How to Kill a Character 101
The Death of Gwen Stacy is one of the most iconic moments in comics because primarily of its shock value and how it has been remembered. Personally, I don't think the story as originally told was all that great. It's not enough about Gwen herself, I think, to justify her death. Here, we have that one problem rectified. Through the lens of Marvels, Kurt Busiek provides even more pathos for a character many people today only know for dying. Sure, it perpetuates the "Saint Gwen" idea in their minds, but the story is so beautifully told that it's hard to hold that against it for very long.
Through Phil Sheldon, the readers learn about Gwen. Who she is, what she thinks and why so many love her. And through that, the audience comes to love her. And because we love her, her death matters. Phil's reaction to her death--the hope he had restored through her snatched away a hairs breath before it saw fruition--is tangible through Alex Ross' arts and Busiek's words.
The entire series is iconic beyond Iconic, truly worthy of Four Star, 10/10, A+ reviews. But this issue in particular is a Jewel in this golden crown of a series.
