Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Amazing Spider-Man #14
In the latest issue of Marvel Comics' Amazing Spider-Man, Peter Parker's corrupted clone Ben Reilly is out for some dark revenge, intending to steal the original Webslinger's very soul. Following a brief period where Ben was the official Spider-Man in the Spider-Man Beyond storyline, Ben Reilly came out of the event darkly changed, putting on a new suit and taking the name Chasm. Now, Ben has joined forces with another slighted clone in the Marvel Universe who has agreed to help the former Scarlet Spider get everything he feels he's owed.
Previously, Ben Reilly was the official Spider-Man sponsored by the Beyond Corporation while Peter was in the hospital. However, the sinister executives at Beyond kept manipulating Ben's memories to make him more compliant. Seeing as how his memories were already fragile enough as copies of Peter's, Ben was completely compromised to the point where he couldn't even remember the face of Uncle Ben or his iconic words about power and responsibility. Likewise, he was made to believe that Peter was responsible for all his pain and loss and simply didn't want to share his memories. Combined with falling into a vat of psychoactive goo, Ben was transformed into Chasm, an extremely dark version of Ben who is now hell-bent on reclaiming Peter's memories and getting revenge.
Now, the new Amazing Spider-Man #14 from Zeb Wells and a collection of Marvel artists reveals everything Ben has been planning over the last year (with each season being a different art style). In the Spring, Ben steals tech from Beyond and his girlfriend Janine commits to helping him get his memories back from the original Spider-Man. In the Summer, Chasm builds a portal to Limbo where he meets Madelyne Pryor, the Goblin Queen and clone of the X-Men's Jean Grey. Seeing themselves as kindred spirits, Ben and Madelyne agree to join forces. While the Fall sees Madelyne transforming Janine into the new villain Hallow's Eve, the Winter sees the Goblin Queen developing a means to take and absorb souls (including its memories). As such, it's only a matter of time before Chasm faces Spider-Man to take his.
Ben Reilly Has Been Truly Corrupted As Spider-Man's Clone
It's no secret that Ben Reilly's life has been one of tragedy. However, becoming Chasm and the abuse from Beyond has made things so much worse. Now, the only memories he can hang onto are those which are full of darkness and pain. As the Scarlet Spider and even in the few times he's been considered Spider-Man, Ben Reilly has been a genuine hero whom Peter considers to be a brother. However, this issue proves just how corrupted he's become, effectively taking the role of a brand-new Spider-Man villain.
Having the same powers as the OG Spider-Man, Chasm will no doubt be a force to be reckoned with. However, he's also got an army of demons courtesy of Madelyne as they prepare for Marvel's upcoming Dark Web crossover event. While the odds are slim, here's hoping Peter Parker's Spider-Man can find a way to redeem Ben in the issues to come. Amazing Spider-Man #14 is on sale now from Marvel Comic.