Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Ultimate Spider-Man #13! “Kraven’s Last Hunt” is one of the most iconic Spider-Man storylines to date. It’s hard-hitting, has heavy-action, and is incredibly dramatic, not to mention shockingly dark. As the name suggests, 1987’s “Kraven’s Last Hunt” features Kraven the Hunter, who’s decided to stop at nothing to prove he’s superior to Spider-Man. And now, history is repeating itself in the Ultimate Universe, as Marvel is remaking the iconic “Kraven’s Last Hunt” for a new generation.
In Marvel Comics’ solicitation for Ultimate Spider-Man #13 by Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto, fans are given a first-look at the upcoming issue, including the cover art (by series artist Marco Checchetto) and the official description.
KRAVEN’S MOST DANGEROUS GAME! The Sinister Six are all hunting Spider-Man and the Green Goblin for their ringleader, Kingpin—and this time, Kraven has the upper hand in this love letter to “Kraven’s Last Hunt”!
The cover alone tells fans everything they need to know about what to expect going into the issue, as Spider-Man and the Green Goblin are literally being watched by Kraven the Hunter, whose presence is looming and seemingly omnipresent. While that alone doesn’t exactly make this book a ‘new Kraven’s Last Hunt’ (as there is certainly more than just that one Kraven the Hunter storyline in Marvel Comics), the description connects the dots by calling this new book a “love letter to “Kraven’s Last Hunt””.
Differences & Similarities Between Kraven’s ‘Last’ & Latest Hunt of Spider-Man
Kraven’s New Ultimate Universe Hunt will Stand on its Own
In the original “Kraven’s Last Hunt”, Kraven the Hunter wanted to prove once and for all that he could not only defeat Spider-Man by hunting him, but that he could take his place afterward, and become an even better ‘Spider-Man’ than the original. So, Kraven shot Spider-Man with a powerful sedative, buried him alive, donned Spidey’s suit to become a violent and murderous version of the wall-crawler, and then promptly retired. Kraven just wanted to prove that he could do all those things, and once he had, he gave up hunting permanently by taking his own life.
The biggest takeaway from “Kraven’s Last Hunt” is how much of a threat Kraven really is to Spider-Man, which is assuredly what this upcoming issue of Ultimate Spider-Man will emulate. However, regarding the specific plot points, this new story will undoubtedly chart its own path. Ultimate Kraven isn’t hunting Spider-Man for his own satisfaction, he’s doing it as a part of a twisted competition against the other members of the Sinister Six at the Kingpin’s request. So, while this new story might be a ‘love letter’ to “Kraven’s Last Hunt”, it will still stand on its own.
Ultimate Universe’s ‘Kraven vs Spider-Man’ Could Be Even More Twisted than “Kraven’s Last Hunt”
Kraven’s Hunting Method in the Ultimate Universe is Sadistic
Kraven was relatively merciful in “Kraven’s Last Hunt”, as he merely tranqued Spider-Man just to prove he was superior. In the Ultimate Universe, however, it’s revealed that Kraven only hunts his prey when they’re in pairs, killing one and capturing the other with the intention of keeping that one alive in a twisted zoo. That means, when he goes up against Spider-Man and Green Goblin, one of them might die while the other spends the rest of their life in Kraven’s zoo that’s seemingly filled with animals and humans alike – living trophies of Kraven’s hunts.
It’s hard to imagine a fate worse than being buried alive for Spider-Man to endure, but being held prisoner within a twisted zoo for the entertainment of a deadly adversary is definitely comparable. But, regardless of whether Spider-Man meets this grim fate, the Ultimate Universe’s love letter to “Kraven’s Last Hunt” is sure to become one of the greatest Kraven the Hunter storylines in Marvel Comics, just like the original.
Ultimate Spider-Man #13 by Marvel Comics is available January 15, 2025.
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is the name given to several individuals who have employed a spider-moniker throughout Marvel Comics. Typically gaining their powers through a bite from a radioactive spider, the different Spider-Man heroes employ super-strength, agility, and intellect while utilizing webbing to swing and tangle up their foes. The most notable of these Spider-Men is Peter Parker, who remains one of the most popular superheroes throughout the world.
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