InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "No disassemble Number Five!!"

cyberghostface (cyberghostface) wrote in scans_daily,
@ 2009-06-02 15:47:00

Entry tags:

char: donald menken, char: green goblin/norman osborn, char: spider-man/peter parker, creator: roger stern, creator: ron frenz, publisher: marvel comics

Norman and Kolina: A Love Story

In Unthinkable, Dr. Doom sacrifices his childhood love Valeria to a group of demons to gain ULTIMATE POWER and wears a new suit harvested from her skin. A lot of people here didn't like it, saying that it was too evil for Doom and it's something that Norman Osborn would do instead. I disagreed, saying that even Norman wouldn't go as far to do that to his loved ones.

And it was asked, "Does Norman really have any loved ones?" And the answer is yes, he does. Even if you were to say he doesn't love Harry (and I think he does deep-down, but that's for another day), Norman has still shown a softer side in the past when he's not trying to ruin Spider-Man's life, as evidenced in the Revenge of the Green Goblin miniseries...

Revenge of the Green Goblin was a miniseries written by Roger Stern and illustrated by Ron Frenz that first appeared all the way back in 2000. It was largely a prelude for the two-part arc in Amazing Spider-Man #25 and Peter Parker: Spider-Man #25 in which Norman tried brainwashing Spidey into making him his heir. Much of the miniseries was basically explaining how Norman regained his sanity after the events of "The Gathering of Five" and "The Final Chapter" and setting plans in motion for Spider-Man, but there was also a part that explored his relationship with a nurse named Kolina, which is what I will be posting here.

In #1...

Norman is dependent on an IV drip to maintain his sanity after the Gathering of Five.

Later...

In #2...

Later, when Norman's once again plotting against Spidey...

Finally, in #3...

Norman proceeds to recap his origin.

The rest of the issue deals with Norman revealing that he's been brainwashing Spider-Man into becoming his successor, which is later carried onto the main Spider-titles. Kolina has not appeared in any of Norman's stories since. I'd like to see her return someday, but not unless Stern is writing it--I'd hate to see Kolina face the same fate Valeria did.

Overall, this was one of my favorite Green Goblin stories. Stern, in my opinion, did a good job at humanizing Norman without contradicting him as a character. Inn light of his role in Dark Reign, I hope this showed a different side of the Goblin.

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	zechs27 2009-06-02 05:22 pm UTC (link)
	I always liked that this story also answered just how he got Kingsley's company in this by revealing Menken was his loyal little toady. It make's so much sense! Though Don is a bit too loyal for Norman's good here. Someone's gotta something for Norman sides Kolina. (Reply to this)

Oh these hooded minions are great chefs too!

sir_mikael
2009-06-02 05:58 pm UTC (link)

"Stern, in my opinion, did a good job at humanizing Norman without contradicting him as a character."

Hmm I think I agree with you here. He's still psychotic and dangerous, he's still obsessive, he still considers himself the greatest and all other pathetic and weak with Kolina here being the exception I guess. Because she is willing to be nice to him without ulterior motives, which is something he is not used to.
However it would have been nice to see a bit more about what he liked about her, without it being "oh she's so much like my dead ex-wife!"

Also as a swede, the name Kolina Frederickson makes me laugh. But I guess it does sound like a name an american would make up to sound swedish.

Ps. Dr Bendix has no mouth.

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	Re: Oh these hooded minions are great chefs too! zechs27 2009-06-02 06:37 pm UTC (link)
	So does that make Stern the Goblin King since he understands Norman and Roddy so well? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Re: Oh these hooded minions are great chefs too!

sir_mikael
2009-06-02 06:48 pm UTC (link)

Possibly. There is no contest that he's the ultimate Hobgoblin writer at the very least. I thought some of the writing in the scans above was a bit clunky but the man knows a good story and he writes in that sort of silver agey way that's not grimmdark but still complicated. And he appears to know his way around Goblins yes.

Although I really don't think we should be encouraging usage of more variations on the goblin name. :P Too many out there already.

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	felinephoenix 2009-06-03 08:40 am UTC (link)
	I agree that it's kind of annoying we don't learn much about Kolina. On the other hand, though, I kind of like the idea that Norman's falling for her only because she's so much Emily. But to be fair, ever since I read this, I wanted to know more about Emily Osborn. I know she's dead but she's interesting to me. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

sir_mikael
2009-06-03 01:50 pm UTC (link)

Now that you mentioned it, it would be really great to know more about Emily too. Does Norman see anything of her in Harry? In a good bad way or a bad way? Clearly Harrys very existance took Emily from him, but are there any qualities that brings that out even more, or that Norman acutally cares for?

And now u have me wondering how it would be if Emily came back from the dead. If handled delicatly (avoid fridging) it could be potentionally interesting. Especially in these times of Dark Reign where Norman is the unmovable bad guy in charge, but still doesn't seem to have that much inner conflict or any personal stories going on that doesn't involve manipulating ppl for power. How would he react? Doubt his sanity, asume she's being used by his enemies, eventually mellow but hate that reaction? How would she react to see what he has become? His ambition has made him more powerful and self made than ever, but he's cruel, insane, and has a horrible relationship with their son.
It could be a nice little story in that huge Dark Reign-story (not sure it woudl fit in with BND though). And I must insist that she goes away in the end, BUT NOT BY DYING, but dissapearing. Maybe she runs off herself.
The reason it would be fascinating is because in the relationship Norman would not have the power (hopefully, like we've established we don't know much about them). Don't give him the power. Let her stand up to him. Then he could be a real character, and not plot device villain or psychotic relief or archnemesis. And we might get a great character in Emily as well. It would be sweet to see her genuingly support Norman but end up on Spideys or the good guys side in the end. Maybe he should eventually consider getting rid of her, maybe she should be his blind spot forever. He should however never go over to the good guys (hence I guess why she needs to go away).

Kolina is alive, which is a plus :P but Emily seem to be able to have such a bigger impact that I would rather see her return. Even if it reeks of melodrama. But hey it's comics! Although if it's too similar to Kingpins wife, it might be redundant.

... And I need to stop typing now. I feel like I could probably go on but that test tomorrow isn't going to study for itself. Or something to that effect.

Btw I know I've seen what your icon is from, but I can't seem to remember... care to enlighten me?

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	greedyslayer 2009-06-03 07:28 pm UTC (link)
	AWESOME. You actually made an idea that wasn't exactly on my 'I'd-Love-To-See-This' list into something plausible. Additionally, for that plot, I'd love to see some Emily & Harry interaction. I have a ridiculous affection for Emily Osborn, and would love to learn more about her. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

sir_mikael
2009-06-04 05:17 am UTC (link)

I just hope Harry won't be too whiny about it :P
"Oh Mama, I've finally found yu! I just luv yu so much! ... HOLD ME!"
But yeah he'd light up like nothing we've seen, at least if she's a conpassionate person. Imagine that, a parent that actually is nice to Harry! If she had been there maybe he wouldn't have endured all that crap.
I'm pretty sure he'd accept her right away, not even considering/caring that it might be his dad trying to mess with him (which it isn't but Harry should not be trusting his dad ever).
And she could meet Normie!

This is actually the first I've ever heard of Emily but yeah exploring her would be tons of fun.

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	pyrotwilight 2009-06-02 10:11 pm UTC (link)
	...So Norman's former wife (and Harry's mother) looked just like Mayday Parker. And Norman's grandson (Normie) fell in love with Mayday. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	felinephoenix 2009-06-03 08:36 am UTC (link)
	It doesn't help that Emily and May are drawn by the same artist. I don't think the resemblance is intentional, but it's still a little creepy! (I mean, seriously. Take some of those panels out of context and I'd swear that was Grownup!Pregnant!Mayday.) (Reply to this) (Parent)

	parsimonia 2009-06-02 11:02 pm UTC (link)
	Sorry to have to ask, but what's the page-count on these titles? By my count here you've got 9 pages from #1 and 11 pages from #3. If they're standard 22-page comics then the 1/3 limit dictates the maximum number of pages for each comic should be 7 pages each. Thanks. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	cyberghostface 2009-06-03 07:40 am UTC (link)
	Alright, I removed some pics. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	zechs27 2009-06-03 12:11 pm UTC (link)
	Oh and anyone see that Great Grandpa Osborn had the SAME haircut as Norman and Harry? Osborn hair. Why continue with it? O_o (Reply to this) (Thread)

	sir_mikael 2009-06-03 01:52 pm UTC (link)
	You speak as if it's a choice. The Osborn genetics and its hair are unstoppable! Unless you're a girl. ...Then you look like Gwen Stacy instead. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	zechs27 2009-06-03 02:34 pm UTC (link)
	No hair is unstoppable. Aunt May's laid in defeat for a few years. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

sir_mikael
2009-06-03 03:08 pm UTC (link)

Aye, this is true. The battle may have been won that day, but the War of Hairs was still ongoing. And now the rightfull underdog Aunt May hair is just one of the many casualties. Other hairs that has been lost in the years of the War, some justly, some unjustly, let's watch this Montage with sad music. Supermans mullet (applause). Booster Golds mullet (applause). Mary-Jane Watsons frizzy hair (applause). Black Canarys black hair (applause). Rogues two-stripey hair (applause). Storms mohawk (sad applause).

I'm out of ideas but you get the picture :P

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	psychop_rex 2009-06-04 01:42 am UTC (link)
	Did anyone else notice that Alton Osborn does not appear to have a mouth? (Reply to this) (Thread)

	sir_mikael 2009-06-04 05:30 am UTC (link)
	I just assumed it was set really really high. Like cartoon style. But yeah. Spooky. Also note Dr Bendix in the first panels appear to be missing his mouth in both panels he's in. Maybe facial hair somehow nullifies mouths. checks own mouth No, still there. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

psychop_rex
2009-06-04 03:07 pm UTC (link)

It's a sloppy artistic detail, really. I mean, all that was needed was ooooone little line. Just one little horizontal line right under the mustache, and you WOULD have a cartoonishly high chin. Even I could have drawn that mouth properly. But no - the artist decided the page was good enough, and went to play video games instead. And as a result, Norman Osborn is descended from a line of mouthless horrors. I don't know whether to scold the artist or thank him.

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