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The Amazing Spider-Man (1963-1998)
Amazing Spider-Man (1963-1998) #96
Green Goblin returns!
- GenresComicsSpider ManMarvel
20 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 10, 1971
About the author
Stan Lee
7,578 books2,363 followersStan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber) was an American writer, editor, creator of comic book superheroes, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics.
With several artist co-creators, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Thor as a superhero, the X-Men, Iron Man, the Hulk, Daredevil, the Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Scarlet Witch, The Inhumans, and many other characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. He subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.
With several artist co-creators, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Thor as a superhero, the X-Men, Iron Man, the Hulk, Daredevil, the Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Scarlet Witch, The Inhumans, and many other characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. He subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 12, 2018
Mary Jane makes her stage debut and Green Goblin returns! As is usual with Spider-Man comics, they like to make things seem like everything is going to be fine before pulling the rug right from underneath our feet, our more accurately, Peter's feet! I really liked the message that was throughout this issue and feel like it is still important today! Overall, I enjoyed this issue and am excited to continue this story line.
October 6, 2025
....AND NOW THE GOBLIN...
May 1971
"Anna is teaching me to be a Slinger" May..
Norman Osborn gets a vivid reminder just who he was...which is a problem because he's the only one who knows Peter's secret identity.
interesting sidebar...as characters argue over the effect of drugs and if it's a "black problem"
May 1971
"Anna is teaching me to be a Slinger" May..
Norman Osborn gets a vivid reminder just who he was...which is a problem because he's the only one who knows Peter's secret identity.
interesting sidebar...as characters argue over the effect of drugs and if it's a "black problem"
June 9, 2021
ASM #96 is notable for being released to newsstands without the approval of censorship overlords The Comics Code Authority due to the theme of drugs. I don’t want to spoil this milestone, for both ASM and the Green Goblin lore, in a review here so I will just quote John Romita Snr.
“And now we come to the really heavy part. Enter-the Green Goblin! But even more than that, this is the start of the famous three-issue spectacular that introduces the first drug theme in comics! It’s really a part of comic book lore, a series that’ll go down in history-or, at least, so we’ve been told by fans at comic book conventions worldwide! If you haven’t read it before, I don’t wanna spoil it for you now, but this is the one everybody was talking about all that year-and for many years to come. You wont just be reading a Spidey classic- you’re about to wrap yourself up in a blanket of legend! And wait’ll you see what happens to Harry Osborn! I promise you, this is as real as it gets!”
“And now we come to the really heavy part. Enter-the Green Goblin! But even more than that, this is the start of the famous three-issue spectacular that introduces the first drug theme in comics! It’s really a part of comic book lore, a series that’ll go down in history-or, at least, so we’ve been told by fans at comic book conventions worldwide! If you haven’t read it before, I don’t wanna spoil it for you now, but this is the one everybody was talking about all that year-and for many years to come. You wont just be reading a Spidey classic- you’re about to wrap yourself up in a blanket of legend! And wait’ll you see what happens to Harry Osborn! I promise you, this is as real as it gets!”
April 9, 2025
ASM #96 is a landmark issue for a number of reasons—not only does it mark the return of the Green Goblin, but it also boldly tackles the subject of drug addiction, at a time when the Comics Code Authority refused to approve such stories. Stan Lee and the Marvel team published it anyway, and it helped change the industry forever.
This issue starts with things looking up for Peter—Mary Jane is making her stage debut, life seems manageable, and the usual Spidey storm clouds seem to be parting. But in typical Spider-Man fashion, the good times don’t last. Norman Osborn begins to mentally unravel once more, and it’s not long before the Green Goblin emerges from the shadows.
Gil Kane’s art is sharp, dramatic, and full of movement. His ability to render perspective and emotion really elevates the intensity of both the action and the quieter, human moments. The scenes with Harry are particularly heartbreaking, capturing both his vulnerability and Peter’s helplessness.
Is it melodramatic? Absolutely. But that’s Spider-Man—a perfect mix of superhero spectacle and soap opera emotion. Whether it’s MJ flirting too freely, Peter stumbling into heartbreak, or Goblin rising once again, the drama never stops. And honestly, that’s part of the charm.
A bold and memorable issue that pushed boundaries and delivered real stakes—definitely worth the read, both for its historical importance and its still-relevant message.
This issue starts with things looking up for Peter—Mary Jane is making her stage debut, life seems manageable, and the usual Spidey storm clouds seem to be parting. But in typical Spider-Man fashion, the good times don’t last. Norman Osborn begins to mentally unravel once more, and it’s not long before the Green Goblin emerges from the shadows.
Gil Kane’s art is sharp, dramatic, and full of movement. His ability to render perspective and emotion really elevates the intensity of both the action and the quieter, human moments. The scenes with Harry are particularly heartbreaking, capturing both his vulnerability and Peter’s helplessness.
Is it melodramatic? Absolutely. But that’s Spider-Man—a perfect mix of superhero spectacle and soap opera emotion. Whether it’s MJ flirting too freely, Peter stumbling into heartbreak, or Goblin rising once again, the drama never stops. And honestly, that’s part of the charm.
A bold and memorable issue that pushed boundaries and delivered real stakes—definitely worth the read, both for its historical importance and its still-relevant message.
February 13, 2024
Another great issue with Gil Kane's drawings. Honestly, it seems like whenever they were about to develop epic battles, the team would invite this guy for a cameo. I'm not very familiar with the artists from that era, I believe all those who have appeared so far were good, but I really like Kane's sense of perspective in the scenes he brings.
Well, this issue is cool for reintroducing an old and one of the most notorious rivals of Spider-Man, perhaps the most famous and deadly, alongside Dr. Octopus. Anyway, there are more immoral things in the melodrama of the romances involving the characters. I just keep thinking that MJ is a libertine, because she keeps flirting with others while being committed.
There's a criticism of drug consumption, which back then must have been shocking the world, after all, the 1970s with crazy movements like the Sexual Revolution of the 1960s, drugs, and influences of Eastern religions and esoteric practices, New Age, besides the crazy hippies and all the progressive thinking advancing by leaps and bounds.
Man, I was really influenced by the overall synopsis of Spider-Man and by liking the character, but there are a lot of bad stretches in the plots, but it's like that, nostalgia carries us forward.
Well, this issue is cool for reintroducing an old and one of the most notorious rivals of Spider-Man, perhaps the most famous and deadly, alongside Dr. Octopus. Anyway, there are more immoral things in the melodrama of the romances involving the characters. I just keep thinking that MJ is a libertine, because she keeps flirting with others while being committed.
There's a criticism of drug consumption, which back then must have been shocking the world, after all, the 1970s with crazy movements like the Sexual Revolution of the 1960s, drugs, and influences of Eastern religions and esoteric practices, New Age, besides the crazy hippies and all the progressive thinking advancing by leaps and bounds.
Man, I was really influenced by the overall synopsis of Spider-Man and by liking the character, but there are a lot of bad stretches in the plots, but it's like that, nostalgia carries us forward.
January 28, 2026
This is for issues 96-98
Stan was so ahead of his time. This whole arc is an impressive treatise on contemporary mental illness, drug abuse and the socioeconomic, racial divide. Actually ominous, hellish, hallucinogenic and very impressive. Probably my favorite Spider-Man arc so far after Back in Black, maybe?
5/5.
*Addendum*
Just had a conversation with Montana where I articulated what I think makes Norman so awful, and probably the best Spider-Man villain after Charlie Weiderman imo. The reflection actually started from a quip Spidey made in the 90’s cartoon about Hobgoblin: “this man’s arsenal is bigger than some small countries’”. Then by relating that to the convo in here between the guy on the street and Norman outside MJ’s show, it all came together for me, and I know it’s obvious but goddamn did those bits of dialogue put it into a more poignant perspective:
Norman Osborn is the embodiment of capitalism gone wrong on every front. The classism, the white privilege, the preposterously, heavily-safeguarded, caucasian mental health debacle among the elite, and of course the complete and utter waste of endless resources on completely nihilistic, harmful endeavors.
What a villain.
Stan was so ahead of his time. This whole arc is an impressive treatise on contemporary mental illness, drug abuse and the socioeconomic, racial divide. Actually ominous, hellish, hallucinogenic and very impressive. Probably my favorite Spider-Man arc so far after Back in Black, maybe?
5/5.
*Addendum*
Just had a conversation with Montana where I articulated what I think makes Norman so awful, and probably the best Spider-Man villain after Charlie Weiderman imo. The reflection actually started from a quip Spidey made in the 90’s cartoon about Hobgoblin: “this man’s arsenal is bigger than some small countries’”. Then by relating that to the convo in here between the guy on the street and Norman outside MJ’s show, it all came together for me, and I know it’s obvious but goddamn did those bits of dialogue put it into a more poignant perspective:
Norman Osborn is the embodiment of capitalism gone wrong on every front. The classism, the white privilege, the preposterously, heavily-safeguarded, caucasian mental health debacle among the elite, and of course the complete and utter waste of endless resources on completely nihilistic, harmful endeavors.
What a villain.
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November 30, 2019Spiderman Klassiek: Nr. 2 (Juniorpress)
(92-95-96)
(92-95-96)
April 19, 2022
New archnemesis: drugs!
(Also the Goblin is back)
(Also the Goblin is back)
January 1, 2023
Peter is a fool but Randy is serving tea about drugs.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews