The Evolution of The Green Goblin (Animated)

This article contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase a product through an affiate link, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

You know, Norman Osborn is something of a scientist himself, but when exposed to Goblin formula he turns into the notorious Green Goblin, and just how has this Green Meanie evolved over the years? Let's go through his appearances in TV and Film to find out...


warning: spoilers ahead!

In his first on-screen appearance in the 60’s Cartoon Show, The Goblin wears a pink cloth outfit, a purple belt with a matching satchel and boots, and he dons a long hat tucked behind his enormous ears. Plus, in close-ups, he has bushy eyebrows and way-too-long lashes. This Goblin is obsessed with witchcraft and, of course, rides his signature glider.

In the 1981 TV series, Osborn physically transforms himself into the hideous Goblin. He sports a darker outfit and has paler skin with added scales. Although, from time to time it appears he's just wearing a Goblin costume, but that doesn't matter because when he's electrically shocked or caught in an explosion, he magically turns back into Norman Osborn.

For the 1994 Animated Series, Norman dresses up in a bright pink outfit with a golden belt, plus, his mask has yellow eyes and vampiric teeth, and he's...well...a lot beefier. While this Goblin falls into a portal to the unknown, his son, Harry, would later take up the mantle.

In the Counter-Earth follow-up series, Spider-Man Unlimited, the mysterious Hector Jones wears a mechanical get-up, with bird-like feet, a winged backpack, and large goggles. Even though he looks villainous, this Goblin is apparently good and even teams up with the webhead himself.

Norman Osborn, in his first live-action appearance in Spider-Man (2002), wears an armored green flight suit with hints of purple undertones, and an oblong mask with retractable yellow lenses. He manages to take out his former business associates, but when faced against Spider-Man, he's defeated by his own Glider.

Although, in Spider-Man 3, his son Harry vows to avenge his father! He wears a tactical black suit with green accents, a ski-goggle mask, and, later on, is scarred by his own pumpkin bomb. This Goblin rides a hoverboard, and eventually teams up with Spider-Man, sacrificing himself to save his web-headed friend.

In The Spectacular Spider-Man, Osborn wears a purple ensemble featuring a loincloth with a pumpkin-shaped belt and a mask designed with tiny ears and a flat hat. He mostly zaps lasers out of his fingers, and he has a gang of pumpkin-masked thugs.

In Ultimate Spider-Man, Norman is injected with Spidey and Venom DNA, turning him into a gruesome Goblin creature. He has a double-horned chin, pupil-less yellow eyes, and wears an armored outfit. He also sports a caped Iron-Suit, becomes a Venom-ized Goblin, as well as a Spider-Goblin, and in a dream sequence is seen in his King Goblin form. This show also features a winged Ultimate Goblin and a female Goblin, who also turns more grotesque.

Marvel Disk Wars features a bulky Goblin, with spiked shoulders, devil horns, and a fashionable stripe down his suit.

In The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Harry Osborn takes an experimental serum to save his life, but instead, it accelerates his made-up disease. He then utilizes an olive green flight suit to take on Spider-Man, ultimately becoming the cause of his girlfriend's death. And while he tries to form the Sinister 6, this series would instead be canceled.

Future Avenger's Norman wears a cutesie-looking Goblin costume, with a jester-like collar and extremely long socks. Oh, and he has super-jumping abilities.

Into The Spider-Verse features a 25-foot mutated Goblin, with wings, a tail, and a disturbingly long blue tongue. But, he's mostly a goon of Kingpin's, so let's keep going.

In the 2017 Spider-Man cartoon, Norman Osborn merges with a Venom symbiote, becoming the Dark Goblin. He has animal-like feet, added spiky protrusions, and a long tail. Later, he injects himself with additional serum, transforming him into a more beastly creature.

The Pre-School Show, Spidey and his Amazing Friends, features an adorable Goblin wearing armoured safety pads. Though he looks innocent, he's still a troublesome goon to his Spider-foes – but, let's get back to the grown-up Gobbies...

In No Way Home, the 2002 Goblin is mistakenly transported into the MCU. His armour is slightly simplified and dirtier. His helmet features an angrier brow and more golden eyes, although later on, he ditches it for goggles, gets a purple accented battle damaged look, and adds a satchel, tattered hoodie, and gauntlets to his suit. He continues his reign of terror in the MCU, but is eventually given an anti-Goblin serum and sent back to his own universe.

And that is the ghastly Evolution of the Green Goblin! Comment down below which Gobby is your favourite and subscribe for more animations on our YouTube page!

Next up:
Share this article: