MARVEL.com: Over the past couple of years, Norman Osborn has gone on quite the redemption journey. How does that story continue in SPIDER-VERSITY?
MORRIS: From a fan’s P.O.V., I love what Joe and co. have been doing with Norman in the pages of Amazing Spider-Man. It’s always fun to see heroes and villains team up, but it’s rarely done with this kind of focus on emotional stakes. Our goal is to keep that going in Spider-Versity and bring you all the fun and action of this unlikely partnership, while also digging into the long and complicated history these characters have with each other. Norman has been playing hero lately, but is afraid that the Goblin could return at any moment. One of his motives for setting up the other Spider-Heroes with a training facility is making sure they’re equipped to deal with him, should he ever break bad again.
KELLY: When I came on [Amazing Spider-Man], Norman had been “expunged of his sins” and really wanted to make the best of a “clean start,” but is that even possible? Norman’s done a lot of bad, some under the influence of the Goblin Serum, some just because he’s egotistical, quick to anger, impatient, and deeply, deeply damaged as a human. This is the sort of juicy stuff I like to dig into: character conflict with the potential to tear Norman apart and yield a lot of collateral damage at the same time. For example, when Peter disappeared, Norman’s first thought was “He’ll probably be fine – I should keep the webs warm while he’s gone.” Not entirely the plan of a rational fellow, though I believe his heart was in the right place… and it taught him a lesson. He’s no Spider-Man… but the effort is making him better. So now, somewhat humbled, he’s taking a new approach: train the young Spiders to battle a monster like himself in the way that Peter never would. More ego or a brilliant idea? Time will tell!