Scarlet Spider

The original Scarlet Spider is Ben Reilly, a clone of Peter Parker created by the Jackal, who resurfaces years after being believed dead and dons a makeshift red costume—complete with a hoodie—to fight crime in New York before Peter's own return to the role of Spider-Man.

Few characters capture the turbulent energy of 1990s Marvel quite like Scarlet Spider, who swung onto the scene in Web of Spider-Man #119 in 1994, courtesy of Terry Kavanagh, Steven Butler, and Randy Emberlin. Born from the Clone Saga — one of the most ambitious and divisive storylines of the Copper/Modern Age — this scarlet-clad figure carved out a distinct identity while sharing the page with heavy hitters like Peter Parker, Mary Jane Watson-Parker, Venom, Kaine, and the Jackal. With three key collector issues to their name and a publishing presence stretching all the way to 2025, Scarlet Spider has proven far more than a footnote, anchoring their own dedicated series in Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider and remaining a fixture across Amazing Spider-Man and beyond. If you've ever wanted to dive into one of Marvel's most sprawling and emotionally charged eras, Scarlet Spider is an essential — and rewarding — place to start.