Benjamin "Ben" Reilly, also known as the Scarlet Spider, is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Grown in a lab by Miles Warren/Jackal, he is a clone of Peter Parker/Spider-Man tasked with fighting him but instead becoming an ally, later even regarded as a "brother". Created by writer Gerry Conway, the character first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #149 and is seemingly killed in the same issue. The character returned and featured prominently in the 1994–96 "Clone Saga" storyline, adopting the "Scarlet Spider" alias with a costume similar to Spider-Man's consisting of a red spandex bodysuit and mask complemented by a blue sleeveless hoodie sweatshirt adorned with a large spider symbol on both sides, along with a utility belt and bulkier web-shooters. This Scarlet Spider costume was designed by artist Tom Lyle. When Peter Parker temporarily left the Spider-Man role, Ben became the new Spider-Man while wearing a new costume variation designed by artist Mark Bagley. However, Reilly dies at the hands of Norman Osborn/Green Goblin, sacrificing himself to save Parker who then resumes the Spider-Man role.
Ben Reilly as Spider-Man, wearing the costume designed by Mark Bagley. Art by Dan Jurgens and Klaus Janson.
Ben Reilly as he appears in Spider-Man: The Animated Series
The Scarlet Spider is an alias used by several fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, most notably Ben Reilly and Kaine Parker, both of whom are genetic replicates of the superhero Spider-Man.
The four versions of the Scarlet Spider in the main Marvel Universe. Counter-clockwise from top left: Ben Reilly as the Scarlet Spider on the cover of Web of Scarlet Spider #1, art by Steven Butler Joe Wade as the evil cybernetic Scarlet Spider, art by Paris Karounos Red Team Scarlet Spiders on the cover of Avengers: The Initiative #7, art by Stefano Caselli Kaine Parker as the Scarlet Spider on the variant cover of Scarlet Spider vol. 2 #1 art by
Felicity Hardy as the Scarlet Spider. Art by Pat Olliffe.