Spider-Man has no shortage of iconic stories, and among his greatest, most fans agree, is the 1980s classic Kraven’s Last Hunt. What many don’t realize, however, is that this celebrated tale was originally written for Batman and the Joker.
Fans would be hard-pressed to find a “Greatest Spider-Man Stories” list that doesn’t include J. M. DeMatteis’ Kraven’s Last Hunt, as it has become one of the most beloved and iconic web-slinger tales in Peter Parker’s 63 years in comics. For those needing a quick refresher, Kraven the Hunter appears to defeat Spider-Man and, losing his grip on reality, attempts to assume the hero’s role.
Wearing a twisted version of Spider-Man’s costume, he hunts down New York’s criminals. Meanwhile, the real Spider-Man claws his way out of a grave after two weeks underground and confronts Kraven, who ultimately takes his own life, leaving Peter to grapple with his newfound trauma.
How Spider-Man Claimed a Story Meant for Batman
Main Cover by Mike Zeck for Web of Spider-Man #32 (1987)
While it’s hard to imagine Kraven’s Last Hunt not belonging to Spider-Man, the web-slinger and Kraven were actually DeMatteis’ fourth choice for the story. According to his blog, he first pitched the “hero buried alive, returns from the grave” concept for Wonder Man, then Batman and Joker, and finally Batman versus Hugo Strange before landing on Spider-Man.
All three earlier pitches were rejected. DC specifically turned down the Batman/Joker version, citing too many similarities with Alan Moore’s upcoming The Killing Joke. Despite these setbacks, the concept refused to leave DeMatteis. He finally got the opportunity to realize it when offered a writing stint on Spectacular Spider-Man, giving him the perfect outlet for the long-gestating idea.
DeMatteis believed Peter Parker’s humanity and recent marriage to Mary Jane gave the story its unique emotional weight. Kraven, meanwhile, was a later addition. DeMatteis had initially planned a brand-new villain, but after coming across a brief mention of Kraven in a Marvel entry, inspiration struck, and the character became central to the narrative.
Why Did DeMatteis Choose Kraven as the Villain for Spider-Man: Kraven’s Last Hunt?
Main Cover by Mike Zeck for The Amazing Spider-Man #294 (1987)
DeMatteis felt that Kraven’s Russian heritage is ultimately what unlocked the thematic core of Kraven’s Last Hunt. DeMatteis used the character’s tortured “Russian soul” to provide emotional depth, transforming Kraven from a fairly generic villain into one of Marvel’s most psychologically complex and emotionally gripping antagonists, giving the story a literary, introspective quality.
Thanks to DC rejecting the original pitches, Spider-Man inherited a story that would become a masterpiece. A once-overlooked villain now had a defining moment, while Spider-Man gained one of his most iconic storylines, steeped in psychological richness. In the end, Batman and Joker’s loss became a historic win for the web-slinger.
Spider-Man: Kraven’s Last Hunt is now available to read from Marvel Comics!
-
- Alias
-
Peter Parker, Ben Reilly, Otto Octavius, Yu Komori, Kaine Parker, Pavitr Prabhakar, William Braddock, Miles Morales, Kurt Wagner
- Created By
-
Stan Lee, Steve Ditko
- Franchise
-
Marvel, Spider-Man
- Race
-
Human
- First Appearance
-
Amazing Fantasy
- Alliance
-
Avengers, Fantastic Four, X-Men, Secret Defenders, Future Foundation, Heroes for Hire, Mighty Avengers, New Avengers, Web-Warriors
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.
-
- Alias
-
Bruce Wayne
- FIRST APP
-
Detective Comics #27 (1939)
- Created By
-
Bob Kane, Bill Finger
- Franchise
-
D.C.
- Race
-
Human
- First Appearance
-
Detective Comics
One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.
