Fan Retrospectives: Spider-Man: The Clone Saga: Part 13: Crossfire



The Spider-Man Clone saga is one of the most reviled story lines ever. It featured the return of Spider-Man's clone Ben Reilly, but also dragged Spider-Man through one of the strangest, series of conspiracies and narratives that the franchise have ever seen.
But... is it really as bad as the internet would have you believe? Come with us as we review the Clone Saga story arc by story arc as we uncover how one of comics' most infamous series holds up today.

"Crossfire" Amazing Spider-Man #403, Spider-Man #59

Writers:  JM DeMatteis, Howard Mackie

Artists: Mark Bagley, Tom Lyle

Review by Eric Lee

Another Clone Saga story line features Judas Traveller as the main villain. And once again, I am groaning while reading about him. He is easily the most grating character in the Clone Saga. He is so aloof and sanctimonious that it is obnoxious. 

The issue starts off with Peter still dressed as Scarlet Spider confronting Lt. Raven. Raven has thought about and believes that Peter Parker is innocent of the murder charge. If nothing else, the distinctive mark of Kaine on Raven's face is proof that Parker is not the murderer.

Meanwhile, Traveller and the Scrier are conversing on the rooftop. Most of the conversation is so opaque and cryptic it's hard to tell what they're talking about. There is no bearing on what the context of their conversations are because writer JM DeMatteis gives clues in tiny drips.

On the bright side, artist Mark Bagley draws Traveller's cape super cool-looking. With a billion folds, the cloak looks like Spawn's cape.

When Peter returns home, with Mary Jane distraught. Poor MJ. She's worried about her baby possibly become deformed due to Peter's irradiated blood, but Peter is never around to help her.  MJ is understandably taking her frustration out on Peter.

Honestly, it's another interesting plot line that has a ton of real-world drama. It's a relatable concern of any parents: Am I able to love my child if they're different? It's a shame that it gets less focus in favor of wild sci-fi plots.

Unfortunately, Traveller interrupts the couple. After a battle scene that involves a fake ultimatum where  Aunt May's soul in the balance, Traveller reveals that he needs Spider-Man's help to avert a city-wide apocalypse.  If time is an essence, maybe don't waste time on stupid BS mind games, Traveller?

It turns out Traveller and his Host is responsible for destruction, even though he blames it all on Spider-Man. When Spider-Man asks  why doesn't he stop the Host, Traveller simply says they won't listen to him. Which is weird since he's their leader.

The whole conversation is really stupid and defies logic. In the meantime, the Hosts  are  sabotaging a nuclear heating plant and Peter predictably stops them. What is UN-predictable  is how that somehow leads to causing a transpatial  rip in time and space.
So to recap, a nuclear substation sabotage leads to a time vortex in the middle of the sky. If you don't follow that logic, then you know more about nuclear fission than writer Howard Mackie!

Traveller starts sucking all the time energy (?) into his body and we see possible flashbacks to Traveller's past. Apparently, he has been present at multiple historical events that date back centuries. Traveller is getting sucked into the warp zone until Spider-Man saves him. And then the vortex simply disappears.
As far as endings go, that's more abrupt than a even typical Clone Saga story- which tend to have truncated endings.


By the Numbers

Lets tally up to see what the Clone Saga has done so far:

Notable Developments:

  • Mary Jane confronts Peter about their baby possibly being deformed
  • Judas Traveller and the Scrier may be revealed to be centuries old
  •  Um.... that's it...

Shadow Mystery Men:

  • Judas Traveller
  • Mr. Thorpe
  • The Scrier 
  • Mr. Nacht 
  • The new Green Goblin

Subplots Count:

  •  Mary Jane is concerned for her baby's health
  • Kaine "sees" Mary Jane's murder
  • Kaine stalks Ben Reilly AND Peter Parker
  • Daily Bugle report Ken Ellis' obsession with Scarlet Spider
  •  Ben and Peter switch places in prison. 
  • Thorpe wanting to kill Spider-Man for unknown reasons
  • Spider-Man and Scarlet Spider are unsure who is the real clone
  • Third Peter is Freakface
  • Jackal wants the Carrion Virus to create a race of super-clones
  • Judas Traveller is helping Peter for unknown reasons
  • Other super-villains are teamed-up to kill Kaine
  • MJ asks Black Cat for help
  • Detective Raven and Stunner team-up to hunt for Kaine 
  • Who is the new Green Goblin?

Clones Running Around:

  • Ben Reilly
  • Kaine
  • Freakface
  • The first Gwen clone

Repetition is My Job, My Job is Repetition:

  • No repetitive scenes in this story! Good job!
Verdict

 Nothing  makes logical or narrative sense. It feels like a series of random, disconnected events. Did Mackie just use a random plot generator to make this script? Trying to make sense of the issue is insane.

Also, I still hate Traveller and this story line only strengthens my hatred towards him. His personality is annoying, his dialogue is too cryptic, his motives are super broad, and his powers are too over-the-top. Readers can't engage with him because there is no tangible, relatable character traits to latch onto. He is written mysterious for the sake of mystery, but no characterization.

For the previous Fan Retrospectives on the Clone Saga, click here.


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