Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 5 No. 23: Kraven’s dead, long live…Kraven?!

Stillanerd’s Nerdy Nitpicks (with spoilers)

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• Given how it’s raining during Kraven’s second funeral and that it’s held on his estate, we can assume it takes place sometime after the main events of “Hunted.” That said, how exactly did Kraven’s clone/son escape with his “father’s” body and the coffin it was placed in? Especially with all those cops and super heroes around. Then again, Central Park is a pretty big place and…”because comics.”
• Also, what is it with the Kravens and their need to strip down to the buff?
• Twelve Hours?! Everything that happened during “Hunted” lasted for twelve hours? How does Spider-Man even know it’s been twelve hours? I don’t see him wearing any kind of watch. Is he just guessing because the sun is starting to come up> Did he know what time it was before he arrived? Can his spidey-sense tell him the time?
• Also, for somebody who took several stabs and slash wounds from Kraven’s knife, Spidey’s costume looks remarkably intact.
• Again, Pete, while it’s understandable that you’re worried about MJ, what about Black Cat and Billy Connors? You know, the two people you came to rescue in the first place? I guess you figure they can take care of themselves, just how you assume the Avengers and Fantastic Four can take care of the bad guys without you, right?
• Wait? So out of all those weekend warriors, only Bob is dead? I thought the Vulture’s flock of villains killed way more guys than that.
• Surprised none of those weekend warriors said, “We aren’t gambling” in response to Captain America’s “gaming laws” witticism.
• Guess it really sucks to be Arcade and those wealthy weekend warriors right about now. Best of all, it’s as though they can rely on Janice Lincoln, a.k.a. The Beetle, as their lawyer, either. After all, one would think her moonlighting as a super villain would be a guaranteed disbarment.
• Okay, who was the idiot who threw all the members of “Savage Six” together in the same cell? Speaking of which, kind of weird how King Cobra, who isn’t a Spider-Man villain, is a part of this team. Why not Carolyn Trainer/Lady Octopus seeing as how that’d be a nod towards the Sinister Six? Oh well, at least it’s confirmed the mighty Stegron is still alive. Now he can fight with Scorpion over who has the deadlier tail.
• Hold on? Yellowjacket was also captured? Guess he shrunk down really small during all the fighting. Also, how embarrassing is it that the Savage Six–Vulture, Scorpion, Rhino, Stegron, Tarantula, and King Cobra–were captured, but the likes of Toad, White Rabbit, Razorback, the Human Fly, and Yellowjacket escaped capture?
• Aww, Taskmaster really is a true friend to Black Ant. Also, his response to the question of “the betrayal part or the rescue part?” is hysterical.
• Hey, Martha Connors? Not to ruin the moment between you and your son but, do think you could maybe give Black Cat some bandages? Because I think she still might be bleeding all over your kitchen.
• Wow! Guess when the Lizard changed back into Dr. Connors, he also regenerated his signature lab coat and purple pants, too. This despite the Lizard being naked in the last issue. Explain that one, all you science majors.
• Oh yeah, forgot all about how there’s a mischief of Vermins now. As if one lousy villain was enough to put with, now he’s multiplied by dozens.
• Like Peter, I’m sure many are glad MJ’s okay. Even so, somebody explain the logistics of what happened here. She slipped on Pete’s dirty clothes, causing her to break the apartment window and gash up her arm. How did she manage that when the couch and coffee table are in front of that same window?  And where are all those dirty clothes she slipped on? Don’t tell me she’s using Pete’s sweaty, stinky shirt as a makeshift bandage?
• Now I’m more than convinced after reading Creepy Centipede guy’s monologue that he’s a she. More specifically she’s really Carlie Cooper. Then again, maybe I’m just assuming gender because men can also use the phrase “toxic masculinity” in a sentence.
• Gee, the way Kraven’s clone/son is drinking that wine, it won’t be long until another member of the Kraven family dies, this time from alcohol poisoning.
• Ah, man! I really dug Kraven Jr.’s design. What’d he have to go and get rid of it for? But if he’s going to remove that tiger tribal paint, why not use some soap and water instead of a dry rag? It might be a lot easier to remove that way.
• Oh yeah, I forgot all about that one remaining animal themed villain who’s also Kraven’s half-brother, the Chameleon. Also, the coda seems really reminiscent of the back-up story, “Echoes” from Amazing Spider-Man No. 375. Fingers crossed that whatever the Chameleon is planning doesn’t involve robot versions of Peter’s dead parents.

Now that “Hunted” is really, really done, what are your overall thoughts on the story? Do you think it offered any good developments and resolutions, and if so, what were they? What about what happened with Kraven’s clone/son, and does it undermine his “father’s” demise? Also, as the next issues deal with Creepy Centipede Guy (whose official name is apparently Kindred), who do you think he–or she–really is?