Ben Reilly: Spider-Man #2 Review

 

Writer: J.M. DeMatteis

Artist: David Baldeón

Colorist: Israel Silva

Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna

Variant Cover Artists: Dan Jurgens, Brett Breeding, & Alex Sinclair; David Lafuente & Jim Campbell

Designer: Anthony Gambino

Executive Editor: Nick Lowe

Editor: Danny Khazem

Editor in Chief: C.B. Cebulski

 

“Wakey-wakey!”—Scorpion (?)

 

The Story: Our story picks up where last issue left off, with Scorpion showing up unannounced while Ben Reilly (then-current Spider-Man) tries to sleep. Their battle rages all across the city, from Ben’s apartment, to the old Shea Stadium, and finally into a little neighborhood. Scorpion appears to know who Ben is, taunting him with this knowledge and other details of his life, while also seemingly attempting to test Reilly and trying to understand him, as well. It’s a little too deep for for Scorpion, if you ask me, which makes me wonder who this really is. Their fight ends after Ben fades into unconsciousness; he saves a family from a car that Scorpion threw at them, but its impact takes a lot out of him. We soon find Ben awake and relating the story to Dr. Kafka, where he discovers that Scorpion was under her care the entire time and never escaped.

 

Remember last issue where we see a “Joshua” kill a Gail as part of the “First Date Murders”? In this issue, it would seem that the killer is some sort of shape-shifter; whatever this killer is, it’s assumed the form of a woman this time out (with an eerie, thin, blue hand, no less) and kills an Aimee that they met online. We know it’s the same killer, given that it’s been using the internet to find its prey and murdering them on the first date (hence the name, of course). The truly odd part, though, is that one minute, the victim, Aimiee, is there, the next minute, she’s gone, with only the killer left on panel. I’m not sure where this is going, but could this murderous creature be the “Scorpion” Ben fought? If Gargan was still tucked away in Ravencroft, I’d say it’s highly possible, but as of writing this, I have no idea who this creature could really be. Someone new? Maybe. Only time will tell.

 

Later, Ben, in trying to establish a new life for himself, invites Edward Whelan from Ravencroft to go see a double feature (“The Day the Earth Stood Still” and “Forbidden Planet”, for those of you that are curious). Ben and Edward run into John Diaz, a customer from the Daily Grind that we met last issue. Ben and Edward invite John out to eat, and in the midst of a conversation, John zones out. Soon, without warning, Doctor Octopus attacks! No, not Otto. We’re talking Carolyn Trainer, the second Doc Ock, also referred to as Lady Octopus in this issue. The issue ends with Edward trapped in her multi-armed grasp.

 

The Good: The art still looks fantastic; David Baldeón can really knock expressions out of the park! And his action stuff? Top notch. Israel Silva really makes the art pop with his coloring, too. J.M. DeMatteis continues to explore Ben’s character, something he’s always excelled at. One can really feel for Ben’s desire to start a life and need for friends; if you didn’t know better, you’d think this was a real guy! DeMatteis and Baldeón make for one helluva Scorpion fight! Action? Check. Suspense? Check. Danger? Double check.

Seeing Lady Octopus show up was awesome; she’s so synonymous with the Clone Saga era, though, much like Scorpion, I get the feeling that this isn’t the real Carolyn. I’m guessing we’ll get more answers next issue (Please! I need them…)

 

The Bad: The Ben hanging out with Edward thing just doesn’t sit right with me. Maybe I’ll change my mind as the story progresses, but as of right now? Not a fan of that direction for either character. I was even more shocked that Ben would reveal his identity to Edward than I was last issue when we found out that Kafka knew who he was. I get Ben wanting some friends of his own, but the former cannibalistic rat man, Vermin, himself? Sure, he’s normal for now, but for how long? With a secret identity to protect, wouldn’t it have made more sense for Ben to make friends with someone that wasn’t connected to his life as Spider-Man; someone he didn’t have to reveal his identity to? It just seemed quite irresponsible of him in this writer’s opinion. I suppose one could chalk this up to Ben being desperate and lonely, but… couldn’t he have invited someone from the Daily Grind instead? Peter never seemed to mind sharing his life with people from work, and I can’t see Ben having a problem with this, either. Ben claims it’s because Dr. Kafka trusts Edward, but I certainly don’t think that’s enough for Ben to do the same. In Edward’s case, I feel like he would be too scared to be around anyone after the terrible things he did as Vermin. I feel like we should have at least seen some apprehension on Edward’s end, at least; perhaps that would have made it seem more believable. However, there’s only so much you can fit into a single issue, no?

 

Also, my lack of answers (Who was that Scorpion? What is going on with that First Date Killer?) is driving me nuts, but hey, I guess that means I’m addicted to the story and that the creators are doing a superb job. It’s not a them thing, it’s a me thing.

 

It’s also worth mentioning that there is one panel where the web design on Ben’s leg is on the wrong side. It’s a minor quibble, but I do hope it’s fixed in time for the collected edition.

 

 

This issue was a fun read, all in all, though, it felt like it was missing a little of that first issue magic. I’m giving this issue 7/10 blue hands.

 

 

Also, before we wrap this up, it’s time for a crazy conspiracy! Actually, make that two of them! Consider this your after-credit scene, True Believers! Anywho, I’m going to guess that a lot of what’s plaguing Ben, namely “Scorpion” and now Lady Octopus (?), are all connected somehow to… Judas Traveller! Traveller had, as Ben described this “Scorpion” he fought, a “probing intellect”, and JM DeMatteis did have an affinity for him back during the original Clone Saga. Traveller would know a lot of details about Ben’s life and be able to use his powers to make it seem like Ben is fighting someone other than himself. Could he also be the First Date Killer? The blue hand gives me pause, but with the power to alter one’s perception of reality, it certainly is possible. But you know what? I’m going to guess that the First Date Killer is actually none other than… Spidercide! Why? It all comes back to blue hands, people! What’s that? You say that’s not enough to accuse Spidercide? Fine. Blue hands, and he could alter his body on a molecular level, remember? We’ll see if these theories of mine pan out by the end of the mini-series. Be sure to let me know what you think on these theories, and if you have your own, in the comments below!