Warning: contains spoilers for Amazing Spider-Man #75!
The infamous Spider-Man "Clone Saga" might finally receive the ending the writers always intended - and it's coming over twenty-five years after the original publication of the story. The Clone Saga was a notable period in 90s Spider-Man history that saw the wall-crawler (along with his readers) navigate a labyrinthine storyline involving clones, manipulation, double-crosses and a plot that was constantly at the mercy of editorial-mandated rewrites. But in 2021's Amazing Spider-Man #75, written by Zeb Wells with art by Patrick Gleason and colors by Marcio Menyz, Marvel drops hints that the Clone Saga may finally conclude - with the original ending planned back in 1994.
Shocking, game-changing event comics were incredibly popular (and sold incredibly well) during the 90s. This so-called Dark Age of Comics was the era in which Batman broke his back, Green Lantern turned evil, Aquaman lost a hand, and Superman died (he got better within a year). Marvel sought to create a similar event with similar sales, and hit upon a radical idea: Peter Parker would have a child with Mary Jane - and at the same time, meet Ben Reilly, his clone (from the original Clone Saga story in 1973). This would allow Peter to retire as a superhero and start a family, while Ben would officially take over as the new Spider-Man.
Alas, the Clone Saga proved too popular to end. Marvel editorial demanded writers extend the story, which led to a deeply unpopular twist in which Peter discovered he was the clone all along and Ben Reilly was the original. From there, the plot became even more convoluted, involving more clones and the introductions of Spidercide and Judas Traveller. Peter was hastily reestablished as the original Spider-Man, and the story that was meant to last six months finally ended after two years (along with, tragically, Mary Jane's pregnancy; she was forced to suffer a miscarriage thanks to writers who thought having children would make Peter look old). But Amazing Spider-Man #75 may be pointing to an ending in which Ben Reilly takes over from Peter again - this time, permanently.
After meeting with Ben Reilly and swinging into battle alongside his clone, Peter encounters the U-Foes, a band of rogues with various energy-based powers. An explosion caused by X-Ray and Vapor produces radioactive gas; Ben Reilly's suit is shielded, but Peter takes the brunt of the blast, collapsing at the end of the issue while saying "Spidey sense warned me...but inside...the danger's inside..." It's possible Peter is referring to a change happening in his own body. Radioactivity granted Spider-Man his powers - is radioactivity now taking them away? If so, a loss of powers would be the perfect reason for Peter to retire and live a normal life with Mary Jane while Ben takes over how webslinging duties.
Spider-Man's Clone Saga of the 90s is not a terrible story by any means, but it was convoluted and clearly the victim of editorial mandates that overtly elongated the narrative. For years, fans of Peter Parker wanted to see him become a father - but Marvel wanted Spider-Man to be the everyman and keep him young, fresh, and unattached. Now with the revelations in Amazing Spider-Man #75, it looks like Spider-Man can both retire and continue swinging through the streets of New York City - just as the writers intended all along.