| Gwen Stacy Spider-Woman / Ghost-Spider | |
|---|---|
.png) Character design by Robbi Rodriguez. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Edge of Spider-Verse #2 (September 2014) |
| Created by |
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| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Gwendolyne Maxine Stacy |
| Species | Human mutate |
| Place of origin | Queens,New York City, U.S. (Earth-65) |
| Team affiliations | |
| Partnerships | Mary Jane Watson / Carnage Matt Murdock / Kingpin |
| Notable aliases | Spider-Woman, Spider-Gwen,Gwenom, Ghost-Spider[1] |
| Abilities |
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| Altered in-story information for adaptations to other media | |
| Partnerships | Miles Morales / Spider-Man Peter Parker / Spider-Man |
Spider-Woman (Gwendolyne Maxine "Gwen"Stacy;colloquially:Spider-Gwen,Gwenom, also known asGhost-Spider) is asuperhero appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics. She was created byJason Latour and Robbi Rodriguez. The character debuted inEdge of Spider-Verse issue #2 as part of the 2014–15 "Spider-Verse"comic book storyline, leading to the ongoing seriesSpider-Gwen in 2015.
Analternate-universe version ofGwen Stacy fromSpider-Man stories, she lives onEarth-65, where she was bitten by a radioactive spider as a teenager and becomes Spider-Woman into her 20s, developing some of the classic Spider-Man personality, conflicts, tribulations, powers and abilities. The character's enemies include Earth-65 versions ofMatt Murdock,Frank Castle,Cindy Moon, andSusan Storm, her allies including her band the Mary Janes, led byCarnage (Mary Jane Watson), who isin love with Gwen.
Spider-Woman was met with positive reviews from critics, who cited her design—which would become a popular choice forcosplay—andfeminist perspective. For promotion, several other versions of the character were developed, accompanied by merchandise. She was featured on animated television series and in video games as a playable character.Dove Cameron voices the character in the 2018–19Marvel Risingmedia franchise as "Ghost-Spider", an alias later integrated into the comics;Laura Bailey,Ashley Johnson,Emily Tennant, Catherine Luciani and Allegra Clark have also provided the character's voice in other media. Since 2018,Hailee Steinfeld has voicedGwen Stacy / Spider-Woman in theSpider-Verse filmsInto,Across, andBeyond the Spider-Verse, and will star as the character in an in developmentSpider-Woman spin-off solo film.
In theprimary continuity of the comic books constituting theMarvel Universe, college-studentGwen Stacy was the girlfriend of Peter Parker, whom she was unaware wasSpider-Man. This primary version of Gwen Stacy was killed inThe Amazing Spider-Man #121 (June 1973).[2][3] The concept of an alternate-universe, spider-powered Gwen Stacy was first conceptualized by longtime Spider-Man writerDan Slott for the "Spider-Verse" story arc.[4][5] Slott had suggested "Gwen Stacy as aSpider-Woman" to Spider-Man editorNick Lowe, who then approached Jason Latour to write a series based on that character. Latour was concerned about restoring Gwen Stacy to life in even an alternate-universe form, given the canonical consequences of her death more than 40 years earlier, but eventually conceded,[5][6] and approached Robbi Rodriguez to design the character.[6][7] Latour prompted Rodriguez to keep her mysterious and to avoid anything that would prematurely reveal her identity, saying that she "should feel like anyone could be under that mask."[6][8] Slott previously had envisioned a costume based on her clothing in the two-part death story, "The Night Gwen Stacy Died" (1973), except red and blue with web patterns and a half mask. She would also have had a trench coat that would have been red with webs.[4] Slott ultimately approved of Rodriquez' design.[4][9] The character debuted inEdge of Spider-Verse #2 on September 17, 2014[9][10] and is commonly referred to as Spider-Gwen.[11][8]
Latour's inspiration for creating the character came when he realized that he was not familiar with Gwen Stacy outside of being a "fridged" character who was killed for the sake of the hero as a plot progression.[5] Latour also felt he grew up in times when white males were dominant in superhero comics, and saw Gwen Stacy as a potential hero to represent women in a better way, "The fact that it's a woman does change the meaning and subtext of everything that's going on. As a creator, that's really enjoyable and it opens up the story to go in a lot of directions it wouldn't have gone before."[5] In October 2014,Nick Lowe announced atNew York Comic Con 2014 that the character would be gettingher own ongoing series after much demand.[12][13] The first issue ofSpider-Gwen experienced commercial success and was the third best-selling comic of February 2015 with sales of over 250,000 copies.[14][15] The first volume ended after the fifth issue, with the character carrying over into the second volume ofSpider-Verse as part of theSecret Wars event.[16] After the conclusion of the event, a second volume by the same creative team began with the first issue as a part of Marvel'sAll-New, All-Different Marvel imprint entitledThe Radioactive Spider-Gwen.[17][18] Spider-Gwen was featured as a major character in a multi-part crossover entitledSpider-Women. It commenced withSpider-Women Alpha #1 and ended withSpider-Women Omega #1, with certain issues ofSpider-Woman,Silk andSpider-Gwen partially depicting the storyline in between.[19][20]
Spider-Gwen also stars in a team-up with the alternate Spider-Man-themed characters from the second volume ofSpider-Verse in a series titledWeb Warriors, a name that was coined by Peter Parker from theUltimate Spider-Man TV series during the originalSpider-Verse.[21] In 2016, the character starred alongsideMiles Morales in a crossover storyline titledSitting in a Tree, where she sees an alternate reality where she gets romantically involved with Miles, although they remain as friends.[22]
Spider-Gwen begins college on Earth-616 at the start of a new seriesSpider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider written bySeanan McGuire with pencils by Rosi Kämpe and laterTakeshi Miyazawa. After 10 issues, the series was relaunched as simplyGhost-Spider, which was cancelled after an additional 10 issues due to dropped sale from dropping of theSpider-Gwen title, and collected asSpider-Gwen: Into the Unknown. The titular Ghost Spider moniker was taken from Stacy's alias in the animated franchiseMarvel Rising.[23]
In 2022, a new limited series titledSpider-Gwen: Gwen-Verse byTim Seeley and Jodi Nishijima was published, featuring Stacytraveling through time alongside alternative versions of herself (modeled after other Marvel heroes) to correct a disruption in the timeline.[24]
In 2023, a new limited series titledSpider-Gwen: Shadow Clones by Emily Kim, Kei Zama, and G. Geoffo was published, featuring Stacy facing clones of herself combined with the powers of various Earth-616 supervillains invading Earth-65.[25]
From 2023 to 2024, a new limited series titledSpider-Gwen: Smash byMelissa Flores andEnid Balam was published, featuring Stacy on tour with her band on Earth-65 as the band's lesbian leaderMary Jane Watson once again becomes Carnage and confesses her love to Gwen.[26]
In July 2024, Marvel announced a new limited series titledTVA byLokiseason 2 writer Katharyn Blair following theMarvel Cinematic Universeiteration of the organization (retconned as the same iteration as the comic book version), who after the events ofDeadpool & Wolverine,[27][28] place Gwen into temporary "witness protection" on Earth-616 over the ongoing seriesSpider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider, relaunched asAll-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider in 2025.
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In the alternate reality designated Earth-65, Gwen Stacy fromMidtown High School is a drummer in a band called the Mary Janes, consisting of her and her friendsMary Jane Watson,Betty Brant, andGlory Grant, who compete withFelicia Hardy and her band the "Black Cats". Bitten by a radioactive spider, Gwen becomes the heroSpider-Woman. Shortly afterward, her classmate and best friendPeter Parker attempts to become a superhero, inventing a serum that turns him into Earth-65's version of theLizard. Unaware of the reptilian figure's true identity, Gwen fights Peter, eventually dealing him mortal injuries. Peter reverts to human form and dies in her arms; in his last words, he says he wanted to be like her. Spider-Woman is devastated by Peter's death and inspired to use her power to protect others as a way to atone for accidentally killing him. She is blamed for Parker's death publicly byJ. Jonah Jameson. Her father,NYPDchief of policeGeorge Stacy, hunts for Spider-Woman, aided by his world's CaptainFrank Castle and DetectiveJean DeWolff. During a confrontation with her father, Gwen reveals her true identity to him. Shocked, he tells her to run.[29]
In the "Spider-Verse" storyline, Gwen of Earth-65 is one of manyother Spider-Totems across themultiverse recruited to fight the vampiricMorlun and the Inheritors.[30] Although she is one of several people called Spider-Women who appear, she seems to be the only Spider who is also Gwen Stacy, leading to the nickname "Spider-Gwen." Gwen realizes most of her counterparts in other universes are dead, including the Earth-616 Gwen Stacy who was the first love ofPeter Parker, leader of the group fighting the Inheritors. Telling Peter she likewise failed to save her version of him, they both agree to look out for each other.[31] Though Gwen deals with both criminals and enemies in the police department, she also makes allies such as her Earth's versions ofCaptain America (Samantha Wilson),Reed Richards, andPeggy Carter, the leader ofS.H.I.E.L.D.
Gwen meets Spider heroes of other worlds again onBattleworld in theSecret Wars storyline.[32] During the crossover storylineSitting in a Tree, she explores a possible romance withMiles Morales, but they stay as friends.[22] Along with battling menaces on her own world, Gwen joins the Web Warriors, a group of Spiders with dimensional-travel devices who combat threats to other universes, particularly worlds that no longer have a Spider of its own to defend it. During theDead No More: The Clone Conspiracy storyline, as a Web Warrior, she poses as the reanimated Earth-616 Gwen Stacy (616-Gwen's soul in a clone body) while 616-Gwen is elsewhere to help Peter andKaine Parker stop a threat involvingJackal's Carrion Virus.[33]
OverSpider-Women, Gwen teams up with theJessica Drew andCindy Moon of Earth-616 against S.I.L.K. of Earth-65.
After losing her powers, Gwen seeks aid from the corruptMatt Murdock (her universe's version of theKingpin who usedWilson Fisk as his proxy) and scientist Elsa Brock. It's discovered that combining the mutagenic Lizard serum with isotopes can form a version of theVenom symbiote, dubbed "Gwenom". Gwen bonds with Elsa Brock's symbiote, restoring her abilities. When Murdock puts out a hit on her father George, Gwen succumbs to the symbiote's baser influence and almost kills Murdock in revenge. After she spares his life, Murdock reveals he was testing to see if Gwen, like him, would be corrupted by power.[34] After defeating Murdock, Gwen takes full control over the symbiote, reveals her identity to the public, and turns herself over to the authorities for her crimes. After turning down an offer fromCaptain America to perform black ops services in exchange for reduced sentencing, she is convicted for one year for themanslaughter of Peter Parker (and other offenses) in a maximum security S.H.I.E.L.D. prison. One year later, she is released from prison, and returns to active duty as a public-identity Spider-Woman, now also calling herself Spider-Gwen.[35]
After serving her prison time, Gwen is informed the Inheritors have returned and joins the "Spider-Geddon" storyline.[36] At one point, she is believed by the others to be killed in an explosion. In truth, she survives the explosion but is stranded on Earth-3109, her dimensional transportation device now damaged.[37] The Gwen of that world, who operates as the heroicGreen Goblin, creates a new dimensional teleportation device and Earth-65 Gwen returns to the fight against the Inheritors.[38] During the final battle, Miles Morales wonders if Gwen is a ghost after seeing her lost in an explosion, inspiring the new nickname "Ghost-Spider."[39] and later travels toEarth-90214 after the death ofSpider-Man Noir to consult his loved ones while dressed as an airline pilot.
Back on Earth-65, Gwen tries to return to her normal life of superhero activities, drumming with the Mary Janes, and attempting to rekindle her relationships with friend Harry Osborn and her father George. Without her secret identity, things prove challenging, leading to judgments from the public and regular attacks by criminals like theMan-Wolf. Additionally, her symbiote starts causing massive headaches while dropping parts of itself as "gummy spiders." Since Elsa Brock has disappeared from public life, Gwen travels to Earth-616 to find her counterpart Eddie Brock. Peter Parker of Earth-616, now a teacher at Empire State University, volunteers to analyze the symbiote since his world's Eddie Brock is not a scientist. The two heroes then save people from the villainSwarm and Gwen is asked who she is. Since this universe already has a Spider-Woman, Gwen decides she needs a new name. Considering how so many of her multiverse counterparts are dead, as if "Death loves Gwen Stacy," she decides to adopt her "Ghost-Spider" nickname as a new official alias.[40]
Realizing her secret identity is intact in this dimension, Gwen decides to attend college peacefully on Earth-616 without worrying about villains attacking; with Peter's help, she enrolls in Empire State University, explaining to school admissions that she comes from another dimension. This, along with her test records and Parker vouching for her, earns Gwen enrollment and a scholarship that applies to visitors from other worlds and dimensions. Gwen begins regularly attending classes while "commuting" back and forth from her own Earth, regularly encountering Peter.[41] In costume, she fights menaces on both worlds, including Miles Warren whose unhealthy obsession with the Earth-616 Gwen Stacy led to his becoming the villainous Jackal.[42]
While temporarily blackmailed away from Earth-65 to Earth-616 by her reality'sincestuoussupervillaininfluencersSusan andJohnny Storm, posing as Doctor Doom, over the "King in Black" storyline, thelesbianMary Jane Watson of Earth-65 (not-so-secretly in love with Gwen) is also stranded on Earth-616 with her, where she is infected byKnull and becomes Carnage.
Returning to Earth-65, a now-existential Gwen endstraveling through time alongside alternative versions of herself (modeled after other Marvel heroes) to correct a disruption in the timeline.
After being attacked by the Earth-616 Sinister Six when they are temporarily displaced to Earth-65, Gwen then finds herself going up against a series of clones of herself with the Six's powers created by a loved one of someone killed during her fight with them, who seeks to wipe out all Gwen Stacys across the multiverse.
Going on tour back in Earth-65 with the Mary Janes, Gwen deals with Mary Jane becoming Carnage again, and confessing her love to her.
Gwen is put intowitness protection by the TVA while dealing with a rogue King Loki, before again temporarily relocating to Earth-616, separated from Mary Jane.
Spider-Woman was originally depicted as having similar powers to Spider-Man, which originated from a bite by a radioactive spider.[29] These powers include superhuman speed, agility,[43] enhanced strength that enables her to lift about 10 tons,[11] the ability to adhere to surfaces such as walls, and a precognitive "Spider-Sense" that warns her of danger. She uses web-shooters that were created by retired crime fighter and billionaire mogulJanet van Dyne.[29][11] The mechanisms help filter moisture from the air to create an adhesive web-fluid, not requiring refilling as long as moisture is present. The fluid can creates web nets, ropes and globs, among other shapes.[11][29] Spider-Woman has a wristwatch-like device that allows her travel tothe multiverse after the events ofSpider-Verse. She is commonly depicted as using hersmartphone as superhero equipment.[11] As the daughter of a police captain, Spider-Woman has developed detective skills and analytical thinking. She is not trained in fighting, but has picked up elements from kung fu films.[11]
Gwen is depowered by the Earth-65 version of Cindy Moon,[44] but regains her powers after bonding with her universe's version of theVenom symbiote.[45] Her symbiote feeds off the nutrients of her body but if it does not consume the correct nutrients, Gwen's powers become unstable. To help keep her symbiote stable, Gwen often eats extra food and has made kale chips a regular part of her diet, since the symbiote responds well to cellulose.[46]
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OnEarth-8, Spider-Gwen is married toMiles Morales and is the mother of Charlotte and Max Morales-Stacy,[55] both of whom also have Spider Powers.[56]
During the "Lost in the Plot" arc, an unidentified reality version of Spider-Gwen witnessesGwenpool defeating the Green Goblin and saves Gwenpool from her death. They later eat pizza together with Peter Parker, Miles Morales, and Cindy Moon.[57]
During the 2015Secret Wars storyline, different version of Spider-Gwen reside on the differentBattleworld domains:
In the universe ofSpider-Ham, Spider-Gwen is apenguin known asGuin Stacy theSpider-Guin.[60][61] She later aids Spider-Ham and Parker Peterman in battling Spider-Ham's various villains.[62]
In the alternate Earth-616 storyline ofThe Night Gwen Stacy Died withinWhat If...? Dark: Spider-Gwen, Spider-Man manages to save Gwen from the Green Goblin at the cost of his life. Gwen dons Peter's costume and works together with Harry to get revenge on the Green Goblin. After murdering the Green Goblin and realising he was his own father, Harry blames Gwen for his death and becomes the new Green Goblin while Gwen vows to Peter to fix her mistakes and honor his legacy by becoming Spider-Woman. Her costume is a modified version of Peter's Spider-Man outfit along with the green hooded coat she wore the night Peter died. Despite lacking powers, she is able to use Peter's web shooters and develops other technology such as web bombs.[63]
Gwen Stacy's Spider-Woman is depicted as harboring much ofEarth-616 Peter Parker's conflicts and tribulations, such as receiving negative media attention of herself and having the conflict of being a superhero over her normal life of a band member.[64] Critical commentary noted her as a sarcastic, wisecracking hero when fighting criminals andsupervillains.[64]Spider-Gwen (Vol. 2) #1's summary of the character reveals that she originally used her powers for attention. After advice expressed to Gwen Stacy by her father that Spider-Woman could use her powers for good purposes, she was motivated to stop bullying, which Peter Parker in Earth-65 was a victim of.[11] Spider-Woman eventually became an idol to Peter and he experimented on himself to become a superhero like her,[11] leading to his demise. Gwen Stacy was branded a criminal after Peter's death, having been blamed for killing him.[11] Jesse Schedeen ofIGN felt that this aspect was the most intriguing change of her story, "[Peter Parker becomes] both Gwen's first major villain and the defining,Uncle-Ben-style tragedy in her life."[65] Evan Narcisse fromKotaku explained that it was a role reversal that felt "enriching" to what the creators intended to do, which gave Gwen Stacy "a reason to live".[64] After saving her father's life and revealing her identity to him, she vows to use her powers to stop crime.[11] Captain Stacy is then depicted as choosing his daughter over his job. Meagan Damore ofComic Book Resources opined that even though Captain Stacy is no Uncle Ben, he fills the wise mentor role for Gwen very well.[10]
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Gwen Stacy's Spider-Woman has been received positively from reviewers. Her design is a popular choice for cosplay and fan art.[67][65] Evan Narcisse ofKotaku called the costume design "is one of the best riffs on the Spider-Man motifs in decades."[64] Andrew Wheeler fromComicsAlliance felt that even though Gwen Stacy should have stayed dead, the costume inspired him to want her back. He also cited it as a potential favorite superhero costume in years.[68] The creative director of Marvel Games, Bill Rosemann, described Gwen Stacy as "one of the greatest modern superhero designs."[69]IGN's Jesse Schedeen, reviewing the firstSpider-Gwen issue, said that the character never came across as merely just a female variant ofPeter Parker and was also distinct fromJessica Drew,Julia Carpenter,Mayday Parker,Anya Corazon, and other female-themed Spider costume characters. Jessie Schedeen said that Gwen had "her own set of hang-ups and her own brand of humor".[65] Doug Zawisza, writing forComic Book Resources, described Gwen Stacy as "likeable and humorous, conflicted but determined and quick with a zinger", adding, "Latour gives Gwen real world problems as well as superheroic ones. She has family problems and perception problems."[70]
The character has drawn critical attention on afeminist perspective. Aja Romano ofThe Daily Dot felt that the new take on Gwen Stacy was a fresh one on its original version due to a common trope of women dying for the sake of men's angst. She praised the fact that instead of taking the role of a superhero's girlfriend, Latour designed her as a "fully formed person."[71]Entertainment Weekly's Joshua Rivera felt that "Spider-Gwen succeeds because it isn't a superficial inversion, but an examination of what makesSpider-Man an important character."[72] Gwen Stacy's Spider-Woman was number seven inNewsarama's list of the best Spider-Men.[73] Ryan Lynch ofScreen Rant called her the second-greatestalternate version of Spider-Man, saying that her stories were "a unique take on the Spider-mythos that provided unique stories based on fleshed out characters with clever writing."[74] Chris Sims fromComicsAlliance ranked her as the second-best alternate take on Spider-Man.[75] Mark Ginocchio, writing for ComicBook.com, said the character's debut was the fourth-best alternate Spider-Man story, and that, even though Gwen Stacy was a new character, she was on her way to establishing herself as one of the most popular superheroes of Marvel.[76]
In 2022,Screen Rant included Gwen Stacy / Spider-Gwen in their "10 Female Marvel Heroes That Should Come To The MCU" list.[77]
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Gwen Stacy / Spider-Woman appears inSony'sSpider-Verse film franchise, voiced byHailee Steinfeld.[88] This version has operated as Spider-Woman for two years, saved her father George Stacy, but failed to save her friend Peter Parker after he became theLizard. She first appears inSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) before returning inSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023). Additionally, she will appear in the upcomingSpider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse (2027)[89] andSpider-Woman, a female-centered spin-off film.[90][91][92]
The character inspired 20 Marvel variant covers of Gwen Stacy being a wide array of Marvel heroes (and one for theImage Comics seriesInvincible and itstitle character),[102][103] one of such hybrids inspiring the characterGwen Poole.[73] Arock band named Married With Sea Monsters drew inspiration from Spider-Woman for their track "Face It Tiger", which was based on a song sung by Spider-Gwen's fictional band The Mary Janes.[104][105] The character's popularity has spawned merchandise, including shirts and action figures of the superhero.[104][106] Figures have been sold to companies such asDiamond Comic Distributors andHasbro, among others.[107][108][109] In addition,Funko releasedbobblehead figures of the character,[110] while in Australia,Harley Davidson has teamed up with Marvel to create custom hero-themed motorcycles including a design based on Spider-Gwen.[111]
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