Roderick Kinglsey's New Direction (Amazing Spider-Man #697 Spoilers)

[Cheesedique]

I love it.I was worried about Kingsley returning and his role after defeating Phil,but Slott handled this well.We can keep Phil as Hobgoblin and being the new version of Mackendale and keep Roddy in a semi-retired position as the head of a new supervillain business.The great charm of Hobgoblin's character is that he always get away an in a good position,enjoying the spoils of his machinations.

This. The new status quo for Kingsley is very respectful of his past characterization. Though I have to admit while I would like to see him as Hobgoblin full time, especially now that Norman is largely an out-of-costume villain, it just doesn't fit with what Roddy's character is about. He's always been about having others take the risks.

It's also great to have Kingsley alive and back--definitely one of Spider-man's top foes, no question for me.

[Lars C]

Although it doesn't make real sense that it would have been Daniel, I really like the way Slott fooled us, and I was delighted to see Roddy come back. I kind of like where he's ended up now, although I hope he'll still be Hobbie sometimes. :-)

[Fanofthegoblins]

Although it doesn't make real sense that it would have been Daniel, I really like the way Slott fooled us, and I was delighted to see Roddy come back. I kind of like where he's ended up now, although I hope he'll still be Hobbie sometimes. :-)

Actually it does make sense that Daniel was the hobgoblin in 649. Roddy somehow kidnapped him and brainwashed him.

[Lars C]

In that case, a throw away line about the Wrangler or something like that would have straightened it out.

[Xenon]

I can take it or leave it, honestly. It works, it makes sense, but it's not really that impactful. We've had other Kingpin types before, we'll have others after. It's a neat idea, but I'm not sure there' much to do with it besides have Hobgoblin call in for backup and make a sinister six full of completely lame villains that no one cares about. Which kinda undermines THAT idea, but meh.

The one thing that does sorta disappoint me is that,at least from my impression of the original Hobgoblin stories, Roderick seemed to be in it partially for the thrills. It wasn't just the money, he HAD that, LOTS of it. It was more about the thrill and the power, and I don't see how that plays into this role. Then again, I'm not to Hobgoblin Lives yet, so perhaps my take on him and his motivations is not yet complete.

[Mister Mets]

Actually it does make sense that Daniel was the hobgoblin in 649. Roddy somehow kidnapped him and brainwashed him.

I thought Roddy just franchised out the Hobgoblin to him.

[E. Wilson]

I thought Roddy just franchised out the Hobgoblin to him.

I'm kind of leaning towards the "kidnapped and brainwashed" thing myself, at least in some capacity. Daniel's been pretty consistently portrayed as a coward, and terrified of Roderick's costumed antics. I just don't see him voluntarily signing up for the job.

[Fanofthegoblins]

I'm kind of leaning towards the "kidnapped and brainwashed" thing myself, at least in some capacity. Daniel's been pretty consistently portrayed as a coward, and terrified of Roderick's costumed antics. I just don't see him voluntarily signing up for the job.

Poor Daniel actually believed he was his brother. You can tell from reading the dialogue back in Osborn's hideout that he wasn't himself. He sounded more like Roderick talking.

At first, I thought Phil paying Roddy was more of a copyright infringement kinda thing. Like, you make a profit off a man's costume and name, you have to pay to use that name and costume.