John Romita, Sr. (1930–2023)

Spider-Man vs. Green Goblin features three of the best Spider-Man stories featuring his arch-nemesis. This trade paperback collects Amazing Spider-Man no. 17 (written by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko), Amazing Spider-Man no. 96 (written by Stan Lee, art by Gil Kane and John Romita),Amazing Spider-Man nos. 97 and 98 (written by Stan Lee, pencils by Gil Kane, inks by Frank Glacola), Amazing Spider-Man nos. 121 and 122 (written by Gerry Conway, pencils by Gil Kane, inks by John Romita and Tony Mortellaro), and Spectacular Spider-Man no. 200 (written by J.M. DeMatteis, art by Sal Buscema).

Amazing Spider-Man no. 17 tells the story “The Return of the Green Goblin,” in which Lee at Ditko portray Spider-Man battling the eponymous villain. It includes many of the classic elements of that era’s Spidey stories, with Parker trying to find time for a love life, looking out for his ever-sick Aunt May, putting up with Flash Thompson, and even a cameo from the Human Torch. It’s fun, though the Goblin appears less threatening in this early tale than in the later stories.

In Amazing Spider-Man nos. 96-98, Lee and Kane tell the story “Green Goblin Reborn!” In the story, Norman Osborn recovers his suppressed memories and once again becomes the villainous Goblin, setting out to attack Spidey in both his costumed crimefighter identity and as Peter Parker. The story arc itself is most notable for its portrayal of drug use, with Spider-Man saving a man who’s about to jump off a roof while under the influence of hallucinogens. Randy Robertson challenges the media’s portrayal of drug use as an inner-city or African-American problem, pointing out that this narrative allows rich white men like Norman Osborn to ignore the suffering of others. Later, Harry Osborn begins abusing drugs to ease his depression, leading to him nearly dying of an overdose. Even though the story was clearly anti-drug and Lee wrote it at the behest of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, the Comics Code Authority refused to approve it. Marvel’s decision to publish the story without approval coupled with the ensuing public debate helped change the industry-wide censorship guidelines for comic books.

Amazing Spider-Man nos. 121-122 tell the story “The Night Gwen Stacy Died,” in which Spider-Man faces his greatest battle to date with the Green Goblin. The combination of Harry’s drug relapse and his failing business lead Norman Osborn to once again don the mask of the Green Goblin. He blames Peter for his troubles and seeks to hurt him, kidnapping Gwen Stacy and luring Spider-Man to the Brooklyn Bridge. Spidey attempts to save Gwen when the Goblin throws her over the ledge, but his webline creates a whiplash that snaps her neck (though the Goblin claims she was already dead). The story also features what was, at the time, Peter’s final battle with Norman Osborn as the Green Goblin in an iconic death for the villain before he began the cycle of returning from the dead. Many comic book historians consider this story the end of the Silver Age of comics and the beginning of the grittier Bronze Age.

In Spectacular Spider-Man no. 300, DeMatteis and Buscema tell the story, “Best of Enemies!” Harry Osborn, the new Green Goblin, returns to his life after his release from the supervillain prison called the Raft. He takes Mary Jane to the Brooklyn Bridge, promising her that she won’t face the fate his father crafted for Gwen. While Harry wants revenge against Peter, whom he blames both for his father’s death and for tarnishing his father’s reputation, he will confine his attacks to Peter alone. DeMatteis explains how Harry’s years of drug use combined with his underlying psychological issues led to him becoming the Green Goblin. The story offers a great ending to the Green Goblin saga, though retcons in the late 1990s largely undid most of the finality in these stories. This remains a good read for those looking for an introduction to Spider-Man’s greatest foe.… (altro)

This Fireside Book from 1979 reprints The Amazing Spider-Man vol. 1, nos. 42, 43, 82, and 96-98. Stan Lee, as curator of this volume, chose classic stories such as "The Birth of a Superhero!" and "Rhino on the Rampage!", both about the Rhino, "And then Came Electro!", about the titular character, and a three-part storyarc about the Green Goblin and the dangers of drug abuse. Interestingly, while the Office of Health, Education, and Welfare asked Marvel to write an anti-drug story, which Marvel delivered in a manner to avoid appearing overly preachy, the Comics Code Authority refused to sign off on the story. So Marvel published it anyway. It was so well-received that all subsequent reprints received the Comics Code Authority's seal of approval. The art by John Romita and Gil Kane is classic Spidey guaranteed to enthrall fans. While this book from the late 1970s does not feature some of the contents as modern trade paperbacks, such as a cover gallery, it will still appeal to fans and collectors alike, especially with the gorgeous cover art by Bob Larkin.… (altro)