Spider-Man (Vol. 1) #52

Background

Ben Reilly - Peter Parker's clone originally thought dead way back in ASM #150 - has just returned. He was seemingly blown up in the previous issue but instead has gone off wandering on his own.

Story 'Deadline'

Ken Ellis, a Bugle reporter desperately trying to prove himself to be better than Ben Urich, gets a tip-off about where Venom is. He rushes out of the Bugle and finds Ben Reilly (in his Spider suit) clinging to a wall. Ben says he's looking for Venom and that, according to the Bugle's front page that morning, Ellis is the guy that might know where he is. Ellis originally says he's not interested (as journalists usually are when confronted by a superheroes asking for help (dickhead Mackie). He relents though and tells Ben he has just been seen at Roosevelt Island Tram Terminal.

Ben swings straight in to take out Venom. They rumble for a bit before Venom says Ben can't be the real Spider-Man as they have a deal that Spider-Man won't interfere in Venom's business and Venom won't 'eat his brains'. Venom slashes Ben, leaving him bleeding. Another symbiote spawn from the Venom: Lethal Protector series shows up and Venom decides he has to go after it, leaving Ben on the ground.

Venom and the spawn continue fighting. Ben is hurt but wants to slip away. He saves a man from falling but is still left questioning whether he should be a hero or not. He decides to stop feeling sorry for himself and swings back to stop Venom and the spawn brining down a tram. He saves the driver and brings him back down to earth, while Venom is left to fall into the water. Ken Ellis is impressed, christens him a hero and calls him The Scarlet Spider. Venom emerges from the water and vows to go after the impostor Spider-Man.

General Comments

There are a few silly things here - such as the journalist with the worse nose for a story ever and some of the dialogue (brain-eating). Again, it's OK though. Perhaps the crapness of Kavanagh has dragged me down?

Overall Rating