Summary
TheGreen Goblin’slatest upgrade in the newUltimate Spider-Manseriesis the perfect re-imagining of a classicSpider-Manmoment for a new generation of readers. Whether it’s a sign of villainy, or simply another obstacle on the road to heroism for Harry Osborn remains to be seen, but the character has a tough journey ahead of him regardless, as he deals with his father’s legacy.
InUltimate Spider-Man (2024)#7 – written by Jonathan Hickman, with art by Marco Checchetto – Harry Osborn gets the perfect Green Goblin moment as he programs an AI to belittle him in his father’s voice,much like the Goblin mask tempts Willem Dafoe’s Norman Osbornin the originalSpider-Manfilm.
In theUltimateUniverse, both Spider-Man and Harry’s Green Goblin Suitare proprietary Stark Tech, and in this issue,they’re able to unlock in-built AIs for their suits, with Harry choosing to make his sound like his dad, Norman.
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Harry Osborn’s New Norman Osborn AI Reflects The Cinematic Green Goblin’s Inner Voice
Ultimate Spider-Man (2024)#7 – Written By Jonathan Hickman; Art By Marco Checchetto; Color By Matthew Wilson; Lettering By VC’s Cory Petit
He’s certainly harsh to Harry, but whether an AI with Norman Osborn’s personality could be inclined towards supervillainy remains to be revealed.
In this world, Norman died recently in a false-flag terrorist attack, which radicalized Harry to fight against the despotic regime controlling the world, and Harry clearly has a lot of unresolved issues with his father.Harry has so far been a hero, but his uncomfortable intensity and the context of his mainstream Marvel counterpart have led some fans to suspect that he might become a villain before too long.Having Norman in his ear egging him on, telling him to go further, might only accelerate Harry’s fall, or Harry might rise above it, finally able to find some closure.
The AI itself might also go rogue if given the chance. Otto Octavious, who in this worldis a scientist working for Harry, describes the AIs as a ‘base-level consciousness’, and Harry’s is programmed using all the info available on Norman. What readers still don’t know is how villainous this world’s Norman was. He’s certainly harsh to Harry, but whether an AI with Norman Osborn’s personality could be inclined towards supervillainy remains to be revealed. The AI could theoretically take over Harry’s suit, especially if, like the issue suggests, NormAI isn’t so impressed with Harry’s progress.
Harry Osborn’s Relationship With His Father’s AI Is Already Troubling
Ultimate Spider-Man (2024)#5 – Written By Jonathan Hickman; Art By David Messina; Color By Matthew Wilson; Lettering By VC’s Cory Petit & Joe Sabino
Hopefully, Harry can push past this with Spider-Man’s help; otherwise, Ultimate Spider-Man’s new Green Goblin might suffer the same fate as his classic counterpart.
What’s great about this AI is that it literalizes Harry’s hang-ups about Norman. Harry’s always felt and been told that he’s not good enough for his father, and now Norman’s ‘ghost’ can tell Harry just that.As seen inUltimate Spider-Man(2024) #5, Harry’s final conversation with Norman literally ended with his father belittling him seconds before Norman died, and it’s this voice that Harry is putting inside his head. Or rather,this is an extension of the metaphorical voice that he’s always heard inside his head; it’s just literal now.
It’s important then that Harry himself is the one who chooses to make the AI act like Norman. On one level, this is an expression of Harry’s grief. He didn’t get a chance to say goodbye or get any closure with Norman. Maybe he can get a chance now. On the other hand, it’s Harry punishing himself, instinctively reliving and re-inflicting his past trauma. He’s still stuck searching for his dad’s approval, even now. Hopefully, Harry can push past this with Spider-Man’s help; otherwise,UltimateSpider-Man’snewGreen Goblinmight suffer the same fate as his classic counterpart.
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is the name given to several individuals who have employed a spider-moniker throughout Marvel Comics. Typically gaining their powers through a bite from a radioactive spider, the different Spider-Man heroes employ super-strength, agility, and intellect while utilizing webbing to swing and tangle up their foes. The most notable of these Spider-Men is Peter Parker, who remains one of the most popular superheroes throughout the world.
