Is Gwen Stacy Dead or Alive? Over the Years, It’s Been Hard to Tell With Marvel

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There used to be a saying in comic books that no one ever stays dead except for Bucky Barnes, Uncle Ben, Jason Todd, and Spider-Man‘s Gwen Stacy. Nearly all of those deaths have been reversed by now, and Gwen Stacy has had perhaps the most complicated relationship with death of all of them. So, is Gwen dead or alive right now?

Gwen Stacy is one of the greatest love interests in Spider-Man’s life. While most fans recognize him as forever being the star-crossed lover of Mary Jane, his first heartthrob will always be Gwen Stacy. However, Gwen’s status in Marvel Comics has seriously fluctuated over the years.

Gwen Stacy’s greatest claim to fame was being murdered by the Green Goblin, a major moment in comic book history that is essential to Peter Parker’s story. Yet, over the decades, Marvel couldn’t bear to let her stay dead and has brought her back to life several times.

Gwen Stacy’s Death: A Turning Point in the Spider-Verse

Amazing Spider-Man #121 (1973) by Gerry Conway, Gil Kane, John Romita Sr., Tony Mortellaro, Dave Hunt, and Artie Simek.

Gwen Stacy’s death was a groundbreaking moment in comic book history. Killing off the main love interest simply wasn’t something that was done back then. This wasn’t a death to build someone’s origin; it’s not like Uncle Ben, who appeared in just one issue. Gwen Stacy was a character that fans had gotten to know for years before her death, making it completely unimaginable. This is why, for the longest time, Marvel let her stay dead. However, that didn’t last forever, as Gwen Stacy was brought back to life several times—sometimes as a clone and sometimes as a reward for Peter Parker.

The first instance occurred during the Clone Saga, first seen in Amazing Spider-Man #142, written by Gerry Conway and illustrated by Ross Andru. In this story, a clone of Gwen Stacy was created by Miles Warren, an insane college professor who had fallen in love with Gwen during his time teaching her. He blamed Peter Parker for the death of the real Gwen Stacy and created this clone to torment him. The clone would eventually take on her own name, known as Joyce Delaney, and tried to live a normal life. Unfortunately, she was murdered by another clone known as Abby-L.

Gwen Stacy: The Clone Saga That Never Ends

Clone Conspiracy #1 (2016) by Dan Slott, Jim Cheung, John Dell, Justin Ponsor, and Joe Caramagna

Gwen Stacy was then cloned and brought back to life again during the events of Dead No More. It was here that the second Jackal, an insane version of Ben Reilly, created a new clone of Gwen Stacy. This clone had all the memories of Gwen’s life up until her death, making her a seemingly perfect copy. The only downside was that all new clones suffered from cellular degeneration and, without regularly consuming a specific pill, would eventually die. This version of Gwen Stacy would ultimately sacrifice herself in a battle against the Green Goblin, Hobgoblin, and Jack O’Lantern.

Peter would finally get to meet the real Gwen Stacy again in Amazing Spider-Man #10, written by Zeb Wells and illustrated by Nick Dragotta. In this story, Peter is being judged by a godlike being known as the Progenitor. After deeming Peter worthy and deciding to spare humanity, the Progenitor gives Peter one final parting gift: he revives Gwen Stacy so that Peter and she can have one last moment together. This time, it is the legitimate, real Gwen Stacy—no clones. Unfortunately, their reunion lasts only a few minutes before Gwen fades away again.

Gwen Stacy Is Coming Back To Life (Again)

Gwenpool #1 (2025) by Cavan Scott and Stefano Nesi

In a bizarre twist that no one really understands, it seems that Marvel is reviving Gwen Stacy once again, this time transforming her into Gwenpool, a dark and murderous assassin. It is currently completely unknown how or why Gwen is coming back to life or why she has this new murderous personality. All that is known right now is that this is definitely the main continuity (Earth 616) version of Gwen Stacy. Hence, this isn’t an alternate universe version, and it’s not a clone; it’s the true Gwen Stacy with a sinister new personality.

Gwen Stacy perfectly encapsulates one of the biggest problems with the never-ending nature of comic books: no one can stay dead forever because the story must always go on. While Gwen Stacy stayed dead for nearly fifty-two years, Marvel has never been shy about sniffing around her grave, especially considering how many times they’ve brought her back as a clone. Now it seems Marvel is simply ripping off the band-aid and bringing Gwen Stacy back once and for all. So, for all Gwen Stacy’s deaths and revivals, this may very well be the final one—unless she dies again.

Amazing Spider-Man #121, Amazing Spider-Man #142, and Clone Conspiracy #1 are on sale now from Marvel Comics!

Gwenpool #1 will be available in May 2025!

“}]] Gwen Stacy has a complicated history with death.  Read More