Review: Scarlet Spider's #3 The Hero

 

Released 21/01/15

Story By: Mike Costa

 

Artist: Paco Diaz

 

       Cover Art: David Nakayama

 

Publisher: Marvel Comics

 

Cover Price: $3.99

 

 

 "The Hero always wins" is the statement written about Ben Reilly by Mike Costa in this final issue of the Scarlet Spider's mini-series. and as an arc where each issue of the 3 parter focused on each of the protagonists in the story never has the statement been more true. 

There was always a feeling among Reilly fans when it was announced that a version of him was due to play a significant role within Spider-Verse. That Marvel were bringing him back just to kill him once again. To many they saw it as a frivolous move that a character from spider-lore who had such a hardcore fan-base, was finally back in the spotlight. 

Yet this series has shown that, Ben Reilly's part within this story was anything but an excersise in paying lip service to the character. 

The definition of a "Hero" is often defined as a person who is admired for their courage, outstanding achievements and noble qualities. Within this issue Costa, writes them perfectly for Ben Reilly's character, in fact all three spider's in this arc have, in their way all displayed the characteristics of a Hero. Yet in the end one of the three made the decision that truly encapsulates every part of who they were.  

The final part picks up immediately from the last issue with Ben and Kaine facing down Jennix in the main part of the cloning facility, Kaine launches at the inheritor and unleashes "The Other" Jennix finds it humorous that "The Other" is housed inside a clone, and becomes intent on capturing Kaine to take him to his Father Solus on Loomworld. 

Ben aides Kaine as best he can dropping a large portion of the facility on top of Jennix and quipping "lets both be bad cop" Kaine attacks whilst Jennix is winded and kills him. Ben berates Kaine who tries to regain control from "The Other" Jennix respawns in a new clone body and is promptly destroyed by The Widow (Jessica Drew) to no avail as Jennix again respawns and continues to attack Kaine. 

Ben realizes that they need to protect "The Other" at all costs. Whilst Jess is attacked by The Human Torch. in a sequence in which the tension and severity of the situation is ramped up by Costa's writing and the flowing art of Diaz. 

The pace is breakneck speed which is a far cry from the slower pace from the first issue, and yet the pacing is perfect as the action flits from Jennix Vs Kaine to The Widow Vs Jennix, whilst Ben Reilly works out another way to stop the inheritor and destroy the cloning facility, whilst ensuring that Kaine remains alive. 

Jennix temporarily gains the upper hand, revealing that the Spider's plan to destroy the facility is flawed as it is just one of thousands under his control, when Ben intervenes and announces that he had worked out that although there may be thousands of facilities, they are in the one that is the cerebral hub for the Inheritors consciousnesses to return to. He informs Jennix of his intention to blow it up and leaves for the roof, Jennix follows Ben, allowing Jess to tend to Kaine. 

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The closing of the story is what Reilly fans always feared would happen. However it happens in a way in which is true to his character and nature. Ever the optimist Ben even muses "There's probably a way in which, I can make it out of this one too" before he throws a mortar round into a group of others and blows the facility up. 

This whole arc for me has been a major highlight of the entire Spider-Verse storyline. As a huge Ben Reilly fan, i personally am proud of how his return was handled by Mike Costa and fully enjoyed Paco Diaz's art. even though at the beginning i did have some misgivings, however as the story progressed Diaz's art won me over. I fully and highly recommend to anyone who didn't pick up this series, to do so. as it definitely had it's moments and for me this is the moment where the Spider-Army had things turned in their favour in the war against the Inheritors. and the man they need to thank for that is Ben Reilly - The Hero.

My rating for this issue is the same as my rating for the entire arc. I'm giving this a deserved 8.5 the arc had a slow start, a solid middle and a climatic and tragic end and yet it feels satisfying as after all The Good Guys won. 

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