When we first saw Kaine in Web of Spider-Man #119, he was a dark, mysterious character. The only thing we knew about him was that he was an expert assassin and had an interest in the Scarlet Spider. As the Clone Saga progressed Kaine became even more interesting. We learned that he hated Ben Reilly, the Scarlet Spider. We also discovered that he had precognitive visions that Mary Jane Watson-Parker would be murdered. Kaine seemed to care a great deal about Peter Parker and his alter ego, Spider-Man. The reasons for this at the time were unclear. In order to protect Mary Jane from death, Kaine fought with some of Spider-Man's enemies. He killed the Grim Hunter by simply touching him. His touch caused scarring on the anyone's body. It was known as the Mark of Kaine. After the Grim Hunter, Kaine killed the original Doctor Octopus. This occurred right after Doc Ock cured Peter Parker of a lethal virus.
During the Trial of Peter Parker story arc, readers finally learned of Kaine's origin. He was in fact the first clone Miles Warren had ever created. However, he was cast out after he exhibited the first signs of clone degeneration. This disease affected his body by causing scarring and tremendous amounts of pain for Kaine. To cope with the disease, his spider powers were enhanced and increased his body size. The precognitive flashes that he endured were in reality an enhanced spider sense. The Mark of Kaine is related to his ability to cling to any surface. Kaine hated Ben Reilly because he thought Reilly was the real Spider-Man. He wanted Peter (who he thought was a clone) to have the life that he might have had.
Kaine tormented Ben for five years. He went wherever Ben went. While in Salt Lake City Kaine fell in love with a cop, Louise Kennedy. However, she was corrupt and was working for a mob boss named Vincent Tannen. Kaine murdered her and was pursued by her partner Jacob Raven. (See the Trial of Peter Parker and the Lost Years for more information) Kaine was killed during the Maximum Clonage story line but was brought back to like by the creator of the Great Game. His body was placed in a regeneration chamber soon after his death. Kaine eventually tried to get Ben to kill him but Ben refused. Instead Kaine turned himself over to the authorities to pay for his crimes.
