21st-century Marvel’s portrayal of Spider-Man is an unusual evolution. Instead of continuing with the mature, married Spider-Man that many fans have fondly known, Marvel opted for a reimagining of him as a younger, somewhat pitiable character, which seems like a step backwards in terms of character development. This regression has given renewed focus to a character who was thought to be long gone: Gwen Stacy. Gwen is Peter Parker’s first love and she holds significant significance in Spider-Man’s narrative history. Her death left a profound mark on the character’s universe, creating a new sorrow for Spider-Man to grapple with.
The character of Gwen Stacy was thought to be permanently gone, but it seemed like those working behind the scenes at Marvel were keen on bringing her back. Many at Marvel’s editorial team grew up with Peter and Gwen, passing down their affection for these characters to younger editors. This led to the introduction of the first Gwen variant, Spider-Gwen. However, this development felt like a potential trend that might escalate, and indeed it did as more Gwen characters emerged. Now, it appears a full resurrection of Gwen Stacy is imminent. Yet, we don’t need multiple versions of Gwen; one would suffice.
Gwen Stacy Is the Spider-Man Girlfriend of an Older Generation and Marvel Can’t Change That
In the early ’90s, I began delving into Spider-Man comics, where my personal perspective at the time depicted him as being in his late twenties and wed. Life wasn’t easy for this Spidey – balancing superhero duties with financial struggles and relationship issues with Mary Jane. Yet, there was a sense of peacefulness about this version that resonated positively. It offered comfort to the nerdy me, instilling hope. This Spider-Man, the one read by many between 1987 and 2007, was our Spidey. Many fans like myself never grew up with Gwen Stacy as a main character; we knew her significance but only encountered her through a backup story in The Amazing Spider-Man #400 titled “I Remember Gwen.” This tale portrayed Gwen not as the ideal blonde princess, but rather someone who caused trouble for Peter and others. To us, Gwen Stacy was this complex character.
In a distinct turn of events, the editorial team at Marvel was predominantly composed of longtime fans who first encountered Spider-Man during Gwen Stacy’s era. They yearned for the classic version of Spider-Man they had grown up with, but the sales were stable enough that they didn’t need to scrap Peter Parker’s marriage to Mary Jane. The concept of dissolving the marriage was often discussed in the Spider-Man department throughout the ’80s and ’90s, but it wasn’t until the late 2000s, under the Quesada/Brevoort/Alonso leadership at Marvel, that they finally decided to end the marriage.
It was inevitable that Gwen Stacy would be brought back to life following the significant transformations triggered by the comic “One More Day”. Over the years, characters like Spider-Gwen and Gwenpool were introduced to gauge audience acceptance of Gwen Stacy, with the aim of making her appealing to a fresh demographic. Since the publication of “One More Day” almost 20 years ago, numerous stories involving Gwen Stacy have been written, leaving fans who are already frustrated by Marvel’s persistent portrayal of Gwen Stacy as Peter Parker’s one true love feeling like these tales were mere trial runs.
In simpler terms, the impact of Gwen Stacy’s tragic story – a relationship with Peter Parker that wasn’t particularly joyful towards its end – is more significant to Spider-Man’s narrative than the character of Gwen Stacy herself. Fast forwarding to 2025, Gwen Stacy is a character known primarily for her role as a symbol of tragedy in Spider-Man’s life. Many Marvel fans who read “The Ultimate Spider-Man” (Vol. 2) have no attachment to Gwen Stacy beyond this tragic role. They prefer her memory to serve as a reminder of the hardships faced by Spider-Man, rather than having her physically return to the mainline universe. However, it seems that Marvel is persistent in their interest in Gwen Stacy, but perhaps they should reconsider and find ways to incorporate her character more effectively within the current Marvel Universe.
Gwen Stacy Is Better in the Ground
Without the death of Gwen Stacy, there wouldn’t be the modern incarnation of Spider-Man we know today. This pivotal event left an indelible mark on him, shaping his actions in subsequent years and giving rise to a new interpretation of the character. It was a defining moment, one that should remain central to his story. Gwen Stacy, not Spider-Gwen or Gwenpool, is a character many fans have yet to encounter. She’s a piece of history, a relic in a way.
Through the chronicles of The Amazing Spider-Man, it’s evident that the perception of Gwen Stacy as a blissful character is misleading; she has often served Spider-Man better as a sacrifice than in any other role. If one had followed the primary series featuring Gwen Stacy and Peter Parker, they might see things differently. Unfortunately, most comic readers haven’t delved into these specific titles. The return of Gwen Stacy seems more like an attempt to satisfy older editors who harbored a childhood affection for her character, rather than a move grounded in the narrative’s needs.
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2025-03-01 23:10