Spider-Men #3 SPOILERS/Discussion!

[Robbie_Jee]

Not a blessed thing, I'm just saying it would be a bad move on their part seeing as Gwen hasn't exactly been around for as long I would liked, especially after Peter's death. I would like her become a proactive character in the Ultimate Universe.

Back in January, Bendis revealed that this year would be a BIG year for Gwen.

And with a new symbiote arc in the pipeline for this year, that can only mean one thing: Gwen-Carnage.

[Daybreak_st]

Actually i do find it creepy that Peter did that.

And i do wish they brought up Gwen's death again. In a way, ignoring her death is sort of a disrespect for her character. I don't like the idea of replacing someone who has died, and ignoring the fact that the original is dead. Since clone Gwen has been in Peter's life, i don't think they have ever mentioned, the original Gwen, its as if she never died. Before Peter died, its as if he thought that one of his best friends was basically back from the dead....which is technically not true.


Im glad that they didn't do this in 616. I would hate if Gwen was killed by the Goblin, but then soon after a clone of her was made, and then 616 Peter got together with her and basically ignored and never mentioned the tragic death of original Gwen by the Goblin.

When Ultimate Gwen died, Peter felt a since of responsibility for her death and sadness because of it, however when the clone came to be, all that seemed to go away. Something i did not like.

While I understand what you're saying, the fact that your objections have been completely unaddressed leads me to believe Bendis is simply trying to sweep that story arc under the rug. He realized he had killed one of the best ultimate universe characters too late and wanted to bring her back. It's a little contrieved with how it was done but the goal was simply to bring her back and treat her like nothing happened.

I like the way the guy below addresses the questions as well :

I get what you're saying and pretty much agree, but just going by what was said in the story itself, Tony Stark seemed pretty clear that it wasn't a clone and that everything that made Gwen Gwen was taken out of her and transferred into Carnage, which they somehow managed to salvage or regrow. Stark says that clones have very slight genetic differences or whatever (there was a similar notion in 616, even saying that Ben Reilly and Peter Parker looked slightly different) and that this Gwen has none of that.

So while the science is shaky and ill-explained and while what you're saying makes total sense, I think it was pretty much the intention in the story that it is a resurrected Gwen Stacy and that he body was just rebuilt from what was left of her old one. I mean, is that a clone? Probably, by some definitions. But like another poster said, if it's just the reassembled body of the original girl with memories intact, it's not really different that the idea of teleportation in comics, where someone is reassembled at a genetic level. I mean, when I read JLA or watch Star Trek, I'm not really questioning if it's really the same Superman or Captain Kirk that comes out of the teleporter.

But like I said, I'm just going by what was said in the book and what seemed to be the intention. It's certainly flimsy and was a lot of hand-waving on Bendis' part, but I believe that it's supposed to be the same Gwen, pretty much. As for the eyes, well, it has to be a colorists error, since in the story, Stark says she is 100% identical to the Gwen they knew down to every single atom.

[Bookem Danno]

I voted 'great read' in the poll. That ending was so powerful it just gave the good art and good story the boost over the top. Then I read this thread and learned this whole Gwen is apparently a clone(?) rigamaroll and am happy not to have invested too much into the UU, save these last few months, so I could enjoy this issue so much. Ignored or glossed over continuity is a definite deterrent to being tempted to dive into the UU but there is nothing stopping me from finishing this mini - it's playing out in very nicely. Ultimates these 'last few months' has been pretty good too so their guest starring was an old school type treat. However, already the need for continuity placement already rears its ugly head. Down, beast, down! Haven't touched anything dealing with the U-X-men yet, to much trouble to catching up and getting into them now. Most of the big names are dead, right? Apparently not Dazzler who is busy being a star at... selling houses?!

Anyways ,after this enjoyable showing for Peter, I cannot wait to see AFTER this mini, when Peter should clearly check up on 616-Miles. It has got to happen! Happen, newplot, happen!

[Entarci]

I just had to say something about this issue. It has touched me very deeply. Bendis got it all right in this issue. The last page especially! Two years ago I had lost my Father and my last remaining Grandmother. The most painful deaths for me to be near and apart of. Not a single day goes by that I am not reminded of them or the fact that they are gone and I am well on my way. Death surrounds me and has forced me to change in many ways. Acceptance is hard but I have found it. Without God by the way or drugs and alcohol. I am still digging my way free from the hole I found myself buried in and comics have been a large part of that. It's weird for me to admit this personal struggle on a forum about comics but this is my reality. Without my friends for support and comics to escape into, and then to learn from, I really would be in a bad place right now. Bendis has shown his genius in this one and Pichelli is Marvelous! My perspective. I just wanted, maybe needed, to explain why I feel so strongly about it and praise it so highly.

[Entarci]

I voted 'great read' in the poll. That ending was so powerful it just gave the good art and good story the boost over the top. Then I read this thread and learned this whole Gwen is apparently a clone(?) rigamaroll and am happy not to have invested too much into the UU, save these last few months, so I could enjoy this issue so much. Ignored or glossed over continuity is a definite deterrent to being tempted to dive into the UU but there is nothing stopping me from finishing this mini - it's playing out in very nicely. Ultimates these 'last few months' has been pretty good too so their guest starring was an old school type treat. However, already the need for continuity placement already rears its ugly head. Down, beast, down! Haven't touched anything dealing with the U-X-men yet, to much trouble to catching up and getting into them now. Most of the big names are dead, right? Apparently not Dazzler who is busy being a star at... selling houses?!

Anyways ,after this enjoyable showing for Peter, I cannot wait to see AFTER this mini, when Peter should clearly check up on 616-Miles. It has got to happen! Happen, newplot, happen!

Yes! Yes, I agree with you on the part about Gwen being a clone. I'm glad I didn't know that! If Miles is older in the 616, approximate to Peter's age, that would be a cool tidbit to learn how he lives.

[LJ-90]

I just had to say something about this issue. It has touched me very deeply. Bendis got it all right in this issue. The last page especially! Two years ago I had lost my Father and my last remaining Grandmother. The most painful deaths for me to be near and apart of. Not a single day goes by that I am not reminded of them or the fact that they are gone and I am well on my way. Death surrounds me and has forced me to change in many ways. Acceptance is hard but I have found it. Without God by the way or drugs and alcohol. I am still digging my way free from the hole I found myself buried in and comics have been a large part of that. It's weird for me to admit this personal struggle on a forum about comics but this is my reality. Without my friends for support and comics to escape into, and then to learn from, I really would be in a bad place right now. Bendis has shown his genius in this one and Pichelli is Marvelous! My perspective. I just wanted, maybe needed, to explain why I feel so strongly about it and praise it so highly.

I can totally relate to this.

[Bookem Danno]

I just had to say something about this issue. It has touched me very deeply. Bendis got it all right in this issue. The last page especially! Two years ago I had lost my Father and my last remaining Grandmother. The most painful deaths for me to be near and apart of. Not a single day goes by that I am not reminded of them or the fact that they are gone and I am well on my way. Death surrounds me and has forced me to change in many ways. Acceptance is hard but I have found it. Without God by the way or drugs and alcohol. I am still digging my way free from the hole I found myself buried in and comics have been a large part of that. It's weird for me to admit this personal struggle on a forum about comics but this is my reality. Without my friends for support and comics to escape into, and then to learn from, I really would be in a bad place right now. Bendis has shown his genius in this one and Pichelli is Marvelous! My perspective. I just wanted, maybe needed, to explain why I feel so strongly about it and praise it so highly.

I can totally relate to this.

I can also relate. We shared an appreciation of good comics. Also two years gone, coincidentally. Seems like two decades right now - definitely too long.

[refrax5]

I just had to say something about this issue. It has touched me very deeply. Bendis got it all right in this issue. The last page especially! Two years ago I had lost my Father and my last remaining Grandmother. The most painful deaths for me to be near and apart of. Not a single day goes by that I am not reminded of them or the fact that they are gone and I am well on my way. Death surrounds me and has forced me to change in many ways. Acceptance is hard but I have found it. Without God by the way or drugs and alcohol. I am still digging my way free from the hole I found myself buried in and comics have been a large part of that. It's weird for me to admit this personal struggle on a forum about comics but this is my reality. Without my friends for support and comics to escape into, and then to learn from, I really would be in a bad place right now. Bendis has shown his genius in this one and Pichelli is Marvelous! My perspective. I just wanted, maybe needed, to explain why I feel so strongly about it and praise it so highly.

Sorry to hear about your losses and that you've had such a hard time. That's really rough, man.

I get what you're saying, though. It might seem silly to some people, but these characters and stories have always helped me escape or deal with things in my life. I had a pretty miserable childhood and comics (Spider-Man especially) really gave me something to escape into and showed me a world of adventure and idealism and imagination. As a kid, I wanted to be just like Peter Parker (and Dick Grayson, Tim Drake, Steve Rogers, Jim Rhodes and some others), and that probably has a lot to do with who I am as an adult. Like I said, it's probably kind of childish to some people, but these characters have always had a special place in my heart. And I'm still discovering new stories and new characters that inspire me and spark my imagination.

So while our stories may be different, I definitely understand how comics can be more than just a hobby. I'm glad they've given you some sense of peace. Hang in there.