Sometimes, the hyperbole on the covers of comic books just makes you laugh and shake your head. And sometimes, it isn't hyperbole at all. Amazing Spider-Man #136 is one of those latter instances. The splash page calls it, "Surely the most important comic book story you'll read this year!" It's hard to argue with that, considering that after a year-old build, the Green Goblin is back - and this time, Harry Osborn is under the mask.

The original Green Goblin, Harry's father Norman Osborn, died in the landmark Amazing Spider-Man #122. Since then, writer Gerry Conway and artist Ross Andru slowly have been building up Harry's descent into madness, but we have not yet seen him in costume. However, we do know that he has discovered Peter's secret identity, which is sure to be trouble.

The issue starts with Peter Parker actually happy for a change. Peter and Mary Jane Watson have just had a big date - horseback riding in Central Park, a boat ride to the Statue of Liberty, a kung fu movie on 42nd Street and ice cream cones. What's next? "How 'bout a quiet evening at home, Petey?" Mary Jane suggests. "The only question is your place or mine?" Face it, tiger, you're about to hit the jackpot! But before Peter and Mary Jane can, um, listen to his Ella Fitzgerald album (hey, that's what he said he wanted to do!), Peter's spider-sense goes off as Mary Jane. opens his apartment door. He throws her to the ground just as a bomb explodes - had he not, they would've both been killed. As it is, Mary Jane is knocked unconscious and Peter is left with a mild concussion and a trashed apartment. After checking on Mary Jane, Peter hides his spare Spidey costume and waits for the ambulance to arrive. Thankfully, all Mary Jane needs is a little rest. But at the hospital, Peter can't help but remember Gwen Stacy, which reminds him of the man who killed her (in Amazing Spider-Man #121): the original Green Goblin. "I suppose I've always know it'd happen sooner or later...but I tried to kid myself it wouldn't," Peter says, switching into costume. "Norman Osborn's dead and buried, but somehow...I know the Green Goblin is still alive."

So Spider-Man swings over to the Green Goblin's old headquarters, an abandoned Osborn Industries warehouse. "If there's any sign of a disturbance, I'll know that someone's been fooling around with the Goblin's old equipment. I'll also have a pretty good idea who that someone is. I just hope I'm wrong," Spider-Man says. The warehouse appears empty and dusty. Spidey starts to leave, thinking he's hit a dead end. But he takes a second look at the floor. Yes, it's covered in dust - but is the dust real? He tastes it and it tastes like soap "as fake as the proverbial three-dollar bill!" He realizes he's on the right track. Spider-Man stretches out in a web-hammock and waits for the inevitable. The hours pass, and when it becomes dark, the Green Goblin flies into the room! "I do live again, in all my power and glory," he declares. "And for what you did to me, I will have revenge!" Ross Andru does a great job in building the anticipation for this moment, they paying it off with a gorgeous double-page spread.  The Green Goblin starts spraying his deadly "Goblin sparks" around the room. Spider-Man realizes that while Harry may be unhinged, he has been training with the Green Goblin's equipment and is deadly. He tries to snare the Goblin's glider with his web, but the villain jumps off, allowing the glider to propel Spidey into some crates. Spider-Man finally nails the Goblin with a punch and appears to be winning the fight, but suddenly weakens as the glider encircles the two combatants. It turns out the exhaust from the glider is drugged. Spider-Man is now helpless at the Green Goblin's mercy. "Your death must be an execution, in payment for the death of Norman Osborn," the Green Goblin declares. "I have been your judge and jury -- it's only fitting that I also be your executioner!" However, before he can deliver the fatal blast, he realizes that his goblin sparks have run out of power. He flies away, but warns Spider-Man that this is only a temporary reprieve. The Green Goblin says, "I'll destroy you utterly, whether it be by physically, by killing you -- or spiritually, by revealing your precious secret identity!"

This issue is one of the most reprinted Spider-Man stories ever, and for good reason. Harry becoming the second Green Goblin is a major part of Spider-Man's mythos - it was central to the film Spider-Man 3. In this case, the story itself is every bit as good as the expectations, as Conway and Andru deliver yet another classic.

Next issue: Spider-Man and the Green Goblin battle again, this time with the lives of Aunt May, Mary Jane and Flash Thompson (not to mention Spider-Man's secret identity) on the line!

Reviewed by Bruce Buchanan.

Reprinted In:
Marvel Tales #113