Benjamin Richard Parker
Benjamin Richard Parker (often called Benjy by his sister) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is depicted in the alternate future MC2 universe. He is the younger brother of May Parker / Spider-Girl, and the son of Mary Jane and Peter Parker / Spider-Man.
| Benjamin Parker | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Spider-Girl #36 (MJ's pregnancy is first shown) Spider-Girl #59 (born) |
| Created by | Tom DeFalco Ron Frenz |
| In-story information | |
| Full name | Benjamin Richard Parker |
| Supporting character of | Spider-Girl |
| Notable aliases | Kid Carnage |
| Abilities |
|
Fictional character biography
Benjamin is born after a complicated pregnancy. Because his father's genetic code was altered when he received his powers, Ben is at a high risk of being born with some kind of genetic abnormality: deformity, disability, or perhaps even mutant powers.[1] Due to the risk to Mary Jane's health, her obstetrician advises her to consider abortion. However, remembering that she had faced similar risks when pregnant with her daughter May, Mary Jane decides to proceed with the pregnancy.[2]
Ben is born while his sister is fighting Seth, and to his family's relief, is apparently a perfectly healthy, normal little boy. His first name Benjamin is in honor of his uncle and great uncle, while his second name Richard is in honor of his grandfather.[3]
Benjamin seems to display some superhuman abilities, namely balancing a toy block on one finger while spinning his arm at a fast speed.[4] He was also seen dangling the block from his finger on a web-like string. May discovers Ben crawling on the ceiling of their home.[5]
He was once possessed by a miniature version of the Carnage symbiote. After his sister freed him from the symbiote by using the ultrasonic weaponry of the villain Reverb, his father notices that the baby's ears were bleeding, and realized that Ben has lost his hearing, likely because Ben's ears were far too underdeveloped to withstand the sonic waves.[6] The doctors in the hospital were trying to determine whether Ben's hearing loss is temporary or permanent. May is deeply upset over this and blames herself. Nevertheless, Ben still seems to be his usual, happy self. Since discovering her baby brother crawling on the ceiling she fears that due to his exposure to the symbiote, his abilities have somehow been jump started far too early (as hers only came about in her teens).
Normie Osborn agreed to fund an operation to restore Benjamin's hearing. The operation was a success, restoring most, if not all of Ben's hearing. When Benjy was going through it, Normie closely examined his body and found out that he was already developing his powers, but the exposure to the symbiote accelerated the process. Peter begins to fear that Benjy may be more powerful than him and his sister. This is strongly implied to be true when Ben spins organic webs to save both himself and Mary Jane after being thrown off a bridge by the Green Goblin, something neither Peter nor May can do. Despite being a baby, he was also strong enough for Mary Jane to hold on to without hurting him.[7]
It is also known that Peter is the only one who can get him to burp "in the morning" (as Mary Jane says it) by feeding him chili.
Spider-Verse
In the 2014/2015 crossover event Spider-Verse, Benjy's family come under attack from Daemos, a relation of the 616 Spider-Man's former nemesis Morlun. During the attack, Mary Jane, Mayday's boyfriend Wes, and Peter are apparently all killed and their home destroyed. Mayday flees with Ben and is rescued by visiting Spider-Men from other dimensions who are trying to save as many Spiders as possible from similar attacks by Morlon and Daemos' family, who call themselves The Inheritors. Mayday and Ben are taken to a safe zone where the Spiders plan their next course of action. The safe zone is eventually compromised and Ben is captured by the Inheritors. It is revealed that the infant Ben is a vital part of a prophecy that will help bring about the downfall of the Inheritors and involves "The Other" (Kaine), "The Bride" (Silk) and "The Scion" (Ben himself). However, conversely if the three specific totems were sacrificed together, their deaths will ensure not only the Inheritors remain in power forever but also will stop future spider-people from appearing, and thus preventing the prophecy. Benjy is eventually saved by Ben Parker- his great-uncle and possible namesake- and Spider-Ham in the final fight, Uncle Ben taking Benjy to safety and Spider-Ham taking Benjy's place to catch the Inheritors off-guard.[8]. Afterwards, it is revealed Benjamin's mother and Wes survived the Inheritor attacked, but unfortunately his father did not.
Web Warriors
Benjamin makes a few cameo appearances in 2015's Web Warriors series, looked after by Mayday, Mary Jane, Uncle Ben and is often visited by Anya Corzon.
Spider-Geddon
Benjamin is referenced several times by his sister Mayday in the event Spider-Geddon. After the latest battle with The Inheritors has concluded, Mayday comments that her brother is very likely still the Scion of the Spider-Scroll Prophecy, her alternate world sister Annie May Parker, Spiderling, informs her that The Other is still in play too and is closer than she knows. On Mayday and Benjamin's Earth, it is revealed that The Other has resurrected their father.
Other versions
Universe X
On Earth X, when Spiders Man, an African American villain mutated by the Terrigen Mist, attacked a middle aged Peter using his web illusions and trapping Peter on a world of suffer. However, Peter took control of the illusion and fabricated a world where he had his ideal life, including his son Benjamin who had grown up and took the mantle of Spider-Man. Then Venom, Peter's real life daughter May who had bonded to the Venom symbiote, defeated Spiders Man and broke her out of that fabricated world and convinced Peter to accept his real life.[9]
Arachnamorphosis
A version of Benjamin appears in What If?... Starring Spider-Man: Arachnamorphosis, in which he is the son of Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy. In this reality Spider-Man's powers began to mutate him into a monster along with Ben who inherited traits from the spider powers.[10]
Peter and MJ happily ever after
In this universe, Peter had overcome every hardship and he with his wife Mary Jane lived a good life, growing old along with their children, May and Ben.[11]
Last Avenger
In another universe, Ben was featured, where Spider-Man refused to join the Avengers.[12]
Spider-Dreams
Benjamin along with his family, May, Mary Jane and Peter, with the help of S.H.I.E.L.D. got new identities and moved away after Peter gave up being Spider-Man. He along with his family lived a full life and died of old age, while Peter, who gained longevity, outlived his own family.[13]
Spider-Girl: The End
In the alternate reality where April had accidentally killed her sister, April started impersonating her dead sister, but Benji saw through her disguise and revealed it MJ.[14]
Adventures in Spidey-Baby-Sitting
In this alternate universe, the son of Peter and MJ was born a spider-like human mutant, but despite of this, his parents still love him.[15]
Spider-Man: Last Stand
In the universe of Spider-Man: Last Stand, Peter had a son named Ben.[16]
House of M
In the reality of House of M, Peter married Gwen and had a son named Richie.[17]
Fantastic Four: The End
In the reality of Fantastic Four: The End, the son of Peter wore his father's suit and under the alias of Spider-Kid joined the Insect Squad.[18]
References
- The Beast of the X-Men, a noted geneticist, explained the probable risks to Spider-Man in Spider-Man #15, October 1991, by writer/artist Erik Larsen.
- Spider-Girl #40
- Spider-Girl #59
- The Amazing Spider-Girl #9
- The Amazing Spider-Girl #14
- The Amazing Spider-Girl #11-12
- The Amazing Spider-Girl #30
- Amazing Spider-Man vol.3 #14
- Universe X Special #3. Marvel Comics
- What If? Vol. 2 #88. Marvel Comics
- Sensational Spider-Man Vol. 2 #40. Marvel Comics
- The Last Avengers Story #2. Marvel Comics
- Amazing Spider-Man #700. Marvel Comics
- Spider-Girl: The End #1. Marvel Comics
- What If? Vol. 2 #34. Marvel Comics
- Amazing Spider-Man #500. Marvel Comics
- Spider-Man: House of M #1. Marvel Comics
- Fantastic Four: The End #2. Marvel Comics
External links
| Characters | |
|---|---|
| Locations | |
| Comic books | |
| Other media | |
| Toys | |
| See also | |
| |
| Major characters |
|
|---|---|
| Other characters |
|
| Teams | |
| Storylines | |
| Other | |
 | |