Houston gets a superhero - a clone of Spider-Man

The Houston Chronicle ^ | January 4, 2012 | Lana Berkowitz

[Thunderballer]

Scarlet Spider swings into Houston just in time to tangle with supervillains lurking in the shadows of the Texas metropolis. Consider yourself lucky if you have never seen the evil Salamander, who can generate and control fire.

Scarlet Spider is the star of a new Marvel Universe comic-book series that launches Wednesday with events at 8th Dimension Comics & Games and Alamo Draft House at West Oaks Mall.

Scarlet Spider/Kaine, a clone of Spider-Man, has a villainous past and is on the run to Mexico when life happens, said writer Christopher Yost, and Kaine stops in Houston. Yost of Los Angeles and illustrator Ryan Stegman of Flint, Mich., will be at Wednesday's book signings of Scarlet Spider #1 (Marvel, $3.99).

Setting up a superhero in Houston has been engaging for the Marvel duo. While they are in the city, they will be taking lots of photos and checking out sites to make their settings authentic.

"We are getting the lay of the land. The first issue really kind of sets up the character, and the more we go, the more we are going to explore," Yost said. "We really want Houston to be a character in the book. It's got personality and its own culture. And we really want to explore it."

Yost said 99 percent of everything in the Marvel Universe happens in New York. It was Marvel editor Steve Wacker's idea to send Scarlet Spider to Houston.

"He thinks that location is important in comics and that Houston is a growing area with a very large population. He just thought it would be interesting to get outside of New York City and try some new ideas," said Stegman.

[Thunderballer]

I think that I may check this out.

[dfwgator]

Can he play quarterback for the Texans?

[Thunderballer]

Ha! That’s a good one dfwgator. They could sure use him :-)

[thackney]

local spider ping

[thackney]

Consider yourself lucky if you have never seen the evil Salamander, who can generate and control fire.

ping

[Ditter]

sheeeeshhh I thought you were talking about a real spider. We don't need no more crawly critters here!

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Is that gay looking shirt on the Scarlett Spider? And is he wearing any pants? And am I the only one that thought Scarlett was a girl?

[Future Snake Eater]

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Maybe Scarlet Spider can be a new anti-Tea Party toolbag...

[a fool in paradise]

Send in the the clones.

[a fool in paradise]

Houston PING

In the first issue, he saves the public from the deadly menace of the Midtown rail line.

[a fool in paradise]

Houston PING

In the first issue, he saves the public from the deadly menace of the Midtown rail line.

[Slings and Arrows]

The next supervillain can be Sheila Jackson-Lee.

[DeoVindiceSicSemperTyrannis]

lol

[humblegunner]

The next supervillain can be Sheila Jackson-Lee.

Eaker already faced her down and gave her the shakes.

True story.

[Squantos]

Now there’s TWO super heros in Houston ?!?!?

Eaker and Scarlett Oh’Spider ?!?!?!

Ya have to admit, Eaker does look damn sexy in a cape.......:o)

Stay Safe Ya’ll !

[Slings and Arrows]

Oh? Do tell.

[Grizzled Bear]

Consider yourself lucky if you have never seen the evil Salamander, who can generate and control fire.

Hey, have you been holding out on us? When did you plan to share this information?

[martin_fierro]

Ping.

[Eaker]

Lol!

[a fool in paradise]

I need a hero!

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