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Appearing in "Who Will Wear the Webs?"

Reprint of the 1st story from
Web of Spider-Man #128

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Synopsis for "Who Will Wear the Webs?"

Reprint of the 1st story from
Web of Spider-Man #128

The Clone Saga continues from Spider-Man: Maximum Clonage Omega #1...

The Black Cat swings across New York City, he mind is on her long time friend Peter Parker and all the difficulties he has had of late. She thinks back to how she learned the truth. Shortly after Peter was arrested for murder, she paid him a visit at Ryker's Island and was surprised when Peter acted as though he didn't know who she was.[Continuity 1] It wasn't until she went to see Peter's wife Mary Jane that she learned the truth.[Continuity 2] Mary Jane told Felicia about the return of Ben Reilly, her pregnancy, and the revelation that the man everyone thought was the real Peter Parker was actually a clone.[Continuity 3] The idea that the man she once loved wasn't even a real human bothers Felicia and she feels depressed thinking about it. That's when she is confronted by the creature known as D'Spayre who offers to relieve her, and all those she cares for, of the despair that they are all feeling.

At that moment, Peter Parker and Ben Reilly pay their respects at the grave of Aunt May and Uncle Ben.[Continuity 4] Now that he knows that he is a clone, Peter Parker feels strange mourning the death of Ben Parker, as he never met the man. Ben can relate as he felt the same way when he thought that he was the clone. As they discuss how to divide up their belongings, they both notice that someone has been following them. The pair then walks off luring their pursuer into a nearby alleyway. When their stalker follows after them he finds no trace of the pair. This is because Peter and Ben have slipped up to the rooftops above to change into Spider-Man and the Scarlet Spider. The pair then follows their shadow. As it turns out, this man is Paul Proust of Cat's Eye Investigations. He contacts his colleague Loop and tells them that he lost track of Parker and the man they think is his brother. That's when Spider-Man and the Scarlet Spider come bursting into the office and demand to know why Proust was following them. Meanwhile, Mary Jane gets a call from an old friend named Rolfe. She is delighted to hear from him after so many years and after hearing his offer agrees to meet as soon as possible.

Back at Cat's Eye Investigations, Paul Proust explains that the Black Cat has gone missing and that he had been tracking Peter Parker in the hopes of getting into contact with Spider-Man. Hearing this, the wall-crawler vows to find Felicia and he and the Scarlet Spider head off to look for her. Along the way, Ben is filled in on Spider-Man's past relationship with the Black Cat.[Continuity 5] Meanwhiel, D'Spayre is using his powers to torment Felicia with images of Spider-Man, convincing her that the wall-crawler is responsible for all the misery in her life. While at that moment, Mary Jane meets with Rolfe and Tom Privetier. The two men are promoting a new line of maternity clothing, asking Mary Jane if she is interested in being their model.[Continuity 6] At that same moment, the two Spiders continue their search for the Black Cat when suddenly their spider-senses begin going off. That's when they are ambushed by the Black Cat who is now under D'Spayre's control. She is also joined by a group of men in similar costumes. While the Scarlet Spider deals with the Black Cat's minions, Spider-Man tries to fend off Felicia's attacks. She accuses Peter of lying to her and slashes him open. Spider-Man gives up fighting and collapses to the ground, apologizing to her.

The Scarlet Spider defeats the attackers and is surprised when they all disappear in puffs of smoke. The Spider suddenly realizes who he is dealing with and orders D'Spayre to show himself.[Continuity 7] Trying to attack D'Spayre, the Scarlet Spider's blows have no effect on the demon. That's when he notices the Black Cat is preparing to land a killing blow and tells her to stop. He manages to convince her that her emotions are being manipulated by D'Spayre. This causes both Felicia and Spider-Man to snap out of D'Spayre's control and the three heroes attack the demon in tandem. Realizing that he has lost this battle, D'Spayre vanishes. In the aftermath of the battle, the Black Cat tells Peter that despite the revelation that he is a clone, this doesn't change who he is and what he means to her.

After Felicia leaves, Peter decides that Ben is the one who truly deserves to be Spider-Man. Although Ben is flattered, he refuses the offer pointing out that for the past five years Peter has proven that he is worthy of the webs.[Continuity 8] Besides the point, Ben has decided that he likes being the Scarlet Spider. As he swings away, Ben tells Peter that he earned the life that he has and he should enjoy it. Peter returns home to Mary Jane and the two discover that they both want to stay in New York. When they both realize that the fact that Peter being a clone has no impact on their marriage or coming family, the couple kiss. While at that moment, Ben Reilly has packed up his few belongings and decides to say goodbye to New York City so he can start a brand new life somewhere else.

... The Exiled continues in Amazing Spider-Man #405.

Appearing in "The Worth of a Man"

Reprint of the 1st story from
Amazing Spider-Man #405

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  • Dave (motel customer) (First appearance)
  • Elliot (motel clerk) (First appearance)

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Synopsis for "The Worth of a Man"

Reprint of the 1st story from
Amazing Spider-Man #405

This story continues from Web of Spider-Man #128...

Ben Reilly has decided to leave New York City, however this time around it proves more difficult than the last time.[Continuity 9] Now, however, that he has learned that he is the real Peter Parker and the person who has been calling himself that for the past five years is really the clone, he finds it more difficult to leave.[Continuity 10] He is conflicted now, as he resented Peter Parker for the life he lived for five years. Although the life he wanted is not the same as Peter's, Ben at least wanted some kind of life and a place to call home. Ben has been speeding because he is upset and ends up skidding on the wet pavement and crashes his motorcycle. Leaping to safety, Ben decides he needs to get away and clear his head. Up on the rooftops, Ben muses that New York is his city, his home, where he is drawn, and bellows out that he belongs here.[Continuity 11]

Changing into the Scarlet Spider, Ben web-slings through the city, trying to convince himself that he is doing it one last time before leaving the city. He subconsciously swings toward the Brownstone owned by Peter Parker and his wife Mary Jane.[Continuity 12] Seeing them sleeping peacefully makes Ben come to the conclusion that this is Peter's city and his world. He decides that for Peter to have a normal life with his wife and the coming baby he needs to leave.[Continuity 13] After Ben web-slings away, Peter Parker wakes up from a nightmare. Unfortunately, he doesn't remember anything about it, but knows that he needs to remember something important. Still he is glad that he didn't wake up Mary Jane. Watching her sleep, he thinks to himself how much he loves her, and how he will never let anything hurt her.

Meanwhile, the Scarlet Spider has called his friend Seward Trainer and gets permission to spend time in his cabin in Vermont. Alone in the cabin with a fire going, Ben realizes that this is just the thing he needed. He then begins to wonder where he is going with his life from here. Wherever he goes next, Ben thinks he will face it as a different person, as a changed man with more discipline, rather than who he was four years prior…

Then

Ben Reilly walked into the town of Rachel, Vermont in the pouring rain, his thoughts matching the weather around him. Thinking himself to be a clone at the time, Ben Reilly sought out Seward Trainer, a noted geneticist, hoping that he could become his assistant and use Trainer's resources to learn more about himself. Ben then arrived at the Milliway's Inn and tried to get a room for the night. Unfortunately, he is twelve dollars short of the cost, and the innkeeper refuses to give him a room. Before Ben can lose his temper, a man offers to spare the difference. When Reilly refuses the charity, the man assures Ben that he will be paid back because he seems like an honorable man. Although he didn't know it at the time, this was the first time that Ben met Seward Trainer.

Now

Ben's thoughts are interrupted by the phone ringing. When he answers it, Seward is on the other end of the line. He tells Ben to get out of the cabin right away. With his spider-sense going off the scale, Ben leaps out of a nearby window just moments before the cabin explodes. Recovering from the blast, Ben realizes that this wasn't an attack on Spider-Man or the Scarlet Spider, but his friend Seward Trainer. Putting on his mask, Ben Reilly vows to apprehend whoever is responsible and make the bomber pay. Returning to New York, the Scarlet Spider comes upon Seward Trainer's lab in ruins. Picking up an old photo of himself and Seward hiking, Ben vows to find his friend because he owes him so much.

Then

The following morning at the Milliway Inn, a feverish Ben Reilly comes downstairs and demands something to eat and drink. When the innkeeper tells him the kitchen is closed, Ben begins to lose his temper and shove people. Seeing this, Seward Trainer tries to calm Ben down. This interrupts Ben long enough that the fever gets the best of him and he passes out. When he came around moments later, Ben is told by Seward that he needs a friend. Finally accepting help, Ben took Seward's hand.

Now

Continuing his search of Seward's lab, Ben's spider-sense draws him toward some strange spheres. Suddenly, the devices sprout mechanical arms and begin attacking him. Despite his spider-sense and enhanced speed and reflexes, the Scarlet Spider is restrained by the devices. Ensnared, he is then electrocuted and shocked into unconsciousness. His final thoughts are wondering where his friend Seward Trainer could be. Elsewhere, Seward is huddled in a darkened cell. The person who has put him in there observes him for a moment from the doorway. With a mechanical arm, his captor slams shut the door on his cell.

... This story continues from Spider-Man #62.

Appearing in "Walk The Savage Land!"

Reprint of the 1st story from
Amazing Spider-Man #103

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  • Plane
  • Boat
  • Helicopter

Synopsis for "Walk The Savage Land!"

Reprint of the 1st story from
Amazing Spider-Man #103

As Spider-Man busts up yet another bank robbery, J. Jonah Jameson meets with his fellows at the Daily Bugle to try to find a quick way to bring profits back to the Daily Bugle. When they happen upon a news report about an explorer named Richard Calkin who's traveled to the Savage Land, and hear his stories about a strange gigantic creature out there, Jameson figures this is the scoop that the Bugle needs to stay afloat and decide to bring some of his staff to the Savage Land in order to snap pictures of this elusive beast.

When Joe calls Peter to secure him for the expedition, Peter instantly agrees as he needs the money. This upsets Gwen, and Peter decides to take her to the Bugle with him. When he arrives there, Jameson sees what he has thought was missing from this expedition to begin with: A woman's perspective, and asks Gwen if she'd like to come. In spite of Peter's reservations about the idea, she agrees to come along.

Traveling to the Savage Land, the group almost has a disaster when their helicopter almost crashes into a pterodactyl. After exploring around for a bit, they come across a statue built by the natives with a giant gong on the front. When Mr. Calkin hits it, it summons the savages who built it, plus the creature they worship, the immense alien creature known as Gog.

The creature grabs Gwen and leaves, Peter tries to stop the monster but is swatted away and lands in a nearby river. Gwen is then taken to a man who's "adopted" the monster, it's none other than Spider-Man's old foe, Kraven the Hunter. As Calkin and Jameson go after the monster, they run into Ka-Zar and his sabertooth tiger Zabu and enlist his aid in trying to find Gwen.

Meanwhile, Peter has changed into Spider-Man and begins his own search for Gwen as well. After fighting off a giant snake, Spider-Man makes a misstep when he accidentally jumps into some quicksand.

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