Scarlet Spider: The Kaine Factor

The Scarlet Spider dons his original red and blue threads, just in time for a showdown with Cassandra Mercury and her strongman, Slate! But, it’s not just the crime lord and her minions who have it in for Ben Reilly—his vengeful clone brother, Kaine, has finally caught up to his little bro and won’t stop until he brings Ben in.

Will Ben be able to escape the wrath of Kaine? Find out what happens June 28 in BEN REILLY: SCARLET SPIDER #4, written by Peter David with art by Mark Bagley.

In light of this little “family” reunion, we sat down with David to discuss the role Kaine plays in both the series and in Ben’s life. See what he had to say, ahead.

Marvel.com: With Kaine finally catching up to The Scarlet Spider, what role does Ben’s mentally unstable “twin” play in the series?

Peter David: The hammer of justice. As far as he’s concerned, Ben has to be put down for good. Kaine doesn’t have the slightest inhibition about putting an end to Ben Reilly. He doesn’t believe the clone has a right to exist, which is naturally ironic considering he is a clone as well.

Marvel.com: In issue #4, Ben is on the brink of a big showdown with crime lord Cassandra Mercury and her enforcer, Slate. How does Kaine mix into all of this?

Peter David: Kaine is only aware of Cassandra as a name of an individual that he believes Ben is attempting to bilk. He doesn’t care about her or her personal situation—but, when he finds out about it, he winds up getting pulled right into the middle of it and, as a result, he has to make some very tough decisions.

Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider #4 cover by Mark Bagley

Marvel.com: Ben is trying to distance himself from his Jackal personality and embrace his new life as The Scarlet Spider; how might a run-in with his clone brother mess that up for him?

Peter David: Profoundly. Kaine sees him as a villain. Honestly, I think Ben Reilly is the most “real life” version of a villain who’s ever shown up in the Spidey titles, with the possible exception of Doc Ock. In the real world, in our world, villains don’t see themselves as evil. Kaine sees Ben as a bad guy, but Ben sees himself as a good guy because he was just trying to help people and make them feel good. Kaine sees Ben as someone playing God while Ben is simply a super doctor capable of “curing” the incurable. The fact that he wasn’t curing them is, to him, beside the point, because at least he offered hope.

Kaine clashes with his “brother” in BEN REILLY: SCARLET SPIDER #4 by Peter David and Mark Bagley on June 28!