Scarlet Spider #20

• Title: Scarlet Spider #20
• Comic Vine: link
• Writers: Christopher Yost, Erik Burnham
• Artist: In-Hyuk Lee

Picking up after he end of Superior Spider-Man Team-Up #2, the second-half of “Sibling Rivalry” begins with both Kaine and Doc Ock Spidey captured by the Jackal who has taken a lab full of genetic samples for his latest clonetastic enterprise.

Thanks to Kaine (the only one of our heroes to show any heroics), the pair manage to escape and destroy the lab. Sadly, that means a fiery end for the clone of Gwen Stacy but not for the Jackal or all of his precious knowledge which manages to survive. The fallout leaves Kaine and the new Spider-Man far from on friendly terms, but that’s hardly Kaine’s biggest concern after he discovers the cellular degeneration which has plagued him his entire existence has once again returned.

My only real complaint (other than the fact in involves the “superior” Spider-Man) is the art of In-Hyuk Lee. It’s not bad by any means, but it’s a drastic change from both the first-half of the story as well as the regular art of the comic which has stayed relatively consistent despite showcasing the work of several different artists.

With the Jackal’s survival things are far from over, and I’m happy to say the next issue teases the return of the first hero (in some form) to go under the name of the Scarlet Spider. I can’t wait to see what the return of both his degeneration and Ben Reilly means for Kaine. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $2.99]