Proto-Goblin

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Attributes

Eyes:	brown (as Van Adder), yellow (as Proto-Goblin)
Features:	razor sharp teeth and claws
Hair:	blonde (as Van Adder and Proto-Goblin)
Weight:	190 lbs (as Van Adder), variable (as Proto-Goblin)

Powers

Abilities:	Enhanced strength and agility due to the experimental Goblin Formula he was given
Equipment:	none (literally, he doesn't even wear a costume or clothes for that matter!)
Limitations:	The experimental serum Norman Osborn used on Van Adder was not stable, so Van Adder's transmutation progressed rapidly out of control

Summary

Created By:	Howard Mackie and Dan Fraga
Former Occupation:	Former employee of Osborn Industries
Known Confidants:	Formerly Norman Osborn, but when their 'experiment' went awry, so did their pact
Major Enemies:	Norman Osborn, George Stacy, Arthur Stacy
Marital Status:	unknown
Real Name:	Nels Van Adder

Background

”A Prelude in Red”

An obscure character from years ago in Norman Osborn's past, Nels Van Adder provided an important step in his journey towards becoming the Green Goblin. Shortly after Osborn had Mendel Stromm framed for embezzlement, Norman attempted to create a super soldier formula of his own. He wasnt having much luck and realized that he needed Stromm's notes on the formula he had been working on in order to be successful.

In the meantime, Osborn had used one of his own, failed serums on an OsCorp researcher, Dr Nels Van Adder. Van Adder had volunteered to be a test subject to the prototype serum, knowing that there was no "stabilizing reagent." The formula turned his body red, his eyes green, elongated his teeth, increased his strength and gave him bullet proof skin. This was more than what Dr Van Adder had bargained for and he confronted Osborn on the matter.

This was also around the time that Arthur Stacy had been made OsCorp's Head of Security. After a strange, red creature had tried to break into OsCorp and injured some NYPD officers, Arthur found the work badge of Nels Van Adder, identifying him as an employee. The badge seemed to have been left by the creature. Arthur later asked Norman about Van Adder, who brushed his Head of Security aside. Later that night, a seemingly random gang related drive by shooting hit the Stacy home, nearly injuring Arthur and his wife.

Already suspicious of Norman Osborn, the drive by gave Arthur all of the evidence he needed. His security card had been revoked at OsCorp and he broke in. He was confronted by his older brother, George Stacy, who knew his hot headed younger brother would over react and blame Norman for the drive by. It was then that they heard Osborn being attacked by Van Adder.

While their bullets didnt do much against the Proto-Goblin, Arthur did manage to knock the mutated scientist out of Norman's office window with a football tackle that they used as kids "in old man Gallagher's lot." George broke his leg in the fight, giving him the injury that necessitated his use of a cane for rest of his life. After the creature escaped, Norman explained to the police that Dr Van Adder had been an assistant to Dr Stromm and had experimented with Stromm's biotechnology. Osborn may have cleared himself in the eyes of the police, but not with Arthur Stacy, who quit as his Head of Security. It was a small price to pay for Osborn, who found the missing notes to the Goblin Formula in Stromm's desk, which had been smashed in the melee. (Flashback Peter Parker: Spider-Man #-1)

”Shadow of the Goblin”

At an empty house, the Proto Goblin ate dinner with his family. However, his “family” was made up of mannequins. He tried to comfort himself with his fake family but eventually blew up in anger over his self deception. He missed his wife and children and tore apart the fake people. He was approached by a woman that told him family was nothing but trouble. Van Adder later smashed into a building where a party was being held. He was looking for Harry Osborn and quickly carried him away. He took Harry across the rooftops and they were stopped by Spider-Man. Van Adder landed on the pavement and Spidey knocked him into a wall. He immediately feared that he had badly hurt the strange red creature, as he was still angry over the recent death of Ben Parker. Goblin recovered quickly and hammered at Spider-Man, who didn’t fight back.

Harry had made his way to the street and Gwen Stacy arrived to tell him she was calling the police. Proto-Goblin tried to grab Harry again but was yanked away by Spider-Man. He threw the webhead around before the police arrived, making him flee the scene. Later, he was at the abandoned home and the woman told him he had failed. He just wanted his family back and she told him that she wouldn’t help him until he’d done his job. She knew that Norman would increase security after the attack on Harry and Van Adder promised it wouldn’t stop him. Emily Osborn demanded that he bring her son to her. (Spider-Man: Shadow of the Green Goblin #1)

Nels was scolded by Emily for his self pity and said she’d help him if he brought her Harry. He threatened to kill her if she lied to him and he was interrupted by his body undergoing another painful mutation. He went to check on his wife and kids as they had dinner. Later he showed up at the Osborn home and told Norman that he’d come for Harry. Norman asked why he wanted his son when he’d been the one to betray him. Proto-Goblin said he’d be back for him but he was stopped by Norman’s security team. Their bullets didn’t stop him and he soon brought Harry to his mother. (Spider-Man: Shadow of the Green Goblin #2)

Nels eavesdropped on Emily telling the unconscious Harry the story of her marriage to Norman and how she faked her death to escape him. Nels empathized with her story and she told him that while he looked like a monster, Norman was the real one. She told him to kill her former husband and then she’d cure him of his condition. He showed up next to Norman’s hospital bed that night but couldn’t bring himself to commit murder. Norman laughed and taunted him, telling Nels that he’s still a weakling. Nels said that he was desperate, not weak. If Emily said killing him would bring his family back, so be it. Norman was actually stunned to hear his long-thought-dead wife’s name but was spared by the timely intervention of Spider-Man. Proto-Goblin knocked him out the window and his new mutation caused Spidey to stop in his tracks. He saw a hallucination of the burglar holding Ben hostage as May begged Peter to save him. (Spider-Man: Shadow of the Green Goblin #3)

The hallucination made Peter believe that Ben had been shot a second time, leaving him an inconsolable mess. Proto-Goblin was confused by what he saw but was distracted by his own deteriorating condition. He fled and continued to pursue Norman north towards the family cabin. Spider-Man followed him after the hallucination ended, following reports of a red monster bounding up the New York thruway. During the fight, Proto-Goblin crashed into a bus which smashed through the guard rails. Spider-Man kept the bus from sliding down the hill but Proto-Goblin escaped.

Proto-Goblin found Emily as she drove away from the cabin after being rejected by Harry. She tried to get him to kill Norman but he only wanted the cure and promised to make her wish for death if she refused. She confessed that there was no cure, it had been a lie to force him to be her revenge. Spider-Man arrived and Van Adder fled into the woods, as his body was badly deteriorating. Alone in the forest, his body dissolved into goo, which was later found by a hazardous material team. (Spider-Man: Shadow of the Green Goblin #4)

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Appearances