Ultimate Spider-Man just introduced a new Gwen Stacy, already with some troubling foreshadowing…
This Spider-Man article contains spoilers.
Every comic book fan knows about the night that Gwen Stacy died.
She existed only to die, to give tragic backstory to our hero.
Her death hangs over the entire story of Spider-Man, even when played by the sparklingEmma StoneinThe Amazing Spider-Manmovies.
The writers know we expect Gwen to die and play on that tension.
And then things started to change.
However, Gwen does die almost 50 issues later inUltimate Spider-Man#62, getting killed by Carnage.
Instead, Gwen reaches her full potential during the 2014Spider-Verseevent written by Dan Slott.
Which makes her introduction in the new Ultimate Universe all the more chilling.
As with everything else in HickmansUltimate Spider-Manrun, the story provides slight twists to familiar dynamics.
But he and Gwen never got together in the main canon.
Shes not terribly likable in this depiction, in a way that feels compelling and rich.
Shes particularly compelling to Mary Jane.
In other words, Gwen inspires MJ no superpowers required.
And yet, Hickman still plays with readers expectations.
While Gwen and MJ go off to the restroom, Peter and Harry talk shop about having secret super-identities.
In this reality, the two have become friends as adults after meeting in their Spider-Man/Green Goblin guises.
I have to protect them, dont I?
asks an exasperated Peter, already torn by the few weeks hes been Spider-Man.
Messina draws the conversation as a nine-panel grid across the page, with each speakers face filling the panel.
Harry might be about to learn a lesson in protecting the people you love.
And that lesson may cost Gwen her life.
I hope thats not the case.
Only four issues in, HickmansUltimate Spider-Manhas been a celebration of everything that makes the character great.
Although Gwen has done enough to inspire people in death, its time to continue inspiring people in life.
Ultimate Spider-Man #4 is out now.
Issue #5 hits shelves on May 29.
