Biography
Ben Reilly, also known as the Scarlet Spider and the second Spider-Man, is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics' Universe. He is a clone of Peter Parker, the superhero Spider-Man, and was a prominent character in the Clone Saga. He was created by the villainous Jackal in Amazing Spider-Man #149 (October 1975). Although he was believed to have died in Amazing Spider-Man #150, it was later revealed that he had survived and wandered the USA for five years. When he discovered that May Parker was dying from a stroke, he returned to New York, and encountered an embittered Spider-Man, shellshocked after several consecutive tragedies. Soon after, he donned a makeshift costume, and was dubbed the "Scarlet Spider" by the press - a moniker it took him some time to hear without wincing.
He later became the replacement Spider-Man for a time at the original's request, when Parker retired to raise his unborn child. This was at a time when both men had been led to believe that Ben was the original and Peter was the clone.
Ultimately, he died saving the original Spider-Man from the Green Goblin in Peter Parker: Spider-Man #75 (December 1996). This sacrifice, coupled with the concurrent stillbirth of his child, led Parker to reclaim the Spider-Man identity.
Bibliography
Scarlet Spider titles
Web of Scarlet Spider #3-4 starred a different Scarlet Spider, although Ben Reilly appeared (as Spider-Man) in issue 4.
Spider-Man titles with Ben Reilly as Spider-Man
