I: Feature Story: "The Green Goblin"

Pages: 22

Script: Stan Lee
Pencils: Steve Ditko
Inks: Steve Ditko
Letters: Artie Simek

First Appearance: Green Goblin, B.J. Cosmos

Villain: Green Goblin, The Enforcers: Fancy Dan, Montana, the Ox

Guest Appearance: B.J. Cosmos, Incredible Hulk, Liz Allan, Betty Brant, Flash Thompson, J. Jonah Jameson, Aunt May

Gadgets & Technology: flying broomstick, goblin grenades

Setting: New Mexico

Synopsis: Laboring over his "flying broomstick", the masked man called the Green Goblin tests his equipment out to his satisfaction and then goes to greet his partners in crime, the Enforcers. The Goblin promises Montana, Fancy Dan and the Ox revenge against Spider-Man for their latest stint in jail, and they readily agree to serve him. The first step of the Goblin's plan is to meet up with film producer B.J. Cosmos, who is looking for another blockbuster film idea. The Goblin promises he can deliver the real Spider-Man to appear in his next film project, which thrills B.J. The Goblin tells him to leave the planning to him.

At Midtown High, Liz continues to flirt with Peter, much to the dismay of Flash Thompson. Over the radio, the news report of a strange green man flying on a broomstick causes great concern to Peter, so he goes into action as Spider-Man. He tracks down the Goblin and questions him as to his purpose. The Goblin says he was just trying to make a show of himself so he could meet up with Spidey and tell him about the movie idea he has hatched with B.J. Cosmos. Goblin tells him to meet up with the movie producer, and with the prospect of a $50 thousand dollar paycheck, he is eager to learn more. Cosmos tells him about the project, a movie in which he'll face off against the Green Goblin and the Enforcers. Spidey signs on the dotted line, while the Goblin hovers outside, cackling with glee over his plan coming to fruition.

Jameson has heard of this movie shoot and wants Peter to head out west to get some good shots. Betty worries that he's going to get involved with some movie starlets and starts to pout. Aunt May worries that he'll get sick and not eat right, but he heads out west anyway, to New Mexico, where they are beginning the shoot in the desert. The Goblin suggests that they go off and rehearse some scenes, and Spider-Man agrees. But once the five of them are away from the film crew, they jump Spidey in a surprise attack. Spider-Man quickly realizes that the punch from the Ox and Montana's lasso are not friendly, nor are the little pumpkin bombs Green Goblin hurls from above. Spidey tries his best to fend off the united attack, and keeps them off balance long enough so that he can try and get a little rest in a nearby cave.

The Green Goblin has spotted Spidey entering the cave, and gets the Enforcers to join him in rolling a huge boulder in front of the entrance, blocking them all in. Goblin and the Enforcers lurk around trying to find their prey, but in the dark, Spider-Man has the upper hand and manages to pick off the Enforcers one by one. Unfortunately, the combatants have chosen the wrong cave to fight in, for they have caused the Incredible Hulk to awaken from his rest. The Hulk flies into a rage and targets Spider-Man, while the Goblin hovers nearby, hoping the Hulk will do Spider-Man in once and for all. Spider-Man tries gamely to test his mettle against the Hulk, but his toughest punches seem to have little effect. He is able to sucker the Hulk into crushing the huge boulder that traps him inside, and once free, Spidey goes after the fleeing Goblin. He leaps up and grabs hold of the broomstick, but his fight with the Hulk has taken its toll and he falls down into a spring, where the Goblin thinks he might have drowned. The Hulk looks around for Spider-Man, who is lying low under the water, and then goes back into the cave. Spidey rescues the Enforcers from the Hulk, and turns them over to the police.

B.J. tells Spider-Man that he's not due any cash because his contract stated the money would be paid only once the film was completed. The Goblin is back in his hideout in New York, ruminating on what went wrong with his plan, secure in the knowledge he can strike again, with his secret identity still intact.

--synopsis by Gormuu

Issues Reprinted
Spider-Man from
Amazing Spider-Man #11-19 and Annual #1

Click on cover image to learn more about each issue.