Spider-Man: Son Of The Goblin (Amazing Spider-Man

The Amazing Spider-Man (1963-1998) #136-137, 312

by Gerry Conway, David Michelinie, J.M. DeMatteis

Collects Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #136-137, 312 and Spectacular Spider-Man (1976) #189, 200. In his father's eyes, Harry Osborn was never good enough. Harry's pal, Peter Parker, was truly the type of son Norman Osborn wanted - studious, inventive, strong-willed and industrious. In contrast, Harry had always wilted under life's pressures and the strain of his father's domineering influence, unable to live up to Norman's expectations. Unfortunately, Harry remained unaware of his father's dark side as the Green Goblin until it was too late. Witnessing Norman's apparent death in battle with Spider-Man, Harry was driven to the brink of insanity. Assuming his late father's identity, he began a descent into madness that would haunt him his entire life; only in death could he finally find peace. Witness the startling tale of Harry's tragic demise in this thrilling collection of classic Spider-Man stories!

Genres: Comics, Spider Man, Graphic Novels, Marvel, Graphic Novels Comics, Superheroes

144 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 28, 2004

About the author

Gerard Francis Conway (Gerard F. Conway) wass an American writer of comic books and television shows. He was known for co-creating the Marvel Comics' vigilante the Punisher and scripting the death of the character Gwen Stacy during his long run on The Amazing Spider-Man. At DC Comics, he was known for co-creating the superhero Firestorm and others, and for writing the Justice League of America for eight years. Conway wrote the first major, modern-day intercompany crossover, Superman vs. the Amazing Spider-Man.

On April 27, 2026, Marvel Comics announced on its website and social media accounts that Conway had died at the age of 73.

News of Conway's death from Wikipedia

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection is missing a vital piece of the Harry Osborn story. It seems Marvel has no intentions of reprinting J.M. DeMatteis‘s Spectacular Spider-Man arc The Child Within (SSM #178-184). Like DeMatteis‘s Kraven’s Last Hunt, The Child Within deals with some dark content, primarily childhood trauma. So far, every Harry Osborn collection skips this story, leaving a gap in his saga and avoiding one of the best written Spider-Man arcs. Unfortunately, the only way to read The Child Within is to find copies of individual issues, though it’s well worth the effort. Hopefully Marvel will include this arc in future collections, but there doesn’t seem to be any sign of that happening any time soon.

[Lobstermannn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic art.

[Christian Oliverio · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those collections that was really great and could have been 5-stars... except they left out some key details. Let me explain.

This kicks off right after the deaths of Norman Osborn and Gwen Stacy (spoilers for that story). The introduction does a good job summarizing this and then explains how Harry Osborn found out Peter Parker was Spider-Man (gasp!). The official issues then pick up with Harry's first outing as the Goblin and their battle. Stuff happens that restore the status quo... then another summary interlude. Rinse and repeat a few more times.

Thankful 70% of the key character moments are kept here, but there is a lot of stuff (one particular fight too) that are simply summarized between issues. I really love that it does summarize what is 'skipped', especially with Spider-Man comics being the way they are; but it's also showing me what I'm being robbed of!

HOWEVER, onto the "why you should read this." Firstly, the relationship between Peter and Harry (not to mention their wives, Mary-Jane Parker and Betty Brant-Osborn) have a lots of exploration and their dynamic changes a lot from beginning to end. Seeing the tragic way Harry grapples with madness and his own trauma was great. Peter wrestling with the slow loss of his best friend was awesome. And Harry's family and friends trying to support him, even while he is a villain, was phenomenal. The ending of this volume was also one of the best Spider-Man moments in history! All the manly tears!

So, while many cool moments are merely summarized, there are an equal (if not more) set we get to experience in all their glory! You'll get to see why the Green Goblin is one of Spider-Man's best enemies.

[Nicolas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good overview of Harry's tenure as the Green Goblin. I particularly liked the earlier entries. I'd like to read more Spider-man stories from that era.

For more on this series tune in to this special Spider-Man spotlight on the All the Books Show! https://soundcloud.com/allthebooks/of...

[Jocelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading every panel of this. Maybe I'm biased because I have a love for all things Harry Osborn and Harry Osborn-related. And that I'm a sucker for the Green Goblin despite knowing I probably shouldn't. Just maybe. But, I will say that this is definitely a collection of comics that will someday look very good on my shelf. (Someday very, very soon.)