For most fans Spider-Man is associated with Mary Jane Watson as she for the past 40 years their on again off again relationship has been told numerous ways, but that was not always the case. Before Mary Jane Watson their was Gwen Stacy. Gwen Stacy first appeared in Amazing Spider-Man #31 in this issue we also saw the first appearance of Norman Osborn's son Harry. Peter first met Gwen at Empire State University but Peter due to Aunt may's health ignored Gwen Stacy's attraction towards him. As a result she decides to date both Harry and Flash Thompson. Due to common interests between the two science majors after Peter breaks up with Betty Brant a relationship ensues.
This relationship would build over time but almost end very early into there relationship. Peter and Gwen's father would get into a fight and due to a misunderstanding leaves the relationship only to find out it was a misunderstanding later. As their relationship develops Peter tells Gwen his secret which only complicates the relationship more because later she blames him for her father's death. As a result Gwen would travels to London to deal with the passing of her father, a trip though she ould hope Peter would take with her ending in a possible proposal(which did not come). When realizing the error in her judgement Gwen returns to New York and her and Peter reunite.
Her involvement in comic book history maybe bigger than what one could have imagined in 1973. In August of that year issue number #121 would be wriiten and released by Gerry Conway and Gil Kane. This issue was advertised as a cliffhanger and boy did we get that and more. Norman Osborn who identifies Peter as Spider-Man takes Gwen hostage and takes her to the George Washington Bridge. There the Green Goblin meets Spider-Man and drops Gwen off the bridge, Spider-Man shoots his web which would catch Gwen but because of this action Gwen dies. Noting this Spider-Man relatiates because of anger and almost kills the green Goblin(which he would do in #122).
The death of Gwen Stacy affected all of the comic book community because not before this did a superhero fail. The death of Gwen Stacy and it's lasting effects can still be felt today. In Amazing Spider-Man #122 Spider-Man does kill the Green Goblin and it would take almost 300 issues for him to return. It is said by many experts and historians that "The Death of Gwen Stacy" was the end of the Silver Age of Comics.