Years, later, the formula was specifically said to have been intended to bestow super-strength and intelligence on the user (apparently because Roger Stern felt that Osborn must've had super-strength in order to stand up to Spider-Man as many times as he did).

*****

As I say about all things comics related, "if its good enough for Uncle Rog, its good enough for me."  I think him surviving numerous fights with Spider-Man points to him having enhanced strength. Not to mention Roderick Kingsley's attempt to fight Spidey using only the equipment. I would not say Osboorne was any more athletic than Kingsley was. The serum was the X factor.

By the way Greg, according to Mr.Stern, Hobgoblin was not insane.

Not so much "shocking" as "logical"... or perhaps "fitting" is a better word.
Remember, it was supposed to be Harry, and everything was designed for it
to be Harry, but it was ultimately decided--fairly late in the game--that
Harry lacked the stature and the menace of his father.

*****

I have to say I agree with this. I like Harry but as a villian he fell way short of his father. I was more prone to feel pity for Harry rather than dread for Spidey. Whereas Norman always brought a "Oh shit" responce.

Same here, Glenn.

And, of course, JR. JR's art played a big part in that.

By the way Greg, according to Mr.Stern, Hobgoblin was not insane.

+++++++++

I know, but in the story where the Hobgoblin immerses himself in the chemical (a Mantlo/Milgrom story), there's a hint that the chemical might eventually drive him mad.

And, in the original, "Ned Leeds-as-Hobgoblin" version of events, it did.

Later, when Stern revealed Kingsley to be the real Hobgoblin, he was clearly shown to be sane, and Leeds' erratic behavior was retconned into being a by-product of his brainwashing.

Hmm, how does the Hobgoblin now fit into the continuity of Brand New Day???

Lol, just kidding.

Actually, I think Marvel has done a really smart thing by moving the Hobgoblin over to Amazing Spider-Girl.

As long as Norman Osborn is around, the Hobgoblin is a largely extraneous villain for Spider-Man. But Spider-Girl needs an arch-villain and it makes sense to use one of her father's old baddies in that role. It's a good arrangement all around, if you asked me.

Not so much "shocking" as "logical"... or perhaps "fitting" is a better word.
Remember, it was supposed to be Harry, and everything was designed for it
to be Harry, but it was ultimately decided--fairly late in the game--that
Harry lacked the stature and the menace of his father.

**********

SER: How late in the game was this, may I ask? One thing that bugged me about PP:SM #75 was when Peter took off his mask and said that this wasn't about Spider-Man and the Goblin but about Peter Parker and Norman Osborn. This elicited a WTF? reaction from me as Peter Parker and Norman Osborn had no relationship. The relationship was between Spider-Man and the Goblin. And Norman Osborn (when not the Goblin) didn't even remember Peter's dual identity.

However, that line plays out much better if it's a confrontation between Harry and Peter. I actually think that Harry Osborn made a better Goblin than Norman, at least as far as emotional impact went. Peter and Harry were good friends, so their being mortal enemies as Spider-Man and the Goblin would have a real punch. And, as another poster pointed out, Harry was someone you felt sorry for. I always viewed him as a sort of Mirror Peter -- he lacked Peter's emotional support in Uncle Ben and Aunt May. But he made up for his insecurities with his money and the popularity it brought with it (sort of how Spider-Man was an escape for Peter). This was why I didn't like James Franco as Harry Osborn. That guy would be a popular stud even without his daddy's money. Harry Osborn struck me as someone who would have been on Flash Thompson's hit parade along with Peter if not for the fact that he was loaded.

I think the Green Goblin was too good a villain to die, so I was fine with his coming back. I personally thought both he and Gwen Stacy never should have died anyway, though I agree that if she did die, he would have to, as well. Ideally, that would close up the loop and avoid her name being mentioned whenever the Goblin returned. You can look to DC to see what can happen when this doesn't take place: Pretty much every Joker story has to allude to the fact that Batman hates him because he killed Robin and crippled Barbara Gordon (as opposed to his previously having a beef with him simply because he killed innocent people).

However, the greatest problem with Norman's return was that Harry was dead! The big drama regarding the Goblin previously was that Peter had to battle "the father of my best friend!" Remove that quandry and the Goblin was just another scum bucket that Spider-Man should throw him jail. Heck, at that time, Aunt May was dead, as well, so the Goblin revealing Spider-Man's identity to the world -- while obiously inconvenient -- wouldn't be as devasting as it used to be for him in the sense that the shock might kill Aunt May.