In the Shadow of Evil's Past

[zechs27.insanejournal.com]

Amazing Spider-Man #238-239.

Ok I fold, I yield to reposting this. Well the first part to this series anyway. For those who remember in the original Scans Daily I posted a ton of the Hobgoblin stuff. Though I cannot repost my words to it all. I do have the scans. Well.. with them being minorly adjusted for the rules.

This story starts out as how Spider-Man came to be the wall-crawler we know. After foiling a heist Pete chases captures most of the game save for one, a hood named Georgie. The hood escapes Spidey by going into the sewers and then accidently stumbling upon the lair of Norman Osborn.

Georgie knowing his boss will be pissed at the heist being blown, figures this will be please his mysterious boss.



Not soon after, the fire department is called into the location and it is then that Pete learns the abandoned building was once owned by Norman Osborn. Instantly, he begins to wonder that this isn't good at all and knows it has to be the thug that got away's doing. During the scene as well we're introduced to Hobgoblin Suspect #1 Lance Bannon. For those wondering who Lance was, well he was like Pete a photographer for the Bugle. Infamously, after the Hobgoblin Saga he got roped up in a Web of Spidey mystery storyline called Facade. I'll just point out poor Lance got murdered in that storyline senselessly and hasn't been ressurected or even remembered since.

Speaking of old Georgie:










Now knowing who was the Hobgoblin as Roger Stern intended, I can't help but now look upon the knowledge now at these scenes and wonder if these where some bread crumbs at least Stern was giving us into making Kingsley a suspect. Hobby here pretty sure knows how to adjust and perfecting costumes. Almost as if he's well versed in the art.

We have another moment coming up in #239 where Hobby displays another noticticable Kingsley trait after he aqquires the battle van. If Kingsley truly ever does return I kinda hope somebody remembers this off road vehicle. It's still in Kingsley's possession and one has to wonder given the years that have past what kind of upgrades has he installed in it.





Again, I cannot help but note why the hell would someone like Ned ever even consider buying stocks in Osborn's company? Sure the Daily Bugle comment does throw some suspicion. But again, Ned as the Hobgoblin was never in this for a business angle. He was in it for exposing corruption and taking down the Kingpin. At this point and time Hobby's barely even thinking of such a deed.

Anyway, we get Harry and one Donald Menken who plays not much a role here, but later on in the 90s in two of Stern's Spidey mini's, "Hobgoblin Lives" and "Revenge of the Green Goblin". I don't think the character has appeared much outside of those mini's and here. Though I'm probably wrong. We get another Lance scene in this issue as well, but nothing really to throw suspiscion in his direction.

As for Pete, well like the headline states he's watching on Felcia due to her beating she took from Doctor Octopus. Still he goes on the trial of Hobby, checking out any Green Goblin hide-out he could remember. After two tries Pete hits paydirt:



Hobby quickly decides to cut his losses and make a run for it, but Spidey is in hot pursuit now.




Spidey uses the gas bomb Hobby threw to hide his actions and nails a web onto Hobby's glider.



The shot triggers a gas mane which Spidey goes to quell and with that Hobby make's his escape. Again the first of many little inner thoughts of Hobby stating how much damage it would cause his family if he where caught. Really, given this is Ned this make's no sense whatsoever. For Kingsley it make's somewhat better sense, though more he's worried he'll lose his riches and money than his brother.



And thus starts Hobby's quest for the Goblin's power. Should I continue? If so where should I stop? Well obviously I cannot post Amazing Spider-Man #289 due to HE WHO MUST NOT BE NAMED . So what say you Scans Daily? More or is this it?

Comments

[damar148.insanejournal.com]

I start to wonder if they had Hobby replace Norman as the leader of the Thunderbolts, Dark Reign would better.

[jlroberson.insanejournal.com]

First off, sorry, no way are you scarier than Norman. For one thing, you're sane.

Second, I was promised Spider-Man being torn in half, and yet I get none. Bah.

[zechs27.insanejournal.com]

The torn Spidey is a play on an earlier Kingsley tale of "Roderick" going around with an empty Spidey suit thinking he killed Spider-Man. Another clue to Hobby's id.

[zechs27.insanejournal.com]

It Roderick replaced Norman, then Dark Reign would never end. Roderick is WAY more competant than Norman given the track record. Hobby's only been caught once. Norman, three times maybe more. :P

[aaron_bourque.insanejournal.com]

First off, sorry, no way are you scarier than Norman. For one thing, you're sane.

Which is what makes him scary. He's both sane and competent. That's terrifying.

Aaron "The Mad Whitaker" Bourque; the Joker is scary not because he's crazy, but because he is amazingly good at what he does. Same. With. Hobgoblin.

More please!

[proteus_lives.insanejournal.com]

I have this tale in the trade Spider-Man: The Origin of the Hobgoblin.

It was one of the first trades I ever owned. (And still do!)

Ahh, memories.

Re: More please!

[zechs27.insanejournal.com]

It took me quite some effort by I too have the trade. Of one of many trades Marvel needs to put back in the reprinting section. Such good stuff that trade was.

As it took me to gain the first appearance as well. No tattoo and it is worse for a little wear, but it doesn't matter to me. All that matters is I have Hobby's first appearance. Course it still gnaws at me it isn't his first "true" appearance that's in Spectacular Spidey. Still, that's all that matters to me is possessing a fav character of mine.

[arilou_skiff.insanejournal.com]

I think if Roddy replaced Norman as head of the TB he'd stay there. He doesen't have the crazy to try to rule the world, he'd just sit there and use his influence to make gobloads of cash and laugh all the way to the bank.

Re: More please!

[proteus_lives.insanejournal.com]

Completely understandable.

I strive to collect every appearance of Proteus and Deadpool. I have multiple copies of their first appearances. Including some signed ones!

[kagome654.insanejournal.com]

My copy of #238 is missing the free 'tattooz'. It makes me sad.

And I say 'more'! You at least need to get to the stuff with the battle van!

[kagome654.insanejournal.com]

For one thing, you're sane.

Is he though? He tries to reassure himself of his own sanity more than once, but sometimes you have wonder...maybe he's just really good at hiding it.

Or maybe he's just a scary, evil bastard. Either way works.

[thandrak.insanejournal.com]

I always felt that the Spider-Man Movie Venom was based on Lance Bannon. The look is way more similar, as is his civilian identity's job and attitude.

[stig.insanejournal.com]

Without being insulting, I can't help but feel that the Hobgoblin was an earlier variation of the Red Hulk. I mean, new spin on old character...more intelligent and sadistic...strange mystery over identity...re-colouring of a traditionally green look...it's all there!

I firmly believe Kingsley was and is sane from that DeFalco story which was his last appearance...I just loved that when in a room with Osborn, Norman is thinking of manipulating Kingsley to his will and Kingsley is simply thinking "Holy Shit! He's Nuts!". Plus, there's the fact that he appears to be the only supervillain who took the money and ran, keeping out of trouble for, what is it, a decade and a half now?

[pyrotwilight.insanejournal.com]

I have to agree with that. It's the same reason they brought him into Spider-girl, geniuses with tech at their disposal tend to be scary when they're actually COMPETENT.

[daningram.insanejournal.com]

Ya know, Christopher Priest did a Deadpool flashback issue where Pool was a stand in Hobgoblin. Anyone have that issue, and wanna share?

[daningram.insanejournal.com]

Though unlike Red Hulk, Hobgoblin hasn't whupped the ass of every name character he's encountered ;)

[halloweenjack.insanejournal.com]

I wouldn't mind seeing that issue where Hobby's battle van is ripping around Manhattan by itself, even though I don't think it's a Hobby appearance proper. I always liked the battle van, it reminded me of the Urban Assault Vehicle from Stripes.

[stig.insanejournal.com]

True, true. He's classy that way.

So maybe Red Hulk is an amalgamation of elements from EVERY "New And Improved" 90s creation - Hobgoblin's mystery identity & intelligence, Thunderstrike's angery angery attitude, Carnage's hue and sadism...etc., etc...

At the state of things now, I would cheer if Carnage killed the Red Hulk. Back when he was alive, I hated Carnage with a passion.

[felinephoenix.insanejournal.com]

I've had the same thoughts about Hobby, once or twice. It's almost as if he's in denial -- or at least his sanity is a very sensitive subject for some reason. I prefer "sane and ruthless" Hobgoblin but I think there's some room for interpretation.

Re: More please!

[zechs27.insanejournal.com]

For me it's every appearance of Doom, Cassandra Cain, Cyborg Superman, Hobby (even Macendale), and Magneto. I mean sure they're reprints of they're first appearances (namely Mags haven't found Doom's though sadly) cause.. I really don't have the price tag for um.. whatever it costs for his first appearance.

[zechs27.insanejournal.com]

Alright the Stern run I'll repost. :)

[zechs27.insanejournal.com]

It would be hilarously ironic if Carnage killed Rulk. Also I be cheering too.

[zechs27.insanejournal.com]

I have a scan of it I found I think from the Original Scans Daily or a Deadpool Appreciation Thread from old Rama.

[zechs27.insanejournal.com]

A huge goblin fan named Mad Goblin theorized that it's possible a parental figure of Roderick's was mentally insane hence why he keeps telling himself he isn't as such. The link to the MadGoblin stuff is in a ton of my Hobgoblin Roddy posts here. Just follow the Roddy/Hobgoblin tag and you'll find one of my Hobby posts that has the link.

I really wish Stern or somebody would get back to writing the Hobgoblin. He's such a great villain and I love to know more about Kingsley. But then again if he does return that sets him up for a fall. And honestly the fact that he's spent over a decade now in retirement with his criminal wealth is just such a perfect end for him.

[blakeyrat.insanejournal.com]

Pop quiz, aspiring criminals: Which is less likely to be noticed by the police?
1) Quietly driving a van to a rural forested road, dropping it into a remote lake?
2) A van exploding for no reason in an urban street?

[zechs27.insanejournal.com]

Ah but this is the police of the Marvel Universe you forget! A van exploding for no reason will be attributed to it being faulty. Why? Because in the Marvelverse.. people are just idiots. :P

[blakeyrat.insanejournal.com]

I argue that it would have been MORE evil to follow the henchman, watch him dumb the van, then shoot him in the head and dump him with the van. That way you get your murder quota filled, and less attention paid.

But alas.

[daningram.insanejournal.com]

More, blast you!

[daningram.insanejournal.com]

I'd also note that in his first fight with Spidey, Hobgoblin barely wins and escapes through sheer luck, and it's made obvious that he's not in the same league as Spider-Man (yet). If nothing else, such self honesty is rare in any villain.

[psychop_rex.insanejournal.com]

I would be interested in seeing a post of the issue that Roderick Kingsley first appeared, independent of the Hobgoblin. For one thing, if I remember correctly, he's portrayed as very different from later appearances - and for another, the main villain is someone called Belladonna, who I've always thought looked interesting.

[kagome654.insanejournal.com]

Oh, I second this. Roddy was quite the stereotype when he fir st appeared (though he did have some spunk) and his 'rivalry' with Belladonna was kind of fun.

[zechs27.insanejournal.com]

I don't have these issues alas :( Though let me ask around. See if someone I know does. It might take awhile.

[psychop_rex.insanejournal.com]

I am a patient fellow. I can wait...

[kagome654.insanejournal.com]

I've got em,' I think. I'll look for them this weekend.