Rating: 
Summary: A Good Action Comic
Review: 'Return of the Goblin is a fun, fast-paced action comic-book. Sure, there's a noce plot, but never ties up the energetic feel this book has to it. But the one of the reasons you should pick this one up is for Ramos' art style. It's cartoonish, inspiring, and just plain cool. All in all, a fun little comic-book.
Rating:
Summary: A Good Action Comic
Review: As a long-time Spider-Fan, I disagreed strongly with the decision to bring back Norman Osborn from the dead. In fact, it was one of the reasons I stopped reading the comics. However, as the Goblin's my favorite all-time villain, I decided to give this new story a chance. The story's not bad - not up to par with previous Goblin epics, but not a total washout either. The most striking thing to me was how cartoony the artwork was - I stopped collecting comics many years back but occasionally will sneak a look at some books on the stands. I guess this is the newest trend - perhaps it's inspired by Japanese anime or something of the like. Anyway, the other thing that jumped out at me was a nit-picky continuity error - Gwen Stacy is referred to as Gwen StacEy throughout the book. A fairly entertaining read, though I'd direct a newcomer to The Death Of Gwen Stacy as a prime example of a Spider-Epic at the peak of its form.
Rating: 
Summary: Not one of the great Goblin epics, but not bad!
Review: As a long-time Spider-Fan, I disagreed strongly with the decision to bring back Norman Osborn from the dead. In fact, it was one of the reasons I stopped reading the comics. However, as the Goblin's my favorite all-time villain, I decided to give this new story a chance. The story's not bad - not up to par with previous Goblin epics, but not a total washout either. The most striking thing to me was how cartoony the artwork was - I stopped collecting comics many years back but occasionally will sneak a look at some books on the stands. I guess this is the newest trend - perhaps it's inspired by Japanese anime or something of the like. Anyway, the other thing that jumped out at me was a nit-picky continuity error - Gwen Stacy is referred to as Gwen StacEy throughout the book. A fairly entertaining read, though I'd direct a newcomer to The Death Of Gwen Stacy as a prime example of a Spider-Epic at the peak of its form.
Rating: 
Summary: A Goblin's Delight
Review: I am not that experienced as others on Spider-Man, but to me this graphic novel was excellent. The story was great and I loved the art style. The Green Goblin is one of my favorite Spidey villains, and I believe this is a decent story arc for him. The Green Goblin and Spider-Man were portrayed well here, as were the supporting cast, such as Aunt May, Liz Osborn, etc. I loved the designs of all the characters in this book, but my most favorite character design is the Green Goblin's. The artist drew him really well! He looks so cool! This is an enjoyable read.
Rating: 
Summary: cheap attempt to cash in on the movie
Review: In an attempt to gain readers that liked the movie, Marvel made sure that the Green Goblin would be featured in this story arc, which began in the pages of Peter Parker in May 2002, the same month as the movie's release. The whole thing feels like it was really forced upon them. The story seems to be a major turning point in the relationship of Peter and Norman, but then it doesn't go anywhere. The promise of this being a truly climactic confrontation is never delivered upon. In the end, it feels like there wasn't really a story to tell here, just an attempt to include the villain that audiences would want to read about, after seeing him in the movie. This isn't the worst Spider-Man material in recent years. Later issues of Peter Parker would deliver that. It's just not up to the high standards of fun storytelling that Jenkins and Ramos had established in the earlier part of their run on the book.
Rating:
Summary: Norman Osborn versus Peter Parker in a battle of wills
Review: In issue #39 of "The Amazing Spider-Man" the web-head's arch enemy the Green Goblin learned Spider-Man's secret identity and captured Peter Parker. At the end of that stunning issue, the first drawn by John Romita, Sr., he took over as the artist for the comic book from Steve Ditko, the Goblin unmasked himself and was revealed to be Norman Osborn. Clearly this was the greatest "to be continued" moment in the history of the character, and when Spider-Man defeated the Goblin and Norman Osborn conveniently ended up with amnesia, it was only delaying the inevitable. However, it was not until the Green Goblin killed Gwen Stacy that the secret of Spider-Man's true identity would die with Norman Osborn. Every Green Goblin encounter after this one has only been a shadow of the original, although the twin deaths of Gwen and Norman Osborn was rather significant. Peter Parker carries the scars of Gwen's death to this day, but with the death of the Green Goblin the "Spider-Man" comic had killed off its prime villain, something that as a general rule comic books try to avoid doing. "Return of the Goblin" presents the four-part story "A Death in the Family" from "Peter Parker: Spider-Man" issues #44-47 from 2002. Yes, on one level this was certainly a marketing ploy, designed to take advantage of the summer blockbuster "Spider-Man" film last summer. But there are also some strong echoes from the classic Green Goblin stories of the past and even if you have not been keeping up to date on either Spider-Man comic book during the Volume 2 era as long as you know the key elements of the Spider-Man mythos you can appreciate this story. Written by Paul Jenkins with the distinctive pencils of Humberto Ramos inked by Wayne Faucher, the story begins with Norman Osborn expressing some harsh words at the grave of his son Harry and then going off to confront Spider-Man during a driving rainstorm. The initial battle is inconclusive: Spider-Man refuses to play Osborn's game, but he insists that he will get the web head's undivided attention. The Goblin does this by going on television and claiming it was Spider-Man who was responsible for the death of Gwen Stacy. However, that lie is only the first of several buttons Osborn starts pushing on Peter. Osborn's hirelings grab Flash Thompson, get him drunk, and put him behind the wheel of a tanker truck that is driven right through Peter Parker's classroom at school. Flash survives, but as sustained permanent and irreversible brain damage. Spider-Man has gotten the message loud and clear. Clearly the importance of this story line is that it provides a fresh new tragedy for Peter Parker to feel guilty about. However Jenkins is also trying to make this more a contest between Norman Osborn and Peter Parker, which means it is more of a psychological duel for most of the story. But the end game still begins once the Goblin has pushed Spider-Man over the line. The ending might strike you as being a bit unbelievable, but then we have endured almost four decades of the Green Goblin remembering, forgetting, re-remembering, re-forgetting, etc., so at least Jenkins gets point for being creative and coming up with something different. Given that he was redefining the contest as more of a psychological battle of wills, you have to admit there is a logic to the outcome. The art by Ramos is perfect for the fights between Spider-Man and the Green Goblin, especially the initial contest in the downpour. Actually, I really like the way Ramos draws the Goblin, who has never looked more like a psychotic killer. Not a great story, but certainly an intriguing one and a better battle between the two arch enemies than the "Spider-Man" flick.
Rating:
Summary: Don't listen to the guys who downplay this book.
Review: In issue #39 of "The Amazing Spider-Man" the web-head's arch enemy the Green Goblin learned Spider-Man's secret identity and captured Peter Parker. At the end of that stunning issue, the first drawn by John Romita, Sr., he took over as the artist for the comic book from Steve Ditko, the Goblin unmasked himself and was revealed to be Norman Osborn. Clearly this was the greatest "to be continued" moment in the history of the character, and when Spider-Man defeated the Goblin and Norman Osborn conveniently ended up with amnesia, it was only delaying the inevitable. However, it was not until the Green Goblin killed Gwen Stacy that the secret of Spider-Man's true identity would die with Norman Osborn. Every Green Goblin encounter after this one has only been a shadow of the original, although the twin deaths of Gwen and Norman Osborn was rather significant. Peter Parker carries the scars of Gwen's death to this day, but with the death of the Green Goblin the "Spider-Man" comic had killed off its prime villain, something that as a general rule comic books try to avoid doing. "Return of the Goblin" presents the four-part story "A Death in the Family" from "Peter Parker: Spider-Man" issues #44-47 from 2002. Yes, on one level this was certainly a marketing ploy, designed to take advantage of the summer blockbuster "Spider-Man" film last summer. But there are also some strong echoes from the classic Green Goblin stories of the past and even if you have not been keeping up to date on either Spider-Man comic book during the Volume 2 era as long as you know the key elements of the Spider-Man mythos you can appreciate this story. Written by Paul Jenkins with the distinctive pencils of Humberto Ramos inked by Wayne Faucher, the story begins with Norman Osborn expressing some harsh words at the grave of his son Harry and then going off to confront Spider-Man during a driving rainstorm. The initial battle is inconclusive: Spider-Man refuses to play Osborn's game, but he insists that he will get the web head's undivided attention. The Goblin does this by going on television and claiming it was Spider-Man who was responsible for the death of Gwen Stacy. However, that lie is only the first of several buttons Osborn starts pushing on Peter. Osborn's hirelings grab Flash Thompson, get him drunk, and put him behind the wheel of a tanker truck that is driven right through Peter Parker's classroom at school. Flash survives, but as sustained permanent and irreversible brain damage. Spider-Man has gotten the message loud and clear. Clearly the importance of this story line is that it provides a fresh new tragedy for Peter Parker to feel guilty about. However Jenkins is also trying to make this more a contest between Norman Osborn and Peter Parker, which means it is more of a psychological duel for most of the story. But the end game still begins once the Goblin has pushed Spider-Man over the line. The ending might strike you as being a bit unbelievable, but then we have endured almost four decades of the Green Goblin remembering, forgetting, re-remembering, re-forgetting, etc., so at least Jenkins gets point for being creative and coming up with something different. Given that he was redefining the contest as more of a psychological battle of wills, you have to admit there is a logic to the outcome. The art by Ramos is perfect for the fights between Spider-Man and the Green Goblin, especially the initial contest in the downpour. Actually, I really like the way Ramos draws the Goblin, who has never looked more like a psychotic killer. Not a great story, but certainly an intriguing one and a better battle between the two arch enemies than the "Spider-Man" flick.
Rating:
Summary: Norman Osborn versus Peter Parker in a battle of wills
Review: In issue #39 of "The Amazing Spider-Man" the web-head's arch enemy the Green Goblin learned Spider-Man's secret identity and captured Peter Parker. At the end of that stunning issue, the first drawn by John Romita, Sr., he took over as the artist for the comic book from Steve Ditko, the Goblin unmasked himself and was revealed to be Norman Osborn. Clearly this was the greatest "to be continued" moment in the history of the character, and when Spider-Man defeated the Goblin and Norman Osborn conveniently ended up with amnesia, it was only delaying the inevitable. However, it was not until the Green Goblin killed Gwen Stacy that the secret of Spider-Man's true identity would die with Norman Osborn. Every Green Goblin encounter after this one has only been a shadow of the original, although the twin deaths of Gwen and Norman Osborn was rather significant. Peter Parker carries the scars of Gwen's death to this day, but with the death of the Green Goblin the "Spider-Man" comic had killed off its prime villain, something that as a general rule comic books try to avoid doing. "Return of the Goblin" presents the four-part story "A Death in the Family" from "Peter Parker: Spider-Man" issues #44-47 from 2002. Yes, on one level this was certainly a marketing ploy, designed to take advantage of the summer blockbuster "Spider-Man" film last summer. But there are also some strong echoes from the classic Green Goblin stories of the past and even if you have not been keeping up to date on either Spider-Man comic book during the Volume 2 era as long as you know the key elements of the Spider-Man mythos you can appreciate this story. Written by Paul Jenkins with the distinctive pencils of Humberto Ramos inked by Wayne Faucher, the story begins with Norman Osborn expressing some harsh words at the grave of his son Harry and then going off to confront Spider-Man during a driving rainstorm. The initial battle is inconclusive: Spider-Man refuses to play Osborn's game, but he insists that he will get the web head's undivided attention. The Goblin does this by going on television and claiming it was Spider-Man who was responsible for the death of Gwen Stacy. However, that lie is only the first of several buttons Osborn starts pushing on Peter. Osborn's hirelings grab Flash Thompson, get him drunk, and put him behind the wheel of a tanker truck that is driven right through Peter Parker's classroom at school. Flash survives, but as sustained permanent and irreversible brain damage. Spider-Man has gotten the message loud and clear. Clearly the importance of this story line is that it provides a fresh new tragedy for Peter Parker to feel guilty about. However Jenkins is also trying to make this more a contest between Norman Osborn and Peter Parker, which means it is more of a psychological duel for most of the story. But the end game still begins once the Goblin has pushed Spider-Man over the line. The ending might strike you as being a bit unbelievable, but then we have endured almost four decades of the Green Goblin remembering, forgetting, re-remembering, re-forgetting, etc., so at least Jenkins gets point for being creative and coming up with something different. Given that he was redefining the contest as more of a psychological battle of wills, you have to admit there is a logic to the outcome. The art by Ramos is perfect for the fights between Spider-Man and the Green Goblin, especially the initial contest in the downpour. Actually, I really like the way Ramos draws the Goblin, who has never looked more like a psychotic killer. Not a great story, but certainly an intriguing one and a better battle between the two arch enemies than the "Spider-Man" flick.
Rating:
Summary: A must-have for any Spidey fan
Review: Let me set one thing straight, Norman Osborn was brought back from the dead 7 or 8 years ago. And that has nothing to do with this story. Over the years there have been a lot of Spider-man vs. Green Goblin fights, but this one was original in itself. The story starts off with Norman drugging Flash Tomphson (long time bully, but in recent years a friend to Peter), who works for him, and putting him in a truck which he directs toward the school were Peter works. The ensuing accident puts Flash in a coma, and Peter decides its the last straw
Jenkins is a great writer. He's funny and original. Throw in Huberto Ramos' quirky and completely different art style, and you have one great TPB. This one is definitely worth picking up.
Rating:
Summary: Don't listen to the guys who downplay this book.
Review: Look, this is really quite simple. If you want an entertaining romp through the Spider-Man/Green Goblin history, read the Death of Gwen Stacy, then read Spider-Man: Blue, and finish your reading off with this book. When I was a kid, Spider-Man was always my favorite super hero because he had the coolest powers, that and he was human... Not human like Batman, but he was a real guy with real problems. That's the beauty of the character. And now that I'm older, what keeps me coming back are the ways in which the good writers tell a story of a real person, who just happens to be a hero... That's why this book is good... Forget about the "Spider-Man continuum" that "purists" will blab about. If comics were meant to be that pure, there wouldn't be half a dozen different Spider-Man serials running at the same time. These are stories about good and bad, and this happens to be a very entertaining one. And before I forget, Ramos does an excellent job as usual. Don't listen to the other readers who downplay this book, give it a chance, it's worth every penny.
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