R. Harry refuses, but reconsiders later when he finds out that Lily Hollister is pregnant with his child. Meanwhile, Spider-Man attacks Norman in public after the dinner, telling him to leave Harry alone. After Harry's first day working at the Avengers' Tower, he sneaks into restricted areas (using Green Goblin gadgets), and finds a antidote serum for Lily.

Meanwhile, Spider-Man has disguised himself as Venom, and during a meeting of the Dark Avengers, Norman reveals he wants to turn Harry into the "American Son", a hero combining Iron Man's armor technology and Captain America's super-soldier serum (which Osborn has created using Steve Rogers's blood samples and Goblin serum).

Spider-Man is revealed not to be Venom, and the Dark Avengers battle and capture him. While restrained, Norman allows Bullseye to torture Spider-Man, but they are unable to remove his mask, as it was made by Reed Richards from unstable molecules.

As Harry leaves the building, he encounters Lily, explaining his theft of the antidote. She laughs at him, claiming she wants to be Menace, and quickly changes into a more Goblin-oriented form of Menace (while still noticeably pregnant). She then confesses the child is Norman's, not his. Harry runs back inside to find the tortured Spider-Man, leading to a father-son confrontation, made more bitter from Spider-Man forcing Norman into confessing his plan to have the American Son die after his inception, to bring Americans around the Iron Patriot. Harry then fights Norman using the American Son armor. Norman insults Harry saying that he had to breed a better child to make up for Harry's failure. Harry almost decapitates Norman but instead walks away accepting that Norman is no longer his father, ruining his greatest plan.

Utopia

Main article: Utopia (comics)

When riots begin in San Francisco over regulation for mutants, H.A.M.M.E.R. moved in to secure the situation. Osborn branded Cyclops as the instigator of the chaos and turned public opinion against him and the X-Men. He had Namor and Emma Frost assemble a team of mutants to serve as Osborn's X-Men for the riots and rounded up hostile mutants to subject to the Omega Machine, a device created by Dark Beast to sap them of their powers. Cyclops then comes to negotiate with Osborn and demand that he leave the city once he had the riots under control. However, their arguments go nowhere, so Cyclops leaves. Osborn declares to Ms. Hand that he will kill Cyclops personally.

Soon enough, Frost and Namor turn on Osborn, having been working for Cyclops the whole time, allowing X-Force to evacuate the captive mutants. They retreat to a rebuilt Asteroid M, christened Utopia. Cyclops then denounces Osborn and his methods on live television. Angered at this betrayal, Osborn becomes determined to kill his fellow Cabal members.

The List

Main article: Dark Reign (comics) § The List

After the events of Utopia, Osborn realizes that the status quo has failed the world in many areas. He makes a "must-do" list of people and things that need to be dealt with, such as the New Avengers, Daredevil, Nick Fury, the X-Men and the Punisher. Clint Barton comes to kill him but is captured instead, with Osborn remarking that is one down from his list.

He later tasks Victoria Hand and Karla Sofen with the presumed mission of taking out Bruce Banner and his son Skaar. Using Kate Waynesboro as bait, the fight spans multiple facilities researching Kate and Skaar's Oldpower. It is revealed that the last facility also exposed them to Gamma radiation which accelerated Bruce's metabolism, speeding up an eventual return of his Hulk powers (previously stripped away by the Red Hulk). Osborn checks off Banner's name, knowing that he's less dangerous when he devotes his entire intellect to suppressing the beast within.

Osborn is coerced into helping Nick Fury when Fury breaks into Avengers Tower and is simply let in by Ares. When Fury is unfazed by his list, Osborn gives him the name of a target that is secretly giving secrets to a shadowy group. Osborn, Bullseye, and Fury interrogate the man, but when Fury gets what he needs, he attacks Osborn and escapes. Osborn has HAMMER try to chase Fury, but Ares intervenes and drives the helicopters off.

When a group of black clad ninjas attack and kill a group of corrupt cops, Osborn learns that Daredevil is now the leader of the Hand. Seeing this as a sign of a potential enemy, Osborn orders Bullseye to kill Daredevil. The two clash along with HAMMER agents and the Hand ninjas accompanying Daredevil. Bullseye rigs a building full of people to explode and offers Daredevil a choice: save them or fight him. The building explodes and Daredevil is left to his grief. Unbeknownst to Osborn, the ninjas were actually sent by the Kingpin and Lady Bullseye to get his attention.

After the events of Utopia and Namor's betrayal, Osborn releases Marrina, Namor's former lover, to destroy the Atlanteans. After a massive assault on Atlantis, Marrina begins to come near Utopia. The X-Men battle Marrina and manage to stun her, but Namor kills her without remorse. At Avengers Tower, Osborn is on the phone when Marrina's head is flung into the room. Namor appears in front of Osborn and says that he will pay for what he has done. The confrontation afterwards is not seen, but later on, Namor's name is seen checked off.

Following repeated failed attempts to kill Frank Castle, Norman Osborn sends Wolverine's son Daken and a platoon of H.A.M.M.E.R troops to complete this mission. After a bloody round of hand-to-hand combat, Daken dismembers and decapitates Castle, before kicking his remains from a rooftop.

During his tenure as leader of HAMMER, Norman Osborn tries to take control of The World and the Weapon Plus creations. Wolverine and Noh-Varr head to the World to try and stop Norman Osborn but are soon attacked by a large army of Weapon Plus creations infected by Allgod (Weapon XVI), the living religion. Noh-Varr is rescued by Fantomex, who admits he should have kept an eye on The World, and the two of them make their way to The World's brain (now a sentient being) where they are confronted by the Allgod drones, Wolverine included. Noh-Varr is able to disarm Allgod by kissing the World's brain, thus showing it some compassion, and disabling Allgod. Immediately after this, Wolverine regains his senses and the three of them defeat Osborn's invading army of Deathlok prototypes.

Spider-Man breaks into Norman's lab, and downloads a video showing Norman using a live human being as a test subject. However he is caught by Norman himself, who was already planning on killing Spider-Man as his last thing on his List. Spider-Man escapes, with Norman, as the Iron Patriot, chasing him. After a long battle, Spider-Man was able to give Norman the slip, and was able to change back into Peter Parker. Peter was than able to upload the video to all his friends online, who are all either in the media or techies. Peter then stands up to the Iron Patriot, claiming that he isn't a real hero. The Patriot soon leaves, citing that he added Peter Parker's name to his list.

Conflict with Molecule Man

While investigating a number of strange disappearances, Osborn is confronted by Molecule Man, who is seemingly flanked by Mephisto, Beyonder, Enchantress, and Zarathos. However, it was revealed that these others were merely the Molecule Man's creations, and he began to psychologically and physically torture Osborn and seemingly killed his Avengers. The Sentry suddenly appears, however and forces Owen to restore everyone before destroying him.

Captain America: Reborn

HAMMER captures Sin and Crossbones, two associates of the Red Skull, and hold them in Colorado. Sin attacks an agent and whispers something in his ear before Bullseye stops her. It is revealed that she said "Are you sure he is dead?", and Osborn wonders whether she is talking about the Red Skull or Captain America. He meets with Arnim Zola, who explains that Steve Rogers has become unstuck in time and no one knows where he is. Osborn then meets with Sin and Crossbones and offers to set them free in return for getting the Red Skull's mind into Steve Rogers' body. After Bucky Barnes and Black Widow are captured, Osborn holds them prisoner and says that he knows about Sharon Carter and orders Natasha to give a message to Sharon or he will kill Bucky. Bucky escapes, but Sharon turns herself in. With Sharon arrested, Osborn delivers her to the Skull and Doctor Doom, who is helping with the time machine, and the Red Skull manages to take over Steve's body.

Siege

Main article: Siege (comics)

Norman decides that the next thing he needs to do is get Asgard out of the United States. Soon after, he gathers the Cabal, with Taskmaster replacing the defecting Emma Frost and Namor. When Doctor Doom arrives, Doom requests that he retrieve Namor, and Osborn refuses. Osborn then uses his secret weapon to attack Doom, who is revealed as be a Doombot, unleashing a flurry of robotic locusts upon Avengers Tower. The Cabal disperses, leaving Osborn alone to try to deal with the problem. He is rescued by Sentry, who destroys the body. When Osborn contacts Doom, Doom tells him not to ever strike him or he's willing to go further. The next day, Osborn attempts to get the authority to invade Asgard, but the President refuses. Loki reappears and gives Osborn information on how to obtain the right to attack Asgard: a plan that would even resemble the incident that kicked off the Superhuman Civil War. Loki asked the Hood to recruit a team of villains that would be able to help start the Siege. Volstagg, an Asgardian, wanted to learn to ways of humans, and how Thor's life was. Volstagg was met with the Hood's team of U-Foes, who immediately attacked Volstagg, and sent him in the middle of a game in Soldier Field. The U-Foes attacked, and Volstagg deflected. Unfortunately, the deflection was blasted everywhere around Volstagg, killing the thousands in the stadium. Now Osborn had his authorization.

Osborn was able to convince Ares, who at first did not want to fight the Asgardian Gods, into joining the Siege. Osborn also had his team of Avengers, and the Initiative, to help. Arriving at Asgard first was the Sentry, under the Void persona. Sentry destroyed the passage that would allow other Gods outside of Asgard to enter and help. As the others ferociously attacked Asgard, Thor arrived from Oklahoma, heading straight for Osborn. The Sentry intervened and threw Thor into the farmland. Osborn and his U-Foes then battered Thor, taking him down. Before Osborn could arrest Thor, Maria Hill drove in with a rocket launcher, sending Osborn and the others flying. Hill was able to put Thor in the vehicle, and drove off. Norman then sent Daken after Thor.

Ares realized that Osborn was doing the wrong thing and he had been tricked by him. Before Ares could kill Osborn, The Sentry once again saved Osborn's life, and fought Ares, later ripping Ares apart. Later, Taskmaster called on Osborn altered that he should turn around. Osborn turned, as Captain America's shield was inches from hitting him in the face. Osborn fights the Avengers, until Iron Man arrives and takes control of his Iron Patriot armor. He then orders the Sentry, who is possessed by the Void, to destroy Asgard, which he does. Stark then removes the Patriot's armor remotely, revealing a maddened Osborn wearing green facepaint to create a goblin-like look, and he starts yelling at them, saying that they "don't know what you've done", until he is punched by Spider-Man. He then starts ranting about how he was "the only one who could control him" before the Void comes to kill everyone. As the heroes attempt to subdue the Void, Osborn attempts to make his escape, only for Steve Rogers to capture him. When Iron Man drops the H.A.M.M.E.R. Helicarrier on the Void, the resulting explosion gives him an attempt to break free, only to be stopped by Volstagg. He is dragged back by Steve and tossed in with the rest of the villains, with Steve telling everyone he wants justice to be served.

After the conclusion of Siege, Osborn is captured and incarcerated in the Raft penitentiary. While locked in his cell, Osborn is seen blaming his Green Goblin alter-ego for stopping him from protecting the world.

Heroic Age

Main article: Heroic Age (comics)

Afterward, Norman is visited by his son Harry, who demands to know about his other son Gabriel Stacy. However, Norman proves to be unhelpful as he has completely given in to madness. Frustrated, Harry begins to walk away. Before he leaves Norman, his father briefly comes to his senses and tells Harry that Gabriel is his son. After Gabriel is defeated, Norman tells S.H.I.E.L.D. security which turn out to be bribed, to package the American Son helmet to his son, Gabriel in psychiatric hospital.

When Henry Pym took the students of the Avengers Academy to the Raft for a tour, Hazmat ends up using an EMP to shut down the Raft which allowed the inmates to escape. Hazmat, Mettle, and Veil then have Crossbones take them to where Norman Osborn is imprisoned so that they can exact revenge on what he did to them.

Osborn in prison

In November of 2010, Marvel comics began publishing a five part series called Osborn, showing what happens to him once he is sent to prison.

Other versions

Main article: Alternate versions of the Green Goblin

See also

• Green Goblin Reborn!
• Clone Saga

References

• Dark Reign – The Goblin Legacy