5 Reasons Spider-Man’s Clone Saga Is Actually Awesome (Seriously!)

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Marvel Comics’ “Clone Saga” was an endeavor aimed at recapturing the achievement they experienced with the X-Men’s “Age of Apocalypse”. This storyline served as a means to provide Spider-Man with experiences similar to “The Death of Superman” and “Batman: Knightfall”. The ensuing collaboration delved into Spider-Man’s past, reintroducing the original Clone Saga with the Jackal as the principal antagonist. The narrative called Peter Parker’s entire existence into question, introducing a clone named Ben Reilly who claimed to be the genuine Peter Parker. It aspired to mirror those other events from Marvel and DC, intending to solidify the hero’s popularity and cultural standing. Regrettably, the end result was a prolonged ordeal spanning over two years that didn’t meet expectations. The “Clone Saga” concluded in a manner far removed from its beginnings, with the Jackal interred, Norman Osborn resurrected, and the original Spider-Man back in his costume.

Initially, Spider-Man’s “Clone Saga” was widely regarded as the most disliked Spider-Man story. However, this perception changed with the introduction of “One More Day”. This crossover took significant steps to restore the hero to his usual state, but it fell short for many disappointed fans. Looking back now, 20 years later, it’s interesting to reevaluate the “Clone Saga”. Upon closer inspection, several aspects of the event are well-executed and continue to influence today’s narratives. It appears that there may be more to appreciate about this event than there is to criticize.

Ben Reilly/Scarlet Spider

Originally conceived as the genuine Spider-Man and the source of the “Clone Saga” revival, Ben Reilly made his debut in 1994 as the Scarlet Spider. Created as Peter Parker’s clone in the closing pages of Amazing Spider-Man #149 in 1973, he reappeared and ignited the “Clone Saga”. Later on, he took over the role of the real Spider-Man, donning a new suit to complement his new identity.

A year after it was exposed that Reilly was indeed a clone, he perished, but under manipulation from Norman Osborn. Later, he resurfaced, often seen in comic books, and turned villainous. However, during his stint as the genuine Spider-Man, he excelled. The Scarlet Spider outfit suited him well, while his new Spider-Man suit remains one of the best. If you’re a fan of the Spider-Man PlayStation games, you should acknowledge Reilly’s costume. Among other replacements, such as Jean-Paul Valley’s Batman and the Reign of the Supermen, Reilly fits seamlessly as Peter Parker’s substitute, and he rightfully earns the title multiple times throughout the series.

Kaine

In a manner similar to Ben Reilly, Kaine is the imperfect, scarred clone of the original Spider-Man, who underwent mutations due to his failed cloning process. His powers surpass those of Peter Parker, with enhancements in abilities such as wall-crawling that manifested into a burning mark known as the “Mark of Kaine.” Unlike Ben Reilly, who was a perfect clone, Kaine’s imperfections give rise to significant differences among the Spider-Men. He often donned a mysterious costume, devoid of any Spider-Man resemblance, and could be seen patrolling the night as a shadowy figure, almost like a dark reflection of Spider-Man himself. During the “Clone Saga,” Kaine was also known for his instability.

Later on in the comic series, Kaine transitioned into a more heroic persona. He elevated his role as a dark counterpart to Spider-Man by assuming the Scarlet Spider identity. Throughout various Spider-Verse narratives, Kaine grew to become a significant hero, even contributing significantly to these stories. Notably, this character was involved in a pivotal death that remains memorable to this day.

Dr. Octopus’ Sacrifice and Lady Octopus

Among Kaine’s well-known targets was the first Doctor Otto Octavius, often recognized as the multi-armed villain. After saving Peter Parker’s life by curing him of a toxin administered by the Vulture, Doc Ock unfortunately passed away. However, even in his death, he was still portrayed as a villain, devising strategies to exploit Spider-Man’s true identity. This may be the reason Kaine felt no qualms about killing the good doctor, branding him with the mark of Kaine and abandoning him to meet his end.

In issue #427 of “Amazing Spider-Man”, Octavius was brought back to life by The Hand, having no awareness of the details readers knew at that point. Before his resurrection, Carolyn Trainer temporarily filled Doc Ock’s role as villain, offering a unique vibe compared to Octavius’ performance.

Aunt May’s Death

In issue #400 of The Amazing Spider-Man, J.M. DeMatteis, who penned the iconic “Kraven’s Last Hunt,” delivers an emotionally charged story that truly resonates for longtime readers. Key events include Aunt May’s passing and her long-hidden knowledge that Peter is Spider-Man beneath the mask. Mark Bagley’s art beautifully captures the gravity of Peter Parker’s life during this particularly somber period.

In a straightforward manner, Aunt May’s passing was clear-cut and she didn’t try to sugarcoat it in any way. There were no sinister forces at play or any vendettas against Spider-Man connected to her death. Instead, Aunt May passed away peacefully and with great emotion. She granted Peter permission to carry on as Spider-Man, and she departed when her time was up. “One More Day” would bring her back and erase this emotional loss from the character’s life, but it cannot be denied that it is one of the most significant deaths since Gwen Stacy’s demise.

Mark Bagley/John Romita Jr.

One significant factor contributing to our ongoing fascination with the “Clone Saga” and its bright aspects is largely due to the talented artists who were working on Spider-Man at that time. Artists like Mark Bagley, who began illustrating Spider-Man comics in the 90s, rapidly became one of the greatest artists ever to depict the web-slinger. Reading his issues during the “Clone Saga” was essential, primarily because we were eager to witness the numerous acrobatic poses that Spider-Man could perform throughout any given narrative.

In other realms, John Romita Jr. refined his Spider-Man character and laid the foundation for his career to flourish during the 2000s. While Romita was not new to the industry, having previously worked on Spider-Man alongside his father, his work on the ‘Spider-Man’ comic book from the 90s broadened his Marvel portfolio and bolstered the popularity of Spider-Man following the ‘Clone Saga’.

At that point in time, the artwork played a crucial role, captivating an audience just as effectively as any intricately embossed cover. This artwork significantly elevated the “can’t-miss” reputation of Spider-Man comics, with the dedicated creative teams behind each Spider-Man title convincingly arguing for the character’s continued presence. Alongside Bagley and John Romita Jr., there was also Tom Lyle, who succeeded Todd McFarlane on the Spider-Man series during “Maximum Carnage” and carried it into the “Clone Saga”. Although the narrative occasionally became confusing, the artwork consistently stood out.

Romita would go away and come back multiple times following this event, eventually moving his skills to DC after an exceptional Marvel run during the 2000s. Meanwhile, Bagley left an indelible impression on Spider-Man as the primary penciler for Brian Michael Bendis’ original “Ultimate Spider-Man.” Although numerous artists have passed through, the “Clone Saga” significantly shaped Spider-Man’s appearance for a long period.

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2025-05-04 18:10