Kraven's Last Hunt

A hunter seeks to prove his supremacy by burying the spider alive.

Published in 1987, "Kraven's Last Hunt" is a six-part saga written by J. M. DeMatteis and illustrated by Mike Zeck that redefined the Spider-Man mythos. Originally appearing across Web of Spider-Man #31–32, The Amazing Spider-Man #293–294, and Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #131–132, the story features the final battle between Kraven the Hunter and Spider-Man. While no overall title appeared in the original comics—covers simply referred to it as "a 6-part saga"—early trade paperbacks were titled "Fearful Symmetry: Kraven's Last Hunt," with later editions dropping "Fearful Symmetry." Considered one of the greatest Spider-Man stories, it remains a cornerstone of Marvel Comics history.

Quick Facts

Publisher

Marvel Comics

Titles

Web of Spider-Man #31–32
The Amazing Spider-Man #293–294
Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #131–132

Writers

J. M. DeMatteis

Letterers

Rick Parker

Lore & Background

The story emerged after DeMatteis reworked a rejected Batman pitch involving a hero rising from the grave. He shifted the concept to Spider-Man, making Peter and Mary Jane's marriage the emotional core while introducing Vermin, a character co-created with Zeck. Editor Jim Salicrup expanded the plot from a single title into a crossover across all three Spider-Man series to maximize impact. Before drawing interiors, Mike Zeck created all six covers, noting that the iconic "Resurrection" image for Web of Spider-Man #32 was the obvious choice: "If an issue has a scene with the title hero rising from his own grave, it's like receiving the number-one gift on your Christmas list!" The narrative explores Kraven's belief that he can be a better Spider-Man than Peter Parker, contrasting Kraven's dark persona with Peter's enduring humanity and love for Mary Jane.

Reader's Guide

DeMatteis later wrote "Soul of the Hunter" (1992) to address reader concerns that the original story glorified suicide. In this sequel, Spider-Man encounters Kraven's ghost and an apparition of Death, learning that Kraven's soul cannot find peace due to his self-inflicted death. After confronting Kraven's corpse in the grave, Spider-Man frees the hunter's spirit. The main storyline was collected in a trade paperback less than two years after its 1987 release and has been reprinted numerous times. In 1994, DeMatteis adapted his rejected Batman/Joker concept into "Going Sane" for DC. Kraven remained retired from publication until 2009, though the character's legacy expanded through "Grim Hunt," where a ritual involving Spider-Man and Kaine resulted in Kraven being reborn as an immortal entity who can only die by Spider-Man's hand.