Pages 1-3 – Setup and Exposition
Gwenpool #3 starts with a clever twist that makes you think about the story itself, but does it really land well in the end?
The first three pages of Gwenpool #3 (2025) quickly show something unexpected: Gwenpool is no longer there. Not just "comic book dead," but dead dead—murdered by Dark Gwenpool, a resurrected Gwen Stacy with a grudge. The issue’s title, The Haunting of Gwenpool, immediately sets a supernatural tone, but the execution is a mixed bag of meta-humor and rushed exposition.
The Good: A Bold Premise
- The opening pages lean hard into Gwenpool’s trademark fourth-wall-breaking narration, with her ghostly voice addressing the reader directly: "Oh shoot. You didn’t hear?" It’s a clever way to deliver bad news, mimicking how fans might actually learn about a character’s death—through rumors and online chatter.
- The bluntness of "Buddy, she died. Like… died died." is darkly funny, a reminder that Gwenpool’s voice still shines even in death.
- The mention of unresolved plot threads ("Guess we’ll never find out what the heck the ARCHITECT’s deal is…") adds intrigue, teasing that this death might not be the end of her story.
The Bad: Tonal Whiplash
- The transition from "Gwenpool is dead" to "Wow, you’re still here?" feels jarring. Is this a tragic loss or a joke? The script can’t decide, undercutting the emotional weight.
- The exposition is rushed—Dark Gwenpool’s role is explained in a single line, with no buildup or flashback. Readers unfamiliar with previous issues might feel lost.
- The meta-commentary ("Seems a little weird to me to read a comic with no hero") feels forced, as if the writer is hedging bets on whether fans will accept a Gwenpool-less Gwenpool comic.
The Verdict: A Shaky Start
While the premise is bold, the execution lacks the emotional punch needed to sell Gwenpool’s death. The meta-humor works in small doses, but the tonal inconsistency makes it hard to take the stakes seriously.
Grade: 6/10 – A promising setup that stumbles in balancing humor and tragedy.
Pages 4-6 – Mourning and Character Dynamics
Gwenpool #3's Funeral Scene – Emotional or Just Empty?
After the abrupt opening, Gwenpool #3 shifts to a rain-soaked funeral at Midnight Olive Cemetery—but the sparse attendance speaks volumes. Only Kate Bishop, Jeff the Land Shark, and a brooding Spider-Man show up to mourn Gwenpool, highlighting her status as Marvel’s quirky outsider. While the setting drips with melancholy, the execution leaves some emotional potential untapped.
The Good: Atmosphere & Isolation
- The art by Stefano Nesi shines here, with Matt Milla’s muted, washed-out colors amplifying the grief. The rain-drenched graves and shadowy figures create a somber mood.
- Kate’s quiet frustration—"Shame no one showed."—is a poignant moment. It underscores how Gwenpool, despite her chaotic charm, never fully integrated into the Marvel Universe.
- Jeff the Land Shark’s presence adds a touch of bittersweet humor ("He’s a good boy… if a little out of sorts."), reminding us that even Marvel’s weirdest creatures feel loss.
The Bad: Wasted Opportunities
- Spider-Man’s role is confusing. Is he here as a fellow outsider? A guilt-ridden hero? The script doesn’t clarify, reducing him to a silent, brooding figure with no real purpose.
- The scene lacks deeper reflection. Gwenpool’s death should be a moment to explore her legacy—did she change anything in the Marvel world? Instead, we get vague sorrow and a quick exit.
- Jeff’s sudden growth spurt (which kicks off later) feels like forced comic relief in what should be a heavy moment.
The Verdict: A Funeral Without Closure
The funeral looks beautiful, but it feels hollow. The emotional beats are there—loneliness, regret—but they’re undercut by rushed pacing and missed character moments.
Grade: 7/10 – Strong visuals, but the script needed more depth to make Gwenpool’s death truly resonate.
Pages 7-9 – Gwen Stacy’s Return and Confrontation
Gwenpool #3's Most Explosive Moment – When Ghosts of the Past Collide
The emotional core of Gwenpool #3 arrives in Pages 7-9, where Dark Gwenpool (Gwen Stacy) confronts Spider-Man in a brutal, psychologically charged showdown. This sequence delivers drama, action, and unresolved trauma, but does it stick the landing? Let’s break it down.
What Works: A Long-Awaited Reckoning
✅ "You didn’t mean to....
This line immediately ties into Spider-Man’s greatest failure, echoing The Night Gwen Stacy Died. The dialogue crackles with bitterness and grief, making Dark Gwenpool’s return feel personal rather than random.
✅ Art That Enhances the Drama
Stefano Nesi’s chaotic panel layouts mirror the emotional turmoil, while Matt Milla’s sickly green hues amplify the supernatural horror. The moment Gwen Stacy shouts "Snapping her neck in two! " is really scary.
✅ Weapon X Conspiracy Tease
The mention of The Architect and Weapon X’s involvement adds intrigue—why would they resurrect Gwen Stacy? It suggests a larger mystery at play.
What Doesn’t: Logic Gaps & Rushed Motivations
❌ "Why would Weapon X bring back Gwen Stacy?"
Spider-Man asks the question we’re all thinking, but the answer ("Because of you!") feels vague and unsatisfying. Is this revenge? A clone saga retread? The issue doesn’t clarify.
❌ Fight Over Substance
The physical brawl is well-drawn, but the emotional weight gets lost in the chaos. Gwen Stacy’s rage is compelling, but her endgame remains unclear—does she want Spider-Man dead? To suffer? The script doesn’t dig deep enough.
❌ Missed Meta-Opportunity
Gwenpool’s comics-savvy humor disappears entirely here. A quick fourth-wall jab ("Haven’t we already done this?") could’ve added levity without undercutting the drama.
Final Verdict: A Gripping But Flawed Showdown
This confrontation delivers on spectacle and taps into Spider-Man’s deepest guilt, but it needed more narrative clarity to truly land. Dark Gwenpool is a fascinating antagonist, but her motives remain frustratingly opaque.
Grade: 8/10 – Great drama, but the mystery needs solving.
Pages 10-13 – Chaos and Jeff’s Transformation
Gwenpool #3 Goes Full B-Movie – When a Land Shark Steals the Show
Just when Gwenpool #3 settles into its ghostly revenge thriller groove, the story takes a wild left turn—Jeff the Land Shark undergoes a bizarre growth spurt, turning into a hulking kaiju. It’s the kind of absurdity that should work in a Gwenpool comic, but does it enhance or undermine the story’s darker themes?
What Works: Embracing the Madness
✅ Pure Comic Book Absurdity
Let’s be real—a giant land shark attacking Spider-Man is exactly the kind of nonsense that makes comics fun. The amazing surprise factor is really fun, especially when Jeff eats a tombstone like it's a toy to chew on.
✅ Art That Sells the Chaos
Stefano Nesi's art really stands out with lots of wild action. The big, over-the-top expressions—like Spidey's "ARE YOU KIDDING ME? !
✅ A Needed Break from the Gloom
After Gwen Stacy’s heavy confrontation, Jeff’s sudden mutation acts as a pressure valve. The tonal whiplash is jarring, but in a way that feels intentional—like the comic itself is trolling us.
What Doesn’t: Tone vs. Trauma
❌ Undermines the Stakes
Gwenpool is dead, Gwen Stacy is a vengeful ghost, and Spider-Man is drowning in guilt—so why does the story suddenly shift to Land Shark Puberty™? The humor undercuts the emotional weight.
❌ No Explanation, No Payoff
Jeff’s transformation comes out of nowhere and leads nowhere. Is this a supernatural side effect? A joke about Marvel’s weirdest pet? The issue doesn’t care to explain, making it feel like filler.
❌ Missed Character Beat for Kate
Instead of dealing with Gwen's death, Kate uses these pages to shout at a big shark. A stronger script would’ve tied Jeff’s freakout to her grief, making it more than just random chaos.
Final Verdict: Fun, But at What Cost?
This sequence is a blast to read, but it derails the narrative momentum. In a vacuum, it’s hilarious—but in a story about loss and legacy, it feels out of place.
Grade: 6/10 – Great for laughs, but sacrifices storytelling cohesion.
Pages 14-17 – Gwenpool’s Ghost and Psychological Horror
Gwenpool #3 Finally Delivers Its Hook – But Is It Too Little, Too Late?
After a chaotic detour with Jeff the Land Shark, Gwenpool #3 finally leans into its supernatural premise with Gwenpool’s long-awaited ghostly return. Pages 14-17 promise psychological horror and emotional catharsis—but does the execution live up to the hype?
What Works: Gwenpool’s Spectacular Comeback
✅ "Being a spook sucks!" – Classic Gwenpool Humor
Even in death, Gwenpool’s meta-commentary shines. Her complaints about ghost life ("Remind me to apologize to Cecil next time I see him") bring back the irreverent charm that defines the character.
✅ Kate Bishop’s Haunting Vision
The most compelling moment comes when Kate experiences a seizure-like episode, seeing flashes of Gwen’s past. It’s a rare instance where the horror elements actually feel unsettling, suggesting a deeper psychic connection between the two characters.
✅ Art That Captures the Uncanny
Nesi and Milla excel in these pages, using warped perspectives and eerie glow effects to sell Gwenpool’s ghostly presence.
Even in death, Gwenpool’s meta-commentary shines. Her complaints about ghost life ("Remind me to apologize to Cecil next time I see him") bring back the irreverent charm that defines the character.
The most compelling moment comes when Kate experiences a seizure-like episode, seeing flashes of Gwen’s past. It’s a rare instance where the horror elements actually feel unsettling, suggesting a deeper psychic connection between the two characters.
Nesi and Milla excel in these pages, using warped perspectives and eerie glow effects to sell Gwenpool’s ghostly presence.
What Doesn’t: Half-Baked Horror
❌ Too Much Banter, Not Enough Dread
For a storyline titled The Haunting of Gwenpool, there’s shockingly little terror. Gwen’s ghost spends more time cracking jokes than being frightening, undercutting the horror potential.
❌ Possession Plot Feels Rushed
Gwenpool’s attempt to hijack Spider-Man’s body (a la Superior Spider-Man) is a fun idea, but it’s over too quickly. The script doesn’t explore the psychological implications—what does it mean for Gwen to "wear" Peter’s trauma?
❌ Wasted Emotional Payoff
Kate’s reaction to Gwen’s return should be devastating or euphoric—instead, it’s just confused. After mourning her, you’d expect more than a "Gwen?! ...Yup, it’s me." exchange.
For a storyline titled The Haunting of Gwenpool, there’s shockingly little terror. Gwen’s ghost spends more time cracking jokes than being frightening, undercutting the horror potential.
Gwenpool’s attempt to hijack Spider-Man’s body (a la Superior Spider-Man) is a fun idea, but it’s over too quickly. The script doesn’t explore the psychological implications—what does it mean for Gwen to "wear" Peter’s trauma?
Kate’s reaction to Gwen’s return should be devastating or euphoric—instead, it’s just confused. After mourning her, you’d expect more than a "Gwen?! ...Yup, it’s me." exchange.
Final Verdict: A Glimpse of Greatness
These pages finally deliver on the premise teased from Page 1, but they don’t commit hard enough to either the horror or the emotional weight of Gwenpool’s return.
Grade: 7/10 – Fun, but the story still feels like it’s holding back.
Pages 18-21 – Climax and Possession
Gwenpool #3's Ending – Is It Just a Repeat of Superior Spider-Man or a New Surprise?
The climax of Gwenpool #3 hinges on a bold move: Gwenpool’s ghost attempting to possess Spider-Man, mirroring the infamous Superior Spider-Man storyline. But does this supernatural spin bring anything new to the table, or does it feel like déjà vu?
What Works: Meta-Commentary & Visual Flair
✅ "I’ve Read Superior Spider-Man – I Know How This Works"
The most admirable aspect of this scene is Gwenpool's self-awareness. Her quippy references to comic book tropes ("Time to take your spider-powered bod for a spin!") keep the tone playful, even during body-snatching.
✅ Possession as a Metaphor
The short moment where Gwen sees Peter's memories suggests something more—maybe it's about shared pain? The artwork shows this clearly, with Gwen's pale outline mixing into Spidey's mind.
✅ Nesi’s Dynamic Action
The possession struggle is visually engaging, with twisting panels and Milla’s eerie color shifts (normal red/blue to sickly green) emphasizing the supernatural takeover.
What Doesn’t: Missed Opportunities & Rushed Resolution
❌ Too Similar to Superior Spider-Man
Beyond Gwenpool’s jokes, the possession lacks a unique angle. Otto Octavius’ takeover worked because it deconstructed Peter’s morality—here, Gwen’s motives are vague ("Vengeful spirit" isn’t enough).
❌ Anti-Climactic Ending
Just when the possession starts to get really intense, Kate steps in, and the conflict stops suddenly. Gwen's ghost disappears right away, no feelings left behind, nothing that stays forever.
❌ Wasted Character Dynamics
How does Peter feel being hijacked by another Gwen? How does Kate process seeing her dead friend possess Spider-Man? These rich questions go unanswered.
Final Verdict: Clever Concept, Shallow Execution
The possession premise could’ve been stellar with more focus on character psychology over slapstick. Instead, it feels like a speedrun of Superior Spider-Man’s greatest hits.
Grade: 6.5/10 – Fun meta moments, but the emotional potential evaporates faster than Gwenpool’s ghost.
Final Thoughts on Gwenpool #3:
This issue teases greatness—Gwen’s death, her ghostly return, and a Spider-Man possession—but never digs deep enough. The humor and art shine, but the storytelling feels rushed, leaving key themes (grief, legacy, guilt) unexplored.
Overall Grade: 7/10 – A flawed but entertaining read that’ll please Gwenpool fans, even if it doesn’t stick the landing.
What did you think? Was the possession plot a fresh twist or a tired retread? Let’s debate in the comments!
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