Green Goblin

Created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, the Green Goblin debuted in The Amazing Spider-Man #14 as an alias used by several human characters to operate as a theatrical, goblin-themed criminal. The first and best-known incarnation is Norman Osborn; his Green Goblin persona has been described as originally a manifestation of chemically induced insanity. Over time other individuals—including Norman's son Harry Osborn, Bart Hamilton, and Phil Urich—have assumed the identity, making the Green Goblin a legacy villain role within serialized Spider-Man stories.

The Green Goblin appears as a green-themed costumed character employing Halloween- and goblin-related visual motifs rather than a detailed anthropological description. Noted costume and prop elements in sources include a green costume, a flying Goblin Glider, grenade-like Pumpkin Bombs, and razor-sharp bat-shaped blades. The persona is theatrical and weaponized to terrorize urban settings in the comics.

The Green Goblin functions as a criminal mastermind who uses advanced gadgetry and weaponry: grenade-like Pumpkin Bombs, razor-sharp bat-shaped blades, and a flying Goblin Glider. The original Green Goblin (Norman Osborn) is described in sources as having exhibited chemically induced insanity, linking his violent behavior to exposure to a formula. The persona commits terroristic and violent acts in New York City, including the landmark narrative in The Amazing Spider-Man #121–122 where the Green Goblin kills Gwen Stacy and later perishes in a confrontation with Spider-Man. The identity is reusable and has been taken up by multiple individuals across publication history.