Harry Osborne’s Green Goblin
The Superhero Show Show #579
Harry Osborne’s Green Goblin
The Superhero Show Show: “Harry Osborne’s Green Goblin Takes Flight in The Return of the Green Goblin!”
This week on The Superhero Show Show, the panel heads back to the animated streets of 1990s New York as they dive deep into Spider-Man: The Animated Series, season 4, episode 8: “The Return of the Green Goblin.” But this isn’t Norman Osborn wreaking havoc — it’s his son. That’s right, Harry Osborne’s Green Goblin finally makes his explosive debut, and the hosts are here to unpack every pumpkin bomb and psychological meltdown.
Legacy of Madness: Harry Osborne Steps Into the Shadows
The conversation begins with the podcasters recapping the long, complicated Osborn family history that Spider-Man TAS has been building up since season one. Norman’s descent into madness, his apparent death in another dimension, and his twisted legacy have been hanging over Harry like a glider-shaped shadow. In this episode, that legacy finally comes crashing down — hard.
The hosts break down Harry’s emotional unraveling, spurred by unresolved trauma, lies from Norman’s corporate allies, and his obsession with finding the truth. The moment he finds his father’s hidden Goblin lair is treated like a Shakespearean turning point — and the podcasters are here for it. From the moment Harry Osborne’s Green Goblin emerges in full costume, they debate whether this version of the Goblin is more tragic than terrifying — or if that very mix is what makes him so compelling.
Spidey vs. the Ghosts of Osborn’s Past
Spider-Man’s showdown with Harry is intense not just because of the action, but because it’s personal. The hosts highlight how Peter’s struggle is emotional, not just physical — he’s fighting his best friend, someone he genuinely cares about, and trying to stop him without hurting him. They talk about how the writing carefully builds sympathy for both characters while keeping the stakes sky-high, thanks to some cleverly animated set pieces and strong voice acting.
Also up for discussion: how this episode subtly lays groundwork for future Goblin chaos, explores the idea of inherited trauma, and gives Mary Jane some much-needed emotional presence in a storyline that’s usually all about the Osborn boys. The crew applauds how Spider-Man TAS manages to make superhero stories feel operatic, without losing its Saturday morning cartoon sensibility.
Final Swing: The Tragedy of Harry Osborne’s Green Goblin
In the wrap-up, the podcasters reflect on the tragedy and inevitability of Harry Osborne’s Green Goblin. This isn’t just a rehash of Norman’s villainy — it’s the evolution of it, shaped by guilt, grief, and betrayal. The hosts agree: this is one of the series’ strongest episodes, delivering a gut-punch of emotion alongside web-slinging action. With this turn, Spider-Man: The Animated Series shows that it’s not afraid to get dark — especially when legacies collide.
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