I just read ‘What If…’ #30 from 1991; ‘What if the Spider-Clone had lived?’ It’s actually a really fun story. I like the conceit of the clone being 3 years younger physically, but I guess that wouldn’t work for the 90s clone saga as then it’d be obvious who was the real Peter Parker. Anyway, it’s on comixology. I recommend it for all clone saga fans, as it’s an interesting alternate take on what could’ve happened. And a really cool ending to boot.
I want one of three things for Ben after the 'Beyond Saga' concludes. I'm optimistic he survives the ordeal because lets face it "killing him" at this point would be pointless. How many times was it stated he's died and been resurrected? The pointless "final" death if they went that route wouldn't be taken serious cause here we are with Ben in print after he was reduced to a pile of ash, ASH at the conclusion of 90s Clone Saga.
1. Ben in another major city as Spider-man, I'll even take Scarlet Spider. With Janine along as well(provided she isn't corrupt by Beyond story's end)
2. Ben as a traveling hero. Like how 70s Ghost Rider was done.
3. Ben on a meaningful team with regular publishing. A resurrection of a strong New Warriors lineup suits me just fine.
Two of these could even co-exist.
"Freedom is the right of all sentient beings" - Optimus Prime
I never thought I’d say this, but I’m a bit burnt out on Ben… at least modern-day Ben. When he’s not portrayed as evil or Deadpool-Lite like in CC/PAD’s run, he’s depicted as boring/generic/inexperienced which is happening a bit in Beyond. So I’ll give a new Ben book a shot, but the writing needs to be good and interesting. I waited 20 years for him to come back and now sometimes I wish he hadn’t as his legacy as a tragic hero cast a more interesting shadow over the books (and characters like Kaine) than what they’ve done with him since CC. There have been some good Ben moments since he’s come back, but not enough to warrant a drastic change in his status quo. Anyway I’m looking forward to JMD’s untold tales mini about Ben. I have a feeling that will be great at least.
1 and 3 could definitely coexist. 2 would be a somewhat harder sell with 3, as a team needs a steady base of operations, unless they just do like the last New Warriors series by Chris Yost and have a base that can teleport them anywhere in the world. Another idea with 2 would be that he starts tracking down all the surviving "reanimates" he was responsible for during The Clone Conspiracy, mainly going after the ones that reverted to criminality and are (or may be) endangering innocent lives. My big hope for Spider-Man Beyond, before we get to its end, is to bring back Kaine as the Scarlet Spider and have him react to Ben's new status, serving as an externalization of his lingering guilty conscience for his actions in The Clone Conspiracy.
The spider is always on the hunt.
You were Spider-Man then. You and Peter had agreed on it. But he came back right when you started feeling comfortable.
You know what it means when he comes back.
"You're not the better one, Peter. You're just older."
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Could work.Ben and Misty are in friends territory now so you'll have Misty and Colleen join in as well.W/ Monica in the MCU and the time spent on ASM by Beyond and Ben they will have the star power enough tune in to the first issue or a few and hopefully it's enough to get people hooked.
Well, I loved the original Nextwave, so it'd be interesting to see how they revamp the team/concept for the 616. Would it still be outrageous and weird and goofy? Or would it be a more serious take? Regardless, putting Ben on a "brand new" team with some other characters gaining in popularity would be great.
-Pav, who would be sad if Ben went back into obscurity...
You were Spider-Man then. You and Peter had agreed on it. But he came back right when you started feeling comfortable.
You know what it means when he comes back.
"You're not the better one, Peter. You're just older."
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Closet full of comics? Consider donating to my school! DM for details
A new Nextwave book with Ben, Misty, Colleen, and Monica --- along with a few other Beyond recruits, maybe --- could be an interesting read. I'd definitely tune in for that, and like Pav, I'd also hate to see Ben go back to obscurity.
The spider is always on the hunt.