KRAVEN’S LAST HUNT is one of the most seminal (and most messed-up) Spider-Man stories. Detailing Kraven the Hunter’s kidnap, live burial and identity theft of Spidey, the story explored the villain’s deeply-rooted inadequacy complex and capped off with a chilling self-inflicted gunshot. Now, just as blacksuit Spidey unearthed himself from the ground in that storyline, so too is Marvel digging up the past with GRIM HUNT. The story arc’s running throughout June in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #634-636 and Joe Kelly’s leading the expedition.
Spidey editor Steve Wacker set the stage…
"Kraven's family has been after Spidey since his daughter Ana first made her move way back in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #565… You'll find out more about their motivations as the story goes on, but suffice it to say, the Kraven family is a deep well of honor, entitlement and resentment. They don't believe Sergei's death was honorable in the least and that has driven them to a horrific decision. Spidey has been laid low by his returning rogues gallery throughout The Gauntlet... Not because of Kraven's [widow's] direct involvement, [because] she didn't actually hire villains to attack Spidey or anything like that, but she did position herself to take advantage of what she knew was coming. She has been biding her time for years with a hate that is long-stirring... In the meantime, Pete is a guy who has lost his job and is hurting as much as he ever has after facing off against the Lizard. This is not a good time to be Peter Parker."
Sheesh… Kraven’s got a lot of kids running around. No surprise, considering what a swarthy, ruggedly-masculine, old school mustached-ladies’ man he was. In addition to Ana, there was the Grim Hunter and “Al” Kraven from a few years back - - and probably more I’m either forgetting and or who haven’t even been revealed yet. They’re practically the Gracie clan of big game hunting-themed supervillainy.
The regular Spider-Man teams packing some extra .50 cal bullets in their elephant gun for this safari. JM DeMatteis, the original writer of KRAVEN’S LAST HUNT, is back for a back-up feature starring Peter Parker’s favorite evil, disfigured clone Kaine. Digging even farther into the fraternity of Spidey writers, none other than Stan Lee is back for a “Spidey Sunday Feature.” This is in addition to the four dozen other new comics, mutli-media stories and guest appearances that the Stan Man’s currently involved in. Sheesh… the man’s go so much power, I’m pretty positive now that 5 Hour Energy drinks are distilled from his vim and vigor!
Check out the rest of the info at Marvel’s website. In the meantime, what do you think of this, oh pelt-collecting Comic Vine community? Are you ready to dig up the past? Or should it stayed buried?
-- Tom Pinchuk is the writer of UNIMAGINABLE for Arcana Comics and HYBRID BASTARDS! for Archaia Comics. Watch out for the HYBRID BASTARDS! hardcover collection this March - - available for pre-order now on Amazon.com.
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