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A Mystery man has been contacting the Parker household and a sub-plot would be played out for several months before it would go on to become probably the most controversial era in the history of Spider-Man. The sub-plot is exposed at the end of Spectacular Spider-Man #216 where Spider-Man meets none other than Peter Parker? Remember Amazing Spider-Man #149 with the debut and death of Spider-Man's clone? Well, he came back! And it would be twist and turn and twist and turn and twist and turn every other issue in the Spider-Verse for the next two and a half years that would forever change the life of Spider-Man and his world!

Ben Reilly, the new name of the clone taken from Peter's Uncle Ben and Aunt May's maiden name, took center stage in many issues after his identity was revealed. Of course, if the clone was back, the Jackal couldn't be far behind, and in Amazing Spider-Man #399 he came back. The Jackal wasn't alone though as a slew of characters were born out of the clone Era including Kaine, who turned out to be yet another (failed) clone of Peter Parker's. Dr. Judas Traveller, a seemingly very powerful being who turned out to be not very powerful at all. Spidercide, another clone? Yep! The Scriers, a cult of beings that are seemingly connected to everything that happens in the clone era. There are many other characters in this era and they all played a part in it but a major turning point in the life of the Spider-Men occurred in Amazing Spider-Man #400. Peter's Aunt May dies in that issue in a very memorable story but was brought back a couple of years later by the Mastermind of the clone mess.

Ben Reilly eventually donned a new costume and life for himself after deciding to stay in New York City. Now known as the Scarlet Spider, Ben became even more popular than Spider-Man at one point and there was that little hint that he was here to stay and maybe even be the real deal! There were many running storylines set in the spider-titles that left it's impact in the clone era including The Mark Of Kaine, Smoke And Mirrors, Players And Pawns, and none more important than The Trial Of Peter Parker where we learn that Ben is indeed the real Peter Parker and that Peter is the clone. Maximum Clonage, where The Jackal's plans and life are finally put to an end set the way for the two Spider-Men to live a Jackal-free life. 

So many things were going on in this period including a new Green Goblin, who this time is a hero. A New Doctor Octopus, a female who replaces the original who was killed by Kaine. The Grim Hunter, son of Kraven and also killed by Kaine. The Scarlet Spider went on to join the New Warriors and the spider-titles ceased publication for a couple of months to make way for similar Scarlet Spider titles. Peter, on the other hand, decided to quit being Spider-Man, and took off with Mary Jane for awhile leaving New York City with one Spider-Man and Ben took advantage of it. In a new title, Sensational Spider-Man, Ben made his debut as the all-new Spider-Man with a new costume, dying his hair blond and accepting a new job at the Daily Grind coffee shop. Everything was fine in the Spider-Verse for the first time in a long time, or was it? 

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