Scarlet Spider

Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider #14

Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider #14 comic reviewThe latest issue of Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider is a bit of a departure for the comic as the primary story focuses not on Ben Reilly but on the other Scarlet Spider, Kaine. Really the only thing you need to know about the issues is this: Kaine fights a hippopotamus dude who would fit right in with Bebop and Rocksteady. If that doesn’t interest you, I don’t know what to say (partially because there’s really not much more to the issue). Still, Scarlet Spider versus Hippo!

Our title character does get a few pages, as he looks up an old Spider-Man villain who has located to Vegas. While attempting to scare Mysterio to stay on the straight and narrow path, Ben ends up only seeing a reflection of himself in the broken man who has been (like himself) literally to Hell and back and is attempting to put the shattered shards of his life back together.

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Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider #12

Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider #12 comic reviewAlready confused about what direction to take now that the Slingers have kidnapped Cassandra Mercury as leverage to force the Scarlet Spider to turn himself in for the brutal attack on Thorne, the sudden return of Kaine (who has his own agenda in freeing the kidnapped club owner) only further complicates the situation. In the end the two Scarlet Spiders agree to work together.

The murky reality of Ben Reilly continues here as he’s talked into saving Cassandra from would-be-heroes who, let’s face it, are no more heroic than either of our web-slingers. This leads to some heavy action in the later-half of the comic between the Scarlet Spiders and the group along with some serious questions about just who or what some of the Slingers are and what they are truly after.

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Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider #9

Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider #9 comic reviewFollowing the events of last month’s issue, the Scarlet Spider makes a pair of new friends (well… if you are grading on a curve) and works with Ricochet to track down the other hero’s former (and now resurrected) partner Hornet. Knowing there’s far more to the story that Ricochet is willing to divulge, and the fact that it’s been some time since he’s played well with others, Scarlet Spider’s team-up doesn’t last that long (although the consequences do involve our hero getting in over his head and Richochet racing through a casino without any pants).

There’s plenty of action in Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider #9 featuring Reilly take on Hornet. As to just what the former hero’s story is, or what that mystical totem is, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

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Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider #8

Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider #8 comic reviewAfter his brief encounter with Death and given yet another chance to redeem himself, Ben Reilly begins his road back to being a hero. This means attempting to make good on his promise to save young Abigail from her incurable illness and deal with the sudden appearance of the Hornet (yet another character who has made a recent return from the grave – something Ben knows quite a bit about) who creates havoc on the strip in order to draw out the Scarlet Spider.

There’s plenty of action here with the fight between Scarlet Spider and the Hornet, and the unexpected appearance of another hero. As for Kaine, it looks like his role in the comic is done (at least for now) as he doesn’t take the news of Ben’s second chance all that well.

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Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider #6

Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider #6 comic reviewThe death of Ben Reilly‘s patient marks the end of Kaine‘s patience. However, before pitting the two Scarlet Spiders against each other once more, the comic introduces a wild card in Marlo Chandler-Jones who seems to have an unusual effect on both Ben and Kaine. Inspiring Ben to go after a pair of thugs shooting up Las Vegas, the Scarlet Spider jumps into action (although he does have to be talked out of gunning down the villains in the middle of the street by one of their would-be victims).

The introduction of Marlo certainly muddies the waters. Just what does the strange woman want from Ben? Her various powers over the years have been less than consistent, so just what is giving her influence over not one but both Scarlet Spiders? And why does she seem more interested in the original?

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