of Spider-Man has always been besieged by goblins, and a spectacular new cosplay perfectly portrayed the two most famous of these enemies: Green Goblin and Hobgoblin. The differences between the two are perfectly captured in this cosplay and are also a reminder of a time when Green Goblin wasn't Spidey's dominant enemy like he is today.
On Instagram, @christianperera_ created a double cosplay of Green Goblin and Hobgoblin teaming up to, presumably, destroy Spider-Man once and for all. @christianperera_ portrays the Green Goblin, while @battle_damage_props is responsible for his orange counterpart.
They both present imposing figures, and there's a shocking amount of detail in both costumes, whether it's the different layers of armor or how their masks and helmets strike the perfect balance where they're both scary but still have that “Halloween costume” aesthetic. one of the best versions of goblins. The cosplayer also credits @altovenue and @fotobyryan for the photography, and @proptimusprime for creating the Green Goblin's helmet.
Green Goblin and Hobgoblin come to life in a spectacular Spider-Man villain cosplay
Sorry, Spider-Man, but these goblins will definitely win
Green Goblin and Hobgoblin have a long history as Spider-Man villains. Green Goblin is obviously iconic: he was first the alter ego of Norman Osborn, then Harry Osborn, and a few others. The Hobgoblin's lineage is even more complicated. He was originally intended to be reporter Ned Leeds, but his identity was reconfigured a decade later to be Rodrick Kingsley, a fashion designer for whom Mary Jane Watson worked. In the decades since, the role has been taken on by nearly countless other villains, including Leeds, and creators love to represent the revolving door that is the Hobgoblin's identity.
With the Green Goblin's cultural dominance featured in several different films and animated adaptations, it's easy to forget that for the generation that grew up in the 1990s, Hobgoblin was the main goblin villain in the Spider-Man comics. Norman died in the early 1970s, and Harry died exactly 20 years later in 1993. These deaths left a Goblin-sized hole in Spider-Man's roster of villains that led to the resurgence of Hobgoblin and the aforementioned retcon of Kingsley. Until Norman Osborn's ignominious return at the end of the Spider-Clone Saga, Hobgoblin was one of Spidey's greatest and deadliest enemies.
Green Goblin and Hobgoblin are not the same character in Spider-Man's story
And these cosplays show exactly why
The differences between cosplays also illustrate differences in character. The Green Goblin costume's underwear is decorated with complex technology reminiscent of his film incarnations, while the Hobgoblin costume is a more traditional fabric throughout the bottom. The Green Goblin's technology is the result of Norman being rich. Meanwhile, Hobgoblin has always been dangerous, but the identity always seems a little more careless. They have some technology, but it's almost always stolen from an Osborn project. This cosplay illustrates the differences between Green Goblin and Hobgoblin perfectly and reminds fans why they're so great Spider-Man villains.