"The Clone" first appeared way back in the Original Clone Saga in Amazing Spider-Man #149. The character would later return as part of the infamous Clone Saga of the '90s in the form of Ben Reilly. Ben is a fan-favorite for a multitude of reasons.
Although Ben's life and origins are tragic – he remembers a past that wasn't his – it's never stopped him from being a hero and filling in for Peter Parker when he needed it most. If something terrible ever happened to Peter, few web-heads are more qualified than Ben to take his place.
10 Giving Up The Life He Wished He Could Have
As the Clone Saga began, spanning all four monthly Spider-Man titles, Ben Reilly was a mysterious figure. He spent much of his early appearances on the outside looking in on Peter's life, both literally and figuratively.
One of the saddest moments in the Clone Saga came in Amazing Spider-Man #400. As Aunt May slowly loses her life, Peter, Mary Jane, and Aunt Anna comfort her and each other while Ben is forced to watch from outside the window. It is an inherently Spider-Man trait to give up the thing you want for the good of others. In this case, remaining hidden to keep Peter Parker's social life intact.
9 Taking Peter's Place And Being Sensational
After Peter and MJ learned that MJ was pregnant, they decided to leave New York City and move to Portland to live a quiet, normal life. Peter gave his blessing and asked Ben to take up the mantle of Spider-Man in his absence. Though reluctant at first, Ben ultimately ditched his Scarlet Spider duds, created a new Spidey costume of his own, and became the Sensational Spider-Man.
Few people have the skill, sense of power, or responsibility to replace Peter Parker. But as Ben is his clone and endowed with all of Peter's memories, experiencing those hardships and lessons in his own way made him perfectly suited to become the new Spider-Man.
8 Holding His Own Against Classic Villains
In Peter's absence, Ben was given the role of Spider-Man. However, keeping it was its own challenge, especially when New York is full of dangerous, costumed criminals. Through his tenure as the one and only Spider-Man, Ben Reilly faced off against some classic foes like Mysterio and Sandman.
The most trying challenge came when Ben battled Venom in an epic match that spanned several issues. Though most people were unaware it was a new person behind the mask, those that did find out, like the Human Torch, Daredevil, and even Venom, accepted Ben in the role. This further pads out his list of references for honoring Spider-Man.
7 Using Responsibility, Not Power, To Win
Spider-Man may have amazing physical gifts, and he may be technologically savvy when it comes to creating web-shooters and other advanced equipment, but Spider-Man's greatest strength has always been Peter Parker.
Peter has saved many lives, including heroes and villains, with his sense of morality and responsibility rather than his might – often imparting that wisdom onto his enemies when they needed it most. Thankfully, Ben shares Peter's memories and his moral codes. After a brutal battle with a fellow Spidey clone, Kaine, Ben convinces him to abandon his rage and vengeance and turn himself in.
6 Separating From The Carnage Symbiote
No one can entirely blame Peter for unknowingly bringing a symbiote back to Earth after the Secret Wars. The black suit looked so cool. However, once Peter learned the suit's true nature, he was able to overcome its mental hold and separate from it with some help.
Ben Reilly faced a similar, if not more daunting, challenge when he was forcibly bonded to the Carnage symbiote and became the infamous Spider-Carnage. Ben similarly fought his way to freedom and even risked his own life exposing himself – and the symbiotes – to dangerous levels of radiation to separate them from each other.
5 Making The Ultimate Sacrifice
Spider-Man is a hero who's willing to risk it all to save the ones he loves. Peter Parker has proven this time and time again by opting to sacrifice himself if it means others can live. Fortunately (or unfortunately), Ben Reilly is Peter Parker in all the best ways.
In Spider-Man #75, Peter and Ben team up to battle Norman Osborn who's returned as the Green Goblin, seeking vengeance. The battle is brutal with everyone giving it their all. As the Goblin glider streaks toward Peter, Ben jumps in front of it and gets impaled, saving Peter's life. In the end, Ben's body dissolves and proves he was the clone.
4 "Ben Reilly Is A Hero. And Heroes Always Win"
Spider-Men and Women (and Hams) from alternate worlds united in Spider-Verse. Readers saw pretty much every variant version of Peter Parker in the epic crossover event, including an alternate version of Ben Reilly who remained Spider-Man in his world.
The tie-in mini-series, titled Scarlet Spiders, saw Kaine, Jessica Drew, and this new Ben Reilly targeting the Inheritors cloning facility. In order to prevent more clones from being made, Ben sacrificed himself to destroy the facility, ending the Inheritors' immortality. It was an especially heartbreaking scene after Ben's many references to him always coming out on top.
3 Taking The "No One Dies" Vow To A Whole New Level
After the death of Marla Jameson, Peter made a new vow: "No one dies." This seemingly impossible task represented Peter's strong will and determination to never give up. In the epic comic event Clone Conspiracy, Ben Reilly returned as the new Jackal, with a warped mind thanks to numerous deaths and resurrections.
Ben made a vow of his own: No one stays dead. Having perfected cloning technology, Ben attempts to revive anyone who died throughout Spider-Man's career: hero or villain. While this isn't exactly "Spider-Man-like," Ben's determination to right the wrongs of his and Peter's pasts is a valiant goal but executed in all the wrong ways.
2 Sacrificing Himself To Stop The Inheritors... Again
As the Inheritors returned in Spider-Geddon so did a group of universe-hopping Spider-People to stop them. Led by Miles Morales and a new Superior Spider-Man, the Spiders searched for ways to stop the Inheritors a second time.
Working closely with Otto, Ben Reilly, having resurfaced after his stint as the new Jackal, devised a plan in which Ben sacrificed himself yet again. Peter Parker has risked his life on countless occasions, but Ben has sacrificed his life over and over. Thanks to Otto, Ben was resurrected once more, now with a clearer mind that returned him to "hero" status.
1 Replacing Peter Parker Yet Again In "Beyond"
After Nick Spencer's run on Amazing Spider-Man, the book entered a phase called Beyond in which Ben Reilly returns as Spider-Man. Thanks to the Beyond Corporation, Ben is outfitted with a brand new suit, capable of repelling webs and even withstanding nuclear exposure.
That last function is important considering Ben's new suit protected him from a nuclear blast, while Peter – wearing the old red and blues – was doused in dangerous levels of radiation. While nothing beats the classic suit, those old Parker Industries enhancements could have been useful here. With Peter sidelined, Ben returns as the one and only Amazing Spider-Man.