Core Identity: A genetically perfect clone of Peter Parker, Ben Reilly is a tragic hero and villain whose entire existence is defined by a desperate search for identity, a struggle with borrowed memories, and the crushing weight of being a living copy of Spider-Man.
* Key Takeaways:
* The Original Clone:
Ben Reilly was the first successful clone of Peter Parker, created by the villain The Jackal. His journey is central to the infamous Clone Saga, one of the most controversial and expansive storylines in Spider-Man's history.
* Hero in His Own Right:
After years of self-imposed exile, Ben returned and established his own heroic identity as the Scarlet Spider
, with a distinct costume and personality, before briefly and controversially taking over the mantle of Spider-Man himself.
* From Hero to Villain:
After numerous deaths and resurrections, a final traumatic experience wiped his copied memories and fractured his soul, leading to his transformation into the demonic villain Chasm
, an entity driven by a bitter resentment for the life and memories he believes were stolen from him.
* Comic Focus vs. MCU Nod:
Ben Reilly is a deeply complex character with decades of history in the Earth-616 comics. He has no direct presence in the live-action Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)
, though his iconic costume has served as inspiration for some of Peter Parker's suits. A variant of the character makes a notable appearance in the animated film Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
===== Part 2: Origin and Evolution =====
==== Publication History and Creation ====
Ben Reilly's history is one of the most unique in comics, characterized by a long period of dormancy followed by a massive, line-wide reintroduction. He first appeared, albeit unnamed and as an antagonist, in The Amazing Spider-Man #149 (October 1975)
. This issue, created by writer Gerry Conway
and artist Ross Andru
, was the culmination of the original Clone Saga. Conway intended for this to be a self-contained story that challenged Peter Parker's sense of self, with the clone seemingly dying at the story's conclusion. The clone was a plot device, not intended for a return.
Nearly two decades later, during a period of flagging sales and creative fatigue in the 1990s, Marvel editor Tom DeFalco
and the “Spider-Group” of writers, including Terry Kavanagh
, Howard Mackie
, and J.M. DeMatteis
, sought a way to shake up the Spider-Man mythos. They decided to bring back the forgotten clone. This decision snowballed into the massive, multi-year crossover known as the Clone Saga
, which began in 1994. The returning clone was given the name “Ben Reilly” and the heroic persona of the Scarlet Spider.
The storyline was initially planned to be a finite arc where Ben would be revealed as the real Peter Parker, allowing the married, “older” Peter to retire and Ben to take over as a younger, single Spider-Man, effectively resetting the character's status quo. However, due to a combination of fan backlash and editorial indecision, the storyline was extended dramatically. The constant narrative twists, retcons, and “who is the real clone?” mysteries became a hallmark of this era. Ultimately, the decision was reversed, and Ben was confirmed to be the clone before being killed off in Spider-Man #75 (December 1996)
, a move designed to definitively end the saga. Despite his controversial history, Ben's Scarlet Spider persona remained a fan favorite, leading to his eventual resurrection and re-integration into the Marvel Universe in the 21st century.
==== In-Universe Origin Story ====
The origin of Ben Reilly is inseparable from the obsessions of his creator and the identity of the man he was copied from. His story is one of artificial birth, stolen memories, and a lifelong battle to prove his own personhood.
=== Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) ===
Ben Reilly's story begins with Professor Miles Warren, Peter Parker's biology professor at Empire State University. Warren, secretly the villain known as the Jackal, was infatuated with Gwen Stacy. After her death at the hands of the Green Goblin, a grief-stricken Warren blamed Spider-Man. Discovering that his student Peter Parker was Spider-Man, Warren's brilliant but unstable mind hatched a plan for revenge. He obtained DNA samples of both Peter and Gwen and perfected his cloning technology.
The first successful and stable clone of Peter Parker was created in Warren's laboratory. This clone possessed all of Peter's memories up to the point of the DNA sample's collection. The Jackal forced the clone and the original Peter Parker to fight at Shea Stadium, with a clone of Gwen Stacy's life in the balance. The brutal fight ended with the apparent death of the clone, who was caught in a bomb explosion meant for the original Spider-Man. Peter, believing the clone to be dead, disposed of the body in an industrial smokestack, hoping to put the horrifying ordeal behind him forever.
However, the clone survived. He awoke confused and disoriented, possessing a life's worth of memories that felt both real and fraudulent. Realizing he was a copy and that he could never have a place in Peter Parker's life, he chose to leave New York. To forge his own identity, he took the name Ben Reilly
: “Ben” from his beloved Uncle Ben, and “Reilly” from his Aunt May's maiden name. For five years, Ben wandered the United States, working odd jobs and living a nomadic life, forever haunted by memories that weren't truly his. He dyed his hair blond to further differentiate himself from Peter.
After five years, Ben learned that Aunt May was gravely ill. His love for her—a genuine emotion, even if based on a copied memory—drew him back to New York. His return coincided with a new wave of clone-related troubles, and to avoid confusing the public or Peter, he created a new heroic identity: the Scarlet Spider
. Wearing a simple red bodysuit complemented by a blue, sleeveless hoodie, Ben fought crime and reluctantly crossed paths with Peter Parker.
Their relationship was initially fraught with tension and mistrust. This was complicated further by the return of the Jackal and the discovery of Kaine, a failed, degenerating clone. The central mystery of the Clone Saga revolved around the machinations of a shadowy figure and the work of Dr. Seward Trainer, a scientist and friend to Ben, who presented evidence suggesting that Ben was, in fact, the original Peter Parker, and the man living Peter's life was the clone.
This “revelation” shattered Peter's world. Pregnant with his and Mary Jane's child, he decided to retire from being Spider-Man to focus on his family. He passed the mantle to Ben, who, believing himself to be the genuine article, accepted the responsibility. Ben Reilly became the one, true Spider-Man, designing a new costume and trying to live up to the legend. His tenure was short-lived. The Green Goblin, Norman Osborn, returned from the dead and revealed he had orchestrated the entire affair. He confirmed that Peter was, and always had been, the original. In a final, climactic battle, Ben sacrificed himself to save Peter, impaling himself on the Green Goblin's glider. As he died in Peter's arms, his body rapidly degenerated into dust—the ultimate, tragic proof of his clone status.
For years, Ben remained dead, until he was resurrected by the new Jackal (revealed to be a resurrected Ben himself in a twist) in the Dead No More: The Clone Conspiracy event. This new Ben had been subjected to countless deaths and resurrections, a process that fractured his soul. He eventually fell under the control of the sinister Beyond Corporation, who made him their corporate Spider-Man. They erased his memories, and when Peter Parker tried to restore them, the process went horribly wrong. All of Ben's memories—the foundation of his being—were lost, leaving only a void of pain and anger. This psychic trauma transformed him into Chasm
, a vengeful being with a demonic appearance who now views Peter Parker as the man who stole his soul.
=== Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) ===
Ben Reilly does not exist in the mainline Marvel Cinematic Universe (Earth-199999).
The concept of human cloning on this scale has not been introduced, and the character has never been mentioned or appeared in any live-action MCU film or television series.
However, his legacy is paid homage to through costume design and thematic elements. The most prominent example is seen in Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
. The “Homemade Suit” that Peter Parker (Tom Holland) creates after Tony Stark confiscates the high-tech suit bears a striking visual resemblance to the Scarlet Spider's iconic attire. The suit features a blue sleeveless hoodie worn over a red long-sleeved shirt and mask, directly echoing Ben Reilly's signature look. This is widely considered a deliberate Easter egg by the filmmakers for long-time comic book fans.
Furthermore, in the animated film Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)
, which is connected to the wider Marvel multiverse but separate from the live-action MCU, a variant of the Scarlet Spider is a key supporting character. This version of Ben Reilly is a member of Miguel O'Hara's Spider-Society. He is portrayed as an overly brooding and dramatic character, drawn in a gritty, 90s-inspired comic book art style that contrasts with the other characters. He serves as an enforcer for the Spider-Society, though his direct origin is not explored. This appearance marks the first time a version of Ben Reilly has been depicted on screen in a major motion picture.
===== Part 3: Abilities, Equipment & Personality =====
=== Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) ===
As a perfect clone, Ben Reilly's powers and initial intellect are identical copies of Peter Parker's. However, his unique experiences, equipment, and psychological journey have made him a distinct figure.
==== Powers and Abilities ====
* Superhuman Physiology:
Ben possesses the same spider-based powers as Peter Parker.
* Superhuman Strength:
Capable of lifting approximately 10-15 tons.
* Superhuman Speed & Agility:
His reflexes and agility are far superior to any normal human, allowing him to dodge automatic gunfire at close range.
* Superhuman Stamina & Durability:
His body is more resistant to injury than a normal human's and he can exert himself for hours before fatigue sets in.
* Wall-Crawling:
He can adhere to any surface through conscious control.
* Spider-Sense:
A precognitive “danger sense” that warns him of impending threats with a tingling sensation at the base of his skull. It is an instinctual, non-specific warning.
* Genius-Level Intellect:
He retains all of Peter Parker's scientific knowledge and ingenuity up to the point of his cloning. This allowed him to improve upon the original web-shooter design.
* Cellular Degeneration (Formerly):
For much of the Clone Saga, the fear of “clone degeneration”—a process where a clone's cellular structure breaks down into a gooey substance—was a constant threat. Ben's death confirmed he was susceptible to this, though his body was stable for years.
* Powers as Chasm:
After his transformation, Ben's powers were warped. He retains his base Spider-powers but gained new, supernatural abilities tied to the realm of Limbo and his connection to Madelyne Pryor, the Goblin Queen.
* Memory Absorption:
He can psychically “feed” on the memories of others, particularly painful ones.
* Soul Manipulation:
His touch can corrupt and “hollow out” a person's soul, filling them with despair.
* Limbo Energy:
He can manifest sharp, crystalline constructs made of soul-stuff from Limbo.
==== Equipment ====
* Web-Shooters (Modified):
Ben redesigned Peter's original web-shooters. Worn on the outside of his costume, they had a larger carousel for web cartridges and featured triggers that covered more of his palm, making them easier to activate in combat.
* Specialized Webbing:
He developed unique web formulas beyond Peter's standard fluid.
* Impact Webbing:
Small, web-wrapped pellets that explode on impact, encasing targets in a thick layer of webbing.
* Stingers:
Small, sharp darts made of compressed, hardened webbing that could paralyze a target or be used for tracking.
* Tracer Darts:
Ben created micro-dot tracers that were much smaller and harder to detect than Peter's original spider-tracers.
* Scarlet Spider Costume:
An iconic and simple design. It consisted of a full-body red spandex suit, external web-shooters and utility belt, large eye lenses, and most famously, a blue sleeveless hoodie with a large, stylized black spider emblem on the front and back.
* Spider-Man Costume (Reilly Version):
When he took over as Spider-Man, Ben designed a new suit. It kept the traditional red-and-blue color scheme but featured a much larger, more menacing spider symbol that dominated the torso, and the web patterns on the red sections were altered.
* Beyond Corporation Suit:
As the corporate Spider-Man, Ben wore a highly advanced suit with state-of-the-art technology, including integrated communications, advanced optics, and specialized foam-based webbing. It was a significant upgrade but also a symbol of his loss of independence.
==== Personality ====
Ben Reilly's personality is a complex tapestry of trauma, hope, and bitterness. For his first five years, he was defined by a sense of loss and isolation, a “ghost” living with memories he didn't earn. This made him more somber and introspective than Peter. Upon returning as the Scarlet Spider, he displayed a quiet competence and a slight edge, but still held onto the core heroism and responsibility instilled by Peter's memories.
When he believed he was the real Peter Parker, he embraced the role with a renewed sense of optimism and purpose. However, the constant chaos of the Clone Saga and the final revelation of his true nature left deep psychological scars. His resurrections only added to this trauma, as each death and rebirth chipped away at his soul. His transformation into Chasm represents the culmination of this pain. Stripped of the loving memories of Aunt May and Uncle Ben—the very foundation of Peter's (and therefore his) morality—all that remains is a raw, burning sense of injustice and a profound hatred for the man he sees as his replacement.
=== Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) ===
As the character does not exist, there are no abilities or personality traits to analyze. The analysis instead falls on the equipment that homages him.
==== Equipment Homages ====
* Homemade Suit (
Spider-Man: Homecoming):
This suit reflects Ben's costume not just in aesthetics but in spirit. It is a low-tech, cobbled-together outfit made from simple materials like sweatpants and a hoodie. This mirrors the practicality of Ben's original Scarlet Spider gear, which was a departure from Peter's more streamlined suit. It represents a “back-to-basics” version of Spider-Man, much like Ben's persona was intended to be a rawer, street-level hero.
* Scarlet Spider Suit (
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse):
This version wears the classic comic book costume perfectly translated to animation. His web-shooters appear to be the same externally-worn models from the comics, and he's seen using what appear to be impact webs. The suit's design is rendered to look like it was inked and colored in a 90s comic book, a stylistic choice that reinforces his origins in that specific era of publication.
===== Part 4: Key Relationships & Network =====
==== Core Allies ====
* Peter Parker (Spider-Man):
The nexus of Ben's entire existence. Their relationship has journeyed through every possible permutation: from enemies to rivals, from trusted allies to brothers, and ultimately, to arch-nemeses. For a time, they shared a deep bond, with Peter viewing Ben as the brother he never had. Ben, in turn, saw Peter as the man whose life he had to protect. As Chasm, this relationship has inverted into pure hatred; Ben now sees Peter as the source of all his suffering.
* Kaine Parker:
The first, flawed clone of Peter Parker created by the Jackal. Initially, Kaine was a violent, unstable antagonist who stalked Ben out of a twisted sense of jealousy. He believed Ben was the “true” Peter and sought to protect the original (who he thought was the clone) by tormenting Ben. Over time, particularly after Ben's death, Kaine underwent a redemptive arc. He eventually cured his cellular degeneration, honored Ben's memory by becoming the new Scarlet Spider, and developed into a hero in his own right. He and Ben now share a complicated but fraternal bond as fellow “survivors” of the Jackal's experiments.
* Seward Trainer:
A brilliant geneticist who was blackmailed by Norman Osborn into manipulating the Clone Saga from behind the scenes. Despite this, he developed a genuine affection for Ben Reilly during his exile, becoming a father figure and his only real confidant. Seward provided Ben with scientific support and emotional guidance, though his ultimate betrayal (under duress) was a devastating blow.
* Jessica Drew (Spider-Woman):
In more recent times, particularly during the Dark Web storyline, Ben as Chasm found a surprising ally in Jessica Drew. As a clone herself (of the original Jessica Drew), she was one of the few people who could truly empathize with his existential crisis and sense of stolen identity. She attempted to reach the man still inside the monster, forming a unique and understanding connection with him.
==== Arch-Enemies ====
* The Jackal (Miles Warren):
Ben's creator and original tormentor. The Jackal's obsession with Gwen Stacy was the catalyst for Ben's entire existence. He views Ben and all other clones not as people, but as tools and experiments to be used for his own twisted ends. Every confrontation with Warren forces Ben to confront the artificial nature of his birth and the madness that spawned him.
* Green Goblin (Norman Osborn):
The true mastermind behind the second Clone Saga. Osborn orchestrated the entire “who is the real clone?” conspiracy from the shadows to psychologically destroy Peter Parker. He delivered the final, crushing blow to Ben's psyche by revealing the truth and then murdering him. The Green Goblin represents the ultimate puppet master in Ben's life, the one who turned his quest for identity into a cruel joke.
* Beyond Corporation:
This shadowy mega-corporation bought the Spider-Man trademark from the Parker Robbins and hired Ben to be their official, corporate-sponsored hero. They were benevolent on the surface but were ruthlessly manipulative, controlling every aspect of his life and pushing him to his physical and mental limits. Their callous experiments and the final act of wiping his memories were the direct cause of his transformation into Chasm, making them responsible for the death of Ben Reilly as a hero.
==== Affiliations ====
* New Warriors (Informal):
During his time as the Scarlet Spider, he frequently teamed up with the New Warriors, acting as a powerful, if temporary, ally to the young team.
* The Spider-Family:
Though often on the periphery, Ben is considered a core member of the “Spider-Family,” the loose network of spider-powered heroes that includes Peter Parker, Miles Morales, Jessica Drew, Kaine Parker, and Silk. His role has shifted from ally to antagonist, but his connection to the group remains undeniable.
* Beyond Corporation:
For a short time, he was a formal employee of the Beyond Corporation, acting as their official Spider-Man with their full backing and resources. This affiliation ended in disaster.
* Goblin Queen's Cabal:
As Chasm, he formed a dark alliance with Madelyne Pryor, the Goblin Queen (a clone of Jean Grey), who ruled the demonic realm of Limbo. Their shared experience as clones with stolen lives made them powerful, if volatile, partners in their quest for revenge.
===== Part 5: Iconic Events & Storylines =====
==== The Clone Saga (1994-1996) ====
This is the defining storyline of Ben Reilly's existence. Spanning over two years and dozens of titles, the saga began with Ben's return to New York as the Scarlet Spider. It reintroduced the Jackal and Kaine and centered on the mystery of which Spider-Man was the clone. The story's midpoint saw Seward Trainer declare Ben the original, leading Peter to retire. Ben assumed the mantle of Spider-Man, fighting villains like the new Doctor Octopus and a symbiote-crazed Carnage. The event permanently altered his trajectory by giving him a taste of the life he felt he was owed, only to violently rip it away, cementing his status as one of Marvel's most tragic figures.
==== Revelations (1996) ====
The four-part storyline that concluded the Clone Saga. The arc features the dramatic return of Norman Osborn, who reveals himself as the architect of the entire conspiracy. Osborn's goal was not to replace Peter, but to break him mentally. The climax is a brutal battle where Ben, in a final act of heroism and brotherly love, throws himself in front of the Goblin Glider to save Peter. His subsequent death and disintegration in Peter's arms provided the definitive, heartbreaking answer to the saga's central question and solidified his heroic sacrifice in the minds of fans for years.
==== Dead No More: The Clone Conspiracy (2016) ====
This event marked Ben Reilly's shocking return to the Marvel Universe. It was revealed that Miles Warren had perfected a new cloning process that retained memories from the moment of death, and that he had repeatedly killed and resurrected Ben, shattering his soul in the process. Ben eventually usurped Warren, taking on the mantle of the Jackal himself. Believing he was doing good, he initiated a plan to bring back the deceased loved ones of various heroes and villains. His plan was fundamentally flawed, as the clones would decay without a daily pill. The event ended with Ben seemingly sacrificing himself again, but it established his new, morally ambiguous and psychologically damaged status quo.
==== Spider-Man Beyond (2021-2022) ====
Following an accident that put Peter Parker in a coma, Ben Reilly returned, now backed by the mysterious Beyond Corporation, to once again become the official Spider-Man. This storyline explored corporate superheroics, with Ben grappling with focus groups, patented technology, and the loss of his autonomy. The true, sinister nature of Beyond was slowly revealed, as they manipulated Ben and pushed him beyond his limits. The arc culminates in a confrontation with a recovered Peter Parker within a psychic void, where a botched attempt to restore Ben's lost memories instead erases them completely, leaving him a blank slate of pure trauma and rage.
==== Dark Web (2022-2023) ====
This crossover event follows Ben's emergence as the villain Chasm. Bitter and soulless, he forms an alliance with Madelyne Pryor. They unleash the demonic hordes of Limbo upon New York City, specifically targeting Peter Parker and the X-Men. Chasm's goal is not just to defeat Peter, but to reclaim the memories he believes are rightfully his, no matter the cost. The storyline cemented his full heel turn, positioning him as a dark mirror to Peter Parker—a man with the same powers but stripped of the conscience and love that makes Spider-Man a hero.
===== Part 6: Variants and Alternative Versions =====
* Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023):
This animated version of Ben Reilly is a member of Miguel O'Hara's Spider-Society. He is a visually distinct character, rendered in a “90s comic” art style with heavy line work and Ben-Day dots. He is portrayed as a parody of the grim-and-gritty anti-heroes of that era, constantly monologuing about his own pain and being overly dramatic. He serves as one of O'Hara's primary enforcers, attempting to stop Miles Morales.
* Ultimate Universe (Earth-1610):
In the Ultimate Marvel universe, the “Clone Saga” was a much more contained story. There is no direct one-to-one Ben Reilly. Instead, elements of his character are distributed among several clones created by Doctor Octopus for the CIA. A deranged, scarred clone named Kaine wears a tattered version of Peter's suit, echoing Kaine's role in the 616-saga. Another clone, Tarantula, is a six-armed, unstable copy who embodies the “monstrous clone” archetype.
* Marvel's Spider-Man Video Game Series (Earth-1048):
Ben Reilly does not appear as a character in the main story of the Insomniac Games series. However, his two most famous costumes—the classic Scarlet Spider hoodie and his redesigned Spider-Man suit—are included as highly popular unlockable alternate suits for Peter Parker to wear in Marvel's Spider-Man (2018), Spider-Man: Miles Morales (2020), and Marvel's Spider-Man 2 (2023). This inclusion has introduced the iconic designs to a new generation of fans.
===== See Also =====
* peter_parker
* clone_saga
* kaine_parker
* jackal
* green_goblin
* spider-man
===== Notes and Trivia =====
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