Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider, Vol. 3: The Slingers Return

Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider (Collected Editions)

by Peter David (Writer), Will Sliney (Illustrator), Andre Araujo (Illustrator)

Ben Reilly, the Scarlet Spider, is a perfect clone of the amazing Spider-Man, but with none of Peter Parker's responsibility! After the events of the Clone Conspiracy, Ben moved west to carve out a new life for himself in Las Vegas. But now, someone from Peter's past is encroaching on Ben's turf...the new Hornet! But who is he working for, and what will his former teammates in the Slingers - Dusk, Prodigy and Ricochet - have to say about the new man under the mask? Chances are, their views might not quite line up with Ben's... If you've guessed that it's all leading up to the return of the Slingers, you guessed right! Strap in as Ben Reilly's second life takes another unexpected turn!

COLLECTING: BEN REILLY: SCARLET SPIDER 10-14

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Graphic Novels, Spider Man, Superheroes

112 pages, Paperback

First published May 16, 2018

About the author

aka David Peters

Peter Allen David, often abbreviated PAD, was an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His notable comic book work includes an award-winning 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, SpyBoy, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Captain Marvel, and X-Factor.
His Star Trek work included comic books and novels such as the New Frontier book series. His other novels included film adaptations, media tie-ins, and original works, such as the Apropos of Nothing and Knight Life series. His television work includes series such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, Ben 10: Alien Force and Nickelodeon's Space Cases, which he co-created with Bill Mumy.
David often jokingly described his occupation as "Writer of Stuff", and he was noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real-world issues with humor and references to popular culture, as well as elements of metafiction and self-reference.
David earned multiple awards for his work, including a 1992 Eisner Award, a 1993 Wizard Fan Award, a 1996 Haxtur Award, a 2007 Julie Award and a 2011 GLAAD Media Award.

Reviews

[Chad · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is not the quality of work I expect out of Peter David. This was just bad. Ben Reilly is still a huge douchebag. The Slingers are just terrible characters in the first place and Prodigy probably has one of the worst costumes in modern Marvel history. Just look at that nonsense. Is he wearing board shorts outside his costume and into bondage as his mouth looks like it's sealed shut?

This is all part of the Legacy initiative at Marvel. There's also a stand alone issue that almost feels written for children where Kaine fights the Hippo ( a wanna-be Rhino of all things) over a sports bet. The one redeeming quality was how Kaine defeats a demon that shows up.

[Tiag⊗ the Mutant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Way more generic than the last volumes, but still a fun read.

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe a slight uptick in quality from the last volume, but this series is determined to remain as generic, hum-drum, and mediocre as possible...

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

[Read as single issues]
After a detour to deal with Death, Ben finds himself face to face with the Slingers. Wait, aren't some of them dead?

Issues 10-13 pick up right from the end of issue 9 in the last volume, with Ben battling the oddly resurrected Slingers; this story feels like what Peter David really wants to get into, but he keeps getting derailed. Just when things are picking up here, Damnation comes along and shakes things up so Ben gets distracted in the next volume. The mystery surrounding the Slingers is explored, but there's definitely a lot more going on here than meets the eye.

Issue 14 is a one-and-done story that features Kaine more than Ben as he tries to do something right and manages to end up fighting the Hippo. Yeah, things took a swerve there. This issue's a nice place filler, but it's not essential to the ongoing plot; I do like that David is keeping Kaine around though, since he and Ben's interactions are where this book really shines.

Artwise, Will Sliney takes three of the five issues here with the same dynamic energy he brought to earlier issues and he and David's 2099 run. They have good synergy by now, that much is clear. There's a fill-in issue by André Araujo which is...fine, but I don't think his style really suits this book as much as Sliney does. Ray-Anthony Height and David Williams tag-team issue #14, but again this is more filler than anything else; it does mean Sliney can tackle all of the Damnation tie-in issues in volume 4 though, which is wise - I always like it when a series showcases its lead artist in tie-in issues rather than grabbing a fill-in.

Ben Reilly's adventures continue to impress, but there's definitely a feeling that this book is getting pulled in too many directions at once. Leave it alone, Marvel. You know PAD can do good work if you just get out of his way.

[Alex Sarll]

There were already two clones of Peter Parker with wonky moral compasses who'd returned from the dead running around; now we also have the D-list superhero team in his old costumes. Which ought to be funnier than this volume pans out, but there are a few too many reveals whose impact hinges on recognising characters I don't know. Also, too definite and cosmic a method of trying to get Ben Reilly back on the heroic path, which not only annoys me in and of itself, but is far less amusing than his own half-bright efforts.

[Adam Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

The battle with the tentacle monster continues, and only stops with the arrival of another of the Slingers, Dusk. The attack, originally orchestrated by local casino owner Silas Thorne, was meant to stop Ben, but only ends with revenge being taken and Scarlet Spider beating Silas to a pulp. The Slingers, joined now by Prodigy, develop a plan to make Ben pay for his violent outburst against Silas... they abduct Cassandra Thorne, Ben's ally and rival casino owner. They give him an ultimatum to turn himself in within 48 hours, or they will kill Cassandra (though they really won't).
Kaine re-enters the picture and teams up with Ben to track and rescue Cassandra, but no one suspected that Hornet was not, in fact, resurrected, but is Cyber in disguise! (Cyber? Really that's digging deep into the Marvel villains pocket. I remember Wolverine fighting Cyber back in the 90s...) Kaine has an ulterior motive, hoping that Cassandra will help him financially keep a Veterans Center open, which happens, but when she and her brother are attacked by The Hippo, Kaine receives a new mystery and person to track: Marlowe. Who is that???

This Volume played on a lot of nostalgia, while still keeping the fast paced flow that this title has been at these last 3 Volumes. Will Kaine be more involved in future storylines? And with them being in Las Vegas, are they going to be part of the Damnation storyline?

Still recommend. This is a reasonably good title.

[Jason Tanner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is weird, but in a good way. The supernatural niche works good for Ben Reilly, at least at this time in his life, and it keeps him distinct from Peter. Kaine is also a welcome presence to me, and as I think I mentioned in my volume 1 review, I'm enjoying how much the relationship between the two of them has inverted. I didn't actually read Slingers--I had stepped away from comics during the "Identity Crisis" era of Spider-Man--but it's nice to see a callback to some relatively obscure heroes without them being immediately murdered. I don't have any idea what's going on with Mysterio, or his daughter, or the little girl and "Aunt June." But I'm going to assume a lot of the supernatural stuff gets worked out in the "Damnation" arc.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Collects Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider issues #10-14

In the 1990's, I loved Ben Reilly, but didn't keep reading long enough to ever be introduced to the Slingers. Because of that, this story didn't resonate with me as much as it may with others. On top of that, this Ben Reilly is much different than the one I looked up to in my childhood, so overall this wasn't the best experience for me. Kaine is still around, and I'm glad he is a part of the book, but I wish Ben was nicer. Basically, I just want Ben Reilly to be Peter Parker like he used to be, but I know that Marvel probably wants a greater personality distinction between Spider-Man and his clone.

[Matthew Ledrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is bad. Oh, Peter David. :/
The only thing redeeming it is the One More Day plot threads, like Mephisto being the little girl and Mysterio. I've been saying for years that Mysterio returning from the grave should be a plot point from the One More Day arc, typing back to Kevin Smith's "Guardian Devil" arc when Mephisto said he was saving a "choice seat for him."

The execution is bad here, but I'm seeing the Spider-Books rewriting that misstep out. I think the only good writing is coming down from editorial, sadly.

[Jimbo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Slingers return! Except two of them are not what they appear. One is a demon and the other is not human any more. The fight on one side, then switch sides, the corner Ben and try to get him to turn himself in for beating the living crap out of Thorn, but Kaine steps in to help safe the captured Casssandra to save a Veteran's Home -- with a different angle.

The story gets a little muddled, but it all plays out nicely and it is nice to see the Slingers again. They had a small shot, but ended up in the not used pile of Marvel heroes and villains and showed up many years later.

[Villain E · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only know the Slingers in passing. I remember when the book was coming out, but I didn't read it. This doesn't do a good job of reintroducing them.

Somebody is wearing the Hornet costume and is working for a shady person. The other Slingers show up with questions. The reveal of what's really going on is unsatisfying.

The subplot with Kaine and the lady from the VA is the most interesting part of this volume, imo.

[Sean · Rating 2 out of 5]

Its so hard for me to believe that Peter David wrote this series. This book continues to depress me. Ben, this Ben, is a terrible character. Kaine, while more likeable, is treading water here. The plot is boring and the nostalgia involved here doesn't hit home. The art continues to be the only shining grace for this book. Overall, another disaster.

[Jprmac · Rating 2 out of 5]

Now admittedly, I should not have started with volume 3, but man this was confusing. Lots of spider-people, few demons, some minor heroes, oh and a humanoid hippopotamus.
Ben Reilly is no Miles Morales for this casual reader

[Daniel Etherington · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

Do wish we could give titles 2.5 stars - average, very middling but not bad.

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everything was pretty enjoyable until the last issue. 3/5.

[Lillian Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun. Which is what I want from my reading atm.
Art deteriorates a bit as the issues progress.

[Will Farinas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh

[Erik J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read!

Great to see the Slingers back in action!

Overall - 3/5

[John]

I like Peter David, but this was not one of his better forays. It was like his mind was elsewhere and he just phoned it all in. Made me a bit sad.

[c · Rating 2 out of 5]

snooze. the 2 stars are for kaine's man bun.

(read in single issues)

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's . . . .OK?

I'm not sure why the Slingers turned out to be demons? It seems like a missed opportunity to, you know, tell a Slingers story.

And then Hornet turns out to be Cyber? Isn't he super-dead? And not usually that interesting? And completely the wrong build for Hornet? I mean, I see the helmet thing but otherwise I don't get it.

The Kaine part was . . . also OK. Not sure how it all started. It's too bad. After the end of the second volume, I thought the author had it figured out that this was just a 90's nostalgia play. (Like if Adam X, Maggot, and Joe Wade all turned up, that would be the right direction. Or Cable's son Genesis or something).