Spectacular Spider-Man (Vol. 1) #217 (Story 2)

 Posted: 2004
 Staff: Eric Petrossian (E-Mail)

Background

This story appeared as a backup in the four issues of the Power and Responsibility story line. It retells the original Clone Saga as detailed in Amazing Spider-Man #149 and following. Note that this backup story was included only in the Deluxe Foil-Stamped versions of these four books.

Story 'The Burial'

Pages 1-3: This part begins with a retelling of the events in Shea Stadium from Amazing Spider-Man #149. The Jackal has Ned Leeds ties up underneath some pretty heavy-duty explosives, and only the real Spider-Man will be able to free him. But since both Spider-Men believe themselves to be the real one, they duke it out over who's going to free Ned.

Pages 4-5: The Gwen Clone tries to appeal to the Jackal but to no avail. Until... she takes his mask off. Warren then has a moment of realization and can no longer separate himself from his Jackal persona. The narration says: "The result should have been an even deeper madness; but instead... a brief... brilliant... sanity prevailed." He then makes the leap to free Leeds. As soon as Ned falls to safety, the bomb goes off, killing the Jackal and knocking out everyone else. (By the way, it's revealed in the Smoke and Mirrors storyline that this wasn't Warren at all, but one of his clones.)

Pages 6-7: One of the Spider-Men wakes up just outside an incinerating plant in Brooklyn. He swings over to his apartment only to find...

Pages 8-10: Peter Parker kissing Mary Jane! The other Spider-Man is filled with rage and despair as he realizes that he is the Clone. He loses control in an alleyway, realizing that he must leave behind the only life he's ever known. But first he must have time to grieve and mourn. This story continues in The Parker Legacy, the back-up story in Amazing Spider-Man #400.

Special Features: A full page pin-up of Spidey with Doc Ock, the Vulture and the Green Goblin; also the same previews and game cheats as the other issues.

General Comments

Despite the current knee-jerk response that the word "Clone" brings to many Spider-Fans these days, this isn't actually a bad story, and this is also a pretty good re-telling.

Overall Rating

Four webs.

 Posted: 2004
 Staff: Eric Petrossian (E-Mail)