It was July 4th, 1973 in Battle Creek, Michigan. My Dad was working overtime at Clark’s Equipment, welding forklifts. My Mom was down with her back. I took my bicycle and a fishing pole and rode to Walker's Drug at the corner of Emmett and Verona, and bought a sack of comics. I went to Ritzi Burger Joint and got a double cheeseburger and a large fries.

I rode another couple miles to the Leila park where there was a large pond we called the Lagoon, cause it had this cool looking island out in the middle of it. I read a couple comics, and fished using some of the fries as bait. I caught several huge golden colored carp – and released them.

There were some families picnicking and some other people fishing, and some small kids chasing ducks and swans, as young kids will…

It was the perfect day. Hot, but a small breeze. I was sitting in the sunshine, reading comics and fishing.

I reached into the bag and drew out another comic. Amazing Spider-Man #121. I started to read it, intrigued because the cover promised that one of the characters would die in that issue. I sipped a soda I had brought with me, and read.

And… then I came to the part where Gwen Stacy died. I read it back over. I left my pole, and all my comics laying right there. The rest of my fries were probably eaten by ducks. I ran to my bike, and started to ride home. Crying.

Many believe that issue #121 was the most pivotal moment in all of the story of Spider-Man, even more so than Amazing Fantasy #15 when Uncle Ben died. It culminates several years of romance between Peter and Gwen, but also shows his greatest failure – failing to fulfill the promise he made to the dying Captain Stacy back in issue #90, nearly 3 years earlier.

I know it was a pivotal moment in my personal life. And, I have never really forgiven Marvel Comics for killing Gwen. Peter Parker of the comics was a selfless guy, back in the late 60s and early 70s. He helped kids being picked on, old women having their purses snatched; he stopped bank robberies and fought super villains; and asked very little for himself – taking come pictures of his crime fighting, and selling them as “Peter Parker, Mild Mannered Reporter” to the Daily Bugle.  That was the same Daily Bugle where the publisher, J. Jonah Jameson, was writing countless articles and editorials criticizing Spider-Man, and making him out to be a threat, a villain.

But, Peter can persevere. Because he has love. Twu Wuv. He has Gwen. He literally has nothing else. Most of his friends are not real friends. His employer is his greatest critic. He can't be open with anyone. But, he has Gwen.

And, then Stan Lee and company take that from him!

Yes, it's been 43 years. And, no, I'm not over it.

And, THAT is a good comic book. Comics can make you laugh, or hang you on the edge of your seat. Comics can make you cry, or hope, or... remember. Comics taught me, as a young man, about the value of being the hero, an important lesson for someone who used to be burned with cigarettes by his mother.

Comics taught me that with great power comes great responsibility. Comics taught me that heroes come in all colors. Not to judge others by their appearance, or skin color. Comics taught me many, many good lessons. And that is why I love comics, and still carry them in my store. I believe in the power of GOOD, and that the comic is a venue that young people can access and enjoy, which can deliver a powerful, and important, message.

But, don't EVEN get me started on how they killed off Gwen Stacy in the Ultimate Universe.

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The opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff of ICv2.com.