One Of Spider-Man's Greatest Foes Returns In The Clone Conspiracy

"Dead No More: The Clone Conspiracy" begins in earnest for Spider-Man in today's The Clone Conspiracy #1. In the issue, Spider-Man finally becomes aware of the Jackal's ongoing plotting. However, to Spider-Man's surprise, and old foe he thought gone for good was waiting for him.

Spoilers for The Clone Conspiracy #1 follow.

The Clone Conspiracy #1 picks up at the funeral of Jay Jameson. Spider-Man naturally feels both grief and guilt over Jay's death since it was Peter Parker who told Aunt May to decline New U's procedures.

Peter decides to check up on the Parker Industries employee who did receive treatment from New U. Peter finds that, after missing a few doses of medication, the employee went feral and then went missing.

Peter decides that it's finally time to investigate the New U facility and sneaks inside as Spider-Man. There he discovers the still conscious nervous system of the Parker Industries employee being kept alive in a vat.

At this point, Spider-Man is stumbles upon Miles Warren, the villain known as the Jackal, and is then attacked by Rhino and the new Electro. Spider-Man manages to incapacitate the villains, but is then struck by the appearance of Gwen Stacy.

While Spider-Man is distracted by Gwen, he is suddenly set upon by the metallic, tentacle arms of…

Doctor Octopus is back. This shouldn't be too surprising to anyone who has been following events in Amazing Spider-Man. That series revealed that Doctor Octopus managed to install his consciousness into the Living Brain, where he has been biding his time until he could take over Peter Parker's body once more.

However, recent events – including Dr. Octopus realizing that, even restored to Parker's body, the object of his affection, Anna Maria Marconi, would never feel the same way about him again – have caused Dr. Octopus to lose his patience. As the Living Brain, he went mad and attacked Peter Parker. The Living Brain was destroyed, but Dr. Octopus's mind survived in one of mobile bots and headed to New U. It looks like The Jackal was able to restore Dr. Octopus to his former self.

The Clone Conspiracy #1 is on sale now.