- Title: Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider #20
- Comic Vine: link
- Writer: Peter David
- Artist: Will Sliney
Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider #21 offers two separate storylines for Ben Reilly and Kaine, while leading each down a path which should bring both Scarlet Spiders back together in the next issue. Reilly’s search for the doctor who can cure Abigail Mercury ends in a fight with Sauron, and a cryptic message from the dying scientist about the Diogenes Initiative.
Meanwhile, Kaine still has his hands full with the Mindless One under the control of bratty kid about to cause a whole lot of mayhem in downtown Las Vegas. While not his finest hour, the other Scarlet Spider holds his own until the arrival of a mysterious woman ends the craziness and takes the creature back to her secret lab… which so happens to also be known as the Diogenes Initiative.
Most of the humor from this issue comes from Kaine’s half of the story while we do see Ben make a scientific leap (relying on that old Peter Parker science knowledge, something neither clone does enough) to defeat the super-villain and begin his own investigation into the Diogenes Initiative. Worth a look.
[Marvel, $3.99]