| George Stacy | |
|---|---|
.png) Captain George Stacy as seen in interior artwork forThe Amazing Spider-Man #56 (January 1968). Art byJohn Romita Sr. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | The Amazing Spider-Man #56 (January 1968) |
| Created by |
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| In-story information | |
| Team affiliations | New York City Police Department |
| Supporting character of | Spider-Man Spider-Woman |
George Stacy is a fictional character appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics, primarily in association withSpider-Man. He isGwen Stacy's father and the police captain from theNew York City Police Department. Stacy is a strong supporter of Spider-Man, often defending the superhero when others accuse Spider-Man of criminal acts, and thus serves as afoil personality to another Spider-Man related character,J. Jonah Jameson. Stacy's death inThe Amazing Spider-Man #90 (November 1970) has been described as a turning point in the Spider-Man saga, signaling to readers that permanent changes could happen in the story, and that the supporting cast was not safe.[1] Stacy was resurrected in a cloned body byBen Reilly inDead No More: The Clone Conspiracy (2016–2017), with theembodiment ofDeath herself confirming inBen Reilly: The Scarlet Spider (2017–2018) that all clones Ben created of deceased people had their souls intact on being brought back, before Stacy was killed again by the Carrion Virus.
The character has been adapted from the comics into several forms of media, including animated series and feature films. In live-action, the character was played byJames Cromwell in the filmSpider-Man 3 (2007), byDenis Leary inMarc Webb'sThe Amazing Spider-Man film duology (2012–2014), and byShea Whigham inSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023) andSpider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse (TBA).
George Stacy first appeared inThe Amazing Spider-Man #56 (January 1968), created by writerStan Lee and artistJohn Romita Sr.[2]
George Stacy is a respected former police member in theNYPD. He is the father ofGwen Stacy, husband ofHelen Stacy and the brother of Arthur Stacy. Even in retirement, Stacy kept up with the happenings at the department - and had taken a keen interest in Spider-Man.[3]John Jameson calls Stacy out of retirement to assist in the return of a device called the Nullifier - which could render any electrical or mechanical apparatus inoperative - thatDoctor Octopus had tricked an amnesiac Spider-Man into stealing.[4]
After safely securing the weapon, Stacy interviews Peter, believed to have been held captive with Doctor Octopus and Spider-Man. After the interview, Stacy reveals to Peter that he had spent time studying the career of Spider-Man, and that he is glad to have met Peter, known for photographing the wall-crawler on numerous occasions.[5]
Identifying himself as a strong supporter of Spider-Man, Stacy wishes to see the wall-crawler redeemed in the public eye. He also takes an instant liking to Peter, and openly encourages the growing bond between Peter and Gwen. Shortly thereafter at a dance club which employsMary Jane Watson, Stacy is put under a hypnotic trance through a rigged camera operated by Mary Jane who took photos of him unaware that these actions were aidingWilson Fisk (aka the Kingpin). Stacy is placed under additional brainwashing by the camera's inventor, Dr. Winkler.[5]
Despite Spider-Man's efforts, George returns programmed to follow the Kingpin's directions and steals police records for the Kingpin while Spider-Man's automatic camera captures the theft. Peter gave the photos toJ. Jonah Jameson, hopeful that this apparent betrayal of the Stacy family would help prove George's innocence. While George and Gwen attempt to flee, they are kidnapped by the Kingpin's men and held captive at one ofNorman Osborn's labs where Dr. Winkler worked. While Spider-Man battles the Kingpin, Osborn arrives and tackles the Kingpin's henchmen. Though the Kingpin flees and Winkler is apparently killed, the Stacys sre rescued. Osborn's testimony to the police exonerates George Stacy.[6]
Captain Stacy later begins to suspect Peter and Spider-Man were the same person. After a feverish Peter admitted to being Spider-Man before his friends including Stacy, he asks theProwler to imitate Spider-Man so Peter and Spider-Man can be seen together. However, this does not fool Stacy.[7]
Called into action one night, Stacy watches Spider-Man battle Doctor Octopus on a rooftop high above the city. As the two battle, chunks of concrete dislodge from the roof and rain on the spectators below. Spotting a child standing under the falling masonry, Stacy shields the boy at the cost of his life.[8][9][10][11]
During the "Dead No More: The Clone Conspiracy" storyline,Ben Reilly resurrects George Stacy along with Gwen to convince the latter to work with him as his business partner at New U Technologies.[12] When Doctor Octopus pulls a switch which activates theCarrion virus in all of the clones and causes them to start rapidly decaying, including George and Gwen,[13] George starts to deteriorate in Gwen's arms. He tells his daughter to keep Spider-Man safe while she can before dying once more.[14]
An alternate universe variant of Captain Stacy appears inSpider-Man: 1602. This version is a passenger of theMayflower and a former member of the Royal Navy.
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An alternate universe variant of George Stacy appears in "Spider-Man: House of M". This version is a former police chief and a personal friend of Peter Parker, though the latter is soured after George discovers Peter's diary and ramblings that allude to his death onEarth-616.[15]
An alternate universe variant of George Stacy appears inMarvel Adventures Spider-Man #54. This version is younger and has light brown hair. Upon discovering Spider-Man's secret identity, he calls on him for support on some of his cases.
An alternate universe variant of George Stacy from Earth-65 appears inSpider-Verse andSpider-Gwen.[16]
Two alternate universe variants of George Stacy appear inSpider-Geddon:
A character based on George Stacy namedJohn Stacy appears inUltimate Spider-Man (vol. 1). This version is much younger than George, has brown hair, is more athletic, is estranged from his daughterGwen Stacy, and has a troubled marriage. Additionally, he is not a fan ofSpider-Man, but admires his vigilante work.[19] John later sacrifices himself to save a child from a bank robber posing as Spider-Man.[20][21]
An alternate universe variant of George Stacy appears inUltimate Spider-Man (vol. 3) #16. This version becameMysterio instead of a police officer before being killed by theMaker's Council.[22]
InThe Amazing Spider-Man #56 fans met retired police Captain George Stacy, father of Gwen.
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