Comics A question to all of the Ben Reilly fans here

[so-tite]

NOTE: I posted this on CBR and I thought it would be adequate if I also posted this here.

There has been a lot of talk recently, both from fans and editors as well as a few creators, concerning a possible return for the Ben Reilly character. I'm not sure of the chances for this (especially with all the jokes about clones since then), but it's possible.

There would have to be way to show demand for the character. Marvel knows there's demand, but they need to know if it will translate into sales.

One way would be if sales for X-Men/Spider-Man #3, the first Ben Reilly appearance in years, were higher compared to the other issues in the mini. Admittedly, this issue would have to sell in VERY large numbers, especially since issue one sold out and the trend is likely to continue:

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=18799

Here are words from Tom Brevoort that could apply to this situation:

Protestors need to take their cues from the SPIDER-GIRL fans. Now, those cats are organized, and intelligent about what they do, and as a result, they've saved that title from cancellation on multiple occasions. How do they do it? Simple--they realize what needs to be done to achieve their goal, and they work to get it done. They know that only an upturn in sales can prevent their preferred title from going under, and so they organize, get the word out, buy additional copies and get them into the hands of new readers, people who are most likely to actually be hooked and pick up subsequent issues. They contact the buyers for bookstore chains, and ask them to begin carrying SPIDER-GIRL, both in single issues and in collected form. And they don't just whine about it, as most of these fan protestors do--they go out there and get the job done. I can tell you for certain, having seen it in action on multiple occasions, that every time those fans become active, we can track an actual increase in SPIDER-GIRL sales--it's a significant enough increase to show up. And that's what makes the difference--and what the fans who protested the end of Priest's BLACK PANTHER or Dan Slott's THING or any of a dozen other titles didn't manage to do.

and...

If you want OMEGA FLIGHT to become an ongoing series, then the surest, most certain way of making that happen is to get OMEGA FLIGHT to be ordered into stores well, and to make it sell through well. Because that's the bottom line--we're a publisher, and we're in the business of making titles that people want to read. Anything else is just pissing in the wind.

Full article here:
http://www.marvel.com/blogs//entry/674

Here are a few more good examples of productive methods:

http://www.savespidergirl.com/
http://www.comicboards.com/spidergirl/
http://www.comicboards.com/app/show.php?msg=spidergirl-2008060821391700

Begging and pleading on the Internet is good and all, but fans actually have to prove that they want the character to return. Internet demand is redundant if no one supports the books/characters/etc.

Hopefully, this could translate in more projects with the character. If this goes well, it could at least be a step in the right direction.

So why not go this route as mentioned in the quotes?

 

[Anubis]

Because Ben Reilly doesn't have a comic to buy up multiple copys of, give to people ,and tell stores to order more copies of. Hasn't for what? 10? 12 years?

 

[so-tite]

Because Ben Reilly doesn't have a comic to buy up multiple copys of, give to people ,and tell stores to order more copies of. Hasn't for what? 10? 12 years?

What about X-Men/Spider-Man #3, which I was referring too? If sales for that one issue does significantly well compared to the rest of the mini, it could at least show Marvel that there's some interest in more Reilly projects.

 

[Anubis]

I doubt it.

 

[Themanofbat]

I believe that XM/SM #3 will have the best sales of all four issues...

 

[WOLVERINE25TH]

Damn right.

 

[Spider Clone]

I come from Italy and i will try to support the return of Ben buying 2 or more copies of X-men/Spiderman 3
I know there are very little chances but who knows?

Months ago i've sent a mail to Christos Gage thanking him for bringing back Ben with this mini, here is the mail:

CNG
On Aug 26, 2008, at 4:24:03 AM, [email protected] wrote:

Hey Christos
I want to thank you for bringin back Ben Reilly in to the marvel universe with this mini.
It's really a good idea, even if it's a one shot i think Ben it's a great and very deep character.
When it comes out i 'll buy not one, but two copies of Spider-Man/X-Men #3 ^_^
Do you think it's possible to se him back in another story in the future ?
I'm also enjoying your story in Thunderbolts 122 -124....Good job!
Thank you again and Cheers from Italy!
Enrico.​

Hi Enrico,

I hope you enjoy it! I would imagine the best chance for bringing him back in the future is for this issue to sell very well, so buying 2 copies is a great start!


Best,

 

[Spider-Mike77]

Well, I used to come to these boards years back under a Scarlet-Spider screen name and we talked Ben's return to death. Then we got the Spider-Girl that had Peter and May on the cover with the Scarlet Spider image behind them. We really felt that if we bought enough, Ben would return. Now years later we have a awesome flash back story to pick-up. The only series I pick up on a regular basis is Amazing so, I'll get two or three issues of xmen/spidey 3 just to do a little to help the cause, but I won't get my hopes up. Ben does seem more prolific these days then he has in a long time.

 

[RAMORE]

I've ordered 13 issues of #3 and I plan to give to all my comic friends. Yes it was a hefty price but i'm trying to send marvel word: I will not support BND in any shape but I will support Ben.

 

[bryanss3]

Speaking of Ben I really wish they put the clone saga into a trade or something. that'd be nice

 

[RAMORE]

Yeah it would but it would be massive they would have to do it in volumes.

 

[bryanss3]

I wouldn't mind that as long as i can get all of it together

 

[RAMORE]

Yeah it would be cool to see it in print again and to me the majority of it was really good just went on too long and got ridiculous.

 

[bryanss3]

sadly it didn't get a video game in the 90's lol one the biggest parts of me getting into spider-man was maximum carnage for SNES to bad most of the story was stupid and basically the last 3 issues are all you really need to read. The Spidey animated series was awesome too. I wish he had a show as good as that now.

 

[kguillou]

As much as i would LOVE having Ben Reilly back, i think we all need to face facts here. The whole reason marvel killed him in the first place was because there's not enough room in the marvel universe for two spidermen who are exactly alike. Besides Ben's blonde hair, he is EXACTLY like Peter Parker. I think the very best option would be to have him as a supporting character that comes back every now and then and helps peter from time to time and then disappears for a while. Either that or make Ben Reilly a completely different person.

 

[Dom]

I wouldn't say they were exactly alike. They had their differences.
I would totally get a new series starring Ben, though.

 

[The Hill]

As far as personality goes, writers need to play up the fact Ben was off roaming the country for about five years. I'd think Ben would have picked up some unique personality traits from his travels. He should be more worldly than Peter in that reguard. Hell, they could go the Captain America route do flashback stories that would be relevent to what ever is happening present day, kinda reminds me of a Spider-Man team-Up issue when he teamed with Gambit.

 

[SpideyInATree]

Speaking of Ben I really wish they put the clone saga into a trade or something. that'd be nice

I have all the clone saga issues, as I was buying Spidey like a madman at the time, and it would be a lot of trades and a lot of hardcovers! I have all my issues in continuity order and it's A LOT of books, takes up an entire long box!

 

[RAMORE]

As far as personality goes, writers need to play up the fact Ben was off roaming the country for about five years. I'd think Ben would have picked up some unique personality traits from his travels. He should be more worldly than Peter in that reguard. Hell, they could go the Captain America route do flashback stories that would be relevent to what ever is happening present day, kinda reminds me of a Spider-Man team-Up issue when he teamed with Gambit.

I agree Ben was very different they only started writing him just like Pete after Pete left and even then it was the great unburdened spidey of a few years earlier not the dark moody pete who had been through so much. Also Ben was on New Warriors for a bit and at the time spidey never really had been on a team so that was cool and different. Most of all after they reconciled Pete had a brother and that was really cool

RIP
Ben Reilly​

 

[TwilightPro101]

I agree Ben was very different they only started writing him just like Pete after Pete left and even then it was the great unburdened spidey of a few years earlier not the dark moody pete who had been through so much. Also Ben was on New Warriors for a bit and at the time spidey never really had been on a team so that was cool and different. Most of all after they reconciled Pete had a brother and that was really cool

Entirely agree with those points.

 

[November Rain]

ben reilly is the reason i started collecting comics, a complete breath of fresh air.

i loved every moment of him.

 

[ben_reilly_s_s]

What happened to GreyHaven Magazine?
Is the Life of Reilly book still being released?

 

[WOLVERINE25TH]

The new home of Life of Reilly: http://lifeofreillyarchives.blogspot.com/

And the book's still comin' as far as I know.

 

[Chris Wallace]

As much as i would LOVE having Ben Reilly back, i think we all need to face facts here. The whole reason marvel killed him in the first place was because there's not enough room in the marvel universe for two spidermen who are exactly alike. Besides Ben's blonde hair, he is EXACTLY like Peter Parker. I think the very best option would be to have him as a supporting character that comes back every now and then and helps peter from time to time and then disappears for a while. Either that or make Ben Reilly a completely different person.

They killed him because fans hated the Clone Saga as a whole & it needed to end decisively, with no threat of ever returning.

 

[Traveller]

With the BND it's possible Ben Reilly's return. They would put him back the old continuity before the BND and we would be two Spider-Man series.
After fifteen years they would achieve their original goal: Ben Reilly would be the "real" Spider-Man but everybody would be happy this time .