History ComicBook / TheDeathOfJeanDeWolff

''The Death of Jean [=DeWolff=]'' is a four-part ''Franchise/SpiderMan'' story arc. Written by Creator/PeterDavid in 1985-86, the story ran from #107 to #110 of ''Peter Parker, ComicBook/TheSpectacularSpiderMan''. The story was the second professional comic book writing assignment for David and the beginning of his "break" into comic book writing.

Peter David would revisit this saga two years later on the same title, rechristened "The Spectacular Spider-Man", running through issues #134-136 detailing the aftermath of the Sin-Eater attacks and titled ''Sin-Eater Released''. Creator/NickSpencer would create a SpiritualSequel during ''ComicBook/TheAmazingSpiderMan2018'' entitled ''ComicBook/SinsRising''

''The Death of Jean [=DeWolff=]'' is a four-part ''Franchise/SpiderMan'' story arc. Written by Creator/PeterDavid in 1985-86, the story ran from #107 to #110 of ''Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man''. The story was the second professional comic book writing assignment for David and the beginning of his "break" into comic book writing.

A call to police concerning a powerful stench in an apartment leads to a frightening discovery: Captain Jean [=DeWolff=], a respected NYPD officer and Spider-Man's FriendOnTheForce, is dead, shot in the chest. When Spider-Man learns of this, he begins his search for the deadly "Sin-Eater", though will Spidey's ThouShaltNotKill rule survive as he grows more and more desperate and angry and can ComicBook/{{Daredevil}} help Spidey?

Peter David would revisit this saga two years later on the same title, rechristened "The Spectacular Spider-Man", running through issues #134-136 detailing the aftermath of the Sin-Eater attacks and titled ''Sin-Eater Released''. Creator/NickSpencer would create a SpiritualSequel during [[ComicBook/TheAmazingSpiderManNickSpencer his run on]] ''The Amazing Spider-Man'' entitled ''ComicBook/SinsRising''

!!Provides examples of:

* UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom: [[spoiler: Emill Gregg]] had been sending messages to reporter Eddie Brock admitting [[spoiler: to being the Sin-Eater which Brock published. After Gregg was arrested, Brock wrote his masterpiece story exposing him. When Spider-Man caught Carter, Brock realized too late he'd fallen for a troubled man's delusions. Fired and disgraced, Brock blamed it all on Spider-Man which led to him about to kill himself when he was found by the alien symboite Spider-Man had discarded.]] In short, thanks to [[spoiler: one man's pathetic need for attention]], the world got Venom and a few years later, Carnage.

* AngryBlackManStereotype: Jackson Tolliver is an African-American priest who is depicted as having an understandable chip on his shoulder about systematic racism. When Reverend Bernard Finn, another black priest, is murdered by the Sin-Eater, Tolliver publicly calls out the police's apathy towards the deaths of black people.

* AintTooProudToBeg: Judge Horace Rosenthal falls on his knees begging the Sin-Eater to spare his life. Sadly, it doesn't work.

** The Sin-Eater also tried to kill J. Jonah Jameson for his anti-vigilantism campaigns.
** Subverted with Jean [=DeWolff=]. The Sin-Eater killed her because [[ForTheEvulz he enjoyed it]].

!! Tropes used in or associated with ''The Death of Jean [=DeWolff=]'':

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/death_of_jean_dewolff.jpg]]

Peter David would revisit this saga two years later on the same title, rechristened "The Spectacular Spider-Man", running through issues #134-136 detailing the aftermath of the Sin-Eater attacks. Creator/NickSpencer would create a SpiritualSequel during [[ComicBook/TheAmazingSpiderManNickSpencer his run on]] ''The Amazing Spider-Man'' entitled ''ComicBook/SinsRising''

* PsychoSerum: [[spoiler: This is what turned Stan Carter into the Sin-Eater. Before he became a cop, Carter worked in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s research and development department which was studying the effects of PCP on human strength. Carter and several other test subjects were injected with a modified version of the drug which enhanced their strength and endurance. Unfortunately, this came at the cost of their sanity. When Carter left S.H.I.E.L.D. and joined the NYPD, it was assumed the effects had worn off but the recent death of his partner in a shoot out apparently unhinged him.]]

* BewareTheNiceOnes: This story is one of the best examples of how terrifying Spider-Man can be when he is pushed too far. The first part of the story has him being especially ruthless to a group of thugs whom he witnessed assaulting and robbing a friend of his Aunt May. His quest to stop the Sin-Eater also brings out more and more of his dark side to the point that Daredevil accuses him of being not so different from the Sin-Eater.

* DaddysGirl: Jean greatly admired her stepfather Carl Weatherby who was a patrolman. She became a cop because of him much to the sorrow of her mother. He never cracked a smile at any of Jean's accomplishments but Jean always knew deep down that he was proud of her.
* DisproportionateRetribution: The Sin-Eater targets people he views as "sinners":

* ActionSurvivor: Betty Brant has no powers or fighting skills but is able to briefly fight off the Sin-Eater with a penknife. This keeps her alive just long enough for Spider-Man to swoop in and save her.

* AngryBlackMan: Jackson Tolliver is an African-American priest who is depicted as having an understandable chip on his shoulder about systematic racism. When Reverend Bernard Finn, another black priest, is murdered by the Sin-Eater, Tolliver publicly calls out the police's apathy towards the deaths of black people.

* UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom: [[spoiler: Emill Gregg]] had been sending messages to reporter Eddie Brock admitting [[spoiler: to being the Sin-Eater which Brock published. After Gregg was arrested, Brock wrote his masterpiece story exposing him. When Spider-Man caught Carter, Brock realized too late he'd fallen for a troubled man's delusions. Fired and disgraced, Brock blamed it all on Spider-Man which led to him about to kill himself when he was found by the alien symboite Spider-Man had discarded.]] In short, thanks to [[spoiler: one man's pathetic need for attention]], the world got Venom.

* PersonalEffectsReveal: Spider-Man goes to Jean's place to look for clues and finds a collection of photos of himself, suggesting she had hidden feelings for him. The idea she might have had a crush on him only adds to his turmoil over her death.

* BewareTheNiceOnes: This story is a good examples of how terrifying Spider-Man can be when he is pushed too far. The first part of the story has him being especially ruthless to a group of thugs whom he witnessed assaulting and robbing a friend of his Aunt May's. His quest to stop the Sin-Eater also brings out more and more of his dark side to the point that Daredevil accuses him of being like the Sin-Eater.
* CollateralDamage: During a fight with the Sin-Eater, Spider-Man dodges a blast from the villain's shotgun. Unfortunately, their fight is in a crowded area and the shot hits a civilian. The Sin-Eater takes advantage of Spider-Man's shock and escapes.

* PersonalEffectsReveal: Spider-Man goes to Jean's place to look for clues and finds a collection of photos of himself, suggesting she had hidden feelings for him. The idea she might have had a crush on him only adds to his turmoil over death.

Peter David would revisit this saga two years later on the same title, rechristened "The Spectacular Spider-Man", running through issues #134-136 detailing the aftermath of the Sin-Eater attacks. Creator/NickSpencer would create a SpiritualSequel during [[ComicBook/NickSpencersSpiderMan his run on]] ''The Amazing Spider-Man'' entitled ''ComicBook/SinsRising''

* ILetGwenStacyDie: Ironically, this doesn't apply to Spider-Man in this story but to Daredevil. When the Sin-Eater comes into Judge Rosenthal's chambers to kill him, Matt confronts him first and briefly fights him off. However, the judge then arrives and Matt's brief moment of hesitation to protect his secret identity allows the Sin-Eater to kill Rosenthal and escape. Matt vows to stop the killer and atone for failing to save his friend.