Well, Friends of Ben, it's time for this fantastic miniseries to end. On my first read-through, I found it read a little too quickly and there was one particular issue that I had a bit of trouble with -- but overall, it's another enjoyable entry in the life of Ben Reilly under the pen of J.M. DeMatteis! Let's have another read-through together, shall we?
1) The issue begins with a riot: Spidercide has freed the Ravencroft inmates, and they are immediately doing damage against John Jameson's security staff. Ben wonders aloud to Spidercide how he could do this after wanting help in understanding humanity, but Spidercide responds that he is a monster and is going to embrace his INhumanity. And it's at this point that we see him transform himself into a new look: the white Jurgens costume, which looks pretty awesome!
2. Kafka tells Ben to go save the others, leaving Spidercide alone with herself and Edward Whelan. While Ben narrates about gaining Ashley and Edward as friends, Spidercide decides to "heal" Edward by invading his body.
3. Ben saves John Jameson from Typhoid Mary, while Kafka interrogates Spidercide, saying that deep down, she suspects that Spidercide really does want to be like Ben. Spidercide DOES NOT like this, yelling about how he's nothing like Ben and hates everything he stands for. Kafka responds that there's a fine line between love and hate.
4. Meanwhile, Ben takes down the Chameleon and Sir, but then gets pummeled by Mr. Hyde. Luckily, he's saved by... MYSTERIO?! Yes, the self-proclaimed artist feels he's different than all the other psychos, and he wants to keep Ben alive so HE can be the one to destroy him. However, Mysterio's monologue is cut short by the reemergence of Vermin! Oh no!
5. Simultaneously, we have Kafka trying to talk down Spidercide -- "I have no soul!" -- and Ben trying to talk down Vermin, which works just in time for Edward to save Ben from an attack from Swarm! Edward is able to maintain control of himself and take out Swarm, but then Shriek enters the picture and takes Edward out.
6. Ben's now being attacked by both Shriek and the real Scorpion, but is able to take out both while monologue-ing about living with and being free of his demons. But Spidercide is there, telling him he's never going to be free of his demons, just like he'll never be free of his evil clone brother -- or the inmates, who have been given a boost due to Spidercide's DNA being implanted in each of them.
7. Ashley Kafka as Ben gets the absolute crap kicked out of him, until...
8. "Damn you, Kafka -- you were right! Like it or not, Reilly is a part of me. The only spark of decency ... of humanity ... in my warped, corrupted heart! And I can't let him die."
9. Having taken out all the other baddies, Spidercide is informed by Kafka that it might be too late. Ben might be dying. But Spidercide thinks he can help and TAKES OFF HIS MASK TO REVEAL THE FACE OF BEN REILLY, BLONDE HAIR AND ALL!!!
10. Spidercide sends tendrils of himself into Ben's body in an attempt to heal him -- and it works! Ben is saved! And Spidercide wonders if maybe he isn't such a monster after all.
11. But then, he totally freaks out! Ben's narration suggests that it's "as if there's some fundamental truth he wants to grab hold of... but it's just out of reach." And with that, Spidercide seems to go into some kind of coma.
12. Ben narrates that he hopes Spidercide can heal and build a life for himself, and we see Kafka checking in on the comatose Spidercide -- except he puts up a hand to the glass! He's alive! Ben hopes for better tomorrows as he swings through New York City, and that. is. the. end.
13. Coming Soon -- Spider-Man: The Lost Hunt?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! INTRIGUING. If it's another story about Ben set in the past under the pen of JMD, there's so much to potentially be excited about!!!
As far as this issue goes, I did feel like it wrapped things up a little too quickly, and I felt like the change of heart that Spidercide had wasn't completely earned. However, I did like Spidercide finally gaining some humanity, and I am especially interested in his choice to look like Blonde Ben rather than a more traditional Peter Parker look. Also interested in the fact that he took off his mask for the first time ever, as in the past he never actually had a mask: his Spider-Face was him transformed, not a costume. And frankly, I'm shocked that we get an ending in which Spidercide is apparently conscious and willing to change his ways! What this might mean in regards to future stories is beyond me, but I hope we don't have to wait another twenty years for his next appearances!
Thoughts on the issue? Thoughts on what might be next for Spidercide? Thoughts on The Lost Hunt?
I can't wait to hear what everyone thinks!
Thanks to JMD, David Baldeon, and the whole creative team for such a sensational miniseries
-Pav, who can't wait to learn more about The Last Hunt...