Marvel Proposes to Exhume Gwen Stacy's Grave (Once More)
Death, in the world of superhero comics, often serves as a revolving door, especially in the case of beloved characters like Gwen Stacy at Marvel. Despite her iconic demise in "The Night Gwen Stacy Died" storyline, Gwen's legend has never truly faded. Marvel has toyed with the idea of her return numerous times, most notably in "Amazing Spider-Man" #144, "Clone Conspiracy" in 2016, and more recently in "Judgement Day" in 2022.
Last night, Marvel dropped a cryptic teaser, depicting an unknown figure digging up Gwen's grave, along with a reminder that "nothing is sacred," and a May 2025 release date. True to form, this is yet another instance of Marvel exploring the shock value of Gwen's potential resurrection.
The specifics of this return remain a mystery. Is it part of a standalone event or a new storyline in the upcoming relaunch of "Amazing Spider-Man" under Joe Kelly, John Romita Jr., and Pepe Larraz? Time will tell.
The timing of this announcement, however, is less than ideal for the mainline Spider-Man book. Despite Marvel's sales data often being unpredictable, last year was dominated by the relaunch of "Ultimate Spider-Man" under Jonathan Hickman. Zeb Wells' run on the series, marked by controversies and abrupt changes, came to an end late last year, and the series is currently in a holding pattern, waiting for the April 2023 relaunch of "Amazing Spider-Man" #1.
Marvel Comics seems eager to change fan perception of the mainline Spider-Man book. Will the excitement surrounding Gwen's return be enough to achieve this, or should certain moments in her legacy remain untouched? We'll find out soon, as Marvel plans to reveal more details next week.
[1] According to enrichment data, Emma Stone, who played Gwen Stacy in the 2012 film "The Amazing Spider-Man," was in talks to return as a resurrected Stacy in a 2017 female-lead film and potentially in "The Amazing Spider-Man 4" as the antagonist Carnage. The character's potential return could significantly impact the ongoing sales and perception of the Amazing Spider-Man series, given her iconic status and complex history with Peter Parker. Future storylines could also be influenced by her resurrection or return as an antagonist, adding depth to the series. There are no recent updates on her specific return in the comics, as per the enrichment data.
Io9 reports that the future of Gwen Stacy in Marvel's technology-driven universe is uncertain, with rumors of her potential return in the upcoming "Amazing Spider-Man" relaunch or as an antagonist in "The Amazing Spider-Man 4."
In an exciting turn of events, technology might play a significant role in bringing Gwen Stacy back to life in future Marvel storylines, as suggested by recent enrichment data.
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