by Joe Schickman, Reporter

Celebrating almost 50 years of the Bring on the Bad Guys trade paperback, showcasing the best bad has to offer, Marvel’s newest seven part mini-series event sees Mephisto and the mysterious Sister Sorrow entangled with the greatest of the worst villains in Marvel’s rogues gallery. In the debut and previous issue, Dr. Doom # 1: Bring on the Bad Guys, Sister Sorrow sought a soul dagger, an artifact thought lost to time. We witnessed Sister Sorrow face off against Dr. Doom, narrowly escaping with the dagger and her life, and bringing the former to her master, Mephisto. But to what devastating point and purpose? Now In Green Goblin # 1: Bring on the Bad Guys we revisit a pivotal moment in Marvel villain history, revealing to readers that Mephisto had a hand in creating one of Spiderman’s most iconic enemies.

Green Goblin # 1: Bring on the Bad Guys contains two captivating tales, both teasing an epic story with exhilarating consequences for Marvel’s greatest heroes. Neither Body Nor Mind is a creative retelling of the iconic Green Goblin origin story exposing Mephisto’s unknown involvement, and The Secret Origin of Sister Sorrow begins exploring the mysterious genesis of the reluctant servant aiding Mephisto in his quest to power the Soul Forge.

Official Synopsis:
An ALL-NEW piece of Norman Osborn’s villainous history…REVEALED! THE GREEN GOBLIN is one of the most terrifying villains in the Marvel universe – thanks to a deal with Mephisto. But what does the SOUL FORGE have to do with it? Part TWO of SEVEN Villainous One-Shots!

Creative Team “Neither Body Nor Mind”
Writers: Ethan S. Parker & Griffin Sheridan
Artist: Matteo Della Fonte
Color Artist: Mattia Iacono
Letterer: VC’s Travis Lanham
Cover Artist: Lee Bermejo
Variant Cover artists: Derrick Chew (Sister Sorrow); Miguel Mercado; Aaron Kuder & Marte Gracia; Greg Land & Rachelle Rosenberg (‘Nuff Said); Todd Nauck & Rachelle Rosenberg

Green Goblin # 1’s Neither Body Nor Mind launches an intriguing expansion into the titular character’s back story, and how it is intertwined with Mephisto’s machinations to power the Soul Forge, an ancient artifact capable of granting its master dominion over all the souls of Earth. Stakes are high as Mephisto enlists Norman Osborn to dispatch the particular souls needed to power the Soul Forge and enact his evil plan. During these events Norman is still transforming into the mad bombing goblin, but his evil roots have already burst through to the surface after a deal is struck with Mephisto for wealth, power, and more. The cost? Norman’s first-born son, the young Harry Osborn, and the Green Goblin’s first act of murder, as the devil’s assassin.

Fascinating consequences loom for the greater story to come, but we focus on the complex emotions, humor, heart, terror, and tragedy of Norman as he succumbs to the Green Goblin’s influence. It is fascinating to witness Norman’s descent into madness, his reaction to seeing Spider-Man for the first time, the manifestation of his split personalities, and the ethical war which wages between man and demon. Norman’s continuing corruption is neatly juxtaposed by the backdrop of his seemingly ideal life and controlled outer façade, belying the turmoil roiling within. When Norman sees Spider-Man swing past his window, the Green Goblin reacts by doubling down on the audaciousness and fun of his own costume, displaying the fomenting insanity inside. Mephisto’s deal is the final encouragement Norman needs, sealing his fate, and propelling him to let the Goblin finally fully come out to play.

As risky as it is to expand the backstory of a character as canonically cemented as the Green Goblin, writers Ethan S. Parker & Griffin Sheridan handle the task adeptly. Green Goblin # 1 aerates the well tread ground of Norman Osborn’s origin story with a fresh reimagining without feeling forced, deepening the familiar story with new dimension. Artist Matteo Della Fonta and Colorist Mattia Lacono balance the paced suspense building with action and excitement in rich panels heavy with atmospheric tension reminiscent of a Hitchcock film. The striking cover by the very talented Lee Bermejo makes Green Goblin # 1 hard to miss, displaying aerial-action combining classic comic aesthetic and impressive photo-realistic details. If you haven’t already, go pick up a copy today, and keep an eye out for the other titles in the Bring on the Bad Guys saga.

Rating:  
ComicsOnline gives Green Goblin # 1: Bring on the Bad Guys 4/5 Pumpkin Bombs.

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Creative Team “The Secret Origin of Sister Sorrow”
Writer: Marc Guggenheim
Artist: Michael Sta. Maria
Color Artist: Dono Sanchez-Almara
Letterer: VC’s Travis Lanham

A great bonus story snuck into this issue making it doubly worth the read, The Secret Origin of Sister Sorrow pauses on Mephisto’s devilishly diabolical plan involving Earth’s various evil doers to unwrapping the tragedy of Sorana, the loving daughter of a condemned man, who became subservient to the prince of lies centuries ago as Sister Sorrow. This is a terrific teaser of the story to come with writer Marc Guggenheim elegantly striking a balance between brevity by necessity, and epically consequential scope and scale. The visual ambience created by artist Michael Sta. Maria and Dono Sanchez-Almara convey the dramatic tone instantly, with Sister Sorrow’s design hauntingly beautiful in a world of grotesque despair. Sorana’s journey as Sister Sorrow is every bit as compelling as Mephisto’s own maneuvers for Marvel’s villains, and both make me excited to pick up the rest of the Bring on the Bad Guys series, starting with the next installment, Abomination # 1:Bring on the Bad Guys.

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