Sibling Rivalry Part One

In his secret lab, the Jackal and one of his clones are working on a new project. Other than the usual Gwen Stacy clones they are working on an army of Spider-Clones that are less human.

Meanwhile, in New York City, Otto Octavius revels over the fact that he has stolen the life of Peter Parker.[1] He has made it his goal to become a superior version of Spider-Man. He has gotten closer to this goal now that he has spider-bots all over the city alerting him of crimes, as well a brand new lair and henchmen to do his bidding.[2] This affords Otto time to focus on “Peter Parker’s” work at Horizon Labs as well as work on his budding relationship with Anna Maria Marconi. As far as Otto Octavius is concerned, the world is no his oyster.

When Otto returns to Peter Parker’s apartment he is greeted by the Scarlet Spider. The Spider has been watching “Peter” for the past few days and is impressed with how he has changed. At first, Otto doesn’t know who this person is until the Scarlet Spider takes off his mask and he sees Peter Parker’s face looking back at him.[3] Otto then realizes that this is the clone of Peter Parker and remembers how, long ago, this same clone snapped his neck.[4] Suddenly, Otto attack Kaine as he wants to avenge this previous affront. Knocking the Scarlet Spider out the window gives Otto time to change into his Spider-Man costume and continue his attack outside.

Kaine is surprised and confused over why Spider-Man is attacking him.[5] When Kaine finally fights back, Otto is surprised that he is stronger than him. Still, Otto intends to defeat him in the name of Doctor Octopus, but then reminds himself that he is no longer Doctor Octopus, but Spider-Man. The Scarlet Spider eventually gets the upper-hand but is then ambushed by some kind of spider-monster that knocks him off the side of a building. Watching the monster attacking Kaine, Spider-Man notices that the creature also has optic blasts. That’s when more of these creatures arrive and Otto realizes they all have mutant powers.[6]

Deciding to leave these monstrosities to kill Kaine, Spider-Man attempts to leave but the spider-mutants ambush him. Surprisingly, Spider-Man is saved by the Scarlet Spider who still has no idea that Peter Parker’s life has been taken over by his greatest enemy. As Kaine continues to fight the monsters, Otto decides to take this opportunity to kill Kaine, who he sees as an abomination, since the spider-clones can’t talk allowing him to blame his death on these monsters. However, before Otto can land the killing blow he is hit in the face by some of Carrion’s red dust. This announces the arrival of the Jackal and Carrion. Carrion then attacks the Scarlet Spider begins burning his face with his deadly touch. Otto is disturbed because the Spider’s scream is disturbingly like Peter Parkers. He debates leaving Kaine to die but decides that if anyone is going to kill this clone, it’ll be him. Spider-Man then saves the Scarlet Spider and the two argue over who is going to take down the Jackal.

However, before they can attack their foe they are blasted from behind by clones of Gwen Stacy and Miles Warren. Otto recognizes the Stacy woman from Peter Parker’s life.[7] As he and the Scarlet Spider pass out, the Jackal and his minions stand over the pair, the Jackal can’t wait for the next phase of his plan.

This story is continued in Scarlet Spider (vol. 2) #20….

Recurring Characters

Spider-Man, Scarlet Spider, Jackal, Carrion, Gwen Stacy clone, Miles Warren clone, Anna Maria Marconi

Continuity Notes

1. Otto stole Spider-Man’s life in Amazing Spider-Man #698-700.

2. Otto has been stepping up Spider-Man’s game by creating an army of spider-bot to monitor the city in Superior Spider-Man #2 and establishing his lair, Spider-Island Two, and his Spiderling army in Superior Spider-Man #14.

3. Otto, at least, had been aware of this “second Spider-Man’s” activities in Houston, Texas. This is where Kaine has been operating since Scarlet Spider (vol. 2) #1.

4. Kaine actually murdered Doctor Octopus by snapping his neck in Spectacular Spider-Man #221. However, Otto was later resurrected by the Hand in Amazing Spider-Man #427.

5. Kaine mentions how he once sacrificed his life for Peter Parker. When the Kravinoff family were hunting spiders, Kaine took Peter’s place in a sacrifice that was supposed to resurrect Kraven the Hunter. Although Kaine died, he was quickly resurrected when the Other chose him as its new host. See Amazing Spider-Man #634-637 and Scarlet Spider (vol. 2) #13-14.

6. These clones were given the powers of the X-Men because the Jackal had raided one of Mister Sinister’s labs, as seen in Avenging Spider-Man #16.

7. Otto recalls how the real Gwen Stacy was murdered by the Green Goblin, which happened in Amazing Spider-Man #121. He also recalls how he was responsible for the death of her father, George Stacy. George died in Amazing Spider-Man #90 when he pushed a child out of the way of falling debris caused by a battle between Spider-Man and Doctor Octopus.