Is it possible to still be a fan of the Green Goblin while hating Norman Osborn? Because I do! Other characters have been the Green Goblin when Osborn has been either cured of his mental illness or dead. Plus, the Goblin seems to be a separate character as opposed to Norman, who does have a type of multiple personality disorder or schizophrenia. Or both, maybe. Not sure.
Plus the Goblin is one of the most aesthetically pleasing designed super-villains of all time. The purple and green. That demonic face. The orange pumpkin bombs. The flyer. I just love this villain.
And then there are the impostors. Many have attempted to become a better version of the Goblin. There are like 6 different Goblins in the pages of Marvel today, including a female version that I think is also a spawn of Carnage... But the best of the usurpers has got to be Hobgoblin!
In this collection of Spider-Man stories from the early 2010s, life couldn't be better for Spidey nor could it be any worse for Peter Parker. Spider-Man is a member of the Avengers now. He's respected again by the police force. Despite the ire of Mayor J. Jonah Jameson, the wall-crawler is the darling of the New York public and media. As for Peter, he lost his job at the Bugle for falsifying photos. Behind on rent, he's now homeless as his roommate just moved out for the West Coast. There's even a rift between Peter and Aunt May!
Meanwhile, a new Hobgoblin has come on scene. He's got access to all of a currently incarcerated Norman Osborn's old gadgets and weapons and he's looking to become the newest enforcer for the Kingpin!
This collection is the start of Dan Slott's massive Big Time story line which would run for 52 issues, culminating with issue #700. You can see the wheels of that issue's massive twist ending in these pages as Doctor Octopus and a new line-up of the Sinister Six are moving pieces of their giant chess board into place.
Though there was a lot of backstory that I wasn't very familiar with, I was able to enjoy this story very well. It was great seeing Spidey teamed up with both the Avengers and Fantastic Four in the opening chapter. Very awesome twist finale that adventure as well!
Not everything was so exciting. Artist Humberto Ramos' style is very, um... well gnarly. And I'm not talking about that skateboarding term of appreciation and excitement. Everyone looks very spindly. For Spidey, the art style is appropriate. But for the rest of Manhattan, Ramos' pencils makes everyone look like a descendant of Abe Lincoln!
Having completed this book, there's basically 46 more issues in this Big Time saga to go. Will I devote time and energy to finding the rest of the story? I doubt it as there's tons more stuff in my wish list that I want to own and read first. However, should I ever find an affordable omnibus of this story arc, I would seriously consider getting it to read. Perhaps I can find the rest at my local library.
Worth Consuming!
Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.
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