Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 5 No. 22: Kraven’s Last Last Hunt…again

Credit: Humberto Ramos and Edgar Delgado (Marvel Comics); cover for

Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 5 No. 22

A Stillanerd Review — Nick Spencer’s Amazing Spider-Man,”Hunted” ends by finally correcting a decade-long mistake done to Kraven the Hunter.

During the review for Amazing Spider-Man No. 16, I said that Kraven the Hunter should’ve stayed dead after “Kraven’s Last Hunt.” I also suggested that bringing him back to life in “The Grim Hunt” was a mistake. Do I stand by those statements now that “Hunted” is over? Absolutely! But you know who else thinks Kraven should’ve stayed dead? Nick Spencer.

Yes, ten years after his resurrection, Kraven the Hunter is dead…again. But before you start complaining about how Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 5 No. 22 is now spoiled, rest assured I won’t reveal how Kraven dies since it involves a pretty surprising, perfectly executed twist. Besides, Spencer killing off Kraven for a second time was a foregone conclusion.

Credit: Humberto Ramos, Victor Olazaba, Edgar Delgado, Erick Arciniega (Marvel Comics); from

Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 5 No. 22

…Amazing Spider-Man No. 22 does something genuinely unexpected: it reaffirms Spider-Man’s belief in basic human decency…Unfortunately, this reputation of Kraven’s philosophy also coincides with some of the most contrived moments of the entire issue, if not the entire story.

All throughout “Hunted,” the allusions and callbacks to “Kraven’s Last Hunt” have obvious as they’ve been numerous. The story reminded us that Kraven can only die at the hands of Spider-Man, even though Chris Yost’s Scarlet Spider series already resolved this. (Seriously, did no one read that series, including the Marvel editors?) In fact, Kraven’s entire scheme for “Hunted” has been to manipulate Spider-Man into killing him. Not to mention there’s already a new Kraven in the form of his own younger clone. For Kraven not to die at the end of “Hunted” would’ve made it into another pointless “Kraven’s Last Hunt” tribute.

Before Kraven’s inevitable demise, though, Amazing Spider-Man No. 22 does something genuinely unexpected: it reaffirms Spider-Man’s belief in basic human decency. “Hunted” seemed to relish in a very nihilistic view of human nature, that when left to our own devices, killing one another is our most natural instinct. It didn’t seem to account for the fact that, sometimes, not everything comes down to a Darwinian “survival of the fittest.” We’re also capable of “loving our enemies,” of showing mercy and compassion, and protecting those who need our help the most. For “Hunted” would finally acknowledge this is such a welcome relief.

Credit: Humberto Ramos, Victor Olazaba, Edgar Delgado, Erick Arciniega (Marvel Comics); from Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 5 No. 22

Unfortunately, this reputation of Kraven’s philosophy also coincides with some of the most contrived moments of the entire issue, if not the entire story. Keep in mind, Spidey just helped Dr. Connors turn back into the Lizard so that he could save Billy and the Black Cat. He sees the bodies of Kraven’s guards that the Lizard appears to have killed. The villains and Arcade’s Hunterbots are still killing one another, and Kraven says they only be stopped unless Spider-Man kills him. Yet after placing Spider-Man into this moral dilemma, Spencer has him avoid it and absolves him of any lingering guilt in the most anticlimactic way possible.

Nor does it help that when Spidey delivers a stirring speech about how humans are more than just animals that we’ve just saw the Lizard savagely attacking Kraven’s son. I suppose Spencer wanted us to think that the Lizard might eat Billy again. But considering how Spencer previously established that Connors’ faculties are still intact even while in Lizard form, we know it’s not going to happen. Also, the way in which Humberto Ramos illustrates this moment, the fight between the Lizard and Kraven Jr. just suddenly ends as it began.

Credit: Humberto Ramos, Victor Olazaba, Edgar Delgado, Erick Arciniega (Marvel Comics); from

Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 5 No. 22

…as an ending to “Hunted,” Amazing Spider-Man No. 22 isn’t a let down….Yet ultimately, this comic also proved that “Hunted” amounted to glorified housekeeping, fixing something which shouldn’t have required fixing in the first place.

And speaking of Ramos, this is definitely not him at his best. True, he still illustrates his panels with an unbridled vigor that, while lacking in anatomical correctness, remains unparalleled compared with other modern comic artists. At the same time, it’s that very loose interpretation of basic human anatomy that undoes even the best of panels. Without the “Prak” sound effect, is Spider-Man punching Kraven, or is he doing Yoga exercises? Why does he look as flat as a carpet every time he runs? How come the Lizard looks like he’s doing a herp a derp face? And why does every single person’s head seem to constantly expand and contract compared with the rest of their bodies?

To clarify, as an ending to “Hunted,” Amazing Spider-Man No. 22 isn’t a letdown. Also, as story arcs go, “Hunted” is certainly one the better ones that Amazing Spider-Man has had in quite some time. Spencer should also receive some credit for undoing Kraven’s resurrection while still using it as a launching point. Yet ultimately, this comic also proved that “Hunted” amounted to glorified housekeeping, fixing something which shouldn’t have required fixing in the first place.

Stillanerd’s Score: 3 out of 5