The Amazing Spider-Man #149

The Amazing Spider-Man issue 149, published in October 1975, marks a pivotal moment in the series as the beginning of the 'Clone Saga.' Written by Gerry Conway and illustrated by Ross Andru, the issue was crafted to introduce a complex emotional conflict for Peter Parker by revealing that a clone of himself, created by the villainous Jackal, was living among them. This storyline emerged during a period of experimentation within Marvel comics, where creators sought to challenge the protagonist's identity and sense of self through science fiction tropes.

Ross Andru's visual style during this era is noted for its kinetic energy and clean lines, which helped define the mid-seventies aesthetic of Spider-Man. The reception of the story was significant, as it introduced the character Ben Reilly and established a plot device that would haunt the franchise for decades. While contemporary readers were divided by the introduction of cloning into the core narrative, the issue remains a landmark of the Bronze Age of comics, remembered for its daring departure from traditional superhero conventions.