- Title: Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider #25
- Comic Vine: link
- Writer: Peter David
- Artist: Bruno Oliveira
Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider #25 offers an end to the series featuring both Ben Reilly and Kaine as the Scarlet Spider but not really a conclusion. Following up on the previous issue, a dead and defeated Ben Reilly finds himself at the mercy of Mephisto. Apparently on his way to Hell, Ben is given another chance thanks to Abigail Mercury.
So the issue does give the Scarlet Spider a victory (and a rare escape from the evil clutches of Mephisto to boot), but ends by kicking off a much darker turn for the character. Should he and Kaine survive Spider-Geddon, what’s next for the Scarlet Spiders? Do Ben’s chances as a hero die here? The comic seems conflicted over an answer.
Issue #25 wraps up pieces of the Las Vegas storyline Ben Reilly has been involved in, but also leaves just as many questions unanswered. Ending with Reilly returned to the land of the living, with a new bloodlust and less-heroic spirit, and Kaine all but dead, where do these characters go from here? For fans.
[Marvel, $2.99]