Here’s your first look at Marvel’s Ben Reilly: The Scarlet Spider series

The Scarlet Spider is one of Marvel’s most controversial figures, but now, this Spider-Man spin-off has his own new series again.

He has a hoodie, a bad attitude, and four different identities, and that’s why the Scarlet Spider is nothing but controversial in the Marvel Universe. Yet, he remains one of the most popular figures among fans for obvious reasons.

Now, according to a press release by Marvel, Ben Reilly — the original, and arguably still the best — Scarlet Spider is getting a whole new series in his honor.

The new series has some top talent at the helm. Peter David, the New York Times best-selling author, has teamed up with Mark Bagley to bring us the new version of the Scarlet Spider. David has had multiple runs with different versions of Spider-Man, most recently on the adventures of Miguel O’Hara in Spider-Man 2099. The incredibly prolific Bagley made his mark on web-swinging lore with a 111-issue run on Ultimate Spider-Man, among other projects.

From the press release:

"“Ben Reilly is webslinging his way back into comic shops everywhere and he’s bringing two of the most accomplished & beloved Spider-Man creators of all-time with him! Only question is – will it be as a hero…or a villain? In the aftermath of The Clone Conspiracy, Ben Reilly has returned with a new lease on life. Not as Peter Parker’s clone – but as his own man.”"

Check out some of the preview images from issue #1 below.

The “cloning” reference, of course, refers to the origin story of the character: he was a clone of Spider-Man created by the villainous Jackal (Miles Warren). The Scarlet Spider and Spider Man both had the same memories, so they got confused in battle.

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If you’re looking to pick up your copy of Ben Reilly: The Scarlet Spider #1, you can visit your local comic book store on April 26.