The short answer
Ben Reilly is a genetic double of Peter Parker, created by Miles Warren, alias the Jackal, and first seen in 1975. Originally the Scarlet Spider, he later wore the red-and-blue suit during the Clone Saga, before turning to the dark side much later under the identity of Chasm. Here is his story in detail.
In the whole gallery of characters born of the web-slinger's mythology, Ben Reilly holds an absolutely unique place. Not a simple multiverse variant, not an interchangeable supporting character, not a forgettable appearance — Ben Reilly is one of the only Marvel characters to have actually replaced Peter Parker as Spider-Man for several years in the comics. That narrative substitution remains one of the most controversial in Marvel's entire editorial history, and that is precisely what makes the character so fascinating.
To place Ben Reilly within the wider multiverse mythology, a detour through the Clone Saga, why fans are still divided is essential — the Clone Saga is the character's founding arc and remains one of Marvel's most debated.
A clone created by the Jackal
Ben Reilly first appeared in Amazing Spider-Man #149, in October 1975. The concept was radical from the start: Miles Warren, the mad scientist known as the Jackal, had created a perfect clone of Peter Parker. Genetically identical to Peter, that clone had the same memories, the same powers, the same ethics. All through the original arc, you never really know who is the real Peter and who is the clone. To go further on this, see also Stunner: the virtual supervillain Doctor Octopus created so he could exist more fully.
That ambiguity of identity is exactly what makes Ben Reilly so unsettling. He is not a villain. He is not a hero. He is a copy — a perfect one, but a copy all the same. That philosophical dimension raises deep questions about identity, memory and authenticity. To dig into that side of the mythology, a detour through The Other, when the web-slinger dies and is reborn is illuminating — Marvel has regularly explored these existential themes with Spider-Man.
Initially presented as dead after his fight with Peter, Ben Reilly was brought back in the 1990s arcs. That narrative resurrection opened the door to stories where both Peter Parkers (the original and the clone) coexist and work together. The duality immediately fascinated readers and writers alike — how do you write a story with two protagonists who could each legitimately carry the name Spider-Man?
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First appearance Amazing Spider-Man #149, in October 1975.
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A perfect clone Miles Warren, alias the Jackal, creates a copy of Peter Parker with the same memories, the same powers and the same ethics.
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A presumed death He is first presented as dead after his fight with Peter.
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The resurrection The 1990s arcs bring him back and let the two Peter Parkers coexist.
A Spider-Man in his own right
During the Clone Saga (1994-1996), Marvel made a bold narrative choice: Ben Reilly was in fact the real Peter Parker. The one everyone had taken for the hero for years was supposedly the clone. That radical reversal, experienced as a real twist at the time, split fans violently. For some, it was one of Marvel's boldest storytelling moves. For others, it was a betrayal of the classic character.
Ben Reilly then took on the official suit and became the main web-slinger for several years. He adopted a new identity (the Scarlet Spider) before taking up the canonical red-and-blue costume. That period reshaped the mythology profoundly. A detour through The Lost Years, the forgotten clone finally told is essential — it is the arc that defines the Reilly years.
During his years as the main web-slinger, Ben Reilly developed traits of his own. Emotionally younger than Peter, he is more enthusiastic, more innocent. He approaches heroism with a candour Peter had lost. That difference in tone gives the Reilly arcs a unique colour within the mythology. To compare that with other versions of the hero, a detour through Kaine, the tragic clone finally rehabilitated is illuminating — Kaine shares the clone dimension, but with a tone opposite to Ben's.
To carry the Marvel universe with you every day without going for the full costume. A fan jumper that owns it, without shouting about it.
The twist
During the Clone Saga (1994-1996), Ben Reilly was supposedly the real Peter Parker, a reversal that split fans.
Scarlet Spider
He adopts this new identity before taking up the canonical red-and-blue costume.
Main web-slinger
He wears the official suit for several years.
A candour of his own
Emotionally younger than Peter, he approaches heroism with enthusiasm and innocence.
Death, resurrection and Ben Reilly's dark turns
The official end of Ben Reilly's years as the main web-slinger came in 1996, in a controversial arc where Peter Parker returns as the canonical Spider-Man and Ben dies. That death marked the end of the Clone Saga experiment and the return to classic continuity. But Marvel never really lets a profitable character stay dead.
Ben Reilly was resurrected in the recent arcs, but in a transformed shape. A detour through Chasm, the broken clone who became one of his most troubling enemies is essential — Ben Reilly turns to the dark side in the modern comics. That psychological drift is one of the most tragic in recent Marvel mythology.
To understand that transformation, you need to know the recent arcs. In particular the Clone Saga and the tragedies that broke Ben — the woman whose loss precipitates the character's psychological collapse. That tragic romantic dimension adds a layer of emotional complexity that sets Ben Reilly apart from the other clones in the mythology.
For those who like to slip their passion into their wardrobe without dressing up. Discreet, readable, a fan through and through.
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Death in 1996 Peter Parker becomes the canonical Spider-Man again and Ben dies, which closes the Clone Saga.
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A transformed resurrection Marvel brings Ben Reilly back in the recent arcs in a changed form.
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The turn into Chasm He crosses over to the dark side, a psychological drift precipitated by the loss of a woman.
The return of the Scarlet Spider: Ben Reilly, modern anti-hero
In the contemporary arcs, Ben Reilly shifts between identities. Sometimes the Scarlet Spider, sometimes Chasm (his dark version), sometimes simply out of costume. That plurality of identities is consistent with his story — he has always been several characters at once. That fundamental instability is probably what makes him so modern in contemporary superhero writing, where heroes are expected to own their complexity.
The Scarlet Spider costume — dark red with a navy blue hood — has become iconic among fans. That alternative to the classic red-and-blue suit lets Ben exist visually as a character distinct from Peter, even when they fight side by side. To dig into that visual dimension, a detour through the black suit and the symbiote relationship is worthwhile — Marvel has regularly experimented with colour variations on the canonical costume.
In Marvel's most recent arcs, Ben Reilly makes a major comeback as a supporting protagonist. He regularly crosses paths with Peter Parker in near-brotherly dynamics. That chosen kinship is one of the most moving relationships in the Spider mythology — two men who share the same soul, but who have lived fundamentally different lives.
Multiple identities
Sometimes the Scarlet Spider, sometimes Chasm, his dark version: he has always been several characters at once.
The Scarlet Spider costume
Dark red with a navy blue hood, it sets him apart visually from Peter.
A near-brotherhood
He regularly crosses paths with Peter Parker: two men with the same soul but very different destinies.
What future for Ben Reilly in the multiverse
Ben Reilly's future looks particularly rich. Several rumours point to the character appearing in the next Sony Animation films, where the clone concept would be exploited visually like never before. That possible move to the screen would turn Ben from a cult comics character into a mainstream pop culture figure.
On the comics side, Marvel has clearly invested in the character for the long run. The solo Scarlet Spider series comes back regularly with new writers. Several arcs planned for 2026-2027 place Ben Reilly at the centre of major multiverse conflicts. That editorial commitment guarantees his presence for the next decade. To understand how that multiverse dimension works, a detour through The Clone Conspiracy, the arc where the web-slinger faces the ethics of resurrection is essential.
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Ben Reilly, in all his forms — Scarlet Spider, Jackal, Chasm — embodies another way of wearing the mask. He is the proof that in the Spider-Verse there is not one single hero, but an infinity of versions, of choices, of wounds. His story enriches Peter Parker's universe considerably, offering a rawer, more flawed mirror… but a terribly sincere one.
On screen
Rumours point to an appearance in the next Sony Animation films.
In a solo series
The Scarlet Spider series comes back regularly with new writers.
In the multiverse
Arcs planned for 2026-2027 place him at the centre of major multiverse conflicts.
Conclusion: the clone who became a legend
Ben Reilly is probably the most complex character to come out of the web-slinger's mythology. Not a simple double, not a flat copy — a fully realised being, with a history of his own, loves of his own, tragedies of his own. That psychological density makes him one of the richest case studies for understanding questions of identity and authenticity in superheroes.
To take the exploration further, a few essential routes. First, read the complete Clone Saga (1994-1996) — the founding arc. Then read the recent Chasm arcs to understand his dark drift. Finally, follow Marvel's announcements about the 2026-2027 arcs. To turn that passion into a collection, our range of Spider-Man figures, t-shirts and soft toys now includes several Ben Reilly references.
One thing is certain: as long as Marvel publishes Spider comics, Ben Reilly will exist. Not as a supporting character — as the other web-slinger. The one who could have been Peter in a parallel life, the one who constantly reminds us that identity is more fragile than it looks. And that, in the end, is probably what makes him so precious in the Marvel galaxy.
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Read the Clone Saga The founding arc, published from 1994 to 1996.
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Read the Chasm arcs The recent arcs that tell of his dark drift.
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Follow the announcements Marvel's announcements about the 2026-2027 arcs.
