Gerry Conway's SPIDER-MAN: The Tragedy and Evolution of a Hero 

In retrospect, handing off a college-age Spider-Man to a college-age kid with experience in writing was a brilliant move. Conway really was perfect for the role, and he turned out some fantastic stories. I also love the contrast in how Gwen died vs. Uncle Ben. Ben would be alive if Peter had been a hero, and Gwen would be alive if he hadn’t. It’s the perfect Catch-22 for the character.

I never knew Conway was an actual teenager when he started on this run!!! Makes the story feel even more authentic when it was written by someone who was young like Spiderman and already carried a lot of responsibility

Gerry Conway- One of the most underrated pioneers of the Marvel Universe. In my eyes, he belongs up there with Stan, and Jack. Somehow Conway has been writing comics for decades and has always reinvented himself so that they never feel dated and as if he’s a new writer each decade

Much like with the Rolling Stones, I really think that while he was created in the 1960s, it was the 1970s that defined Spiderman. Unstable relationships, constant blowback from being a superhero and the second biggest tragedy in Peter's life...all this comes from Conway's run. You can hear echoes of that last in Jim Starlin and Jim Aparo's legendary Batman storyline Death In The Family.

Throughout the years, SPIDER-MAN has strongly triumph over tragedy.

The fact that Gerry Conway was this young developing and changing Peter's life in such an massive fashion is really impressive. Not to mention giving some of the most defining Spidey moments along with Lee/Ditko and JMS

In a time in which entertainment is relied upon heavily this channel is the cream of the crop. Great episode

In all honesty, the 70s and 80s were probably the best years for comic books and superheroes, especially for Marvel. Yeah, the 60s were great, but outside of Ditko, Kirby and Lee, there wasn't a whole lot of truly great talent. The 70s-80s gave us Starlin, Byrne, Miller, Waid, Davis, Claremont, Stern, Simonson, Moore, Andru, Shooter, Perez, Romita, Perlin, Conway, Englehart, Gerber, Moench, Layton, Zeck, Ploog, Gruenwald, Thomas, Milgrom, Wolfman, Brunner, Colan, Pollard, Windsor-Smith, DeFalco, and Michelinie. All wrote great things, and either went and did greater things, or became beloved people to the fanbase (Gruenwald specifically, that guy was amazing). Gosh what a time to be a comics fan that must have been...

Been a quiet fan for a while now, and I just wanted to say I love your videos. They've given me a much deeper respect and knowledge about my favourite Super Hero. The 'Spider-Man''s Defining Moment' video gives me such inspiration and empowerment as a constantly-learning artist/writer, and the 'Spider-Man is for Children' video made me shed a tear. It reminded me how much I love this character and what he means to me, and what he means to many others. Spider-Man is such an important character and this channel is very important to me. Seriously, thank you for doing what you do.

Point blank period John Romita Sr is my favorite Spider-Man artist back in these days when Spider-Man comics we're good and ORIGINAL great video 💯

Matt, I wanted to thank you once more for your work! Your in depth looks into comics are part of what brought me into the medium and remain a source of great watching material. And in times as mad as these your emotionally intelligent and deeply analytical content motivates mea and often makes me more optimistic. Keep up your amazing work! 🙏

I feel like I’m repeating what I said on one of your Daredevil videos, but the one thing that’s cool about superhero comics is that while a character might be created by one team, it’s different writers that can make a character has staying power (like Claremont’s X-Men or Joe Kelly with Deadpool). Spider-Man may have been Lee and Diko’s creation but you have shown me that Conway is the one who defined the character. Really need to read more of this Spider-Man run (I believe I’ve only read Gwen’s death arc). I would love to for you to talk about JMS Spider-Man (minus those two arcs that shall not be named). Also love the music nod to your Spider-Man Blue video.

Amazing Stuff! Fingers crossed for the Michelinie run down the line!

Ross Andru was the Spider-Man artist of my youth in the 1970s. I loved Conway's run and Andru's art on it.

5:37 is what we need more of in comics. Putting our heroes through struggles and have the come out victorious. Nice video as always. You always give 10000% in your videos and we are truly grateful. Stay healthy. Excelsior !!!

It's so nice for someone to bring up the weight Gerry Conway's narrative choice carry in the overall story of Spider-Man. I had no idea he was so young when he wrote those stories.

Another home run, Matt! The next Spidey video should either be Roger Sterns’ hobgoblin storyline or Spider-man:Life Story by Chip Zdarsky.

His run on Spiderman are my favorite stories! I was born October 3, 1974 and I’ve seen a lot of hairs of this character but Gerry Conway’s run holds a special place in my heart! In my opinion, it was his run that truly defined the Peter Parker version of Spiderman!

I'll be honest, I pressed on this video by accident. But boy am I glad I stayed! Consider me subscribed!

I hope I can meet Gerry Conway at a con again, but this time keep on topic with Spider-man questions. First time I met him I asked about Gwen Stacy, but I lost track and asked a bunch of questions about the Punisher.

You know, a video on John Byrne’s run on She-Hulk or Fantatsic Four (which also had She-Hulk in it) might be interesting.

Ross Andru is my favorite Spider-Man artist. Glad to see him highlighted

Another home run, Matt. Excellent coverage of Conway's run. The death of Gwen Stacy was such a pivotal event in the history of comics, essentially ending the Silver Age. You handled the event, and its after-effects admirably.

Playing Love - Bensound during the Gwey Stacy segment, same track from your Spider-Man Blue video. Well played.

Your videos are always scenes of jubilation, I wish more people would watch your videos and give you a subscribe,they are so well made, well though out, and educational, I learn something new about this great artform everytime I watch, keep up the great work 👍👏👏

I love gerry conway spider-man it was really awesome and fantastic and a great story for peter parker and mary jane :)

We need a Spider-Man TV show that has a season that explores grief through adapting Conway´s run. Harry, Punisher, Dr. Warren, and Peter are all so easy to contrast in a compelling story on that theme.

Wonderful and lovely video. Great that you praised Conway's full work on ASM rather than just the night gwen stacy died. Glad that you emphasized that Conway's run was about a Peter who grew...and that the love story with Mary Jane was the emotional center of it all.

Even after all these years which includes not reading comics, I still tear up when I read or hear about the death of Gwen Stacey.

12:37 lol corona. Guess we cant escape this virus even in essays about nearly 50 year old comics.

Matt, you are doing the Lord's work. Thank you for this - brought back memories of finding my father's old collection of Conway's run when he was 15 and buying Spidey, and me reading them as a kid, so entertained by what I was looking at, and forging that bond with my old man. Keep up the amazing work.

I guess you could say that this video was AMAZING!!

Loved the video. Can’t wait for the next one!

Gwen's one of the few characters in comics they've never brought back. Yeah she's been cloned loads of times and there have been alternate universe versions of her but the real Gwen Stacy has never been resurrected since the comic where she died.

Gerry Conway is easily one of the greatest Spider-Man writers of all time. His second stint on the character in the late 80s is also really good, yet sadly overlooked.

I’ve been going through the original Spider-Man comics for a while now and really enjoy Gerry Conway’s run. Also I just recently found out me and him share a birthday, so that’s freaking cool for me.

What a great video... I'm a huge Spider-Man fan, he will always be my favorite. Gerry Conway was one of the best (the best?) writers on Spider-Man. And The Night Gwen Stacy Died is still the most shocking moment in the history of comics. That comic book ended the innocence of comics and definitely introduced them for adults.

Despite his recent actions, Conway left a huge impact of Peter that is still being felt to this day. This is the run where Peter truly became Spider-Man. Great work Matt.

I would love to see you talk about Dennis O'Neils run on Batman from the 70s

Actually... I LOVED the whole "Spider Mobile" comics because it showed some humor and comradely between Johnny Storm and Spidy! :D

OH, I know, how about cover Ed Piskanor's "X-Men: Grand Design" trilogy?

Great video. Maybe you could do one on Conway's 80's/90's run on Spiderman. It gets overlooked. Reading it you can see how Gerry had matured as a writer.

subbed, this channel is a gem for brief comic history videos!!!

This was so well put together that I’ve subscribed. Conway was a genius. My favorite Spider-Man run. Thank you for bringing back fantastic memories for those times in the hobby.

Watching again after the premier, a great video for an excellent run!

I love these two stories so much. And every time they make me cry.

This is a great channel. I love how you describe the significance of these authors' stories. Keep it up!

"We *kill* the silver age of comics." 🕷🕷🕷

Nice one man. Love your work. Consistently quality.

I really dug this video. I know how awesome the Stan/Ditko combo is, but I feel that he got better as he went into the Bronze age. Thanks for making it!

Y'know, Matt... I wish I could like your videos more than once. I've lost count of how many videos you made that I've rewatched time and time again. I think this is my first time seeing this one? Either way, keep up the good work, buddy.

Great video as always! Some of the best Spidey comics!

The single most underrated channel on RU-vid. Stay safe, Matt!!

Love your videos! Great job man👍🏻

Great Job! The video wouldn't have been as fun to watch without the montages and bright graphics. After I saw the end tag "Spider-man appears monthly in Marvel Comics magazines" on the reruns of the 1967 cartoon series, I decided to buy one. 25 cents later, I had a copy of ASM #140 in my hands. Glad you included Gil Kane's iconic cover. Not the most noteworthy issue in Conway's run but, as you stated, the tone was dark and fast. I looked at page one and here was Peter Parker all right but this is definitely the middle of a story in progress and it's not a good one. Peter is in trouble. My only beef was not giving a shout to Dave Hunt, the inker on many of the Andru pencils in the run. Whether he was staying true to Andru's pencils or bringing something of his own to the art is debatable. But there was a heavy film noir feel to many of the mid 70's ASM books. It's as if the run was the Marvel commentary on cinematography of the day; The Exorcist, Serpico, Godfather I & II.

This is the Spider-man I grew up with! Thank god I inherited one of my dad's best friends, early 70s comics. Made me love JR senior and Andru. Some of my fave artists ❤

Great as always))

Ah yes, the villain that plagues every superhero: THE EDITOR!

I have nothing to add except great video man. I’ve always have a interest on Spider-man, but I found it difficult to relate until recently. So I’ll check Gerry Conway’s run and see how it pairs with my taste, also I hope you are doing well in these hard times.

This is fantastic, thank you Matt!

Gerry Conway is a legend his run on spider man is a masterclass of comics storytelling.

Thank you for the video Matt.

Another great video, Matt! If Stan Lee/Ditko's run introduced Spider-Man Conway's run DEFINES him. All the emotions, relatbility, focus on the supporting cast and romantic interests compared to other superhero comics from their run but amped up to 11. I rarely read entire superhero runs with the same level of emotional complexity, character development and continuity as Conway's run was.

EXCELLENT VIDEO!!

Matt, thank you for your detailed retrospective, articulate examinations of Marvel comics, characters and creators. Refreshing compared to gimmicky, ego-driven, poorly edited, mile a minute staccato approach by most others on RU-vid. Not sure how much work is put into these videos but the end results is top notch.

Excellent wrap up of a most pivotal time in the life of ol’ webhead. Well done and thanks!

Nothing like a Matt Draper video during quarantine!

Thank you for these super in-depth analysis of comics. As a teen getting into comics, I really like hearing about the deeper meaning behind certain stories and arcs and this gave me a whole new view on Stacey's death and Silver Age Spidey in general. Thank you again!

Great video. This was fun to revisit after doing a whole season on this run.

Your videos are so damn good and this one is no exception! Excellent work!

At last!! A video that recognize Andru's geniuses!!! His flowing panel composition is really great! Always prioritize clear, easy to understand flowing pictures over cool drawing and poses.

Amazing video. I gotta dig up a collection of these stories from somewhere

My first time with this channel. Very well done.

Conway, what a legend! Some of the bets Spidey comic ever and he was 19 years old!!

I'm relieved on second viewing to notice you also refer to the script as 'melodrama' - i came back to make clear that I mean no slight, as the term can be pejorative. I read O'Neill's book on comics writing and now borrow his insight into that aspect of superhero comics. I have had such fun, marking Denny's passing with my podcast appreciation of why his life had influenced mine. I haven't exhausted his every script, but I am sure you find, recreating these works for your video deepens your perspective on why we enjoy them. I note this time how much I enjoy your animated investment, narrating. Very lively! For example, you punch up the old story of Stan's panicked campus encounters. Your remarks on Harry are also hilarious. The summation of the boy reader's darker, more dangerous take and the more mature romance is so nicely done, Matt. Conway says there's an implicit absurdity in superheroes. His run is now often categorized as 'uneven' by conventional armchair critical wisdom. Given the darkness of the gripping Stacy storyline, though, it's hardly a wonder he tries something different! As a child reading his very first comic, I took Aunt May's ridiculous wedding peril very seriously. It's touching to see it as Peter's concern for, as you note, an increasingly-senile guardian. Funny, but moving, too. I suspect my entire assessment of Gerry's run will only rise in loving appreciation. Art's value also very much depends upon our evolving needs. Your channel has risen in my own estimation from a first interrupted impression to a smile-inducing second look, and just two terrific and contrasting videos!

Thank you very much for this Authentic Analysis of the Gerry Conway's work on Spider-Man Developments. She's already one of my favorites Comicbook Analysis. We feel the Evolution of Peter Parker/Spider-Man from the Teenage years to Adulthood, Linked to the work he made. Also how the events of the Seventies decade influence the Inspirations for Profound comicbook stories. I never knew he developed also the Relationship between Peter Parker/Spider-Man and Mary-Jane Watson. That's a fact we owe him. Thank you Matt. Because you know the values of Great Hero like Spider-Man defines Great Responsibility.

This is the Spider-Man I started picking up as a kid in the village shop in NY. Man it seems like a life time ago! Damn these were such great issues for sure with writing and art!

An excellent video, man. Gwen Stacy's death was such a punch in the gut and I think you illustrated perfectly how essential it was to move Spider-Man forward by having his life be affected because he was a hero rather than him ignoring the call which led to Uncle Ben's death. The video was edited beautifully as well I loved the use of the panels to help bring home your points.

This was shared with me on FB's Marvel Fans 1961-86. I love how you use just enough plot exposirion for the newcomer and fill this meticulously- edited video with insights. You've earned the kudos and community. Now: you surely know cover dates are not release dates. It's hard to get a precise fix sometimes on the release date, but when I was ten, I figured out the 80s comics were four months ahead of the cover date- which is a pull date. So June, 1973 is not when Conway and company changed comics forever. One thing I noticed because I am reading for my Creating Marvels podcast. Your complex sentences in the first half sometimes are so packed with interpolated clauses, the information- illustrated with the bright eye-popping 70s coloring- gets crowded! But I see how that sort of bookkeeping is not your prime interest: it's the Conway melodrama. Romita, Kane, and Andru tease out visual subtlety in a way that is often sheer directorial framing genius! I would rap with you about the aesthetics of the coloring - made to pop on old newsprint. But autoplay reveals you're absolutely killing it on my favorite modern comic, Immortal Hulk! It needs my full attention! Be chill, Cease ill

Amazing video dude! While I'm not a big fan of dark stories with light hearted characters, since I feel the two elements don't mix well with each other (ex: MoS and BvS), Gerry Conway's Spider man is one exception. Conway really was able to add this mature elements for the Spider man, but not at expense the character essence. Spider man was still the fun and relatable hero in Conway's run, and the dark elements didn't feel forced or out of place but rather they felt like the next step in Peter Parker life, with him dealing with more dark and mature problems of reality and still be able to overcome them and continue to be a inspiration for many readers like video.

Thank you for this 😀

(5:55) The Jackal became Spiderman's number 1 villain in Gerry Conway's hand. AMS 146-149 were top Jackal's issue. The Punisher was a great contribution as well (AMS 129, 134, 135).

Thank you. Perfect analysis of a Golden Age, for our beloved Spidey. Excellent job you did here...sharing with fellow Spider-Friends!😃😊👍

I needed this video so bad today. Thank you.

love your videos , thank you for entertening us in this hard times

Fantastic video! Keep up the great work! 👍🕸

Great job! I'm a big fan of comic books (Spidey's one of my favorites) and I really enjoyed your video! I'd love to see more, so I did subscribe.

Matt, you sneaky little rogue, I catch you using that melancholic jazz from your "Spider-Man Blue" piece for the segment on Gwen's death. You ain't slick! You won't... *sniffle* You won't make me cry!

You just got yourself a subscriber been watching your videos since Daredevil, keep up the good work

What a great episode!

Love the cover @ 2:14. I guess ol' webhead said: "Nah, I ain't fuckin' with no riots!"

thank to review matt ,

Oh yeah!!! More Spider-Man yeah!!!

Awesome content

Your Spider-Man videos are always my favourite. Of course, this is because I Spider-Man's my FAVOURITE

I love this run so much!

thanks for this

I’m stoked to be going to Galaxy Con this weekend to have Conway sign my Spider-Man Omnibus with his run.

(3:09), (3:18) Osborn's madness was quite well executed. Osborn even had a hallucination of Spiderman.

This was a great video on Conway's in depth emanation of Peter Parker/ Spider-Man.