Ned Leeds
Encyclopedia
Ned Leeds is a comic book
character in the Marvel Comics
universe
, part of the supporting cast of Spider-Man
, first introduced in 1964 in The Amazing Spider-Man
#18, by Stan Lee
and Steve Ditko
. He was a reporter at the Daily Bugle
, where Peter Parker
also works.
. Frequently, he and Peter would struggle for the affections of Bugle Secretary Betty Brant
, and eventually Ned won and married her. Ned became city editor for the paper, and hints were dropped that the couple's marriage was anything but happy.
When Spider-Man battled the Hobgoblin, Ned followed him to the villain's hideout. When Kingsley realized Ned was present, he captured and brainwashed the unlucky reporter, deciding it would be better to have a scapegoat in case he became unmasked.
Ned Leeds approached Richard Fisk
, son of the Kingpin
, to find out about his father. Discovering that Richard hated his father, Leeds helped him create a secret identity as the crime boss The Rose. Kingsley, wanting to become the new crime leader, wanted Ned to knock the older Fisk off his throne so he could have it.
Ned's regular brain washings by Kingsley caused his marriage and his professional relationships to fall apart. Increasingly mentally unstable, Ned caused Betty to find solace in Flash Thompson
, a former rival to Peter Parker.
Eventually Flash made statements about the Hobgoblin, and Kingsley staged events so Flash was revealed as the enigmatic villain. Meanwhile, Ned and Richard Fisk reached a disagreement and Ned decided to turn in Richard Fisk's identity as the Rose to his father,The Kingpin, and Kingsley decided in turn that Ned was no longer needed as the Hobgoblin. After Flash was cleared of being the Hobgoblin, Kingsley let the New York underworld empire know that Ned was actually the Hobgoblin and that he would soon be traveling to Berlin.
Ned and Peter Parker were on an assignment in Berlin, when Leeds was murdered by the Foreigner
at the request of Jason Macendale
who could now become a new incarnation of the orange hooded villain. Ned died still separated from his former wife.
Soon after that, the Kingpin revealed to Spider-Man that Ned was the Hobgoblin by presenting substantial photo evidence of Ned in the Hobgoblin costume, (which was delivered to him via Roderick Kingsley). The target was killed in Berlin, by the Foreigner's men, assigned by Macendale, who was following the orders of Richard Fisk aka the Rose. He also informs him that Macendale is the new Hobgoblin.
In time after the murder of Jason Macendale by the original Hobgoblin. Peter Parker was able to deduce there was no logical way Ned could be Hobgoblin. Having fought Hobgoblin several times Spider-Man could testify to Hobgoblin's augmented strength. Foreigner at that time was not using super human operatives. The true Hobgoblin would have killed Foreigner's men. Eventually following the clues, and with the help of Ned's widow Betty Brant, Spider-Man was able to discover that Kingsley was the true Hobgoblin and eventually defeat Kinglsley, thus clearing Ned's name.
Ned Leeds was a highly intuitive and effective investigative reporter as evidenced by his ability to locate the Goblin Lair and discover the identity of the Hobgoblin, a feat which had eluded Spider-Man. Leeds was actually more effective in his role than his successor, Jason Macendale, despite that Macendale used more sophisticated equipment and had augmented strength.
Ned had a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism, and was a master of deductive reasoning and investigation.
#121. He is a reporter for the Daily Bugle just like his mainstream version, but here he is a drunk and he and Betty Brant cannot stand each other.
issues #6 and #7. In this continuity, Ned was a senior who dated Mary Jane when she was a junior and she soon began to think he was "the one". Although, ironically, after she confessed this Ned broke up with her in favor of his old girlfriend Betty Brant
.
ride The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
as a member of Doctor Octopus
' Sinister Syndicate
. A wanted poster for him may be seen during the waiting period of the ride, which identifies him as Edward Leeds. At one point in the ride, he attacks guests with a pumpkin bomb that almost hits them, but stops thanks to the intervention of Spider-Man, who attacks Hobgoblin and stops him from further hurting guests. During the climax, he and Scream grab onto Spider-Man, who was webbing onto guests, and sends them through the city, before he is defeated when the ride vehicle crashes into his glider. He is last seen webbed up with the rest of the Syndicate.
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
character in the Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
universe
Marvel Universe
The Marvel Universe is the shared fictional universe where most comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Entertainment take place, including those featuring Marvel's most familiar characters, such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, and the Avengers.The Marvel Universe is further...
, part of the supporting cast of Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
, first introduced in 1964 in The Amazing Spider-Man
The Amazing Spider-Man
The Amazing Spider-Man is an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics, featuring the adventures of the fictional superhero Spider-Man. Being the mainstream continuity of the franchise, it began publication in 1963 as a monthly periodical and was published continuously until it was...
#18, by Stan Lee
Stan Lee
Stan Lee is an American comic book writer, editor, actor, producer, publisher, television personality, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics....
and Steve Ditko
Steve Ditko
Stephen J. "Steve" Ditko is an American comic book artist and writer best known as the artist co-creator, with Stan Lee, of the Marvel Comics heroes Spider-Man and Doctor Strange....
. He was a reporter at the Daily Bugle
Daily Bugle
The Daily Bugle is a fictional New York City newspaper that is a regular fixture in the Marvel Universe, most prominently in Spider-Man comic titles and their derivative media...
, where Peter Parker
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
also works.
Fictional character biography
Edward "Ned" Leeds appeared early in Peter Parker's life as a reporter for the Daily BugleDaily Bugle
The Daily Bugle is a fictional New York City newspaper that is a regular fixture in the Marvel Universe, most prominently in Spider-Man comic titles and their derivative media...
. Frequently, he and Peter would struggle for the affections of Bugle Secretary Betty Brant
Betty Brant
Elizabeth "Betty" Brant is a supporting character in Marvel Comics’s Spider-Man series. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, she first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #4 .-Fictional character biography:...
, and eventually Ned won and married her. Ned became city editor for the paper, and hints were dropped that the couple's marriage was anything but happy.
When Spider-Man battled the Hobgoblin, Ned followed him to the villain's hideout. When Kingsley realized Ned was present, he captured and brainwashed the unlucky reporter, deciding it would be better to have a scapegoat in case he became unmasked.
Ned Leeds approached Richard Fisk
Richard Fisk
Richard Fisk is a fictional character, a criminal in the , featured in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is the son of the Kingpin and his wife Vanessa Fisk...
, son of the Kingpin
Kingpin (comics)
The Kingpin is a fictional character, a supervillain in the . Kingpin is one of the most feared and powerful crime lords in the Marvel Universe. The character is a major adversary of Daredevil, the Punisher, and Spider-Man...
, to find out about his father. Discovering that Richard hated his father, Leeds helped him create a secret identity as the crime boss The Rose. Kingsley, wanting to become the new crime leader, wanted Ned to knock the older Fisk off his throne so he could have it.
Ned's regular brain washings by Kingsley caused his marriage and his professional relationships to fall apart. Increasingly mentally unstable, Ned caused Betty to find solace in Flash Thompson
Flash Thompson
Eugene "Flash" Thompson is a supporting character in Marvel Comics’s Spider-Man series. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, he first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15 ....
, a former rival to Peter Parker.
Eventually Flash made statements about the Hobgoblin, and Kingsley staged events so Flash was revealed as the enigmatic villain. Meanwhile, Ned and Richard Fisk reached a disagreement and Ned decided to turn in Richard Fisk's identity as the Rose to his father,The Kingpin, and Kingsley decided in turn that Ned was no longer needed as the Hobgoblin. After Flash was cleared of being the Hobgoblin, Kingsley let the New York underworld empire know that Ned was actually the Hobgoblin and that he would soon be traveling to Berlin.
Ned and Peter Parker were on an assignment in Berlin, when Leeds was murdered by the Foreigner
Foreigner (comics)
The Foreigner is a fictional comic book supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. He was created by writer Peter David, and first appeared in Web of Spider-Man #15 The Foreigner is a mercenary and assassin...
at the request of Jason Macendale
Jason Macendale
Jason Philip Macendale, Jr. is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Machine Man #19 , and was created by writer Tom DeFalco and artist Steve Ditko....
who could now become a new incarnation of the orange hooded villain. Ned died still separated from his former wife.
Soon after that, the Kingpin revealed to Spider-Man that Ned was the Hobgoblin by presenting substantial photo evidence of Ned in the Hobgoblin costume, (which was delivered to him via Roderick Kingsley). The target was killed in Berlin, by the Foreigner's men, assigned by Macendale, who was following the orders of Richard Fisk aka the Rose. He also informs him that Macendale is the new Hobgoblin.
In time after the murder of Jason Macendale by the original Hobgoblin. Peter Parker was able to deduce there was no logical way Ned could be Hobgoblin. Having fought Hobgoblin several times Spider-Man could testify to Hobgoblin's augmented strength. Foreigner at that time was not using super human operatives. The true Hobgoblin would have killed Foreigner's men. Eventually following the clues, and with the help of Ned's widow Betty Brant, Spider-Man was able to discover that Kingsley was the true Hobgoblin and eventually defeat Kinglsley, thus clearing Ned's name.
Powers and abilities
Ned was a normal man who engaged in regular exercise, which increased to more intensive levels after assuming the role of the Hobgoblin. When brainwashed, he wore the Hobgoblin's uniform and used his glider and equipment. Hobgoblin equipment includes Jack O'Lantern bombs, razor bats, and electrical shock gloves. Since Ned Leeds did not take the Goblin Formula as Kingsley did, he had no healing factor or superhuman strength.Ned Leeds was a highly intuitive and effective investigative reporter as evidenced by his ability to locate the Goblin Lair and discover the identity of the Hobgoblin, a feat which had eluded Spider-Man. Leeds was actually more effective in his role than his successor, Jason Macendale, despite that Macendale used more sophisticated equipment and had augmented strength.
Ned had a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism, and was a master of deductive reasoning and investigation.
Ultimate Marvel
Ned first appearance was in Ultimate Spider-ManUltimate Spider-Man
Ultimate Spider-Man was a superhero comic book series that was published by Marvel Comics from 2000 to 2009. The series is a modernized re-imagining of Marvel's long-running Spider-Man comic book franchise as part of its Ultimate Marvel imprint...
#121. He is a reporter for the Daily Bugle just like his mainstream version, but here he is a drunk and he and Betty Brant cannot stand each other.
Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane
Ned Leeds also appeared briefly in the comic book drama Spider-Man Loves Mary JaneSpider-Man Loves Mary Jane
Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane is an American comic book series focusing on a teenage Mary Jane, the love interest of superhero Spider-Man. The series, published by Marvel Comics, is a teen drama set outside the regular Marvel continuity, and aimed at teenage girls, as opposed to the traditional male...
issues #6 and #7. In this continuity, Ned was a senior who dated Mary Jane when she was a junior and she soon began to think he was "the one". Although, ironically, after she confessed this Ned broke up with her in favor of his old girlfriend Betty Brant
Betty Brant
Elizabeth "Betty" Brant is a supporting character in Marvel Comics’s Spider-Man series. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, she first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #4 .-Fictional character biography:...
.
Animated series
- Ned Leeds appeared in several episodes of Spider-Man: The Animated SeriesSpider-Man (1994 TV series)Spider-Man, also known as Spider-Man: The Animated Series, is an American animated series starring the Marvel Comics superhero, Spider-Man. The show ran on Fox Kids from November 19, 1994, to January 31, 1998. The producer/story editor was John Semper, Jr. and production company was Marvel Films...
voiced by Bob BergenBob BergenRobert "Bob" Bergen is an American voice actor. He is the current voice of Porky Pig , and formerly hosted Jep!, a kids' version of the popular game show Jeopardy!Bergen was born in St. Louis, Missouri...
. Used mainly as a Daily Bugle reporter, the series did not go into Leeds' background from the comics due to the fact the Hobgoblin's identity had already been revealed prior to his introduction, and Betty Brant did not appear in the series.
- Ned Leeds appears in The Spectacular Spider-Man voiced by Andrew KishinoAndrew KishinoAndrew Kishino is a Japanese-Canadian voice actor in video games, animation and voice-over narration.-Animation:*The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy - Additional Voices...
. He was renamed Ned Lee to accentuate that fact that he is Korean-American in this continuity. A crackerjack young reporter, he is convinced that he can crack the mystery of who Spider-Man really is by piecing together the clues. JamesonJ. Jonah JamesonJohn Jonah Jameson Junior is a supporting character of Spider-Man in the .Jameson is usually the publisher or editor-in-chief of the Daily Bugle, a fictional New York newspaper and now serves as the mayor of New York City...
thinks he's wasting his time and nearly hands the assignment to FoswellBig manA big man, big man syndrome, or bigmanism, within the context of political science, refers to corrupt, autocratic and often totalitarian rule of countries by a single person....
, but Robbie RobertsonJoseph RobertsonJoseph Robertson may refer to:*Joseph Robertson , English clergyman and writer*Joseph Robertson , Scottish scholar*Joseph Robertson - Dean, Oregon Health and Science University...
thinks he may have something and tells him to "run with it". He also convinces Robbie that the Green GoblinGreen GoblinThe Green Goblin is a fictional character, a supervillain who appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #14 ....
might be connected to the mystery. When VenomEddie BrockEddie Brock is a fictional character created by David Michelinie and Todd McFarlane. A comic book supervillain, Brock's earliest appearance is a cameo in Web of Spider-Man #18 before making his first full appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man #299 as Venom...
outs Spider-Man's true identity, Ned goes and interviews people that Peter Parker and Spider-Man both know, like Aunt May, the Connors, Norman Osborn, Quentin BeckMysterioMysterio is the name of three fictional characters, all of which are supervillains and enemies of Spider-Man in the . The original Mysterio was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko and first appears in Amazing Spider-Man #13, although it was later retconned that the aliens seen in Amazing...
, Flash ThompsonFlash ThompsonEugene "Flash" Thompson is a supporting character in Marvel Comics’s Spider-Man series. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, he first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15 ....
, and Eddie Brock. He eventually concludes that Peter cannot be Spider-Man, since he wore his costume unmasked on HalloweenHalloweenHallowe'en , also known as Halloween or All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly holiday observed around the world on October 31, the night before All Saints' Day...
night, a risky move the real Spider-Man would not make, and continues with his investigation. He is also shown to have an attraction to his co-worker, Betty Brant. While asking her if she believes Peter is Spider-Man, he asks her out, only for his advances to be interrupted by Jameson.
Theme park
Ned Leeds as the Hobgoblin can be seen in the Islands of AdventureIslands of Adventure
Universal's Islands of Adventure is a theme park located in Orlando, Florida. It opened May 28, 1999 as part of an expansion that, along with CityWalk Entertainment District, the Portofino Bay Hotel, and Hard Rock hotel, converted Universal Studios Florida into the Universal Orlando Resort...
ride The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man is a theme park ride located in Islands of Adventure, in Orlando, Florida and Universal Studios Japan. Built for Islands of Adventure's opening in 1999, the attraction is a hybrid ride combining special roving motion vehicles with 3-D projection, elaborate...
as a member of Doctor Octopus
Doctor Octopus
Doctor Octopus is a fictional character, a supervillain that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics since 1963. A highly intelligent mad scientist, Doctor Octopus is one of Spider-Man's greatest foes...
' Sinister Syndicate
Sinister Syndicate
The Sinister Syndicate is a group of supervillains in the Marvel Comics universe, who serve as a collection of lesser-known Spider-Man's villains...
. A wanted poster for him may be seen during the waiting period of the ride, which identifies him as Edward Leeds. At one point in the ride, he attacks guests with a pumpkin bomb that almost hits them, but stops thanks to the intervention of Spider-Man, who attacks Hobgoblin and stops him from further hurting guests. During the climax, he and Scream grab onto Spider-Man, who was webbing onto guests, and sends them through the city, before he is defeated when the ride vehicle crashes into his glider. He is last seen webbed up with the rest of the Syndicate.
Video games
- In Spider-Man: Web of ShadowsSpider-Man: Web of ShadowsSpider-Man: Web of Shadows is a video game title encompassing three versions: a full-3D action game for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Wii, and Xbox 360; a 2.5D sidescrolling beat em up action game for the PlayStation Portable and PlayStation 2 , and a 2.5D side-scrolling brawler/platformer for...
, one of the questions Wolverine will ask the player to see if Spider-Man is controlled by the symbiote is "Whose killer did we track in Berlin?". The correct answer is Ned Leeds, with Spider-Man expressing frustration and grief at Wolverine bringing up such a painful memory.