Spider-Man kills the Green Goblin but saves Norman Osborn.
In Nick Spencer and Patrick Gleason's Amazing Spider-Man #50, the villainous Sin-Eater cleansed Norman Osborn of all his past sins, transforming them into a concentrated ball of magical energy that essentially was the Green Goblin. Since then, Osborn's transgressions have taken front stage as a main MacGuffin in Spider-Man mythology. Originally imprisoned in a magical spear by Kraven the Hunter, they were used to design fresh villain the Queen Goblin. Spider-Man lost himself to Osborn's former craziness after being stabbed with this spear and became the Spider-Goblin.
Amazing Spider-Man #54 ends Peter's possession since the Green Goblin appears as a terrible being of mystical energy, completely apart from Norman Osborn himself. The Living Brain - Spidey's sixth ever villain from Amazing Spider-Man #8 - helps Peter win out when the Goblin tries to grab his body and mind. Spending its whole life trying to uncover the essence of Spider-Man's identity, The Living Brian can strengthen Peter's mental defenses. With Spider-Man declaring, "It's over," the Goblin runs away from Peter, begging Norman Osborn to take it back, but vanishes before it can return. The Green Goblin dead."
Doctor Octopus was the last villain to attempt to possess Spider-Man; he effectively seized his life as the Superior Spider-Man. It's even more satisfying that Spider-Man can overcome and reject the Green Goblin since he lately revealed he built anti-possession defenses since then.
Peter Parker lately became a billionaire.
Though the outcome may be even more severe, as incredible as it is for Spider-Man to firmly defeat the very core of his nemesis after 60 years. First, it made sure Peter Parker had ownership of Norman Osborn's great wealth and Oscorp company since the Green Goblin was intending to possess him. Although the Goblin is vanquished, that transfer still occurs, thus Spider-Man is walking out of this fight a literal billionaire, now able to commit the ill-gotten fortune of his greatest enemy to the greater good.
As Parker Industries' CEO, Peter Parker has handled large sums of money before. Fans of this era were divided, thus Marvel most certainly has something else in mind regarding ownership of Oscorp. Peter is now technically liable for many crimes in Oscorp's past, thus the transfer might not be entirely in his advantage.
Norman Osborn also just turned free agent in Marvel lore at the same time. Originally building an advanced Iron Man-esque suit of armor for Spider-Man, Osborn had tried to atone for his crimes by assuming the Gold Goblin. Once he's permanently rid of the Goblin (and all his past misdeeds), fans had assumed this was a fleeting trip into heroism before his inevitable return to villainy, but now he's free to permanently become a force for good with an entirely new status quo. Norman Osborn is basically another Tony Stark without the Goblin, thus it will be interesting to see what he does with his second chance even as he is still troubled by the lives he took as the Goblin.
Death is the Perfect Ending for Green Goblin's Rivalry with Spider-Man
Since the momentous death of Gwen Stacy, one of the most famous events in all of Marvel Comics, Green Goblin has long been Spider-Man's most intimate enemy. Targeting Peter's friends and loved ones, the Goblin has always been a really intimate villain. Thus, Peter managing to save (and basically redeem) Norman Osborn is ideal, as is Peter beating the Goblin on such a personal level. With Spider-Man not only defeating the Green Goblin but also the corruption and hatred he stands for, this is not the typical physical triumph but a total ideological one. "Crazier things have happened," Spider-Man says as the adventure ends, clearly a new day is dawning as he admits he might be ready to befriend this new Norman Osborn.
Many Spider-Man enthusiasts would find this conclusion unsatisfactory since, although the Green Goblin began as a feature of Norman Osborn's evil and cruelty, he may have become a mystical being able of possessing others. Norman Osborn is still accountable for Gwen Stacy's death; even if he wasn't, it would be reasonable if Spider-Man didn't regard him as a friend. But the Sin-Eater cleansed Norman and the Goblin by eliminating all Osborn's past evil, so rendering him with a fresh record.
It's a big statement about Spider-Man's pure heart and his conviction in atonement that he's ready to let Osborn this new beginning. Peter ultimately hated Osborn even after Sin-Eater; he sought his assistance only because he wanted to do good in the world and was so low on means. Although a normal person—or even another hero—could rightfully still harbor that hate even toward a reformed Osborn, Spider-Man cannot as the moral center of the Marvel Universe. Norman Osborn is a great emblem of what makes Spider-Man such an iconic hero since he is really dedicated to saving everyone he can, regardless of their past actions.
Though Spide has defeated many enemies, one of his most clear, direct triumphs of all time is defeating the Green Goblin in such a way that Norman Osborn is freed for a second chance and ends up in control of Oscorp's acquired riches. As the Green Goblin's epic defeat marks a new era for the Wall-Crawler - one Peter Parker has earned a dozen times over - it will be fascinating to see what Spider-Man does with a genius, motivated friend and billions of dollars.
