Final ThoughtsA great tie-in to the main Amazing Spider-Man series, Gold Goblin gives readers a chance to see how Norman Osborn has changed since his “cleansing” at the hands of the Sin Eater. A good first issue that promises a character-driven story ready to dive into the guilt and sins of the Green Goblin as he searches for redemption under the new moniker, Gold Goblin! Read Full Review

Gold Goblin #1 firmly establishes an inside look at Norman's sympathetic and fragile new status quo as a former villain trying to turn his life around. Norman's constant struggles with guilt and his need not to revert to his Goblin ways play out like an addict desperate to turn his life around after hitting rock bottom, so this could turn out to be a series worth watching. Read Full Review

I suspect that it doesn't matter if the Goblin is Green, Red, or Gold, Norman Osborn will never be a normal person. His intent is genuine, but there are just too many pumpkin bombs under the bridge. Read Full Review

Theres a lot to like about Gold Goblin #1, thanks in a large part to the expressive colors and innovative layouts throughout the issue. This story ultimately doesnt strike the right emotional chords, due to the large nature of superhero titles and the revolving door of status quos for Spider-Man characters, but it cant be denied the book has merits in all departments. As is the case with many first issues, the creative team may be able to sway with later issues and overcome the hurdles that haunt the character of Norman Osborn, both in the context of the story and his large publication history. Read Full Review

Gold Goblin #1 is well crafted but lacks personality. The concept of having Norman Osborn go straight is interesting and has been treated well in other Spider-Man books. But the first issue needs to define what he is like now, otherwise, his old, villainous self will be wanted back. Read Full Review

Golden Goblin #1 takes the feat of Norman's redemption cycle in The Amazing Spider-Man and reduces it to all of the dullest, broadest cliches readers might have imagined, and they'll be well served in ignoring this spin-off series. Read Full Review

I did not think I would enjoy this issue as much as I did! I have been underwhelmed lately with the Amazing Spider-man run that is going on right now. Nonetheless I wanted to give Gold Goblin a shot since it has a different creative team working on it.

The writing is interesting, to the point, and strings you along the psychological ups and downs of Norman's new life as the Gold Goblin. Even with his past sins removed, his conscious is growing guilt, where his past evil deeds are whispering in his ear (literally). It' not only the writing that is a huge upgrade from the current Amazing Spider-man issues, it is the art as well! The art by Lan Medina hits it on the nail and enhances Christopher Cantwell's flow of writing. I know it is not right to compare this to the current ASM run, but I cannot help it as this new series is branching off from ASM into a main series for Norman.

My hope is they can retain this quality for a long time, unlike ASM 2022 which was only good for the first five issues and then totally lost it's beat when they dropped Tombstone for the lame Dark Web or Axe Judgement day nonsense. Sorry that's just how I felt.

Also to illustrate the superb flow of art and writing, Gold Goblin does a much better job when bringing in Gwen Stacy to show the reader Norman's guilt manifesting before our eyes. Compared to when ASM brought Gwen to talk to Peter and give him a "Thumbs Up" if I remember to say he is worthy or some baloney.The ASM version was totally devoid of any emotion, missing the mark big time. While Gold Goblin uses Gwen's horrific moment of death and the action of it to show Norman's inner torment.

This is an unexpected great start to a new series, my only advice to the creative team: keep your focus on your story. Leave the "events" out, don't drop your story like ASM did to Tombstone to rush in Dark Web.

Give Norman a brutal, "Goblin Odyssey" of Redemption and you will have a gem no one would have guessed!!! more

Finally being the sole defender of this comic when it was announced has paid off. This comic is a quintessential example of why you should never let meta-reading and cynicism overtake you as a comic book fan. It leads to you missing out.

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motorik - Nov 21, 2022

Well said. I've always been fascinated with the Norman Osborne character. A peer into the mind of this particular version of his character is very interesting. Christopher Cantwell is near enough the top Marvel writer at the moment. His Iron Man series, just wow.

Toonstrack - Nov 21, 2022

Agreee to both comments. Cantwell has few misses. His stories feel classic but modern.

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Well dang.

This was WAY better than it had any right to be.

I was expecting a throwaway series to siphoned extra dollars out of the coming event, nothing more. I wasn't even sure o was gonna give this a go til I read Spideys 13th issue.

This issue was better.

The script is rock solid. Cantwell is great at writing built written figures, but for someone like Norman, just discovering guilt that he's ignored for decades and countless atrocities, they would've had to go a lot farther than simply showing him sulk. And they did, boy they did.

The artwork is absolutely phenomenal. I dont know if I've encountered Medinas work but he just shot up on my list. Faces, figures, backgrounds, textures, its all there. The color work compliments it to give the whole book an eerie vibe, and that accentuates the story in ways I am not going to spoil here. The fight at the end is rather short but its hardly a flaw to take away from what this was.

If you're on the fence, give this a go. I think you'll be as surprised as I was. more

I wasn't quite sure what to expect here, but this delivered with a great opening issue. Medina's art is better in some places than others here, but he does great where it counts. He does well in depicting Norman being haunted by his past. Speaking of which, Cantwell writes this very well, in which Norman is constantly haunted by his past sins, despite trying to move forward and be better man. While I am worried about how the Dark Web crossover will affect the next two issues, I really hope this miniseries maintains the quality of its first issue.

This was just cool. I wish it would stick but it's clear it won't. At least we will have it while it lasts.

The characterization and continuity of Norman Osborn here was spot on!

I liked it.

SNAP

Better than I expected. I feel like it's a good look into how Norman is going to snap. Kind of feels necessary if your invested in that part of Spider-Man.

Half of this is great, half is meh. Seeing Norman snapping because he literally sees Gwen's ghost taunting him is something I never knew I needed.

It's a pretty meaty, dense start to an intense character study. The art is solid and the ideas are compelling. But the way the author structures it doesn't spark joy in me. Layering narrative over narrative over narrative takes away more than it adds, in my opinion.

Christopher Cant(write)well strikes again.