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John Romita cover/art; Death of Gwen Stacy; Green Goblin app; COMIC BOOK IMPACT rating of 8 (CBI)
There have been three influential moments that defined Peter Parker/Spider-Man; the spider bite which gave him his awesome powers, the death of his Uncle Ben which taught him the responsibility of those powers, and finally the tragic fate of Gwen Stacy, a devastating lesson showing that, despite his best efforts, some things are beyond his control. It had been previously unheard of to kill off such a focal character in a popular title but the death of Stacy became widely known as one the most monumental moments in comic book history and even started a trend of killing off spouses of heroes in comics known as "the Gwen Stacy syndrome.”

Writer Gerry Conway was initially asked by editors to kill off Aunt May, but instead opted for Gwen because he and artist John Romita Sr. felt that a perfect relationship betrayed the tragic essence of Spider-Man. This milestone issue easily cemented the Green Goblin as the arch-nemesis among Spider-Man's rouges gallery as the latter kidnaps Gwen Stacy and lures Spidey to the top of the George Washington bridge (illustrated as the Brooklyn Bridge). During the ensuing battle, Gwen is knocked off the top of the bridge and in a desperate attempt to save her, Spider-Man shoots a web catching her leg. As Parker pulls up the love of his life, he soon realizes that she’s already dead, as the same web meant to save her life caused the whiplash that snapped her neck. Although it initially shocked readers around the world Amazing Spider-Man #121 would be ultimately praised for its bravery and for paving the way for other grim, heart-wrenching stories in the future.