Kaine is at a crossroads in his life. Since being 'cured' and having a clearer mind, he needs to figure out where his destiny lies.
The Good
Kaine may be a clone of Spider-Man but he clearly is not Spider-Man. His main desire is to look out for himself. He is on the run for his past sins as Kaine. His plan is to run off to Mexico but he does have some of the Parker responsibility in his genes. Since the events of Spider-Island, he is able to think more logically and we're seeing that what makes Spider-Man such a hero could be something that's rooted at his genetic level.
I mentioned it before but this is an example of nature vs. nurture. Kaine had a horrible beginning but despite his desire to run, he's finding himself becoming more and more of a hero. But his methods wouldn't necessarily meet the approval of Spider-Man and the Avengers.
Chris Yost is making sure everyone knows this isn't Spider-Man. Kaine's way of thinking in the middle of a fight is almost scary. He may be cured of his previous way of thinking but there are still traces that remain. For anyone worried this would just play like another Spider-Man comic set in a different city needn't worry. Kaine isn't looking to be a hero and he isn't going to fight like one.
Ryan Stegman's art is perfect for this title. I wasn't completely crazy about the costume design at first but seeing it in action changes things. The action gets intense and there's a lot going on in each panel but Stegman's art keeps it all clear. Even the look and colors of the suit and the way he stands shows how Kaine feels without anything needing to be said.
The Bad
The villain hasn't impressed me. It might be from needing to know what his motivation is but despite enjoying the battle, I don't really care too much about who this guy is and what he really wants. The same goes with the 'victim' Kaine is trying to save. Obviously we need to find out more.
There's a point where Kaine has his masked removed. He might not see himself as a hero and is new to the concept but we're only in the second issue and his face has already been seen, and not by just an average civilian.
The Verdict
SCARLET SPIDER is not another Spider-Man comic. Chris Yost and Ryan Stegman are shaping Kaine up to be a killer struggling to be a hero. He's trying to do the right thing but also hasn't had the idea of being a hero pounded into his head. His methods will differ from Spider-Man's in a big way and any villain that gets his way won't know what to expect. The new villain we have is a mysterious one that could have some potential but I find it a little difficult to care about him. There is a bit of a twist at the end that could determine the direction Kaine goes in and we'll have to wait and see what he chooses. If you've been worried this is just another Spider-Man comic, you will be pleasantly surprised to see just how different SCARLET SPIDER is.