Ben Reilly (Earth-75)

You were wrong, Seward, so wrong. The reality does matter. It matters because I'm the only one who can make what all these people think Spider-Man was what he is. [...] When I put on this mask, it was about me, about becoming someone when I was so sure I was no one. But now... now it's about them. It has to be about them.

— Ben

A child soldier, a hired gun, an amnesiac, a barista, a student, and above all a hero, Benjamin "Ben" Reilly is the current bearer of the mantle of Spider-Man, protecting New York City and, at times, the world, after the death of his predecesssor.

Birth and Early Life

The man who would become known as "Ben Reilly" was born in the country of Latveria, an eastern European nation frequently at war. Raised as a child soldier for his country, the boy was given the codename "Kaine" in lieu of a name of his own. He proved exceptionally talented in the art of killing, and had a streak of successful missions. When Latveria finally fell to Transian forces, he was scattered along with a good deal of his unit.

Barely a teenager, Kaine became a soldier of fortune, travelling across the world's nations and earning his keep by the bullet. During this time, he became involved with or encountered the Assassins Guild and the Brotherhood of the Scriers on two separate occasions, respectively, earning him a fair amount of mystique and reputation.

Meeting Peter Parker

It was for this reason and his own mercenary nature, perhaps, that Kaine was approached by the rogue Scriers who had sided with Miles Warren. A former employee and scientific advisor to Norman Osborn, Warren had been recruited to a cabal consisting of Drs. Seward Trainer and Ashley Kafka, as well as police captain George Stacy. Following the death of the former's daughter, Gwen, the vigilante Spider-Man had become increasingly erratic and violent. With full knowledge that he might soon resort to murder, Captain Stacy and Dr. Kafka had aimed to assist him -- and, barring that, remove him as a threat. Warren, a former employee of OsCorp, had been tapped and recruited Trainer, an old classmate, to develop a manner of depowering the vigilante. Unbeknownst to most of the group, Warren and Osborn had both been involved with the Scriers and their mysterious web of contacts.

With Trainer's help Warren deduced the genetic nature of Spider-Man's powers and suggested the development of a genetic virus to transmit his powers and character to another; effectively, they would replace the web-slinger with another, more stable individual. Dr. Kafka and Captain Stacy rejected the plan and the group split, but Warren persuaded Trainer, who had offered up much of his time and resources to the virus' creation, to continue with their efforts. For this reason, he assembled the Rogue Scriers and contracted Kaine, providing the assassin with the virus' template, ready to receive Parker's genetic code.

Kaine stalked the vigilante for several days, as his employers utilized the rogue Scriers to arrange several ferocious battles with his rogues gallery. For the first time, the child-soldier witnessed battles as ferocious as any war he'd ever fought--but with the express purpose and result of saving lives. Kaine's being won over to the web-slinger's crusade ended in Parker's ferocious duel with an assemblage of his greatest enemies forming on the Brooklyn Bridge. Kaine's orders on the occasion were to take advantage of this onslaught to obtain Spider-Man's genetic code, but he instead revealed himself and explained the ploy, using the various traps and weapons he'd rigged the bridge with in an attempt to aide the vigilante.

Struck by Kaine's perception of him, a badly-wounded Parker agreed that a new Spider-Man was necessary, and provided the necessary genetic code--but it was Kaine he chose to inject with the virus. As the mercenary writhed and endured great trauma from his genetic code being rewritten, the vigilante insisted that great power must evoke great responsibility--the only thing that Kaine would remember after lapsing into unconsciousness.

In the aftermath of the battle and Parker's apparent death, the metamorphisizing Kaine was rescued by Warren and Trainer. In order to evade Stacy and Kafka's pursuit, Warren convinced Trainer to help him destroy the evidence: including the mercenary. Kaine's body was hurled into a smokestack at the edge of the city, but he managed to awaken just long enough to cocoon himself in webbing before reaching the bottom.

He lapsed into unconsciousness, his body finishing its transformation...

Brand New Day

A mysterious young man with currently no memory of his past, Benjamin "Ben" Reilly's life began when he awoke in a smokestack in Queens, eleven months after the Battle of the Brooklyn Bridge. Escaping, he would meet with discredited scientist Seward Trainer and be taken in by him; supplied with a name and a fake background, Ben took up work as a barista at the Daily Grind. He would also discover his superhuman powers, using them at first (and very briefly) as the Scarlet Spider before agreeing to take on Peter Parker's legacy and become Spider-Man.

Powers and Abilities

Powers

Spider Physiology- Through currently-unknown means, Ben possesses the proportionate abilities of a spider. While his powers were initially considered to be equal and the same as Peter Parker's, it eventually came to light that they are evolving and have new facets unique to him.

Superhuman Strength- Ben Reilly possesses the proportionate strength of a spider, making him much more powerful than an ordinary human (even those trained for combat). Simply landing on the roof of a car without carefully controlling his strength allows him to crush it and incapacitate the video with ease, and he proved capable of punching through the side of a steel pipe in a moment of rage, with minimal damage to his fist. He can also easily carry several people without showing notable strain (though maneuvering can prove difficult), and can trade blows evenly with those who have similarly enhanced strength, such as Captain America and Tony Stark. By focusing his determination, Spider-Man can temporarily surpass his own limits and perform feats that he would normally be incapable of doing.
Superhuman Speed- Spider-Man can move much faster than an ordinary human; he is even capable of matching the speed of and even catching a bullet (though that does not guarantee the health of his hands). He cannot, however, keep up with someone who specializes in speed.
Superhuman Stamina- In order to keep up his crimefighting pursuits for long periods of time, Spider-Man requires less sleep and rest than the average person. Seward Trainer later reveals through analysis that his musculature produces less fatigue toxins than an ordinary human being. As such, Ben can keep moving, fighting, and more for long periods of time without a rest.
Superhuman Durability- In keeping with his already considerable strength, Ben possesses an amazing amount of durability. He has repeatedly taken punches from individuals considerably stronger than him (such as Venom, the Jackal, and even the Hulk) while sustaining only minor bruises and scarring. One of his bones being broken is considered a rare event and indicative of a truly strong foe (or one, at least, who has stopped holding back against him). Even after taking a blast of flame from the Human Torch he walked away with only first-degree burns (though, in defense of the Torch, the attack was meant to only incapacitate and not seriously harm Spider-Man).
Superhuman Agility- Vital to his web-swinging, Spider-Man possesses a sense of agility that easily surpasses even Olympic athletes. His bodily coordination is also greater than normal, with Ben easily catching a plate he dropped mere seconds before, even as it toppled out of reach. His skill at catching things is good enough that even in his civilian state it has been remarked upon. His flexibility is also great, with Spider-Man making his way through various obstacles in the urban jungle of New York City with an ease that only superpowers could provide. This also aids him in dodging attacks; he can avoid numerous strikes at once through careful motions with his body, at several points evading multiple attacks from various angles at once.
Superhuman Equilibrium- Ben possesses the power to instantly orient himself on any surface, as if he was standing upon ordinary ground no matter where he actually is. This appears to activate on instinct, with his body naturally assuming the proper position on whatever surface he is currently perched on.
Superhuman Reflexes- Spider-Man's reflexes are much greater than even some of his fellow superheroes. Though it is aided by his Spider-Sense, he has proven adept at responding to sudden changes in the situation even without it, and it is thanks to his superior reactions that he can respond to the threats his sixth sense detects. This also provides protection against attacks he is facing for the first time; even though they can be considered unpredictable and his Spider-Sense does not give him enough data to respond effectively, his reflexes allow him a good chance at avoiding even these potentially lethal strikes.
Wall-Crawling- One of his more signature abilities, Ben has showcased the power to cling to any surface with his hands and feet. As time passed, he would demonstrate the ability to apply his 'stickiness' to the other parts of his body, though these require a mental (and manual) switching on and off. This offers Spider-Man a greater field to play with them many other individuals, even superheroes, as any surface is a potential ground for him to stand and otherwise move on. He can also cling to the floor itself, allowing him to resist wind pressure or strong gravitational pulls in any direction, as well as performing quick dodges. There does appear to be a limit, and if enough force is applied he can and will lose his grip. Certain substances, if coated on what he is attempting to latch onto, will prove repulsive to Spider-Man.
Spider-Sense-
Regenerative Healing Factor-
Venom Production- His primary 'unique' power, Ben Reilly's body produces a large amount of venom in the same manner as the creature that is his namesake. It is notably potent, though with training he learns how to modify and otherwise control the composition; while he cannot choose what specifically makes it up, he can reign in its toxicity and other such factors. Ben was also initially unable to control its release, and it mixed freely with any other bodily fluids he produced. With more practice, however, he gained control of this function and often chooses to release it either in his spit for a surprise attack, or from his wrists.
- Venom Blast-

Abilities

Photography-
Barkeeping-
Indomitable Will-
Genius intellect-

Strength level

Class 10

Weaknesses

None known.

Paraphernalia

Equipment: None known.
Transportation: None known.
Weapons:

Web Shooters
- Impact Webbing
- Stingers
- Fire Webbing
- Radioactive Webbing

Notes

No special notes.

Trivia

No trivia.

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