Guide Note

The Green Goblin is the name shared by several fictional characters from the Marvel Universe comic books, specifically titles connected with Spider-Man. The original Green Goblin, Norman Osborne II has super-human strength and reflexes as well as a very high intellect as a result of ingesting a chemical formula of his own devising. This same chemical also destabilized his sanity.

Fast Facts

1. Created by: Stan Lee and Steve Ditko
2. First appearance: Amazing Spider-Man #14 (July 1964)
3. Green Goblins:
   1. Norman Osborn
   2. Harry Osborn
   3. Dr. Bart Hamilton
   4. Phil Urich
4. Powers/abilities: High intellect, Goblin-themed weapons and paraphernalia, superhuman strength, speed, durability, stamina, agility and reflexes

1. Father: Ambrose Osborn
2. Spouse: Emily Osborn
3. Children: Harry (with Emily), Gabriel and Sarah (with Gwen Stacy
4. Grandchildren: Norman Osborn III

Osborn began his career as a chemical and electrical engineer. He founded Osborn Industries with Dr. Mendal Stromm, who created the original formula that would eventually create the Green Goblin. Stress over the death of Emily Osborn and the discovery that Stromm had been embezzling pushed Osborn to work harder to make the company a success, and resulted in his testing the formula on himself.

In the grip of the resulting insanity, Osborn conceived the Green Goblin persona and set about becoming a crime lord. Repeated defeats at the hands of Spider-Man drove Osborn to obsess on the costumed crime fighter, and the two have been arch-enemies ever since.

After nearly dying and faking the facts of his death, Osborn fled to Europe, where he became involved with the Cabal of the Scrier, a quasi-mystical organization he eventually takes control of. Funded by this group and a later splinter group, the Green Goblin orchestrated many schemes to harm Spider-Man and his alter-ego Peter Parker.