Spider-Man: Maximum Clonage Alpha

Story '...And the Jackal Cries, 'Death!''

In a small town in Pennsylvania, The Jackal's Peter unleashes the Carrion virus, killing everyone. In New York, Peter is on his own pondering the revelation that he's a clone, Ben is hunting for him, while MJ is worried about the implications for their baby. Ben drops in but MJ is upset and tells him he can't have Peter's life. He says he doesn't want it - he wants to help - then he wants a shot at The Jackal.

As Jackal and 'Peter' are returning to their base Jackal hears on the radio about a survivor from the town in PA so pulls over. At the New Warriors' base (sigh) they are dispatched to the town because the survivor has apparently developed powers. Elsewhere, Kaine has another vision of MJ dead and breaks free of his shackles to escape from his captors.

Meanwhile, back at Springville, PA, the survivor has immense strength and runs from people checking on him. The Jackal's Peter watches on before changing into ad pretty cool red and blue outfit, then the New Warriors show up. Scarlet Spider (Ben) is there too. He sees the escapee first and it seems the guy not only has strength but can morph his skin. The Warriors see Ben though and think he's the one who stole the isotope for the Carrion virus (see New Warriors #61 if you're interested. I'm not reading that crap).

Scarlet takes out the entire New Warriors, which is no surprise, I think I probably could. Meanwhile, Jackal's Spidey finds the creature and Peter returns to his and MJ's apartment, intending on leaving for good. He picks up his Spider Suit and goes to the Empire State Building - where he had his last proper conversation with May. A radio station's news picks up on it and Jackal hears where Peter is.

Ben leads the Warriors to where the other Peter (now known as Spidercide) is with the survivor. The survivor has grown wings and half the Warriors set off after him. Meanwhile, Peter battles with Jackal atop the Empire State Building (how the hell did The Jackal get there?)

The Warriors realize Ben isn't the one they're looking for and set off after Spidercide, while, on top of the Empire State Building, Jackal whacks Spidey, then says he wouldn't have been able to do that to the real Spider-Man. He offers Peter a chance to work with him to perfect genetic cloning and Peter shakes his hand.

General Comments

Why do the New Warriors have to be involved in any of this? They're such a stupid concept. Not as good as The Avengers, or the X-Men, or the Fantastic Four. They're like some z-list presenter who insists on showing up to every film premiere desperate for the attention.

I'm not convinced by the characterisation of Peter, either. I just don't buy him teaming with the Jackal - even after discovering he wasn't the original Pete.

Overall Rating

Bit of a slow start and the endless crossovers are so tedious.