Gwen Stacy has always been a symbol of loss in Peter Parker’s world—but in Earth-65, she’s the one wearing the mask. As Spider-Woman, or Spider-Gwen as fans affectionately call her, Gwen has faced overwhelming odds, personal demons, and the burden of responsibility with a grit that defines true heroism. She didn’t become a hero by accident—she earned it through heart, loss, and fierce determination.
What sets Spider-Gwen apart from other Spider-variants isn’t just her costume or dimension—it’s the emotional weight of her journey. She’s been hunted by her own father, accused of crimes she didn’t commit, and battled not just villains, but her own guilt and fear. Yet through it all, she’s never stopped doing what’s right—even when the cost was everything.
#10: Turning Herself In to Save Her Friends – Spider-Gwen Vol. 1 #5 (2015)
Early in her run as Spider-Woman, Gwen is framed for the murder of Peter Parker—a tragedy that haunts her deeply. But when the NYPD and her own father, Captain George Stacy, begin aggressively pursuing her, the tension boils over. Gwen sees that her presence is endangering those around her. Rather than let her loved ones continue to suffer, she does something bold: she surrenders.
Despite being innocent, Gwen turns herself in, risking imprisonment and public scorn to take pressure off her friends and father. It’s a defining act of self-sacrifice, one that underscores her commitment to others over herself. She doesn’t fight or run—she accepts the consequences and places her faith in justice.
It’s one of the earliest signals that Gwen is a hero not because she wins fights, but because she puts others first, even when it hurts. That moment set the tone for her entire arc: a constant balance between personal pain and public duty.
#9: Forgiving Her Father After Being Hunted – Spider-Gwen Vol. 2 #6–8 (2016)
Few things in Gwen’s life are more painful than her complicated relationship with her father. Captain Stacy unknowingly leads the task force hunting Spider-Woman, believing her to be a threat. When Gwen reveals her identity, it nearly destroys him—and their bond.
But instead of cutting ties, Gwen forgives him. She recognizes that her father was doing what he thought was right, just as she is. Their reconciliation is quiet but powerful, rooted in empathy and love. It’s not flashy. It’s not a brawl. But it’s heroic in its vulnerability.
This moment proves Gwen’s maturity. In a world that constantly misunderstands her, she still chooses compassion. The strength it takes to forgive someone who once hunted you isn’t just emotional—it’s heroic. It’s one of the many reasons fans resonate so deeply with her journey.
#8: Standing Up to the Kingpin – Spider-Gwen Vol. 2 #11–12 (2016)
Wilson Fisk—better known as the Kingpin—isn’t just a mob boss in Earth-65. He’s a full-on kingmaker, controlling entire sectors of the city through fear and manipulation. When Gwen gets wind of his grip over her city, she doesn’t sneak around it—she confronts it head-on.
Despite being outgunned, outfunded, and politically powerless, Gwen goes face-to-face with one of the most dangerous men in her universe. It’s a clear moment of bravery. She’s not just a hero who punches things—she’s a symbol of defiance against corruption.
What makes this stand so powerful is the stakes. Gwen could be crushed—legally, physically, or socially. But she does it anyway. That’s the Spider-ethos in action. And for Gwen, it’s not about the win—it’s about the fight. The refusal to back down in the face of overwhelming power makes this one of her most heroic moments.
#7: Teaming Up with the Spider-Verse – Spider-Verse (2014)
Gwen’s introduction to the broader Marvel multiverse came during the Spider-Verse event, where she joins an army of Spider-people to battle the Inheritors—beings who feed on Spider-Totems across dimensions. Thrust into chaos, Gwen steps up instantly, aligning with other versions of herself and Peter Parker, including Spider-Man 616 and Spider-Ham.
Despite the strangeness of alternate realities, Gwen never hesitates. She proves herself in battle, saves multiple allies, and earns the respect of the entire Spider-army. For a relatively new hero, she handles cosmic stakes with courage and poise.
This is where Gwen stops being just an alternate and becomes a pillar of the Spider-Verse. She brings heart, resolve, and compassion to a team of seasoned veterans. It’s a moment that elevated her from breakout character to mainstay—and she did it without losing what makes her uniquely Gwen.
#6: Refusing to Kill Harry Osborn – Spider-Gwen Vol. 2 #1–5 (2015–2016)
Harry Osborn, Gwen’s longtime friend, becomes one of her greatest threats when he returns to Earth-65 as the Lizard, consumed by rage and manipulated by Matt Murdock—the Kingpin of this universe. After a brutal and emotional confrontation, Gwen is forced to make a heartbreaking decision: kill her friend before he loses all control or find another way.
She chooses mercy.
Even though Harry attacks her, blames her for Peter Parker’s death, and threatens innocent lives, Gwen never gives in to the urge to end it violently. She fights to reach the human still inside the monster, refusing to believe that he’s lost forever. Her compassion ends up being his only lifeline.
In a world that often tells heroes to fight fire with fire, Gwen fights hate with hope. Her decision not to kill Harry is a testament to her strength—not just physical, but moral. She risks her life to preserve his, even when he won’t thank her for it. That kind of restraint, rooted in love and pain, is the hallmark of a true hero.
#5: Losing Her Powers to Save the City – Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider #10 (2019)
During her solo Ghost-Spider run, Gwen becomes entangled with a symbiote native to her world—one that gives her enhanced abilities but threatens to consume her. When the symbiote’s power begins to spiral, Gwen faces a terrible choice: hold onto the edge it gives her or sever the connection and lose her Spider-powers altogether.
She chooses to let it go.
Knowing she might never swing again, Gwen sacrifices her power to prevent the symbiote from corrupting her or hurting anyone else. It’s a quiet, painful moment—one where she accepts that being a hero isn’t about powers, but choices.
This sacrifice echoes classic Spider-Man themes, but it hits even harder because Gwen chooses to walk away from her strength, not for personal guilt, but for the greater good. It’s raw. It’s responsible. And it’s deeply heroic.
#4: Becoming a Mentor – Spider-Gwen: Gwenverse (2022)
In Gwenverse, Gwen is pulled across time and space to meet alternate versions of herself—each with different powers, personalities, and emotional baggage. Rather than panic or compete with them, Gwen steps up as their mentor, guiding the group to work as a team and understand what it means to be a Spider-hero.
She takes on the leadership role with warmth and humility, helping her variants face their fears while confronting her own. Even though she’s technically the “original,” Gwen never lords it over the others. She listens. She protects. She inspires.
This moment shows a new side of Gwen—one that’s matured through her many hardships. She’s not just learning anymore—she’s teaching. And her empathy is what makes her leadership stick. It proves she’s not just a solo act; she’s someone who lifts others up. That’s heroism on a whole new level.
#3: Battling Matt Murdock’s Kingpin – Spider-Gwen Vol. 2 #6–34 (2016–2018)
Matt Murdock in Earth-65 isn’t the Daredevil we know. Here, he’s a cold, calculating version of the Kingpin, and he has Gwen under his thumb for most of her series. He knows her identity, manipulates her actions, and twists her heroism into a leash. For months, Gwen is forced to work as his enforcer to protect her loved ones.
But eventually, Gwen snaps the chain.
Despite blackmail, threats, and the looming danger of exposure, Gwen breaks free. She exposes Murdock, confronts his corruption head-on, and dismantles his criminal empire from within. It’s not easy. It costs her friends, allies, and nearly her freedom—but she does it. And she does it without compromising who she is.
This arc shows Gwen at her most courageous. She doesn’t just punch her way out—she plans, resists, and outmaneuvers a devil in disguise. It’s not just about saving the city—it’s about saving herself. And it marks her transition from fledgling hero to full-fledged warrior of justice.
#2: Saving Multiversal Spider-Heroes – Spider-Women Alpha/Omega (2016)
In Spider-Women, Gwen teams up with Jessica Drew (Spider-Woman) and Cindy Moon (Silk) to battle a version of Cindy’s evil counterpart, who steals Gwen’s powers and plans to use them to breach universes. Even depowered and stranded, Gwen leads the charge to save the day—not through brute force, but through sharp thinking and determination.
She navigates tech sabotage, emotional fallout, and interdimensional collapse—all while being the only Spider without powers. Gwen proves that being Spider-Woman isn’t about what’s under the mask—it’s about what’s in it. Courage, loyalty, and resolve.
This crossover highlights her resilience. Even among seasoned veterans like Jessica, Gwen stands tall. And her ability to lead and sacrifice without powers makes her the heart of the team—and the narrative.
#1: Choosing to Be a Hero in a World That Hates Her – Spider-Gwen Entire Run (2015–2018)
The single most powerful thing Gwen Stacy does is continue. She lives in a world where she’s labeled a menace, hunted by police, distrusted by peers, and haunted by the death of Peter Parker—a death she feels responsible for. And yet, every day, she gets up, puts on the mask, and tries.
She doesn’t have the same support system Peter does. She doesn’t get parades or praise. But she still helps. Still protects. Still sacrifices.
In a world that rejects her, Gwen Stacy chooses heroism. Not for glory. Not for redemption. But because someone has to. That choice—quiet, unyielding, and repeated day after day—is what makes her truly unstoppable.
Gwen Stacy of Earth-65 may have started as a tragic twist on a familiar face, but she’s become so much more than a “what if.” Through heartbreak, betrayal, sacrifice, and triumph, Spider-Gwen has forged her own legacy—one defined not by powers or prestige, but by resilience. She gets knocked down again and again, yet always rises, mask on and heart open.
Her world may fear her. Her battles may be thankless. But Gwen still chooses to be a hero—not because she’s perfect, but because she cares. She fights for those who can’t. She forgives when others wouldn’t. And even when she doubts herself, she never stops doing the right thing.
In every universe, there are Spider-heroes who inspire us. Gwen Stacy is one of them—not because she’s Peter Parker’s echo, but because she’s a shining voice of her own. Strong. Brave. Unbreakable. A true hero.
