'Spider-Man: Dead No More' Becomes 'The Clone Conspiracy'

Marvel Comics has been teasing this year’s big Spider-Man event “Dead No More” for months now, with teasers indicating the return of many beloved supporting characters and villains including Doctor Octopus, Uncle Ben and Gwen Stacy. Today, however, the true name and nature of the event has been revealed in the form of a standalone miniseries titled “The Clone Conspiracy” by Dan Slott and Jim Cheung.

Announced today via Entertainment Weekly, it's revealed that the mysterious man in the red suit resurrecting previously deceased characters is none other than Professor Miles Warren AKA The Jackal. The Jackal was responsible for the creation of clones such as Ben Reilly, Kaine, and Spidercide in the mid-'90s mega-event “The Clone Saga,” which I think is really a lot better than anyone gives it credit for.

The new event promises to take The Jackal’s scope beyond mere cloning, and it’s suggested that the villain may very well be playing with the nature of life and death within the Marvel Universe. The Jackal is known for his obsession with Peter Parker’s ex-girlfriend Gwen Stacy, who is usually his first port of call when he gets on a new clone spree. Plus Doctor Octopus’ consciousness is currently residing in The Living Brain automaton following The Superior Spider-Man, just waiting for a new body to call him.

Spider-Man: The Clone Conspiracy by Dan Slott and Jim Cheung begins in October, and will be supplemented by the main Amazing Spider-Man title, which will be co-written by Slott and Christos Gage.