Uncle Ben's death is a staple of Spider-Man's lore and a "canon event" within Marvel history as a whole. However, recent developments have suggested that it could be reversed at any time. Some characters should never be brought back to the land of the living, especially Ben Parker, though that hasn't stopped Marvel from trying. Sorry, Spider-Man fans, but Uncle Ben could be facing an imminent return.

There aren't many characters in comics who have died and remained dead, with Uncle Ben being one of them. Up until now, Gwen Stacy had also been recognized as another among that select few, but it's now been confirmed that she will make her return to the Marvel Universe in 2025 as a new Gwenpool.

Gwen Stacy's controversial revival has sparked a debate about whether death can ever be permanent in comics, since one of the only perceived "permadeaths" left in Marvel lore has seemingly been undone. The floodgates are officially open, and even a character like Uncle Ben may not be safe from resurrection.

If Gwen Stacy Can Come Back to Life, Then So Can Spider-Man's Uncle Ben

The Most Iconic Deaths In Comics Have Been Reversed, So What About Ben?

Back in the day, readers often echoed the following phrase: "No one stays dead in comics except Uncle Ben, Bucky Barnes, and Jason Todd." That sentiment has become more laughable with time, as both Bucky and Jason have been resurrected by Marvel and DC respectively, leaving only Ben. Bucky, in particular, had been dead for an impressive 41 years prior to his comeback. He was killed off in 1965 before making his return in 2005's "Winter Soldier" arc from Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting's Captain America run. Now, Gwen Stacy has hopped on the trend, so there truly aren't any guarantees anymore when it comes to comic deaths.

Believe it or not, Marvel Comics has already toyed with the idea of resurrecting Uncle Ben, albeit temporarily. In The Amazing Spider-Man #500 by J. Michael Straczynski, John Romita Jr., and John Romita Sr., Variants of Uncle Ben from alternate universes have also appeared, and stories like Dead No More: The Clone Conspiracy have teased bringing him back without following through. Still, for now, Spider-Man's uncle is as dead as he's ever been - but he might not stay that way.

For Spider-Man's Sake, Uncle Ben Shouldn't Make A Permanent Comeback

Resurrecting Uncle Ben Would Ruin the Integrity of Spider-Man's Origin

Uncle Ben's death is a cornerstone of Spider-Man's story because of what it represents for Peter, and reversing it would have massive drawbacks. He lost his uncle because he failed to understand the weight of his responsibility, hence Ben's famous advice to him. If that death were to be undone, then the tragic consequence that taught Peter that lesson wouldn't have the same narrative weight. Marvel can bring Spider-Man's Uncle Ben back, yes, but that doesn't mean it should.