There are a lot of comics out there but some stand out head and shoulders above the pack. With “Don’t Miss This,” we want to spotlight those series we think need to be on your pull list. This week, we take a look at Marvel Comics’s “Giant Size Gwen Stacy”
Who’s This By?
A creative team that specializes in both superhero drama and teen angst was exactly the genetic makeup required for a story such as this. Written by Christos Gage who is no stranger to the Marvel universes, nor angsty teen heroes. Having worked on various Spidery titles including “The Amazing Spider-Man” and “Spider-Geddon”, the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” spin-off: “Angel & Faith,” and “Avengers Academy” places Gage with a certain type of expertise that makes him a perfect choice for this miniseries. Illustrator Todd Nauck continues to walk in the footprints of past greats, creating a look and style that is wholly Marvel as he wears his influences on his sleeve, while being in the game long enough to now have those who are emulating his work. Possibly best known for his work on “The Amazing Spider-Man,: “Teen Titans,” and the “Invincible” spin-off “Guarding the Globe,” Nauck is a modern comic/pop icon who has brought some of the most famous recent Marvel pages into existence. Colorist Rachelle Rosenberg is yet another master of her craft to be added to this book. A personal favorite of mine, any time Rosenberg’s name appears on a title you can guarantee that the work is going to be top tier and will be completed in a way that you will never be able to imagine it done any other way. Another Marvel constant, on countless titles like “Star Wars: Target Vader,” “Alien”, “Immortal Hulk,” and “Spider-Verse”, as well as having her hands on a plethora of great books from other publishers, (“Man-Eaters,” “G.I. Joe”). Rosenberg is an absolute master that any book is lucky to have. Lettered by another great, VC’s Joe Caramagna is also no stranger to Marvel (“The Amazing Spider-Man,” “The Uncanny X-Men,” and many, many more titles across the entire comics industry. Having dabbled in other aspects of creating, his lettering work far outnumbers anything else by literal 1000s of titles. Another master of his craft.
What’s This All About?
Years before Gwen Stacy and Peter Parker met at Empire State University, Gwen was already an intelligent and independent individual with a bright future that nearly didn’t involve superheroes and villains. It’s all part of what makes her loss still a major impact point in the world of comics. The creative team behind Giant Size Gwen Stacy, want you to feel that loss once again by delving into the wonderful character she was before she was brutally murdered by Norman Osborn, the Green Goblin. Gage, Nauck, and co. look to create a compelling street level story and adventure for Gwen to live through. Something low level enough that she could feasibly come out the other side of it without too much major hero intervention, using her own smarts to get through it, and not have it shake the main canon to its core.
So, Why Should I Read This?
Gage expands on what fans have known about Gwen for a long time, while adding context and additional depth to the existing canon. For those who are more casual readers, they get to see a fuller character than maybe what they’ve been introduced to over the years. Especially as the Marvel multiverse has continued to grow and change, many readers probably only know Spider-Gwen, or one of the other variations on the character that have come since her death all the way back in 1973. While Gwen’s character has almost always been treated with respect, there have been a few missteps in the nearly five decades since her tragic end and this miniseries looks to revitalize exactly what it was about the original Gwen that we, and characters like Peter Parker and Harry Osborn, fell in love with.
The art team of Todd Nauck and Rachelle Rosenberg make for a look that is both modern while capturing decades of classic Marvel Comics; all while having a style and vibe of their own. It calls back to many past artists, but specifically reminded me of both Romitas’s work on various Spider-Man titles. It’s a hard task to evoke decades of fandom without flat out ripping off what has come before, but these artists never do that. There were a few moments that took me right back to reading reprints of the original “The Amazing Spider-Man.” While fully wrapped up in a sleaker, modern look, the character beats of this miniseries would be right at home in the minds of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko.
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How Can You Read It?
“Giant-Size Gwen Stacy” released this week and is available anywhere comics are sold. Luckily for the more casual collector, this is a collection of the five issue miniseries from 2020, so it is one stop shopping.
