PFA Price Guide #1: Amazing Spider-Man #121 (June 1973) “The Death of Gwen Stacy”
Buy, Don’t Buy, or Wait For Now
This comic is a good collectibles investment to buy for now. The iconic moments in this comic, the death of Gwen Stacy and the battle between Spider-Man and Green Goblin have been the plot inspiration for major films. Many comic fans consider this comic to be the ultimate dividing line between the Silver Age and the Bronze Age of comics.
This comic’s collectibles market value is always reliable. I would recommend you buy it. You can buy any CGC grade of this comic under 9.2 for a few hundred dollars. A CGC grade 9.8 copy of this comic will cost $5,500 and up.
(Tracking various market value grades for Amazing Spider-Man #121 throughout 2024. FN=Fine, VF=Very Fine, VG=Very Good, GD=Good, NM=Near Mint. Data courtesy Quality Comix)
Image courtesy Quality Comix
Where to Buy?
You can buy this comic on eBay, Heritage Auctions, HipComic, MyComicShop, FB Marketplace, and Quality Comix.
Where to Sell
Do you think you have a valuable comic book on your hands that you want to sell? Contact Quality Comix now for consultation, evaluation, appraisal, authentication, grading, and slabbing services.
Is This Comic a Collectible? Is It a Key Issue?
The Amazing Spider-Man #121 (June 1973) is a key and landmark issue. It features the death of Gwen Stacy, Peter Parker’s first love. Gwen’s death marked the end of the Silver Age of comics and the beginning of the Bronze Age, when storytelling became more mature and reflected real world issues. Gwen’s death haunted Peter Parker for decades, even after meeting Mary Jane.
Additionally, the death of Gwen Stacy ran against the comic book trope of characters constantly comic back from the dead. Gwen Stacy stayed dead in the comic books from 1973 through 2014, over 41 years, until the character was introduced in an alternate universe as Ghost-Spider for the Spider-Verse event comics and Sony animated films.
This comic inspired the third act of 2014’s The Amazing Spider-Man.
The Amazing Spider-Man #121 is a vital key comic book and an important issue in Marvel’s history. A copy of this issue with a 9.8 CGC has a market value of $5,500. Due to its historical importance, this key comic book reliably maintains its value and is always a good investment as a collectible.
Issue Synopsis
The Amazing Spider-Man #121, titled “The Night Gwen Stacy Died,” is one of the most iconic and tragic issues in Spider-Man’s history. Published in June 1973, the story begins with Norman Osborn, aka the Green Goblin, regaining his memories and returning to his villainous ways. In a bid to strike at Peter Parker/Spider-Man, he kidnaps Gwen Stacy, Peter’s girlfriend.
The Green Goblin takes Gwen to the top of the George Washington Bridge (or the Brooklyn Bridge, depending on interpretation) and dangles her as bait for Spider-Man. During the ensuing fight, Gwen is thrown from the bridge by the Goblin. Spider-Man tries to save her by catching her with his webbing, but the sudden stop causes her neck to snap, tragically killing her.
This issue is a defining moment in Spider-Man’s life, marking a shift toward darker comic storytelling. It’s widely regarded as one of the most important comic book issues of all time.
Release Date: June 1973
Creative Staff:
- Writer: Gerry Conway
- Penciler: Gil Kane
- Inker: John Romita Sr.
- Colorist: Dave Hunt
- Letterer: Artie Simek
- Editor: Roy Thomas
Prompt Used to Find Collectibles Market Value: “Calculate the collectible market value of Amazing Spider-Man #121 June 1973 for last 6 months”
Current Collectibles Market Value
The collectible market value of Amazing Spider-Man #121 (June 1973) varies based on its condition and grading. Here are some recent trends:
Ungraded copies: Prices range from approximately $110 to $200.
Graded copies:
4.0 (VG): Around $200.
6.0 (Fine): Approximately $275.
8.0 (VF): Around $443.
9.2 (NM-): About $851.
9.8 (Mint): Can reach up to $5,505.
These values reflect sales data from the past six months.
The data used to write this column was provided by Quality Comix. Quality Comix has over 20 years of experience in helping collectors like you buy, sell, and grade vintage comic books. Contact Quality Comix today to get professional assistance authenticating your vintage comics.
(This column was written with the assistance of AI.)
Allen Francis is a full-time writer, prolific comic book investor and author of The Casual’s Guide: Why You Should Get Into Comic Book Investing. Allen holds a BA degree from Marymount Manhattan College. Before becoming a writer Allen was an academic advisor, librarian, and college adjunct for many years. Allen is an advocate of best personal financial practices including saving and investing in your own small business.
