Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 1) #399

Background

Peter Parker's clone - Ben Reilly - has recently reappeared in his life. Ben has been going about his business as The Scarlet Spider, while Peter has been dealing with a virus he was infected with. MJ recently announced to Peter she was pregnant (SSM #220). All the while, a mysterious figure called Kaine has watched over events, having visions of MJ dead. In an encounter with Doctor Octopus, who had saved Peter from the virus, Kaine snapped Ock's neck (ASM #398), killing him instantly. Meanwhile, Aunt May is still seriously ill in hospital.

Story 'Resurrection'

Up in the Catskills, Kaine stands over Ben. Scrier is there and tells Kaine he is disappointed that Kaine is still hounding Ben after all this time. Spider-Man shows up after Kaine has moved off and the two go into action against Jackal. They follow him through the mysterious door before they're met by The Guardian (the big guy from the last issue). The Guardian collapses for no real reason and says it's happening 'just like all the others'.

The Jackal takes off his mask and seems to have degenerated somewhat. Then another Jackal - apparently the real one (Warren) emerges. He says he's the real Warren and that he's been letting his body genetically re-structure so that it's stronger. He says the Warren that died in ASM149 was a clone.

Warren says the other Jackal and the Guardian were Parker clones that went wrong and that eventually all the clones degenerate. He says he has the real Peter Parker stored in suspended animation and that BOTH Scarlet and Spidey are clones. Spidey goes to clock The Jackal but Ben steps in. Spidey wallops him and says he won't let anyone take his new life, with MJ pregnant, away from him.

The Jackal opens up on of the cryogenic cells and unveils 'the real' Gwen Stacy.

General Comments

This is beginning to get a bit confusing. It's unclear who's real and who's not. The ending is a nice cliffhanger, however, although Gwen is almost certainly a clone.

Overall Rating