Rating: 
Summary: "A truly enjoyable comic..."
Review: ...although it might help, as the many zealous reviews below would suggest. Honestly, this is one of a very small number of superhero books I would recommend to people who are not fans of the genre. Everything--art and story--fell together beautifully in these two short runs created way back in 1971 and 1973. (In typical Marvel fashion, nowhere in the book is it noted precisely when the original issues were published. I suppose the premise is that the bulk of readers have memorized the publication dates of every issue of THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN.) John Romita had established a look for Spider-Man that was solid and clean, if uninspired, but shortly before the first of these two runs, pencilling chores were assigned to Gil Kane, who was at the peak of his form. Just look at the way he captures the emotions of the Goblin on pages 18-19 of issue #98. It's almost painful to watch, and in my opinion is more dramatic and moving than the actual death of Gwen Stacy that takes place in issue #121. On the other hand, it's hard to show Peter Parker's emotions when he's wearing Spider-Man's mask. Kane makes up for it, though, when he shows us Peter's unmasked face, wild with grief and anger, in the middle pages of the final issue.
In these days, when unchecked cruelty and violence are standard fare in the superhero genre, and creators regularly kill off or maim beautiful female characters, THE DEATH OF GWEN STACY may seem quaint, but at the time it was genuinely shocking.I think it's fair to say that this book represents the pinnacle of the superhero genre, taking the material as far into the realm of "realism" and "relevance" as it can be without becoming just silly. After this, it was all downhill.
Rating: 
Summary: You don't have to be geek to enjoy this book...
Review: ...although it might help, as the many zealous reviews below would suggest. Honestly, this is one of a very small number of superhero books I would recommend to people who are not fans of the genre. Everything--art and story--fell together beautifully in these two short runs created way back in 1971 and 1973. (In typical Marvel fashion, nowhere in the book is it noted precisely when the original issues were published. I suppose the premise is that the bulk of readers have memorized the publication dates of every issue of THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN.) John Romita had established a look for Spider-Man that was solid and clean, if uninspired, but shortly before the first of these two runs, pencilling chores were assigned to Gil Kane, who was at the peak of his form. Just look at the way he captures the emotions of the Goblin on pages 18-19 of issue #98. It's almost painful to watch, and in my opinion is more dramatic and moving than the actual death of Gwen Stacy that takes place in issue #121. On the other hand, it's hard to show Peter Parker's emotions when he's wearing Spider-Man's mask. Kane makes up for it, though, when he shows us Peter's unmasked face, wild with grief and anger, in the middle pages of the final issue.
In these days, when unchecked cruelty and violence are standard fare in the superhero genre, and creators regularly kill off or maim beautiful female characters, THE DEATH OF GWEN STACY may seem quaint, but at the time it was genuinely shocking. I think it's fair to say that this book represents the pinnacle of the superhero genre, taking the material as far into the realm of "realism" and "relevance" as it can be without becoming just silly. After this, it was all downhill.
Rating:
Summary: Once again, somebody Spider-Man loves dies
Review: Actually "The Death of Gwen Stacy" deals with more than the titular fatality and the end of the original Green Goblin in reprinting five classic comic books from Volume 1 of "The Amazing Spider-Man." You also get the previous three-story confrontation between Spider-Man and the Green Goblin that became infamous when the stories did not receive the Comic Book Code seal of approval because of a major sub-plot involving Peter Parker's roommate Harry Osborn being hooked on drugs: (1) "Amazing Spider-Man" #69, "And now, the Goblin," Story by Stan Lee, Art by Gil Kane and John Romita, Sr.; (2) "Amazing Spider-Man" #70, "In the Grip of the Goblin," Story by Stan Lee, Art by Gil Kane and Frank Giacoia; and (3) "Amazing Spider-Man" #71, "The Goblin's Last Gasp," Story by Stan Lee, Art by Gil Kane and Frank Giacoia. This was the first time when Norman Osborn remembered who he was along with Spider-Man's secret identity. Of course, the resolution of this crises leaves much to be desired since it is a tentative, at best, fix. The most memorable sequences in these stories is actually when Peter Parker and not Spider-Man takes down Harry's dealer. This trilogy sets up the other story, not just because it is the previous confrontation between Spider-Man and the Green Goblin, but because another subplot has Peter and Gwen resolving their current interpersonal conflict. The key thing to remember when you get to the next pair of stories is that Stan Lee is no longer writing the book and therefore killing off Peter's girl friend was not his idea: (4) "Amazing Spider-Man" #112, "The Night Gwen Stacy Died," Story by Gerry Conway, Art by Gil Kane and John Romita, Sr.; and (5) "Amazing Spider-Man" #113 "The Goblin's Last Round," Story by Gerry Conway, Art by Gil Kane and John Romita, Sr. Of course, the title of that first issue does not appear until the final page, since it obviously gives the game away, but just as clearly that is not a problem for this trade paperback collection. I think Conway did away with Gwen because Peter was getting pretty close to actually being happy and Spider-Man needed to get back to the oppressive sense of guilt that drives him because of the death of a loved one. Now, in addition to Uncle Ben, there is Gwen (Spider-Man was much more responsible for Gwen's death than that of Captain Stacy). Little would we know that the end of this story, where Mary Jane Watson stays with Peter to comfort him after Gwen's death, that this would end up being the start of something special.
Rating:
Summary: Once again, somebody Spider-Man loves dies
Review: Actually "The Death of Gwen Stacy" deals with more than the titular fatality and the end of the original Green Goblin in reprinting five classic comic books from Volume 1 of "The Amazing Spider-Man." You also get the previous three-story confrontation between Spider-Man and the Green Goblin that became infamous when the stories did not receive the Comic Book Code seal of approval because of a major sub-plot involving Peter Parker's roommate Harry Osborn being hooked on drugs: (1) "Amazing Spider-Man" #69, "And now, the Goblin," Story by Stan Lee, Art by Gil Kane and John Romita, Sr.; (2) "Amazing Spider-Man" #70, "In the Grip of the Goblin," Story by Stan Lee, Art by Gil Kane and Frank Giacoia; and (3) "Amazing Spider-Man" #71, "The Goblin's Last Gasp," Story by Stan Lee, Art by Gil Kane and Frank Giacoia. This was the first time when Norman Osborn remembered who he was along with Spider-Man's secret identity. Of course, the resolution of this crises leaves much to be desired since it is a tentative, at best, fix. The most memorable sequences in these stories is actually when Peter Parker and not Spider-Man takes down Harry's dealer. This trilogy sets up the other story, not just because it is the previous confrontation between Spider-Man and the Green Goblin, but because another subplot has Peter and Gwen resolving their current interpersonal conflict. The key thing to remember when you get to the next pair of stories is that Stan Lee is no longer writing the book and therefore killing off Peter's girl friend was not his idea: (4) "Amazing Spider-Man" #112, "The Night Gwen Stacy Died," Story by Gerry Conway, Art by Gil Kane and John Romita, Sr.; and (5) "Amazing Spider-Man" #113 "The Goblin's Last Round," Story by Gerry Conway, Art by Gil Kane and John Romita, Sr. Of course, the title of that first issue does not appear until the final page, since it obviously gives the game away, but just as clearly that is not a problem for this trade paperback collection. I think Conway did away with Gwen because Peter was getting pretty close to actually being happy and Spider-Man needed to get back to the oppressive sense of guilt that drives him because of the death of a loved one. Now, in addition to Uncle Ben, there is Gwen (Spider-Man was much more responsible for Gwen's death than that of Captain Stacy). Little would we know that the end of this story, where Mary Jane Watson stays with Peter to comfort him after Gwen's death, that this would end up being the start of something special.
Rating:
Summary: "A truly enjoyable comic..."
Review: Although the one I have has a different cover, this Spider-Man comic was absolutely unbelievable! This is an older style comic, which means it's somewhat sappy (such as people saying things like "Oh, Spider-Man, bless you, bless you" and whatnot), and you can see those tiny dots on the pictures. This was also easy to understand, it's not like the Aliens vs. Predator comics where they say something about someone and you don't know who they're talking about, or they talk about something and you don't know what or the words they say just don't make any freakin' sense! But this was easily understandible and enjoyable. The the first time the Green Goblin appeared was kind of stylized and actually impressed me. Once again, the words are somewhat sappy, like at the end where Spider-Man is pissed off because his first love died he says things like "Okay, buddy, your time is up" or "Only one of us is going to die today, and mister, it won't be me." That was kind of different because in most of today's comics, when someone gets really ticked they'll start cussin' and beatin' the stuffing out of folks. And, this also had some of the old-fashioned comicship because of the partial sloppiness of some of the drawings. But, the older Spider-Man comics are A LOT better than the new ones where Spider-Man has a big head and a 13-year-old's body. So, all in all, this was a truly enjoyable comic, and I definately recommend it!
Rating:
Summary: Hey, it's better than the clone saga.......................
Review: And truley it is. tiss' sad that gwen had to die and maybe she should not have. This book is the kudegras to the the good era of spiderman.
Rating: 
Summary: Marvel at its lowest
Review: Awful. Such a waste! The story is stupid, tragic for tragic's sake, nothing makes sense, Gwen get killed and the reader is made to feel he couldn't care less. To make matters worse, this is not a complete sequence run, there are episodes missing in the middle, which makes it all look even more childish. At first, I thought I was reading a spoof. On top of that, the color printing is terrible: They took the original colors, a very good idea by itself. But by printing them heavely on this totally different type of paper than the original comic-book paper, they made a garish crying pizza of tints.Did the other reviewers who gave more stars to this disaster ever read other, good Marvel comics? how such a fine and clever artist like Gil Kane landed in such a mess? Anyway, his touch is almost unrecognisable. Buy the Essential Spiderman vol.1 & 2, by Steve Ditko, instead.
Rating:
Summary: Two Of The Most Important Spider-Man Tales
Review: Contains the groundbreaking drug abuse stories and the most important turning point in the Spider-Man saga, the Death of Gwen Stacy. Some of the most powerful Spider-Man tales ever written and set the stage for decades of continuity to follow. It was never the same again after this. Buy this and see what the fuss was all about.
Rating:
Summary: Touching and Tearful
Review: How can you review perhaps one of the biggest feats in comic history. The most tragic event that shattered the belief of a hero and drew a new status quo unlike any other known in that character's history. With a title clearly telling you what will happen in the story and what events will transpire. What is it that you can say to recommend this book to anyone who has the plot written on the title? What you might ask??? PLENTY... . How Gwen Stacy fell to her death forever shattering the world of Peter Parker, Spider-Man. The five chaptered story can be divided in two parts. The first three chapters, written by Spidey co-creator, Stan Lee, paved the ground for the upcoming epic events and battle. In that part Lee ditches the long-established comics code (which is just what Marvel has done now), in order to bring out a great story about the effects of drugs and what people thought of them at the time. His take on that problem showed how comics could also be utilized for the benefit of the public, just like any other media form, which is a pioneering step in such a direction. Later themes dealt in other comics would come about AIDS and abortion. The Green Goblin, Spidey's greatest foe, and the one he'll be facing in next summer's movie, knows Spidey's secret identity. With every move he taunts the webslinger and clearly provoked him on every move. Terrorizing him and his family. The deranged Goblin is not swayed until he confronts the addiction of his only son, Harry. Throughout, Peter is in dismay over the disappearance of his first love, Gwen, which has skipped town after the death of her police captain father, blaming Spidey as the cause of it all. The first part ends ith Gwen's coming back into Peter's arms and all is well. Wrong... Peter gets sent away on a NEWS mission for the newspaper he works in, this time, him leaving the love of his life behind. That hiatus is not expressed in the TPB and the reader is brought back to NY as Peter arrives. Nothing has changed. Harry is still a drug addict, finally diagnosed with full blown schizophrenia. Norman Osborn, Harry's father and the Green Goblin, is hellbent on seeking revenge on Spidey. He does that with the only way he thinks possible, by kidnapping the love of his life. That's when the story is set through and breaks out as being one of the greatest ever told. You know,s he'll die in the end, but the pages succeed in showing you how much she meant to Peter. The memories that flood in as images and words in his mind create such a collage of some of the beautifully written lines ever found in comics. This was a story of substance. A story from the heart. A story seldom portrayed in today's comics. You feel Peter's pain and you truly feel the tragedy that befalls him. The ending of the story takes on the form of how Peter appreciates MJ, hwo later becomes his wife. It was during that moment of death and sorrow, that a stronger love was born. The epilogue in the end, drawn by legendary artist John Romita Sr., brings the past to the present, in a wonderful story that sums things and finds closure. The TPB as a whole may not necessary make you cry, but you will definitely feel the heart ache and anguish of, perhaps, one of the most enduring comic charcaters of all time. Peter Parker: Spider-Man.
Rating:
Summary: One of the most poignant tales in comic book history
Review: I had never owned any of the original issues in this collection (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #96-98 and 121-122), but I knew the story of Gwen Stacy's death. Gwen was the girlfriend of Spider-Man's alter ego, Peter Parker and had been a staple of this series since the mid-60's. When writer Gerry Conway determined that he would kill her off, his intent was to show that in the life of a costumed adventurer like Spider-Man, nothing was certain. He felt that the readers needed a shock to wake them up. Nasty things can happen when insane super-villains are about and who's more insane than Spider-Man's archnemesis, the Green Goblin? The Stan Lee-written drug stories (#96-98) are hokey and it's obvious Stan didn't know the first thing about drugs, but the publication of these issues was a seminal moment for modern comics. Long under the bootheel of the Comics Code Authority, Lee had to publish these three issues WITHOUT the code logo on the cover because of the drug content. He felt it was necessary to speak out against drug use and was willing to take a fairly considerable risk to do it. AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #96-98 also lays the groundwork for what was to come. Harry Osborn, son of Norman Osborn (a.k.a., the Green Goblin), is addicted to drugs and gets on a bad LSD trip. Later, in #121, we find that Harry continues to have substance abuse problems. His father is livid and blames Harry's friends, including Peter. His rage drives him back into the role of the Goblin and the fateful climax atop the Brooklyn Bridge which would leave one long-time and much-beloved character dead and another forever changed. The wonderful art of comic industry icons Gil Kane and John Romita, Sr., make this story a visual treat. Kane's drafting and storytelling prowess shines in this story. Don't miss out on this story, one of the most involving, dramatic and poignant comic book tales to see print.
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