I actually dropped SM during that time. I was on an X-men and Image kick and never bothered with it. Although I do have all the trades now. I did end up picking it up again when Ben became SM and I really, really enjoyed those stories. It was disappointed that it was kiboshed, due to the overwhelming fan backlash.
The thing with Ben, was that (given the fact that it was the 90's) they just stuck to writing him as 20 something guy who was trying to find his bearings. But he was still mature. He wasn't dude-bro/manchild. He wasn't like Peter but he had the same move forward/positive outlook on life. Not one where he whinned or wanted to pretend that he was forever 15. It was a great impetus for me collecting all the trades. And of course we still had Peter out there, the committed family man was building his life.