At the end of last issue, Spider-Man had found that
Norman Osborn had become the Green Goblin once more, as the Goblin attacks him
in earnest! The Goblin stuns Spidey with a hallucinogenic pumpkin bomb and
heads outside, away from the cramped space. Spidey follows the Goblin outside,
only barely managing to dodge his attacks. The Goblin severs Spidey’s web-line
and follows it up with some pumpkin bombs thinking he has Spidey defeated. The
Goblin thinks that Spidey is scared, always holding back at a crucial moment,
when in actuality Spidey is hesitant to hurt him due to the Goblin being his
best friend’s dad! Spidey swings back around, wrapping his legs around the
Goblin’s neck and stressing that he’d rather help him. However, the Goblin
stuns Spidey once again with a blinding sparkler ray, causing Spidey to fall
and cling to the underside of a ledge while his vision clears. Thinking he’s
finally killed his hated foe, the Goblin rides off, with Spidey recovering too
late to chase after him!
Now that the Goblin has won the first round, Spidey
focuses on the bigger problem: the Goblin knows who he is! Though initially
wondering if he’ll ever stop facing troubles due to his spider-powers, Peter
realizes that he’s overcome all of his battles so far and decides he won’t
quit. Back at their shared apartment, Peter runs into a still upset Harry, who
accuses him of moving in on MJ. Peter points out that was all Mary Jane’s doing
but Harry doesn’t want to hear it, taking a bunch of pills from his medicine
cabinet to ease his headache and help him sleep. Peter is concerned with how
much Harry has taken but Harry brushes him off and quickly falls asleep,
leaving Peter to worry about his friend, as well as his insane father. The next
day, the pair run into Mary Jane, who once again tries to cozy up to Peter.
Peter calls her out on it and MJ admits there’s a story behind everything if
he’d like to hear.
However, Harry has already stormed off and is quickly
approached by a guy who claims he has just what Harry needs. The guy shows
Harry a bottle of pills guaranteed to take all of his troubles away and Harry
feels that anything will be worth getting MJ off his mind! Harry accepts the
pills but assures that this will be the last time; he’s not going to get
hooked! Meanwhile, having blown off Mary Jane, Peter changes to Spider-Man to
see if he can find the Green Goblin. He tries Osborn’s office as Peter but finds
out he hasn’t been there in a couple days. Peter asks not to tell Osborn he was
there, thinking it safer if Osborn still thinks he’s dead. Later, Harry catches
up with MJ, claiming he’s decided to forgive her. She takes issue with this,
implying he’s the one that needs forgiveness and ends up dumping Harry
on the spot.
An irate Harry storms back to the apartment, blaming
Peter for everything that just went down with Mary Jane. Peter defends himself
causing Harry to tell him to move out. Peter is concerned with Harry’s mood
swings, and Harry admits that isn’t what he really wants, as he begins to
spiral. Harry refuses a doctor and says he just needs rest, causing Peter to
head out to give his roommate some space. The second Peter leaves, Harry zooms
for the drugs he was given, believing they’re just what he needs. Meanwhile,
Spidey once again tries looking for the Goblin to no avail. He quickly returns
to the apartment, to find Harry in a full-on drugged out stupor, feeling like
he’s losing his mind! Harry asks Peter to help him and just as Peter is about
to call the doctor, the Green Goblin appears once more outside his window, to
finish off Spider-Man for good! To be concluded!
Give that special marvelite a timely gift