Clone Saga Chronicles

In 2022, we were wrapping up Clone Saga Chronicles and Spectacular Radio. During that time, Gerard, co-host of both those shows, and I thought we should do a commentary for the Spider-Man 1 20th Anniversary. We had so much fun we thought, why not do Spider-Man 2? So here we are, doing another commentary track for your listening pleasure. This will screw with the legacy numbering, but what the hey. Video edition tomorrow on Patreon. NOTE: I made the mistake of watching it on Disney+ with ads. Sorry. My bad. It will never happen again. Happy 20th Spider-Man 2. You... Continue reading

It’s the End of an Era here on the Spideydude Radio Network. The Final Episode of Clone Saga Chronicles. This isn’t easy for me to type or write, nor was it easy to edit or even create this episode. We recorded this back in late April or early May and because of that, there will be some dated references. This episode is a tribute to our show, a tribute to the saga itself, and a tribute to the guys whose lives have changed in so many ways. Clone Saga Chronicles wasn’t the first show I did. That honor would be... Continue reading

The Year was 2002. The world was a lot different then. 20 years seems like it passed in a blink of an eye but in reality, it was a long time ago. Marvel didn’t own the Box Office, Disney had merely discussed purchasing it during the early 1990s, and the Tangled Web of Spider-Man on the big screen had yet to come. Join Zach and Gerard as they discuss what their lives were like at that point, how the picture almost never got made, how it affected the website, and more. Enjoy this Special Commentary on the 20th anniversary of... Continue reading

After 10 years, we are winding down the show. Back in 2010, Zach guest appeared on the 104th episode of Michael Bailey’s Views From the Longbox to discuss the Clone Saga. Zach always wanted to bring him onto the show, but never felt that it was the right way to do so. However, after going through the list of appearances of Ben Reilly, there was one story that he had never covered: Marvel Vs. DC. In what would be the first trade paperback he would ever own, Zach knew there were three people that he wanted to bring forward: Michael,... Continue reading

New Episode! Zach is back with the final 2000s episode of Clone Saga Chronicles. He covers why it’s been a while since we last saw an episode, mentions some changes in regards to his past associations, and of course in this go-around, he is covering the 2015 Spider-Verse storyline, which has a lot of Ben, Kaine, Mayday, and Peter Parker. Zach’s focus is on Ben and Kaine aspects of the story, as the Mayday Mondays Gang covered it in their 10th episode. I would encourage you to listen to both, as it gives a more complete picture. ITEM: We are... Continue reading

SURPRISE! A new episode for CSC? Yes Please. This Episode is a solo effort by Zach to explain the long and sometimes strange history of the Carrion character and the Virus he would produce. Zach tackles nearly all the appearances of Carrion as follows: Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man 25-31 (original) Spectacular Spider-Man 149 (McBride) Spectacular Spider-Man 162-163 (McBride) Spider-Man: Maximum Carnage (McBride) Amazing Spider-Man 390-393 (McBride) Spider-Man: Dead Man’s Hand (Dr. Allen) Continue reading

There is a sense of the beginning of the end of this show. Peter Parker: Spider-Man 75 was the first time I had read a comic starring Peter Parker that wasn’t a tie into the cartoon (Adventures of Spider-Man) or a back issue since my very first issue, Spectacular Spider-Man 223. It was an introduction to Norman Osborn that I had only seen in the 90’s show, that leveled him to the top of the food chain in terms of Arch-villains. It’s one of, if not my single favorite issues of Spider-Man of all time, notwithstanding other issues such as... Continue reading

Here it is. Finally. The beginning of the end, for both Ben Reilly as we knew him, and of this show. It’s been nearly 10 years, with unforeseen twists and turns, but it’s finally here. I’ll share more thoughts on a lengthy post later, but for now, enjoy the first three parts of Revelations, with Josh, Don, Gerard, Greg, and Zach. Issues Covered in this Episode include:Spectacular Spider-Man 240Sensational Spider-Man 11Amazing Spider-Man 417 Continue reading

In 2016, Ben Reilly returned. We hated it. Covered in Episode 62, we discussed the story that brought about the return of the character… and while I hated that story, I attempted to give it a shot, especially when Josh and I interviewed him in Episode 64. So, Zach goes through the 25 issues of the storyline, before jumping into the Spider-Geddon Story Arc that ran from Oct-December 2018. (Effectively catching up from every appearance in Spider-Clone-related stories). So, enjoy the final solo effort, at least for now before we resume our regularly scheduled programming. Continue reading

Just when you think Zach can’t find ways to discuss Slott Stories, he comes back around to discussing a Slott Clone Epic, known as Spider-Island. Published back in 2011, it had to Jackal doing…. weird things? Yeah, to be completionists, he decided to cover it. But he couldn’t drag anyone else into this one, so he did a solo shot. So sit back and enjoy this episode! Continue reading

In the first new Episode of 2019, Zach Tackles a HodgePodge of issues dealing with either, Ben Reilly, Mendell Stromm, Scirer, and more. A whole BOAT LOAD of issues are covered and they will be here for you to listen to! The next two episodes are going to be Solo Efforts, like this one. Look for more soon. Then, after these two, the first HALF of Revelations! YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS IT. Continue reading

Zach, Donovan, Greg and Gerard all are back to talk about the final 90’s issues of the main titles before the REVELATIONS Storyline. They cover the following issues: Spider-Man 73-74, Amazing Spider-Man 417, Daredevil 458. With this episode, every issue from the Ben Reilly Epic Books 1-5 is covered. Highlights include Judas Traveller’s final ‘revelations’, Scirer is revealed, Delilah is Bae (For Gerard, at least), and much much more. After the next few episodes, we will begin wrapping everything up with CSC. Continue reading

Zach and Gerard tackle the Grim Hunt Story. They discuss the stories that came before it, Kraven’s Last Hunt and Soul of the Hunter before the main event of The Grim Hunt. They explain the role that Kaine plays in the story and how it did or didn’t work. Check out this comprehensive coverage! Continue reading

Zach, Don, Josh, Gerard, and Greg all team up to tackle 3 issues: 9-10 of Sensational Spider-Man and issue 14 of Spider-Man: Unlimited In this episode, the gang wraps up their coverage of Ben Reilly Epic Book 5, and launching their coverage into Ben Reilly Epic Book 6. They also take a voicemail… that gets cut off.With this episode, we wrap up Sensational, joining Spectacular being done until Revelations. Naturally.NEXT TIME: Kraven’s Last Hunt, The Grim Hunt, and Soul of the Hunter…. An Analysis. Continue reading

Zach and Josh return to bring about a huge scoop! Peter David, the writer of Ben Reilly: The Scarlet Spider comes by to talk about the first issue that debuted on Wednesday, April 26, 2017. They talk about things like the origin costume, confirm is a hoodie is here to stay, and the overall thoughts on the pre-hype going into the book. Then we end with a great story of Zach and Peter, having a past encounter that led to the creation of a comic book. A MUST listen for any fan! Continue reading

One of the reasons that Blood Brothers (Covered in Episode 50) wasn’t the end of the Clone Saga was because of the crossover that is covered in this episode. Bob Harras’ big X-Men story was morphed into a line-wide scaled event, that gave us that wonderful relaunch of Heroes Reborn. You know, where the Image guys were tasked with relaunching the Avengers and Fantastic Four, Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America. Things that would be unheard of today. Nevertheless, we see the final issue of Mark Bagley, More John Romita Jr, the Debut of Mike Wieringo, and Ron Garney makes... Continue reading

This episode… Zach, Josh, Don, Gerard and Greg tackle the controversial storyline that run through the Amazing Spider-Man title from October of 2016 through March 2017. The issues that are covered are as Follows: Clone Conspiracy #1 Amazing Spider-Man (Vol IV) #20* Clone Conspiracy #2 Amazing Spider-Man (Vol IV) #21 Clone Conspiracy #3 Amazing Spider-Man (Vol IV) #22 Clone Conspiracy #4 Amazing Spider-Man (Vol IV) #23 Clone Conspiracy #5 Clone Conspiracy Omega #1*Briefly covered, but only because of the inconsequential nature of that issue compared to the rest of the story. What is their reaction to this story? A story... Continue reading

Back in 1995, Peter and Mary Jane left for Portland Oregon to start over. Peter then lost his abilities, and subsequently returned to NYC. They Left back in Episode 24, briefly before returning at the end of the Media Blizzard Arc, covered in Episode 42. This was originally supposed to have the Baby being born here, but as you’ll learn, that was axed. The story behind this mini-series is almost as interesting as the story which was brought forth. This is the mini that covers their time there. Joined by Big Al, Zach and him tackle the Not-So Final Adventure. Continue reading

Zach and Gerard return to discuss Redemption, which ran for four issues, chronicling the final confrontation between Kaine, Ben, and Janine, which was the final Ben Reilly Mini-Series that came out before Revelations. They then are joined by a surprise co-host towards the end. Also in this episode: discussion of rumors about a new Ben Reilly series, and reaction to Ben’s return in Clone Conspiracy.Next Time: The Not-So Final Adventure, then… Clone Conspiracy. Continue reading

The latest episode of Clone Saga Chronicles begins the wrapping up the Complete Clone Saga Trades with the backup “flipbook” story from Planet of the Symbiotes that was published during that story that starred Ben Reilly as the Scarlet Spider (for the Main Story, see Episode 53). Then, they jump to Ben Reilly Epic Book 5 to discuss the 2 part finale of the Spectacular Spider-Man story that began in 235,  (Known as ‘Little Deaths’) covered in the August 1996 episode, Episode 57. Issue 236 is the final issue that Sal Bucemea drew as the penciler of Spectacular Spider-Man, a... Continue reading

HAPPY 2017 all! As much as I posted on our Facebook page that we would be releasing this episode a while back, It’s finally here! Zach runs solo on this episode as he runs through the mini series that littered the Clone Saga and Ben Reilly Trades: Venom: Along Came A Spider 1-4 Spider-Man/Punisher: Family Plot 1-2 Spider-Man Team Up 1-5 Annual 96 While there have been many episodes devoted to specific Mini-Series, I felt it best to cover them in one fell swoop. I hope you enjoy this episode, and let us know:Twitter: @SpideydudeRadioFacebook: @SpideydudenetworkVM Line: 818-925-6631 Continue reading

Zach and the boys are back and they’re covering the month of August 1996. This episode covers topics like the deadly Delilah in Amazing, Peter Parker being sick over the course of the month, where Ben talks a jumper off the edge, the Lizard shows up, Ben Reilly battles the Scorpion with Power Man and Iron Fist, and Hammerhead gets taken out. Also Peter might have died.Issues Covered in this Episode: Sensational Spider-Man 7Amazing Spider-Man 415Spider-Man 71Spectacular Spider-Man 237Spider-Man Unlimited 13This is the final full month of the show that is covered, after this month, each title starts either having... Continue reading

Zach is back with a new episode with the usual gang of suspects as they tackle 4 books. These were published over two months (June and July) 1996. With this episode, we are caught up on the core books through July. Amazing Spider-Man 413Spider-Man 70Spectacular Spider-Man 235-236Highlights include a discussion of the toys from that era, The beginning of the best run on the Spider-Man title with John Romita Jr and Howard Mackie, a discussion of who the Dragon Man is, and much much more! So Join Zach, Gerard, Greg, and Donovan as they talk about these books! And Bonus:... Continue reading

Zach goes solo this episode in discussing Scarlet Spider and his time in the New Warriors. He covers issues 61-68 of New Warriors from 1995, and 1-12 of the Chris Yost-Penned 2014 All-New New Warriors. Continue reading

This episode, the CSC team cover the final 5 issues of the Chris Yost Scarlet Spider Title. Zach and Gerard tackle issues 21-25 and discuss the title as a whole. Check it out! Continue reading

It is finally here. The story that is your 90s delight… or nightmare depending on your perspective. Zach and the guys are back to bring it you. And you may be surprised by the scores of this one!!! Zach, Greg, Gerard and Donovan cover the 1995 Annual Replacements (Known as SUPER SPECIALS) of Web, No-Adjective, Spectacular, Venom and Amazing Spider-Man. Continue reading

Two weeks after the release of the last episode, Zach, Josh, Greg, Donovan, and Gerard team up to tackle three issues that came out over the summer of 1995. Cover Date May 1995 had the issue of Unlimited, with Adjectiveless’ issue being in June 1995 (which will be wrapped up in a few episodes) and July 1995 begins with Sensational 6. A big 3 hour episode where they discuss how Ben dealt with Hobgoblin, Jessica exits stage left along with Dan Jurgens, and the Skeleton Subplot that played a part of Blood Brothers somehow gets resolved after the fact, during... Continue reading

Finally… Ock vs. Kaine. Round two! The two part story covering Scarlet Spider 20 and Superior Spider-Man Team up #2 has this titanic team up, and the gang of Gerard, Greg and Zach then travel back to 1994 to cover the classic mini series Funeral for an Octopus. Yes, I said CLASSIC DAMMIT.  Did the trio enjoy these books? Listen on and find out! Continue reading

Blood Brothers was supposed to have been the end of the Clone Saga. For Zach, it was the official gateway to Spider-Man, as it was the first story arc he collected. While Sensational Spider-Man 4 was an incredible cover, 5’s cover with the Golden Man himself, Molten Man, was too good to pass up on this, the Golden episode of the Clone Saga Chronicles. While originally it was supposed to be ASM 400, then it was supposed to be Maximum Cloneage, then it was suppsoed to be the Greatest Responsiblity, and now here. The difference between this and the others... Continue reading

FINALLY… it has arrived. The Final Crossover Episode with Teenaged Wasteland: An Ultimate Spider-Man Podcast has arrived. The final part is covered here, with the epilogue to the Ultimate Clone Saga is also covered. Issue 104 and 105 from the first volume of Ultimate Spider-Man are covered this episode. Onward to Episode 50! Continue reading

The Penultimate Episode of this 5 part event is here! This time the Teenaged Wasteland: An Ultimate Spider-Man Podcast crew tackle issues 102 and 103 of the original volume of Ultimate Spider-Man with the crew from Clone Saga Chronicles. The excitement ramps up a bit as we draw closer to the finale. One more episode remains..Episode 49: USM 104 and 105 will come to you soon! Then, Episode 50! Continue reading

Sorry for the extended delay folks. More Ultimate Clone Goodness coming your way! Episode 47 covers  the double sized USM 100 and  it’s aftermath in 101. Zach, Josh, Don, Gerard and Jason are joined once again by Teenaged Wasteland: An Ultimate Spider-Man Podcast. Anyway, 2 episodes left on this event, coming to you soon! Episode 48: USM 102 and 103 Episode 49: USM 104 and 105 Following our event, we will have a special 2-hour edition of CSC’s 50th episode, covering Blood Brothers! Continue reading

Another week, another episode of our 5 part event! Take this episode with you as you travel for the long weekend this weekend. (At least, in America.) This time we cover Part 3 of the Ultimate Clone Saga, with an Annual added in for good measure. And to add to this not fearful symmetry, this was episode 47 of Teenaged Wasteland too. Anyway, 3 episodes left:Episode 47: USM 100 and 101Episode 48: USM 102 and 103Episode 49: USM 104 and 105Then we resume our regularly scheduled programming with Blood Brothers. Episode 50. Continue reading

Back in 2011, we crossed over with a show called Teenaged Wasteland: An Ultimate Spider-Man Podcast.  Hosted by Jon M. Wilson and Zack Henderson, they asked my crew to help them cover the Ultimatized version of the Saga. It’s broken down in five parts: Part 1: Ultimate Spider-Man 97 & Ultimate Spider-Man 98 Part 2: Ultimate Spider-Man 99 and Ultimate Spider-Man Annual #2* Part 3: Ultimate Spider-Man 100 and Ultimate Spider-Man 101 Part 4: Ultimate Spider-Man 102 and Ultimate Spider-Man 103 Part 5: Ultimate Spider-Man 104 and Ultimate Spider-Man 105 *NOTE: While not apart of the Clone Saga, this issue... Continue reading

Web of Carnage was a four-part storyline that engrossed the Cover Date Month of April 1995. This would be the final time that the Symbiotes would be involved with Ben Reilly in the core-titles of Spider-Man. He would later face off against Venom in the Along Came a Spider mini-series. Ben tries to figure out the skeleton from the smokestack, Spider-Carnage becomes a thing, Jessica is revealed to be very close to Spider-Man’s origins, and more. Zach also answers a voicemail from Dan North. Next Episode: Sibling Rivalry and Funeral for an Octopus. Continue reading

Back in Episode 33, Kaine in story returned from his supposed death at the hands of Spidercide from Spectacular Spider-Man 227, which for more see Episode 16 on how it happened. Neverthless, Kaine has been in the shadows and is ready to take names of the Great Game. This episode closes out two months of Cover Dates. We covered most of Febuary 1995 between the last two regular episodes, (Unlimited issue from Return of Spider-Man, and Return of Kaine begins in the month prior’s Spectacular, after Media Blizzard.) We will then finish the rest of March 1995 with the Return... Continue reading

Zach, Don, Gerard and Greg return to the show that started it all: Clone Saga Chronicles to discuss the three part 1990s storyline Media Blizzard, featuring Mysterio, John Romita Jr., Mark Bagley, Mystery Vision, Zach being under the weather, and more. Issues Covered in this Episode:Sensational 1Amazing Spider-Man 408Spider-Man 65 Continue reading

Gerard, Greg, and Greg’s brother, Alex, sit down with Zach to discuss their time at New York Comic Con and eating Mary Jane’s tater tots. Continue reading

Zach brings you a new episode of CSC! He’s joined by the entire Podcast team of Don, Josh,Gerard, and Greg in this go around the guys cover: ASM 407, SM 64, Spectacular 230, Sensational 0, and Unlimited 11. These books were under the ‘Return of Spider-Man’ Banner, and so that’s the name of this episode! Continue reading

The guys cover the second episode, “The Spider Slayer”! How much of the series is built up and introduced from here? Download to find out! Continue reading

Welcome to the first of the 1994 Spider-Man animated series commentaries! In this initial episode, the gang of Zach, Josh, Gerard and Don watch the first episode “Night of the Lizard”! Watch with them and hear them discuss their origins with the show and how it may hold up today! Continue reading

Back in 2008, Zach Joiner and Kevin Cushing held a debate about Mayday Parker. (Zach got his butt handled to him.) Now, 6 years later, the duo gather and debate the OTHER Spider-Girl, Arana and MayDay Parker. Also in this episode: -Zach answers a Voicemail (If you want call in it’s 818-925-6631) -Also Reads an email ([email protected])  -Zach and Kevin discuss the publishcation history of the two characters -Discuss what would be a good Spider-Girl book to pitch -Discuss the 2010 Spider-Girl 8 issue series -Stella discusses her Spider-Girl pitch -Zach answers a facebook message -Zach sends a shout-out to... Continue reading

In this episode of Clone Saga Chronicles, Zach is rejoined by Greg and Gerard to discuss Wolverine Vs. Kaine. The storyline starts off well enough, until an X-Men Story overtakes it. Listen to the guys break down one of the final arcs of the title. Continue reading

The episode completes the Cyberwar storyline, and the guys read your emails! Continue reading

Zach and the guys tackle three issues this episode. Cyberwar was the storyline that ran through all the core Scarlet Spider Titles, and Scarlet Spider crossed over with the Green Goblin. Zach reads your emails, and hears your voicemails. (Spoiler, there weren’t any.) So Click Play and go back to 95 as the guys ride into the internet. Continue reading

Greg Gerard and Zach tackle “In The Midst of Wolves” and “A Good Ol’ Fashioned Rodeo” which was released in 2013 (Jan-Apr) issues 13-16. Continue reading

Back in Episode 12, Donovan was warned of a reton that made no sense, and was told the issue it was in was ridiculous. Now, join us as we attempt to explain cults, Jackal-Men and the High Evolutionary. First, Zach and the guys tackle the news about the New Warriors (WITH KAINE) being re-launched. They get into the production of Unlimited #1, Rage over furries and street sharks, and try to make the most of an issue that may be the worst ever. So join us by clicking play NOW! Starring Zach, Gerard, Donovan and Joshua. Continue reading

Zach is back and he’s bringing Gerard and Greg  along for the ride to talk a bit about Scarlet Spider 12 and 12.1. One issue, they enjoyed but the other wasn’t so enjoyable. Click Play to find out. Continue reading

Despite having a massive site outage that lost them a year, the Clone heads enter their fourth-anniversary tackling month 1 of the Scarlet Spider title swap. Zach, Don, Josh, and Gerard take on the first month of the ‘Scarlet Spider Era’ of books as Amazing, Web, Spectacular, and Spider-Man were replaced for two months. This episode covers Amazing, Spectacular, Web of, and Scarlet Spider #1. The first of two episodes covering the month of November 1996. Covered in this episode: Scarlet Spider Cancelled, iTunes Reviews, and reviews. Also: VR Troopers Continue reading

Episode 30 has Zach joined by GregXB. In this episode they discuss the Minimum Carnage storyline that ran though Scarlet Spider and Venom title. (Issues 10-11 and 26-27) Join them as they discuss the storyline in all its glory! Continue reading