Forget Ben Reilly: There’s Only One Spider-Man Clone Fans Should Care About

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Ben Reilly is a Spider-Man character with a complex past. He first appeared as a clone of Peter Parker in the 1970s, but became central to the lengthy and often-criticized “Clone Saga” of the 1990s. Despite the negative reputation of that storyline, Ben Reilly remained popular with fans. He’s best known as the Scarlet Spider, a unique hero operating within the Spider-Man universe.

Even though Ben Reilly was a popular and welcome addition to Spider-Man comics during a difficult period, his brother Kaine ultimately became the more compelling character. Kaine’s journey to redemption in the 2010s produced some of the most overlooked gems in Spider-Man history. Unfortunately, Ben’s later return and shift to villainy damaged his reputation, while Kaine has consistently remained a beloved character. Marvel should acknowledge Kaine as the superior Scarlet Spider and give him the attention he deserves.

Kaine’s Scarlet Spider Comic Was GOAT

Kaine started as a villain with a deadly touch, called the Mark of Kaine. He was originally created by the Jackal as one of the first attempts to clone Spider-Man, but was later abandoned. This rejection drove him to madness, and he began attacking Spider-Man and his enemies. After the ‘Clone Saga,’ Kaine seemingly disappeared for years, only to return in the ‘Grim Hunt’ storyline where he sacrificed himself to save Peter Parker. Surprisingly, he came back to life as a massive spider creature and once again served the Jackal. Eventually, during the ‘Spider-Island’ event, Spider-Man was able to heal Kaine, also resolving his mental instability.

After getting his life back on track, Kaine went to Houston, Texas and became the Scarlet Spider. The *Scarlet Spider* comic series, written by Christopher Yost and launched after the “Spider-Island” event, remains a hidden favorite from the early 2010s. Yost wrote Kaine as a troubled character who initially wants to avoid helping others, but ultimately always chooses to do the right thing and protect the people of Houston. The series also introduced a young, psychic Latina sidekick named Hummingbird, and their relationship became a key part of the story, revealing a caring side to Kaine. Unlike Spider-Man, Kaine was a more aggressive hero, willing to use any means necessary – even violence – to get the job done, which highlighted the differences between Peter Parker and his clone.

The *Scarlet Spider* comic, featuring Kaine, sadly concluded with its 25th issue. He briefly appeared in Yost’s *New Warriors* after that. While Kaine had some key moments in the original *Spider-Verse* story, Ben Reilly’s return in the “Clone Conspiracy” storyline shifted the focus away from him.

Marvel Doesn’t Know What to do With Ben Reilly

Ben died during the “Clone Saga” when the Green Goblin impaled him with his glider. He stayed dead for several years, and many fans felt it was a good ending for his story. However, due to his popularity, Ben was brought back to life in the “Clone Conspiracy” storyline. Surprisingly, he was revealed to be the one responsible for bringing dead family members back – and he became the main villain. This change in character didn’t resonate with many fans, as it felt unlike the Ben they knew. He later starred in his own *Scarlet Spider* series, where he was portrayed as a more complex, antiheroic figure.

Ben Reilly, once a beloved hero in the Marvel Universe, has struggled to find a consistent role. After a brief attempt to rehabilitate him during “Spider-Geddon,” he was manipulated by the Beyond Corporation and forced into becoming a new Spider-Man. This led to a breakdown in his mental state and the development of new abilities. Now, he appears as the villain “Chasm” in Spider-Man comics, currently serving as the central antagonist in “Dark Web” and playing a significant, unexpected part in the ongoing *Amazing Spider-Man* storyline by Joe Kelley. This version of Ben, as Chasm, is a stark contrast to the heroic character fans grew to love in the 1990s, and Marvel continues to portray him as a villain despite his initial heroic appeal.

Kaine previously embodied the conflicted, edgier Spider-Man persona that Marvel now seems to be aiming for with Ben Reilly. Kaine’s journey from villain to hero felt more natural and engaging than Ben’s descent into villainy, which comes across as unconvincing. Kaine’s troubled past made his eventual redemption much more believable. Luckily, Kaine has enjoyed consistent popularity thanks to a well-received comic run by Yost, and Marvel has continued to portray him as a hero. We think Marvel should fully embrace Kaine as the definitive Scarlet Spider; he’s a surprisingly strong character, and we’d love to see him featured more prominently.

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2025-10-06 22:14