Few comic book characters match the colorful and varied rogues’ gallery of everyone’s friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. Indeed, prime examples of comic villainy like the Green Goblin and Doc Ock sometimes overshadow other wonderfully crafted antagonists like Marvel’s preeminent trophy taker, Kraven the Hunter. That changed with the premiere of Sony’s Kraven the Hunter, introducing audiences worldwide and the Marvel Cinematic Universe to the King of Lions.
Noble by villain standards, Kraven worships the hunt and the dance of death inherent when hunting the most dangerous game. Versatile and well-traveled, Kraven has spent time as a member of the Avengers and Sinister Six, proving a valuable teammate and asset. Thus, in the spirit of the Hunter, I’ve poured over Kraven’s most noteworthy and entertaining comics, using decades of knowledge. The final product is this list of the best Kraven stories for readers to sink their teeth into before Kraven the Hunter.
Spider-Man: Origin of the Hunter (2010)
First appearing in Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #15, human mutate Sergei Kravinoff pounces into Marvel’s mythos as Kraven the Hunter. An aristocratic Russian gamesman, Sergei quickly becomes enthralled by the thrill of the hunt, finding a kinship with the beasts. Vowing to hunt the most dangerous game, he takes the name of Kraven the Hunter and sets his sights on America and the most dangerous prey, Spider-Man.
Printed in 2010, Spider-Man: Origin of the Hunter is an informative one-shot, reprinting Kraven’s first two encounters with his arch nemesis Spider-Man in fully remastered color. Additionally, three added pages, one in Amazing Spider-Man #15 and two in Amazing Spider-Man #34, provide deeper insight into the mind of the Hunter during these formative encounters and present Kraven proper. Lastly, Origin introduces Kraven’s daughter, Ana, providing a vital backstory for another of Kraven’s best stories.
A battle royale between the Hunter and the Web-Crawler, widely considered among Spider-Man’s best stories. After being showered by then consuming thousands of arachnids, Kraven the Hunter deems himself worthy. Here, Kraven engages Spider-Man, shooting him and burying him. For two weeks, while Spider-Man lies buried alive, Kraven impersonates him, believing he has become “the Spider.” But, when Spider-Man comes to and claws himself out of his grave, will he have the strength to deal with an invigorated Kraven and the vile Vermin?
An influential arc that impacts the characters for the next two decades, Last Hunt highlights one of Spider-Man’s most intense yet often underrated rivalries. Tragically, this introspective story culminates after Kraven realizes Spider-Man will never adorn his trophy wall. This failure to satisfy the Hunt results in Kraven ending his life. The Hunter will remain out of regular Marvel syndication for twenty-plus years, speaking to the creative team’s commitment to this best Kraven story.
What If? Kraven the Hunter had killed Spider-Man (1990)
What If? Kraven the Hunter killed Spider-Man is a dark, thought-provoking tale from Marvel’s What If? Series. It depicts an alternate reality where Kraven killed Spider-Man in the acclaimed ‘Last Hunt’ story and became “the Spider.” Donning Spider-Man’s black costume, Kraven dispenses vigilante justice on criminals while growing more unstable. Worse yet is the uncertainty surrounding Spider-Man’s disappearance until MJ discerns her love is dead.
Despite the somewhat melancholic plot point, this Kraven best tells a story of perseverance with appearances from S-tier Rivals character Captain America, Daredevil, and the Human Torch. Amid the havoc Peter’s death wreaks in his personal life, these longtime allies will join forces with a resolute MJ, ultimately thwarting a bestial Kraven and honoring Spidey’s memory.
The Amazing Spider-Man: Soul of the Hunter (1992)
Following the harrowing events of the ‘Last Hunt’ story arc, Spider-Man remains uneasy, and the traumatic effects the ordeal had on him leave him in denial. This angst leads to many sleepless nights and an eventual confrontation with Kraven’s spirit, forever trapped due to the ‘Last Hunt.’ In this ghoulish entry into the Kraven mythos, Spidey will come face to face with damned souls and fight a zombified Kraven to save their spirits from eternal torment.
Seeking to address some of the backlash and provide proper clarity following ‘Kraven’s Last Hunt,’ the acclaimed J.M. DeMatteis Mike Zeck, and Bob McLeod craft Soul of the Hunter. This notably spiritual tale hits the mark and artistically provides closure, thanks largely to Mary Jane Watson-Parker, whose empathy and healing love towards her husband resound throughout.
The Amazing Spider-Man: Grim Hunt (2010)
A follow-up to the well-received ‘Last Hunt’ storyline, Grim Hunt sees Kraven and his son Vladimir resurrected by his wife Sasha and children Alyosha and Ana. These rituals go awry, leaving Vladimir monstrous and tainting Kraven’s mind. Eventually, Kraven deduces that the Kravinoffs mistakenly sacrificed Kaine, a darker clone of Peter Parker, instead of the intended original, giving him the eternal curse of Unlife.
First published in Amazing Spider-Man (1999) #634-637, this riveting rebirth marks Kraven’s return to regular continuity. Given renewed purpose with his eternal curse and the prospect of rectifying his misbegotten demise, Kraven seeks to frame Spider-Man’s fearful symmetry, proving they are one. Yet, an enraged Spider-Man will pummel Kraven, leaving him defeated, vowing the Hunters will return stronger than before.
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl (2015) #32-35
In a lighter-hearted story with a team-up we never saw coming, Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #32-35 sees the titular hero join forces with Kraven to battle Mojo II. Conceptually comedic, any occasion witnessing Kraven not in hunt mode and teaming up with an animal-themed character, especially one as nutty as Squirrel Girl, deserves a spot on the list.
Surely an oddity among any Kraven list, this entry presents readers with a refreshing divergence from Kraven’s standard. Undoubtedly, the odd quartet of Squirrel Girl, Nancy Whitehead, Brain Drain, and Kraven oozes Guardians of the Galaxy Lite vibes in all the right ways. Lastly, this best Kraven read profiles are about as kid-friendly as Kraven gets, marking this great for younger readers interested in Kraven.
Two of Marvel’s most formidable hunters come face to face in this Kraven best. Fittingly titled ‘Logan Hunted,’ this quick-paced story follows Deadpool’s best bud, Old Man Logan, who is abducted and hunted by Kraven. The Hunter informs Logan that he always thought him the apex predator and wished they battled in his prime. But, due to Logan’s mysteriously weakening healing factor, Kraven feels compelled to cull the old, sick lion.
Choosing the place time forgot, Savage Land, for the hunt, Kraven arrogantly gives Logan a head start, vowing to mount his adamantium skull amongst his trophy collection. The ensuing fight vividly highlights the strengths of these animalistic characters as they war against the local fauna, each other, and their natures in this Kraven banger.
Kicking off in Venom #155, this 4-issue Kraven best pits former teammates and Sinister Six members on a collision course. When Eddie Brock uses his newspaper to help bring attention to the plight of the Dinosaur community living underneath NYC, he inadvertently attracts the attention of Marvel’s big game hunter, Kraven. After confirming their existence, Kraven elicits the aid of New York Mayor Wilson Fisk, who deputizes him to rid the city of the Dino threat.
This entry highlights the intensity present when former teammates lock horns with engaging exchanges and action-packed sequences. Throughout the story, Kraven proves his skills as sharp as ever, nearly killing Venom multiple times. Certainly, following the intro of one of Venom’s best antagonists Knull and Kraven the Hunter, Marvel has a bevy of quality Sinister Six material that further expands the mythos.
Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #16-23
The aptly titled Hunted story will see Kraven return with his one true heir, the Last Son of Kraven. After eliciting the services of the deadly simulator creator, Arcade, they capture many animal-themed villains and turn NYC’s Central Park into a murderous safari for the Great Hunt. Ultimately, this Hunt is Kraven’s method of forcing Spider-Man to embrace the apex arachnid side of his psyche, proving himself predatory like Kraven.
Taking Kraven full circle, Hunted is a nostalgia-laced arc rife with intrigue and treachery. This best features appearances from Black Cat and members of the Sinister Six and pays homage to many of the most memorable events across Kraven’s history. Most importantly, it highlights Kraven’s honor, a trait that differentiates him from most villains, and the emotional passing of the mantle of the Hunter, marking a new era for the character.
Hailing from Percy’s noteworthy run on X-Force and kicking off the lauded ‘Judgement Day’ storyline is this Kraven best. After recently inheriting the mantle of the Hunter, Kraven looks to prove himself and his hunting acumen when destiny finds him among the Arctic tundra. Indeed, after Kraven encounters a recently eaten Deadpool inside of a slain polar bear and makes a blood sacrifice to a Celestial, he seeks to infiltrate Krakoa and claim the greatest prize.
‘The Hunt for X’ brings Kraven back into the crosshairs when mutants stake their claim as the dominant species. Of course, Kraven takes this as a personal challenge and must establish himself as the apex predator. Proving himself the most dangerous iteration of the Hunter to date, Kraven takes on X-Force and his old quarry, Beast and Wolverine, claw-to-blade in this story that deserves a spot in any reader’s bin.
Published: Dec 25, 2024 11:00 am