Kraven's Last Hunt
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Kraven's Last Hunt (also known as Fearful Symmetry) is an acclaimed comic book story by J.M. DeMatteis and Mike Zeck published in 1987, featuring the final battle between Kraven the Hunter and Spider-Man. The story took place in Web of Spider-Man #31-32, Amazing Spider-Man #293-294 and Spectacular Spider-Man #131-132.
This story has been collected as a hardcover and a trade paperback over the years. A new Marvel Premiere Hardcover edition of this story was released in March 2007 (ISBN 0-7851-2330-X).
The story has two themes that occur repeatedly: Kraven frequently saying to himself, "They said my mother was insane." with the last time being just before he commits suicide; as well as a version of the chorus of William Blake's poem The Tyger: "Spyder, spyder burning bright! In the forests of the night what immortal hand or eye could frame thy fearful symmetry?"
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[edit] Story
In Kraven's Last Hunt, the supervillain hunter's aggravation with his inability to run the superhero down further destroyed his sanity. With that, he hatched a scheme that actually defeated Spider-Man, and seemingly and uncharacteristically shot him dead. Kraven then buried him.
After this, Kraven donned a copy of Spider-Man's costume and sought to prove that he was superior at his adversary's activities. He roamed the city attacking criminals including, by coincidence, saving Mary Jane from some thugs. The culmination was his successful unarmed capture of the supervillain, Vermin, whom Spider-Man needed the help of Captain America to defeat. After that triumph, Spider-Man revived from the tranquilizer dart he was actually shot with and dug his way out of the grave. Kraven greeted him and explained that he had made his point about defeating his enemy.
Kraven released Vermin and saw Vermin defeat Spider-Man, but intervened to save Spider-Man's life. He rewarded Vermin by letting him go free and told Spider-Man that if he left now, he could still catch him. Kraven gave his word that this was his final hunt, for what more was there to prove? While Spider-Man went after Vermin, Kraven committed suicide reminiscing about the past and about how peaceful his spirit seemed now. Spider-Man had his rematch with Vermin and overcame the beast, finally able to defeat Vermin on his own.
[edit] Related stories
[edit] Soul Of The Hunter
Due to the success of this story, a sequel of sorts was published in August 1992 as a 48-page prestige format graphic novel titled Amazing Spider-Man: Soul Of The Hunter (ISBN 0-87135-942-1), written again by J.M. DeMatteis and drawn by Mike Zeck, with inks by Bob McLeod. In this story, Spider-Man is confronted by Kraven's ghost. Unsure what to make of this apparition, Spider-Man goes to Kraven's grave, where he sees an apparition that appears to be Death. Death tells Spider-Man that he and Kraven share a spiritual bond, and that Kraven's soul cannot find the peace it craves because of Kraven's suicide. Spider-Man is then forced to confront Kraven's body from the grave. Spider-Man appears to be ready to submit to allowing himself to be dragged down with the body, but then fights back and makes his way back to the surface. Having done so, he has freed Kraven's soul and allowed it to find its final rest.
[edit] What If? and What The--?!
In issue #17 (second series, September 1990) of the marvel alternative history title, What If?, Kraven uses real bullets instead of tranquilizers, thus killing Spider-Man and assuming his place. Eventually, at the request of Mary Jane, Daredevil, Captain America, and the Human Torch all confront Kraven, who eventually returns to Spider-Man's grave, digs him up, and though not directly shown, it is implied he consumes portions of Peter's body to gain his strength. Afterwards, Mary Jane holds a press conference to attempt to clear Peter's name of Kraven's time as Spider-Man, with the issue ending on the note that Mary Jane has a lot of work ahead of her.
An issue of Marvel's satire series What The--?! spoofed "Kraven's Last Hunt" as "Raven's Last Hunt." The spoof featured the character's animal likeness, Raven the Hunter, as well as that of Spider-Man, Spider-Ham.
