GWEN STACY: LOST LOVE

Peter Parker’s life stands as one marked by tragedy and triumph, but perhaps more so by tragedy. Chief among those moments touched by the fickle finger of fate revolves around Gwen Stacy, whom some call Peter’s one true love.

Peter first met the bright young woman at Empire State University, a fellow student who impressed the hero in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #31. Romance between the two grew slowly at first while they dated others and the young man dealt with personal problems, but they ultimately began seeing only each other. 

 

Gwen’s father, Captain Stacy of the police, saw something in Peter and also in Spider-Man, a happy situation for the web-slinger until Stacy’s untimely death in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #90, during one of Doctor Octopus’ rampages through the city. As he lay dying, the captain revealed to Peter his knowledge of his dual identity, and blessed his relationship with his daughter. 

 

Unfortunately, Gwen blamed Spider-Man for her father’s death and in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #93 flew to England to live with relatives, unsure of Peter’s motives behind his apparent distancing of himself from her. In reality, the young hero allowed his costumed alter-ego to come between him and Gwen, as well as the growing threat of the Green Goblin, his supreme arch-enemy. Gwen returned to America in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #98 at a turning point in Spider-Man’s war with the Goblin, an unfortunate turn of events despite the young lovers’ reunion. 

 

The wall-crawler’s adventures continued, including bouts with super villains, the growth of four extra arms, and his friend Harry Osborn’s growing dependence on drugs. Gwen and Peter preserved the storms together until the unspeakable occurred: the kidnapping of Gwen by the Green Goblin.

Spider-Man rushed to save Gwen in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #121, but a standoff with his foe on top of the George Washington Bridge resulted in the young woman falling to her death. In a rage, Peter searched for the Goblin and brought him down in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #122, but too late for Gwen Stacy. 

 

Life continued for Peter Parker, though forever changed. Gwen’s death altered the fabric of his existence, as well as that of her friends, including Mary Jane Watson. Peter ultimately moved on, but his heart would be eternally entwined with the sweet memory of his lost love.

Spider-Man met several clones of Gwen over the years, beginning in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #144 and causing him both exhilaration and anguish, but in the end none of them could ever truly replace the original.