*Marvel: Dire threats against the heroes’ loved ones had, of course, been a stock-in-trade of popular entertainment since time immemorial, but in 1973’s Amazing Spider-Man #121, when Peter Parker’s love Gwen Stacy was imperilled by the Green Goblin, readers were genuinely shocked and saddened when Spidey’s daring rescue simply didn’t work – and Gwen was no more. Heroes had often been inspired by the death of a loved one, of course, but they were usually off-panel and frequently before the series actually began. This was the first time that someone the readers had ‘known’ for years was killed, and it changed the tone of the series forever, making this one of the most sought-after issues of the entire series. In considering this particular copy, make no mistake – it is NOT a beauty. Although colourful and glossy with a decent spine, there has been some impact crumpling to the top of the comic down to the logo area, resulting in creasing throughout which is miraculously not colour breaking, but deeply ingrained. Added to that, there is much wear to the right edge, and the bottom right corner has multiple small creases. The centrefold is also off top staple. But it’s all there and if you look at it and squint hard, it doesn’t look too bad, so if you want to fill a gap without breaking the bank, this might be the copy for you.
PICTURED: AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #121 GD- £120 SOLD