Gold Goblin #1 (2022)

As Norman oversees his grandson Normie's batting cage practice, cheering him on, he ponders to himself about being without sin and throwing stones at himself. After giving notes and commenting on playing to win, Norman course corrects that having fun is what matters and lets Normie just hit them. Norman self-reflects that it has nearly been a year since Sin-Eater cleansed him but has felt a gaping gnaw within himself instead of a sensation of feeling more free. Going to get some ice cream, Norman realizes that without his sins he can feel the pain he's caused, and has tried not to laugh as it scares people. Having tried to fill his emptiness with good, Norman can't help but recall the evils he's done. As Normie "bats a thousand," Norman is caught in a repressive memory loop of when Gwen died, encouraging Normie to hide his wailing guilt. Later, Norman admits to himself that it felt good when he helped Peter defeat Hobgoblin (Ned Leeds), because it felt like he was punishing himself. Returning to Oscorp, Norman asks Barb to message Mister Antonio for an update on his project by end of day before meeting Peter in his office with a Daily Bugle paper, shocked at his identity being discovered and his being dubbed the "Gold Goblin," sending Norman into a quiet panic as he wanted divorce from the Goblin moniker. But while Peter notes that the new Spider-Suit can now be traced to Oscorp, Norman's anxiety soars, Peter snaps him back as his concern is that, despite Norman doing good is great, the "fool me once" addage plays and Peter feels that since it was a hundred times for him, that addage may as well end with "I'm Spider-Man." As Norman wants to be a hero now, Peter understands and takes his leave having concluded his business. However, Norman has a mental break and is met by Harry as Green Goblin berating and mocking his want to "be good." Exiting in a worry, Barb gets Mister Antonio on the line for Norman, who confirms to have found the samples norman wanted and the merchant is selling at $400,000 a piece. Norman orders Antonio to set up the buy, and tells Barb he'll be unreachable for the rest of the day. In the elevator, Norman is haunted by a vision of Gwen Stacy, who Norman saw talking to Peter a short time ago and she tells Norman that he isn't going insane, as he's not a real victim here. Snapping her neck to remind him of his sin upon her, Gwen tells Norman that she is talking about guilt and welcomes Norman to it. Norman rides the elevator in silence with Gwen staring at him, realizing the hole in him is getting worse. At his home, Norman can't find evidence of a break-in but knows someone got inside and is messing with him. As his operators confirm the merchandise, Norman concludes not to tell Peter about seeing Gwen, and agrees with Peter that he needs to let go of the Goblin tech. However, his field operators come in contact with Jack O'Lantern, and Norman recalls the last one being Jason Macendale who momentarily upgraded to Hobgoblin. But having tracked this new one going around collecting in the black market skeleton trade, Norman's operators radio for orders but find themselves at Jack's mercy. Thankfully, Norman arrives as Gold Goblin and saves his men from Jack O'Lanterns Pumpkin Bombs and disables Jack's gear during the chase. When Jack crashes, the flame feature on his helmet explodes and breaks open his mask. When Norman has a momentary relapse of character to berate Jack, mocking him for being no goblin, a pair of kids see him and ask for his autograph on a skull that fell from Jack's bag. As the kids race off with a cool souvenir, Norman sees the ghosts of those he's hurt in his head and accepts no more goblins, just guilt and welcomes himself to it.