Spider-Man: Death Of Gwen Stacy Tpb (Spider-Man (Marvel))

Rating:
Summary: Two of the most important deaths in the Spider-Man saga
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.

Also included in this collection is "The Kiss," by John Marc DeMatteis and John Romita, Sr., which is reprinted from "Webspinners: Tales of Spider-Man #1," which serves as a poignant epilogue to the main events. This 112-page edition has a new cover by new painted cover by John Van Fleet. I would not exactly say that the deaths of Gwen Stacy and the Green Goblin were "great" Spider-Man stories, but they were certainly important and constituted an impressive one-two punch for consecutive issues. The historical importance would apply to the Lee stories as well. Unfortunately, these events eventually led to introducing the horrible idea of clones into the story line, both for the late lamented Gwen and Peter himself. More often than not, the dead should stay dead, even in the world of comic books.

Rating:
Summary: a milestone; psychological spider-man
Review: Excellent read ! I can't imagine I could get a better read of Spider-man elsewhere. Along with Amazing Spider-man (vol.1)#31-50 which I considered the definitive spider-man, also the spider-man: child within ( from spectacular spider-man comic runs by J.M. De matteis) which also potrays the green goblin just like this book is also one of the best psychological spidey Ive ever read.Plus others like Spidey: the wedding, spidey vs. juggernaut, etc.

This book is a milestone on it's own. It potray Spider-man as rareley seen from before. This work of Stan Lee is one of his high points in terms of crafting solid Spider-man saga.This is an intense psychological story (the first 3 issues from vol. 1 #97-99) about illegal drugs and it's repercussion. The story centers on Harry Osborne and his drug addiction and it's effect on those people he knew. This 3-issue story is really well-crafted focusing on the dimensions of psychological story and intense, never-let-up story telling and of course, the green goblin Norman Osborne. Stan Lee sure know how to characterize Norman as the Green Goblin in relation to Harry's drug addiction and the recollection of Peter' s secret identity as Spidey. The Green Goblin just put one amp up in regards to his mental sickness and mental psychological instability.Overall, this is a great action-oriented, intense psychological story with the repercussions to all the member of spidey casts. Again, this one of the bestStan Lee's Spider-man along with his earlier stories found in vol.1 #1-50.

The 2nd part is a two-part story-arc ( vol.1 #121-122) about the death of both Gwen Stacy and Norman Osborne. This is also one of the high points and most popular of all spidey's saga.Like the above paragraph, this is also an intense, psychological story of Green Goblin metal psychological incapacity. I think whenever the topic is about the green goblin, it's is also has to do with psychological story.

I, for one leans toward story depths focusing on characterizzation, pyschological , emotional ,intense, hardcore etc. stories. Obn the subject of pysclological, I think only a handful of writers know his way around writing such topic. One of them is J.M. De Matteis whom he gives us the child within story-arc (from Spectacular run) and the other one, it's still good, but the lesser though more acclaimed "Kraven's last hunt" story-arc ( availble on TPB). Also, Sam Kieth's non-superhero and disturbing psychological story- "Four Women". It is also good read.

The last part is a short story about Peter's and Gwen's last night together by J.M DeMatteis. It is very subtle, touching, emotional and memorable story. Worthy to be included with this book. Pls. buy it, it certainly belongs in your top shelf and a good historical Spidey book to have.

Rating:
Summary: A Tragedy for spider fans every where
Review: This is a TPB of the saddest moment in spidey history. The Green Goblin commited his most henous act killing Gwen Stacy ( spideys Girl Friend). But it was also shows a supposed final end (impaled by his own glider) It also left room for harry to take his fathers place.