Scarlet Spider

• Title: Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider #23
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Peter David
• Artist: Will Sliney

With a cure for Abigail Mercury in his grasp, Ben Reilly sees things go sideways fast in an odd issue that features what appears to be an immortal version of the young girl from the future begging her mother not to save her. There’s actually an interesting dilemma here as Abigail makes a persuasive argument against the cure which would save her life. However, there’s actually more going on her than meets the eye.

It appears Ben has been hoodwinked again by Mephisto who was willing to yet an innocent girl die in order to destroy the relationships Ben has built in Las Vegas. Turns out having her daughter die as a pawn is more than enough to anger Cassandra into seeking revenge against the Scarlet Spider.

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• Title: Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider #20
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Peter David
• Artist: Will Sliney

With the battle with Mysterio and his daughter behind them, both Scarlet Spiders attempt to move on. For Ben Reilly that means continuing to try and save Abigail Mercury from the incurable Crooks’ disease. Tracking down the expert who has illuded him, the Scarlet Spider discovers why the willing scientist hasn’t been more responsive to his pleas: he’s unknowingly been a captive of Sauron.

The other storyline feels a lot like Kaine‘s short comic run as the other Scarlet Spider deals with a Mindless One left over from his trip to the other dimension who bonds with a spirited young boy to cause all kinds of havoc. Now all the hero needs to do is try and convince the kid to give up his invulnerable and destructive new friend who obeys all of his commands. Good luck.

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• Title: Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider #19
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Peter David
• Artist: André Lima Araújo

While Kaine attempts to keep everyone in the hotel and casino, who have been transported to an alternate dimension by Mysteria, safe from the murderous creatures, our other Scarlet Spider confronts Mysterio and his daughter to discover what the hell is going on.

It turns out Mysteria needed the hotel to vanish in order to get to a hidden temple beneath its foundations. Planning to murder her father and claim a demon’s power as her own, things don’t exactly go as planned for Mysteria (although Mysterio does get to play the role of a menacing Spidey villain for a few panels). With Mysterio’s defeat, things appear to be wrapped up a bit neatly… although it looks like his not-so-dead daughter may not be quite done yet.

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