Marvel has a new Ultimate take on a classic character, and this Ben Reilly is nothing like the original. As it turns out, this Scarlet Spider doesn’t even exist. As revealed in the latest issue of Ultimate Spider-Man, it’s revealed Ben Reilly is a pseudonym made up by Ben Parker to report under.

Instead of honing in on any explosive action, Ultimate Spider-Man #10 focuses largely on the efforts of Ben Parker and J. Jonah Jameson, who are on the cusp of breaking what might be the biggest news story of all time. Thanks to some particularly intrepid investigating, as well as some unlikely help from outside sources, the two reporters have everything they need to expose Wilson Fisk as just the pawn in an even bigger villain’s game. Of course, there is no way that either of them could ever publish such a story without putting themselves in harm’s way, whereas the nonexistent Ben Reilly has no such issues to be concerned about.

Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN Art by DAVID MESSINA Colors by MATTHEW WILSON Letters by VC’s CORY PETIT Design by JAY BOWEN Main cover art by MARCO CHECCHETTO & MATTHEW WILSON Variant covers by BEGNAL and BEN HARVEY

The primary Marvel Universe’s Ben Reilly first appeared all the way back in 1975’s Amazing Spider-Man #49 by Gerry Conway and Ross Andru as the villainous Jackal’s latest unnamed Spider-Clone, who suffered a tragic apparent demise by the issue’s end. It wasn’t until nearly two decades later when Ben returned and embarked upon his own career as the Scarlet Spider. In the years since, Ben has taken on a variety of mantles, including that of Spider-Man when the original was unable to continue on as such.

In recent years, Ben’s trajectory has taken a decidedly downward spiral, largely thanks to the machinations of the malevolent Beyond Corporation. After signing on as Beyond’s very own corporate-sponsored Spider-Man, Ben was subjected to clandestine brainwashing that slowly removed vast swathes of his memories and personality. Eventually, Ben became convinced that his problems were Peter Parker’s doing, driving him to violently besiege the original Spider-Man. Tragically, Ben would be subjected to yet another apparent demise, only to return as the villainous Chasm.

The new Ultimate Universe, also known as the reality of Earth-6160, was first seen in the pages of 2023’s Ultimate Invasion #1 by Jonathan Hickman, Brian Hitch, and Andrew Currie. This world was discovered by the villainous Reed Richards known as the Maker, himself a survivor of the original Ultimate Universe. With his vast resources, impossible intellect and knowledge of historical events yet to come, the Maker refashioned the reality of Earth-6160 into one very nearly of his own design entirely. This gave rise to a world almost entirely devoid of heroes or villains, save for those who the Maker incorporated into his shadow cabinet comprised of the leaders of various purportedly free nations and regions.

Ultimate Spider-Man #10 is on sale now from Marvel Comics.

Source: Marvel Comics