By Rafael A. Hernandez
#1
You know that trope where a former villain gets into a moral conflict that ushers them to mend the error of their ways? Not uncommon, right? Sometimes it bodes well for them, sometimes they slip back into evilness. The appeal: always wondering where their actions take them next. In Marvel’s new series Scarlet Spider, the character Kaine, former minion of the Jackal, is soon to leave his residency of Houston, in hopes of escaping his past life with Mexico as his oasis of freedom. Equipped with the enhanced abilities of Peter Parker, Kaine thinks of nothing but to leave all he has done behind. But along the way he rescues a young girl from suffocation and impending death. With this chance meeting, Kaine is shown the good that could come from his power. Scarlet Spider #1 is an adequate introduction to our protagonist’s potential pilgrimage. Though he is a heap of conflicted emotions, readers cannot help but feel a great story waiting to unfold.
#2
The Scarlet Spider is in full effect. Whether you want to call him a hero or an antihero, there is definitely some interesting character elements brewing with Kaine. He does not quite commit to being Houston’s newest hero but he acts more as a stand in. Seeing him place himself in a sort of ethical probation displays Kaine’s willingness to atone for his past sins. But despite his noble choice, Kaine clearly is not afraid to fight dirty. Whether it be throwing out an apprehensive driver from his car or shooting a gun at a fire wielding maniac, Kaine does what he has to do. There is no Peter Parker prettiness here. Edginess has become a prominent factor for our new Scarlet Spider and though issue #2 was just a taste of more to come and built off of the momentum from the previous issue, but it did so very well.
