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The controversy was compounded by the fact that the storyline seemed to desecrate Gwen's memory and intensify Peter Parker's romantic tragedy, leading to widespread backlash. Critics argued it was a gratuitous retcon that tarnished a cherished classic storyline, tarnished Gwen’s legacy, and introduced unnecessary melodrama.
"One More Day" and the Marriage Retcon
Adding fuel to the fire was "One More Day," another polarizing storyline published in 2007, where Marvel effectively erased Peter Parker’s marriage to Mary Jane Watson. The arc was viewed as a cynical attempt to attract new readers by reverting Spider-Man to a single, more traditionally "teenage" hero, but it alienated many long-time fans who cherished the marriage and character development it represented.