Back in early 2020, Marvel launched the first Gwen Stacy series from writer Christos Gage, artist Todd Nauck, and colorist Rachelle Rosenberg. Only two issues came out before the pandemic hit and changed all of our lives. When comics returned after the Diamond shipping halt, the Gwen Stacy title mysteriously vanished from the publisher’s schedule. After two years, fans had long given up hope that the series would return but it seems good things go to those who wait because today Marvel announced the creative team will finish the tale they started so long ago with Giant-Size Gwen Stacy #1 this August.
Sporting a cover by Olivier Vatine, the series will conclude the “thrilling never-before-told Silver Age mystery that saw a pre-Spider-Man Gwen go up against villains like Green Goblin and Kingpin.”
The press release teased what’s to come:
Gwen and Peter may not have met until AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #31, but that doesn’t mean Gwen’s life began on that page. Meet Gwen Stacy, beauty queen of Standard High, sure, but so much more. Science whiz Gwen Stacy (you don’t think she landed in Peter’s advanced science classes at ESU because of her good looks, did you?) has an indomitable spirit that, much to her police Captain dad’s chagrin, gets her into serious trouble a lot. This in-continuity story will see Gwen tackle a Marvel Universe-spanning conspiracy that has her cross paths with dangerous Marvel villains and team-up with the original X-Men.
Unsurprisingly Gage is thrilled to be back:
“Working on the GWEN STACY miniseries with the brilliant Todd Nauck and Rachelle Rosenberg was a huge thrill, as I got to play in the timeline of the original Stan Lee/Steve Ditko Spider-Man stories—but BEFORE Gwen ever met Peter Parker—revealing untold tales about folks like Gwen, Green Goblin and Captain George Stacy. Unfortunately, COVID put the series on hold after just two issues. And it’s been a while, but…Gwen is back! And I couldn’t be happier!”
“The icing on the cake is that for the first time I get to see my name on a GIANT-SIZE title…a nice thick volume containing ALL 5 issues. Ever since I was a kid, Marvel’s Giant-Size books have held a special place in my heart, so I couldn’t think of a better, more exciting way for Gwen to return. I thank everyone who’s waited so long, kept asking about the book and retained their enthusiasm for it…I hope you find it worth the wait!”
The sentiment was echoed by Nauck:
“I am so excited to see our complete Gwen Stacy story is coming to the fans! I had so much fun drawing this series and working with Christos, Nick Lowe, Lindsey Cohick, Ralph Macchio, and Rachelle Rosenberg! I really enjoyed brainstorming and working in aspects of the Marvel Universe of that era around Gwen and her story. Wait till fans see issue #4!”
Check out the Peach Momoko variant cover below and look for Giant-Size Gwen Stacy #1 to arrive in stores on Wednesday August 10, 2022.
