4. Norman Osborn's Green Goblin
Columbia PicturesReturning to Sam Raimi's trilogy we have the first Green Goblin; the serum that gave him superhuman strength and lunacy was an act of genius (even if it now feels like a weaker version of Captain America's serum.) The glider and armour were equally feats of genius; without both of these parts the Goblin would not have been anywhere near as menacing, threatening or dangerous. The Green Goblin is Spider-Man's arch nemesis; he is the villain who is nearly synonymous with the web-head. Raimi's trilogy was irrevocably altered by the Green Goblin; he is the source of Harry Osborn's conflict with Spider-Man in the second film, and in the final installment Harry Osborn has a vendetta against Peter Parker that results in a stunning battle sequence. While Harry had clearly gained a mastery of science in between these films, it is Norman Osborn's initial flurry into superpowers that kickstarted the franchise. It is for this reason that the Green Goblin must be seen as the result of genius, even if he was an astonishing villain.