Norman Osborn (also known as the Dark Goblin) is one of the recurring antagonists in the 2017 Marvel Comics animated series Spider-Man.
Norman Osborn was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko.
Role in the series[]
In this series, Osborn starts a new school called the Osborn Academy for Geniuses as a way of saving his son Harry from the embarrassment after Harry was briefly suspended from Horizon High. However, it is later revealed that he hired Spencer Smythe to cause Harry's suspension to push Harry into accepting his offer for the academy. Over the course of the series, Norman recruits future and current Spider-Man rogues to attend or work at Osborn Academy, such as Vulture, Doc Ock, and considering on admitting the Jackal, He works throughout the first season plotting the downfall of the Jackal and the Spider-Men.
In the "Spider Island" story arc, Norman was one of the first victims of Jackal's spider virus and mutates into a man-spider. Having the most exposure to the chemicals gives him more control over the other Man-Spiders as the Spider-King (a role that was Captain America's in the original storyline). In the story arc, "The Hobgoblin," Norman entrusts the Hobgoblin equipment to Harry Osborn in trust that he would destroy Spider-Man, but when Harry refused, Norman donned the Hobgoblin Armour, and tried to destroy Spider-Man himself, and again supposedly died in the process. When Harry resumed control of Oscorp (Not Osborn Academy, because it was destroyed in Spider-Island), Norman was revealed to be alive (in some sort), and reveals a new, deadly project to his son. In actuality, Norman survived the explosion though he is severely weakened and missing some limbs. Over the course of several months, Osborn used to his time to plan Spider-Man's destruction. Using Doctor Connors as his assistance he gathered intel on the Venom symbiote and worked alongside Jackal on creating a serum to heal his body. Using funding's through Swarm's Underground Monster League, Norman used this opportunity to study Spider-Man's movements and motivation's. Upon revealing himself to the captured Spider team, Norman transforms into the Dark Goblin revealing his plan to Spider-Man. During the ensuring fight, Harry arrives to fight his father while the spider team use their knowledge to reverse engine Norman's chamber and revert him to normal. Afterwards, Norman is arrested alongside Jackal, and Chameleon.
Trivia[]
- The 2017 Spider-Man series featured a new identity for the character, known as Dark Goblin.
- Dark Goblin's design is based on Red Goblin, while featuring some influences from the Ultimate comics version.
- Josh Keaton previously portrayed Spider-Man in The Spectacular Spider-Man animated series. He then went on to voice two characters in Marvel Cinematic Universe animated shows; Steve Rogers/HYDRA Stomper in What If...? and Richard Parker in Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.
Gallery[]
See also[]
- Green Goblin
- Norman Osborn (Marvel Animated Universe 2012-18)
- Green Goblin (Spidey and his Amazing Friends)
- Norman Osborn (Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man)
