There are a lot of comics out there, but some comic book series stand out head and shoulders above the pack. With “Don’t Miss This,” we want to spotlight those series we think need to be on your pull list. This week, we’re spotlighting “Red Goblin.” “Red Goblin” is devoted to fleshing out Normie Osborn’s bond with the Rascal Symbiote. Recent issues of “The Amazing Spider-Man” and “Venom” have also explored the Osborn family and Normie’s relationships. Today we are going to dive deep into Marvel’s “Red Goblin” series to explain why you can’t Miss this intriguing Spider-Man spin-off series.
Who’s this by?
According to Marvel.com’s website Writer Alex Paknadel first boarded Marvel comics in 2020 with “Lords of Empyre: Celestial Messiah #1 illustrated by Alex Lins. Paknadel continued work on Marvel’s ‘Empyre’ with “Lords of Empyre: Swordsman” #1 illustrated by Thomas Nachlik. Following the “Empyre” projects, Paknadel worked on Hulk with “Immortal Hulk: Time of Monsters” #1 featuring artwork from Juan Ferreyra and additional writing from Al Ewing. Paknadel also worked on a ‘Death of Doctor Strange’ tie-in issue before tackling a Spider-Man project in “The Darkhold: Spider-Man #1” with artwork from Diogenes Neves. Paknadel continued to close in on the Spider-Man office following this project!
Artist Jan Bazaldua is one of Marvel’s 2023 Stormbreakers. The Stormbreakers is a program where Marvel honors up-and-coming artists over at Marvel. Marvel.com cites Jan Bazaldua’s first Marvel work as “Star Wars: Rogue One Adaptation” #1 with writer Jody Houser. Bazaldua has worked on Spider-Man comics for a long time at The House of Ideas starting with “Spider-Man” #16 written by Brian Michael Bendis. Bazaldua collaborated with Bendis for several issues of the Miles Morales-based series. Bazaldua joined the X-Men franchise with “X-Men: Gold” #27 written by Marc Guggenheim and Ed Brisson featuring additional art from David Marquez and Geraldo Borges. Despite being a 2023 Stormbreaker, Bazaldua has an extensive Marvel Comics history.
What’s it all about?
“Red Goblin” explores the life of Norman Osborn’s grandson, Normie Osborn. Normie is a younger character who has been gifted the Rascal symbiote from Eddie Brock’s son Dylan. The Marvel Universe has begun to embrace some of the younger characters in recent issues of “Venom” and “Amazing Spider-Man.” “Red Goblin” also dives deep into Normie’s grandfather Norman, exploring his recent turn to being a superhero.
What makes it so great?
The one aspect that makes “Red Goblin” so special is simply Normie Osborn himself. Normie serves as an antidote to all the slimy characters in his life and perfectly juxtaposes personalities with his grandfather, Norman. Norman has these mean tendencies laced deep within his personality. Throughout the pages of “Red Goblin” readers watch Norman Osborn try and hold some of his base instincts back as he’s begun to reform his past actions. Another excellent aspect of “Red Goblin” that makes the series great is the Rascal Symbiote. Normie is only now starting to learn how much the suit can adapt to his thoughts in the series. Rascal’s violent nature also gives him so many great character moments with Normie. If readers thought they enjoyed the tension of watching a grown man battle his Symbiote, the stakes appear to be even higher for the young Normie.
Sadly, Normie can’t hold back Rascal in each and every context. When Norman finds himself abducted by The Goblin Nation, watching Normie’s plot threads converge with Norman in this series was fascinating. Alex Paknadel did a great job characterizing Rascal and showing how useful he can be as a tool for Normie. Issue’s #2 and #3 of the series get shockingly violent for a story involving young characters. Thankfully, Paknadel has kept “Red Gobin” in good taste, using the violence as a proving ground for young Normie as a hero. Watching Normie redeem the Osborn legacy through his actions is fascinating in “Red Goblin.”
Artist Jan Bazaldua lends beautiful art to “Red Goblin.” The second issue of “Red Goblin” features a beautiful splash page with Rascal leaping into action that captures so much personality for the character. Bazaldua has a great eye for the horror visuals in the series, depicting The Goblin Nation with the aggression that “Red Goblin” calls for. Bazaldua drew a great weakened Norman Osborn in the second and third issues of the series. Bazaldua is great at depicting motion in the page. During one fight scene Bazaldua has Normie and Rascal guiding Norman out of the sewer. Bazaldua interrupts the physical contact between Norman and Normie before introducing a Goblin Nation follower to battle them. One aspect that holds back Bazaldua’s art back slightly are some of the facial expressions for the younger characters as Normie and his friends appear to have a limited amount of expressions that can be illustrated for the younger characters.
Continued belowBazaldua’s art looks great in some of the flashback scenes across “Red Goblin.” The opening pages of the “Red Goblin” tease previous chapters of Spider-Man with tense facial expressions from the various characters. Paknadel paces the introduction sequence well as the moment following this one features Rascal leaping into action. Bazaldua introduces red panel borders in the early sequence with Norman Osborn to introduce some of the darker themes of the series using the visuals in the comic book alone.
How can you read it?
You can purchase “Red Goblin” monthly from Marvel Comics wherever finer issues are sold. The first collection of the series, “Red Goblin Vol. 1: It Runs in the Family is on-sale September 5. Don’t miss the adept characterization between Normie and Norman in the pages of “Red Goblin!”
