Marvel Comics revives Spider-Man squeeze Gwen Stacy as superhero with "Spider-Gwen"

NEW YORK, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- Marvel Comics has resurrected Spider-Man's long-deceased girlfriend Gwen Stacy, rewriting her story in an alternate universe where Peter Parker dies and Gwen is bit by the radioactive spider.

The original Gwen Stacy famously died after being caught in a high-altitude battle between Spider-Man and the Green Goblin originally published in 1973 and reinterpreted for moviegoers in 2014's The Amazing Spider-Man 2. The character's original death still serves as one of the primary psychological motivations for Spider-Man's actions in the comic books.

In the alternate universe, known to Marvel Comics fans as Earth-65, Gwen Stacy is initially bit by the radioactive spider that gives Spider-Man his powers, while Peter Parker perishes as a result of her actions, albeit in a notably different manner than the original Gwen Stacy.

"The fact that it's a woman does change the meaning and subtext of everything that's going on," script writer Jason Latour told USA Today.

"As a creator, that's really enjoyable and it opens up the story to go in a lot of directions it wouldn't have gone before."

Spider-Gwen has ARRIVED. RT if you're picking up that first issue today (and Tweet your pics, of course)! #SpiderGwen pic.twitter.com/PUcWxYT2KZ

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— Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) February 25, 2015

Sooo this #SpiderGwen issue is rare huh? Glad I gots me a 1st printing! pic.twitter.com/DpxfWQiV8y

— ScottMBailey (@ScottMBailey) February 19, 2015

/// I Needs More Spider-Gwen...LIKE NOW, To Much Awesomeness, MORE SPIDER-GWEN!/// pic.twitter.com/gvzt72QO3X

— Superior Spider-Man (@SuperiorOck616) February 26, 2015

Today's the day! #SpiderGwen #1 signing with @jasonlatour tonight at 6pm at Midtown Comics Downtown! pic.twitter.com/6ex5e5QUif

— Midtown Comics (@MidtownComics) February 26, 2015