Green Goblin

First Appearance: Amazing Spider-Man #14

by Steve Ditko, 1964

The first appearance of the Green Goblin shows him in one of his shadowy underground laboratories perfecting his "flying broomstick" (precursor to the classic "goblin glider").

Soon after, the Green Goblin meets with the original Enforcers and proposes and declares himself their new boss. However, he tells them that he has a plan for getting their revenge on Spider-Man for putting in jail (Amazing Spider-Man #10). With that promise, the Enforcers agree to follow the Green Goblin's plan.

Next, the Green Goblin appears in the plush offices of a Hollywood movie studio. Talking to a movie producer, he suggests a movie co-starring himself, the Enforcers, and Spider-Man. With thoughts of a 'can't miss blockbuster' in his head, the producer agrees to the Green Goblin's suggestion.

A few days later, and three thousand miles away, the Green Goblin circles Manhattan until he attracts the attention of Spider-Man. Presenting himself as a representative of Cosmos Productions, he offers Spider-Man a starring role in a movie. Spider-Man goes off to the Ritz Plaza Hotel where he meets with the producer. Straight up, the producer offers him fifty thousand dollars to star in "The Spider-Man Story". Spider-Man accepts flies out to Hollywood to star in the movie.

On location in New Mexico, the cameras are ready. The Green Goblin, Spider-Man, and the Enforcers are present (Spider-Man believing their actors made up to look like the originals). Once the 'fight sequence' begins, Spider-Man realizes that these are the authentic Enforcers out to defeat him. Dodging the Enforcers and the Goblin's stun grenades, Spider-Man ducks into a cave in the mountains. As the Goblin and Enforcers search the cave, Spider-Man stealthily captures them one-by-one until only the Goblin is left.

Their battle disturbs another occupant of the cave, the Hulk comes out to smash the intruders. The Green Goblin steps aside as Spider-Man battles the Hulk. Finally, Spider-Man fakes his defeat and dives into a lake until the Green Goblin and Hulk both lose interest and leave the scene.

Returning to his hideout, the Green Goblin mulls over his mistakes in thinking the three Enforcers could handle Spider-Man. However, with this identity still a secret, he'll have future opportunities to defeat Spider-Man and form a world-wide crime syndicate with the notoriety.