The long-running drama of the Green Goblin and his “sins” continues in Amazing Spider-Man #54. A concept that rose to the forefront under writer Nick Spencer, writer Zeb Wells appears to be taking it to its final resting place this week. Spider-Man and Norman are stuck in a literal hole together, and between them, they must defeat their sins, or one of them must die. The stakes are higher than ever… if any of this made sense.
This story arc has a real problem with unexplainable elements that are more akin to supernatural nonsense than anything else. On top of that, the yo-yo-ing of the sins is becoming a frustrating and overdone idea at this point. Together, these elements make this last issue visually entertaining, but it doesn’t make a lick of sense, and it all feels quite redundant.
If you’re unfamiliar, the sins of Green Goblin went from Norman to Queen Goblin, into Spider-Man, back to Norman, and now are in Spider-Man once again. When the sins transfer back and forth even more, you might throw up your hands like I did and yell, “Get on with it!”
To extract it, a magical spear is used to stab someone and pull it out. It’s a kooky notion that’s borderline ridiculous, but this is a superhero comic. Speaking of superheroes, even though Spider-Goblin is on the cover, don’t expect him to show up. That was magically resolved in a previous issue using Chasm’s gooey green powers.
There are many unanswered questions about these sins. Was Norman an evil man, or did these spirits possess him? If they can change hands so much, what would it matter if Norman or Spider-Man did something wrong? What is the spirit? Is it a manifestation of Norman’s past acts or some supernatural being? It’s never very clear, and that only muddies the waters of the issue.
Don’t worry, gang; Rek-Rap is fine. They wouldn’t let him die!
Credit: Marvel
The issue ends with “The End” written on a single page, which is a relief given how drawn out the sins of the Green Goblin story have gone on. This issue seems to put it to bed, but it also feels overly long and unnecessary since it’s a back-and-forth of the sins and not much more.
The cliched trope of a hero finding new willpower they didn’t have is used, which is an eye-rolling conclusion, to say the least. The idea of Peter Parker as Spider-Man argued, but it doesn’t feel like anything new. It’s just a final period on the sin’s ability to continue to enter him, I guess.
Regarding art, Ed McGuinness is one of the best to draw Spidey, and he continues to do so here. Marico Menyz colors the issue great, and there are also three inkers plus McGuinness listed, which suggests this was a very fast job to get done. The idea of Green Goblin being floating sins is silly, but at least it looks neat on the page.
Amazing Spider-Man #54 is a relief but also a burden. It’s an unnecessarily repetitive chapter in a plot that doesn’t make much sense and has gone on for far too long. At least we know Norman is no longer the Green Goblin, seemingly for good, and the story can move on from this tired concept.
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