I was scanning my comics and came across the 90’s Spider-Man Clone Saga. You know the one with the Scarlet Spider / Ben Reilly who replaces Peter. The killer clone Kaine, Scrier, Judas Traveller and all the rest.

Looking back, I wonder if you think this was a good moment for Spidey history?

I know back then, I was angry and pissed off. Even worried the Peter we knew would be a clone. Since those were the story hints, and it came true.

And this guy we just met, turns out to be the real Peter Parker. I admit it was frustrating times then.

But looking back on it now, I have no emotional ties to that series.

I thought there were a ton of plot holes, and things left unexplained. And perhaps, it’s best left that way. No reason to bring it up again.

And I never liked the idea of Norman Osborn returning. It also cheapened the whole Gwen Stacy storyline to do this. Yet, if that’s what was needed to get rid of Ben Reilly, then that’s what had to happen.

(And speaking of plot holes, I’ll just mention one. And not the list I jotted down a long while ago that I have somewhere.

But if Norman Osborn has a healing factor that repaired his heart. Why can’t it repair his skin and he has a huge scar? That whole thing of having a scar does not add up.)

Overall, I didn’t like the clone saga because Peter should not have a brother / clone running around their. It changes the dynamic of the book too much, knowing there is another Peter out there. And another guy with the same powers as him and doing basically the same hero work. I guess the word I’m looking for is diluted. And that’s what having a clone out there does for Peter. And worse is that in terms of his social life, this brother / clone changes his whole family situation.

And the thought of a clone who kills people with Peter’s DNA, that of Kaine is not a good thing. If he didn’t have Peter’s DNA, I could like Kaine. But on that principal alone, I did not like him.

When all is said though, outside of MC2 and Spider-Girl which doesn’t count in terms of mainstream continuity. All elements, characters, villains have been swept under the rug and forgotten.

Maybe I should be upset,but I’m actually okay with that. And for those clone saga fans, don’t worry. I’m sure some writer years from now will dig up these characters and use them again.

Every era of Spidey books introduces a bunch of new characters, usually villains. But only a rare few have sticking power and last. The rest are forgotten or barely heard from again. Ever notice that?

It makes me think on a new topic of: Why do some Spidey villains go on to greatness and become members of Spidey’s villain gallery. While others, popular for a time, just fade out. Make rare if any appearances, and are forgotten. And can not be considered part of Spidey’s rogues gallery, cause they never really lasted.