101 Ways to End the Clone Saga
Near the tail end of the Clone Saga, Marvel released two one-shots. One was to pretty much fill in the blanks on how Norman Osborn did it (aka the Goblin Journal which I might post if people request enough of it). The other was this. A comic about all the writers, editors, and people who worked on the Spidey books wondering HOW IN THE HELL can they wrap this Saga which JUST WON'T DIE?! They devoted thirty-three pages to it. I will post just ten. I will warn you the things that you will read in this entry may drive a person mad.
Now before I go into the actual comic just to let you know the actual players in this little tale (that I know of at least):
Tom DeFalco and Howard Mackie = Spidey Writers, though DeFalco was originally the Editor who approved all this before getting back into the game. Glen Greenburg = Spidey Writer/Editor Bon Harras = Dark Lord of the Sith.. I mean Chief Editor at Marvel Ralph Macchio = Not the Karate Kid/Editor
The one shot starts with Harras holding a meeting of top Spidey personel trying to figure out, of course how to end the Clone Saga. For those wondering WTF happened in it before it switched to it's final stages well here it is:
.....
O_o
Did I just read and picture what I think I just did?! Damn Peter was a machine with Felcia. Make's ya wonder how many times he did it with MJ a night?
*ahem*
This end is rejected since they all agree by Peter outing himself he leaves himself open to all Supervillains and reporters wondering, "Why the hell would a supervillain go out and clone a nobody like Peter Parker? UNLESS.. Parker's got something to hide."
So one end rejected. Harras is then called away when some lackey tells him that Scott Lobdell got in himself in trouble with a Wizard Interview he took and Marvel Legal wants to talk to him about it. So exit Harras.
Mackie then faxes his idea how to end the Clone Saga. It's pretty much Pete wakes up to find Flash, Betty, and Robbie by his side in a hospital bed. He has no memory if he's Pete or Ben but recalls Pete and MJ watching Ben fight Kaine and it results in a explosion. Given that this Pete landed in water the hair dye possibly worn out.
Of course this one is rejected, as the three remaining (DeFalco, Greenburg, and dude who I don't know) say the fans would kill them if they killed MJ which they then flash the many character awards MJ has won for best supporting character.
The next one is Ben and Pete are with Seward Trainer when a THIRD Spider-Man appears. This one isn't a clone but the real Peter Parker. HOW!? Well this one has to due with time travel via Dr. Doom's timeplateform and that he's supposed to take Pete back to the past and live their life as Ben Reilly.
DeFalco says HELL NO since that one is over the top. Ralph Macchio finally make's the scene suggesting his take on to end it. During a battle with a supervillain (namely Electro) Ben flashes back to Kraven's Last Hunt. HOW!?
Well.. before we even get to that answer he's then attacked by Judas Traveler and his flock plus Carnage. Massive fight erupts which leads us here:
Too which that is knocked down for being too cosmic. If only Joe Quesada listened to them when he approved OMD...
Anyway, the Continuty Expert enters the picture and another way to end it is revealed.
And that's is knocked down due to all the stuff, "WTF!? We kill Ben just like that!? And no explinations at ALL!?" Then another one is given on Judas Traveler again and let's just be glad I won't go into anymore details then that.
So now they're all agreeing it has to be a big villain whose behind the Clone Saga but who? Well one of them suggests the Master Programmer. I know what you're saying WHO THE HELL IS THE MASTER PROGRAMMER!? Takes place during when the books turned to Scarlet Spider. Lady Ock was in cohoots with the Programmer. Clue #1 to who he was. Clue #2 well.. gee whiz doesn't that name sound familair too? Almost as if he's a Master Planner. Nah those two can't be related could they?
They pretty much spell it out for ya of who the Master Programmer is during the second take to end it with him. The first is revealing MJ and Scanner are holograms. Again that is knocked down to MJ love. Here's the second story involving the Programmer:
I don't really think this story was even actually followed up on after it was in the Scarlet Spider mini's. As for who the Programmer was? Yep it's Doc Ock though his mind digitized. The plot point I think was used again when DeFalco brought Ock back to life in Amazing Spidey post Clone Saga. But there was no real resolution to it except that.
Then we get three pages of utter Ben Reilly abuse. Him getting stepped on by a Sentinel due to the Onslaught Saga and him being used a fly swatter. It's quite getting insane isn't it? Are you growing mad from reading this?
I'm guessing at this moment you're minds are now either insane or melty paste. I still wonder why the hell I bought this. I have no idea who either of these two creators are. I never saw them on a major comic book after all this was done. And honestly, just how much do you think this was actually written and actual fact? In anycase, I do hope you stayed as sane as I have.
For the real backstage drama. There's this, the Life of Reilly by Glenn Greenberg.