NOVEMBER'S CHARACTER OF THE MONTH: Benjamin 'Ben' Reilly
Nov 14, 2015 6:04:27 GMT
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Post by SSJRuss on Nov 14, 2015 6:04:27 GMT
Benjamin 'Ben' Reilly
Ben Reilly, as some of you may already know, is a clone of the original web-slinger himself, Peter Parker. He was introduced in The Amazing Spider-Man issue 149 in October 1975. Since then, he has served as a replacement for Peter as Spider-Man and also created his own secret identity under the name Scarlet Spider. This November, we give thanks to Ben for all his hard work by crowning him our Character of the Month.
Having been created by a grief-stricken Jackal, Ben was pitted against the real Spider-Man, Peter Parker. Both believed themselves to be the true Peter Parker, but after their fight, the two came together and opposed the Jackal, defeating him and saving a clone of Gwen Stacy. Ben seemingly died during this time but was later revealed to be alive. After some time, he accepted that he was indeed a clone and adopted the name of Ben Reilly, a combination of Uncle Ben's name and Aunt May's maiden name.
(Courtesy of Comicvine)
At the time of Ben Reilly's debut, Spider-Man had become a darker character who was losing touch with his life as Peter Parker. Ben was quite the opposite, having spent years away from the costume. In this way, he was more Peter Parker than Spider-Man was at the time. He was a purer version of Peter Parker that had not been burdened by the events that had recently dragged Spider-Man into brooding darkness, but his time away from costumed super-heroics had also left him rusty and less experienced.
It was the plan, at this time, for Ben to soon be revealed as the true Peter Parker rather than the clone and take over the Spider-Man identity for a time with Peter eventually being restored to it after seeing how Ben fared with readers. Originally, this entire three act story for Ben was intended to run its course by the 400th issue of Amazing Spider-Man. Circumstances beyond editorial control saw to it that Ben's overall story would go far beyond that...
Having been created by a grief-stricken Jackal, Ben was pitted against the real Spider-Man, Peter Parker. Both believed themselves to be the true Peter Parker, but after their fight, the two came together and opposed the Jackal, defeating him and saving a clone of Gwen Stacy. Ben seemingly died during this time but was later revealed to be alive. After some time, he accepted that he was indeed a clone and adopted the name of Ben Reilly, a combination of Uncle Ben's name and Aunt May's maiden name.
(Courtesy of Comicvine)
At the time of Ben Reilly's debut, Spider-Man had become a darker character who was losing touch with his life as Peter Parker. Ben was quite the opposite, having spent years away from the costume. In this way, he was more Peter Parker than Spider-Man was at the time. He was a purer version of Peter Parker that had not been burdened by the events that had recently dragged Spider-Man into brooding darkness, but his time away from costumed super-heroics had also left him rusty and less experienced.
It was the plan, at this time, for Ben to soon be revealed as the true Peter Parker rather than the clone and take over the Spider-Man identity for a time with Peter eventually being restored to it after seeing how Ben fared with readers. Originally, this entire three act story for Ben was intended to run its course by the 400th issue of Amazing Spider-Man. Circumstances beyond editorial control saw to it that Ben's overall story would go far beyond that...
THE SCARLET SPIDER
(Courtesy of Wikipedia)
Five years later, Ben Reilly discovers that May Parker is dying from a stroke, so he returns to New York. There, Reilly encounters a bitter and angry Peter Parker following several tragedies. While they initially come to blows, they begin working together. Soon after, Reilly dons a makeshift costume, improved arsenals of Spider-Man's, and is dubbed the "Scarlet Spider" by the press after he defeats Venom.
This victory over one of Spider-Man's major adversaries helps him gain the confidence he needs to believe that he can, perhaps, be a hero in his own right.
(Courtesy of Comicvine)
Five years later, Ben Reilly discovers that May Parker is dying from a stroke, so he returns to New York. There, Reilly encounters a bitter and angry Peter Parker following several tragedies. While they initially come to blows, they begin working together. Soon after, Reilly dons a makeshift costume, improved arsenals of Spider-Man's, and is dubbed the "Scarlet Spider" by the press after he defeats Venom.
This victory over one of Spider-Man's major adversaries helps him gain the confidence he needs to believe that he can, perhaps, be a hero in his own right.
Powers and Equipment
(Courtesy of Comicvine)
Due to being a perfect clone of Spider-Man Ben Reilly has all of Peter Parker's spider-based powers and power levels. Super strength, durability, speed, spider-sense and the ability to adhere to almost any surface. He also possesses a genius level intellect, the "Parker luck," and the same snappy wit.
A major difference between the two is that as Ben has never been bonded to the symbiote his Spider-Sense allows him to sense dangers posed from Venom.
Possessing Peter's intellect Ben took a spare set of Peter's web shooters and over time modified them. Whereas Peter's are pressure sensitive Ben's are wrist activated. Depending on the movements, the web shooters perform different actions.
Ben's time away from web-slinging left him with time to think of new additions to his arsenal, which he crafted after his first confrontation with Venom. One new weapon was his stingers, micro-darts that inject a paralyzing agent. The other was impact webbing, tiny spheres of webbing that quickly grow upon impact and entangle like a net.
I encourage you guys to participate and create matches! Have fun this month!
A major difference between the two is that as Ben has never been bonded to the symbiote his Spider-Sense allows him to sense dangers posed from Venom.
Possessing Peter's intellect Ben took a spare set of Peter's web shooters and over time modified them. Whereas Peter's are pressure sensitive Ben's are wrist activated. Depending on the movements, the web shooters perform different actions.
Ben's time away from web-slinging left him with time to think of new additions to his arsenal, which he crafted after his first confrontation with Venom. One new weapon was his stingers, micro-darts that inject a paralyzing agent. The other was impact webbing, tiny spheres of webbing that quickly grow upon impact and entangle like a net.
I encourage you guys to participate and create matches! Have fun this month!