While fans can sympathize with Peter Parker’s need to take some time off to refine his skills and return as a stronger, more resolute, and truly friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, they can also appreciate that in his absence, there’s no shortage of heroes who could temporarily step in. What’s much harder for fans to accept, however, is that the official replacement chosen is none other than the Green Goblin — arguably Spider-Man’s greatest enemy. When the revelation hit in Joe Kelly and John Romita Jr.’s Amazing Spider-Man, readers were left stunned by Marvel’s bold and controversial decision.
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The shock of an Osborn taking on the mantle of Spider-Man affects more than just Spider-Man’s fanbase. There will also be seismic reactions within the Marvel Comics universe, especially from characters who share the closest connections and relationships with Peter Parker. Below is our list of characters who, much like Ben Reilly, will outright despise the idea of Spider-Man being Norman Osborn.
1) Mary Jane Watson
After Harry, his son, and Peter Parker, no one has endured more torment from Norman Osborn than Mary Jane Watson. Osborn’s obsession with those close to Peter has forced her to suffer some of the most heartbreaking and tragic circumstances at his hand or command. One of the most unforgettable examples comes in The Amazing Spider-Man #418–419, when Mary Jane is told her baby was stillborn—only for readers to later learn that this devastating loss was orchestrated by Osborn himself. Given the depth of pain he has caused her, it is no surprise that there is absolutely no love lost between Mary Jane and Norman Osborn.
To think that Mary Jane Watson would feel comfortable with Osborn now “standing in” as Spider-Man is preposterous. She would absolutely find it offensive. This is especially true considering that she knows all the blood, sweat, and tears — the sacrifice — that Peter Parker has endured to be the best hero he could be. To have the man who caused so much pain to Peter, herself, and her family — regardless of his efforts at redemption —would be too much of an affront for her to bear. It would more than likely lead to her doing anything in her power to see Osborn permanently barred from donning the Spider-Man mask.
2) Black Cat
Felicia Hardy has always had a complicated but loyal bond with Spider-Man. She’s a career thief, while Peter is a deeply principled hero. Although she may not always agree with Peter’s choices, her respect for what he stands for when wearing the mask is undeniable. To her, Spider-Man represents courage, restraint, and a sense of justice that even she, as a career thief, admires.
That’s why Norman Osborn as Spider-Man would be utterly unacceptable to her. Felicia has fought alongside Peter long enough to recognize his values and the legacy he hopes to build. She also has plenty of experience on the other side of the law to understand just how brutal and authoritarian Osborn can be. She knows the difference between heroism and cruelty, and Norman’s violent, bone-breaking tactics as the “Resolute Spider-Man” completely undermine everything Peter stood for. To Black Cat, Osborn in the webs isn’t just a poor substitute — he’s an insult to the symbol she both admires and has feelings for. While she once risked her life to help Peter, she would now risk it again to see the Resolute Spider-Man brought down.
3) Daredevil
Spider-Man and Daredevil are the perfect superhero versions of “the boys in the hood.” While they patrol different neighborhoods of the “Big Apple,” since crime has no boundaries, they often cross paths. Over the years, this has led to multiple team-ups, collaborations, and mutual assistance, especially regarding mutual enemies like Osborn’s Green Goblin. It has also fostered a deep level of respect and trust for each other’s craft. Indeed, they both know each other’s identities.
Daredevil’s inability to accept Osborn’s Resolute Spider-Man arises from two separate sources. On the one hand, it stems from his special relationship with Peter Parker. Daredevil respects Parker as a fellow hero who focuses on street-level crime that matters most to people, and who chooses compassion over cruelty. He could never allow Osborn to pervert that legacy. Moreover, Daredevil understands how he would feel if his mortal enemy, Kingpin, decided to take over his role as Daredevil, and how he would hope others would fight to stop it from happening. On the other hand, as a lawyer, Daredevil acutely understands the difference between justice and authoritarianism. He recognizes the dangers of psychopathic narcissists operating as heroes and simply could not allow such a perversion of heroism to continue.
4) Punisher
While Frank Castle’s Punisher and Spider-Man began as enemies, it didn’t take long for them to realize they were ultimately fighting for the same goal: reducing criminal activity in New York City. The key difference lies in their methods and philosophies. Spider-Man seeks a form of justice that allows criminals the chance at redemption, believing in the possibility of change. The Punisher, on the other hand, lives by a harsher code: “if you are guilty, you are dead.” His approach greenlights extreme violence against criminals, with no regard for their capacity to reform. To Castle, this brutal mindset is justified by what he sees as a fundamentally broken criminal justice system.
Understanding this mindset, it’s not hard to see why the Punisher objects to Osborn serving as Spider-Man. His objection stems from a deep knowledge of Osborn — the Green Goblin — and the death and destruction they have caused. Castle cannot believe that Osborn has “turned over a new leaf” and is genuinely focused on doing “good” for his fellow citizens. Conversely, even if Osborn has succeeded in redeeming himself, he still needs to atone for the evil he’s unleashed. With Osborn’s Resolute Spider-Man in the wild,” Castle will certainly ‘beef up’ his surveillance of the new mayor just to make sure everything is all right.
5) The Avengers
The Avengers have historically viewed Spider-Man as an effective hero who looks out for the rights of ordinary people to feel safe and secure on the streets — a form of “saving the world” that the Avengers themselves rarely focus on. Even so, they initially considered him too young to join their ranks. Still, as a solo player, Spider-Man frequently teamed up with individual Avengers such as Iron Man, Captain America, and Black Panther. These collaborations ultimately paved the way for the Avengers to extend an invitation to join the team, which he gladly accepted.
While the Avengers don’t normally involve themselves in “neighborhood issues,” they will step in when a significant threat emerges — and Norman Osborn certainly qualifies. The fact that he has harmed them in the past makes the idea of Osborn as Spider-Man not just misguided, but a betrayal of everything both Spider-Man and the Avengers stand for. It would reopen old wounds from Dark Reign, insult Peter Parker’s legacy, and endanger the public’s faith in heroes.
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