The Osborn Legacy is Getting Tangled Up With Marvel's Deadliest Symbiote

Starting with Norman Osborn, the connection between the Osborn family and the Carnage symbiote continues to evolve in Marvel Comics.

The Osborn Family's past is rife with tragedy and criminal activity, but most of that has been centered on Norman Osborn's past activity as the Green Goblin. However, in recent years the Osborns have become closely tied to another Spider-Man villain who is just as bad, if not worse: Carnage. Ever since Norman first put on the Carnage symbiote to become the Red Goblin, his family got caught up in the ongoing events surrounding the symbiotes. In fact, practically every member of his family has formed some kind of connection with extensions of Carnage, and that bodes poorly for their futures.

Cult of Carnage: Misery #2 (by Sabir Pirzada, Francesco Mortarino, Java Tartaglia, VC's Joe Sabino) depicts the latest instance of this growing bond between the Osborn legacy and the symbiotes. Liz Allen, Harry Osborn's widow and Norman's daughter-in-law, now possesses her own symbiote suit. She isn't alone though, as both her children have now been affected by symbiotes. Considering how prominent the alien species has become within the Marvel Universe lately, it's likely this bond will only grow with time, forever connecting the Osborns to yet another villain.

Norman Osborn Corrupted His Family In More Ways Than One

The biggest chip on the Osborns' collective shoulders was Norman's history as the Green Goblin. Aside from tainting their family dynamic, his criminal activities created a level of distrust and secrecy between even close family members. To make matters worse, many of Norman's past crimes often came back to haunt his family, resulting in tragedy after tragedy befalling them, the latest being the death of Harry Osborn.

However, Norman may have inadvertently topped himself when he decided to put on the Carnage symbiote. It was a means to gain the power needed to kill Spider-Man. His own Goblin abilities, coupled with the enhanced power of symbiote, made Norman a force to be reckoned with. Thanks to some quick thinking, Spider-Man got the two to separate, but the damage was already done. Norman had not only affected himself with the Carnage symbiote, but he had even corrupted his grandson Normie with it. Additionally, Norman indirectly inspired Liz Allen to use her connections to research symbiotes.

A Better Use for Symbiotes

Normie Osborn has been trying to be a better Osborn than those who came before, but even he admits the legacy they've left isn't easy to deal with. Normie's own adventures have guaranteed he'll forever be tied to the symbiotes. Having been gifted a new symbiote that he has named "Rascal" Normie has started a career as a new, heroic Red Goblin. Unfortunately, this symbiote is still Carnage's offspring, even if it has no psychic connection to the vicious symbiote.

Normie Osborn has grappled with how the symbiote exposes the darkness within him, one brought on by the various traumas he has suffered as a result of his family's actions. Normie feels isolated and left alone with his anger and bitterness. Those feelings often manifest when he is bonded with Rascal, prompting him to lash out in bursts of violence. Still, the one saving grace Normie has at the moment is that he is trying to put what both villainous legacies have given him to good use.

Normie's mindset is similar to his mother's, who is also working hard to find a better purpose for the symbiotes. Liz Allen Osborn has been using her company to research other uses for the symbioses beyond violence, but discovered that they could be fused, resulting in new abilities. One such suit has bonded with her, a combination of the Carnage and Anti-Venom symbiotes, transforming her into the heroine "Misery." Of course, this only shows how far Carnage's reach extends, now affecting those who married into the Osborn family.

The Osborns Will Become More Connected to Symbiotes

If all of this is any indication, then the ties between Carnage and the Osborns will become stronger as time passes. There have already been instances where being within the presence of Cletus Kasady has set off Normie and Rascal. Cletus even managed to affect Normie's younger brother, Stanley. Kasady outright possessed the child to turn him into an extension of his will. While the Carnage symbiote has yet to reappear on Earth, when it eventually does, the Osborns will undoubtedly be dragged into it since its three most prominent members all have a connection to it.

Through Carnage, the Osborns have gained a permanent link to the world of the symbiotes. Normie Osborn's best friend is Dylan Brock, the son of Eddie Brock, who is (or at least trying to be) the King in Black, master of all symbiotes. Norman has become wary of the Carnage symbiote since wearing it, and Liz continues to experiment with the suits despite knowing the risks — like the fact part of the suit she's wearing comprises a bloodthirsty symbiote.

At the rate the Osborns are going, they will only become more involved with the symbiotes. Fans can expect to see the Osborns featured prominently when Carnage resurfaces on Earth. He has been gearing up for a major event for some time, gathering power for his own murderous reasons. The Osborns will likely be one of the few people in the universe with any insight into how to defeat him. Or worse, they could become unwilling pawns to the symbiote. Considering all their symbioses are mere extensions of Carnage, it seems possible this will backfire on them. Regardless of what happens, the Osborn legacy has now been stained by Carnage.