Featuring: Spider-Man
Release: May 12, 1964
Cover: August 1964
12 cents
Written by: Stan Lee (because we couldn’t afford Mickey Spillane)
Illustrated by: Steve Ditko (because Picasso was out of town)
Lettered by: Art Simek (because his name fits this space)
22 pages
I feel like the golden era of Ditko coming up with cool Spider-Man villains may be over. At least Kraven is more interesting than Green Goblin. Like Green Goblin, it’s generally agreed the best story for each is the one where they die.
I will give Green Goblin and Kraven credit for one thing… they’re different from the other villains. They’re both unique, for better or worse.
But, while one form of Goblin or another was the villain or a background threat for the first four Spider-Man films, we’re seven films in without so much as a hint of Kraven. Guy’s gotta be a little insulted.
Kraven’s motive is different from the other villains we’ve met. He’s not interested in money, power or revenge. His goal is sport. His namesake is not an animal like many of Spider-Man’s villains, but his outfit does suggest a lion motif.
The story begins with the return of Spider-Man’s first super-villain foe: the Chameleon, who we learn is an old friend of Kraven the Hunter.
While Chameleon’s mask has the same basic idea as before, it’s been cleaned up and altered. This new look will endure for 60 years.
Kraven is a celebrity, for being a famous hunter. The press and high school students are part of a crowd when he arrives.
Both Liz and Betty are present for Kraven’s arrival. This is their first time meeting, and Betty is not pleased to meet her. She’d already been aware that Liz had started flirting with Peter, and does not like what she sees.
While that jealously is sensible, the comic pushes it a bit later on. Betty then seems jealous that Peter is more interested in a news story than her. So far, Peter and Betty have been one of the best-written relationships, with Betty the best written superhero-girlfriend. It would be a shame for her character to descend into a tedious trope.
This series has always had the best action choreography, but it’s getting consistently better.
Jameson seems excited that Kraven plans to hunt Spider-Man, but reminds him of the importance of following laws. He did not seem so concerned when he backed Mysterio’s pursuit of Spider-Man, and will show even less concern in the upcoming Scorpion and Spider-Slayer affairs.
As if Peter doesn’t have enough problems with the Betty/Liz rivalry, a third girl enters his life. His Aunt May (who must know that he and Betty are getting serious) nonetheless sets him up on a blind date with the niece of her friend and neighbor, Mrs. Watson.
This subplot about Mrs. Watson’s niece will become important later on in the series.
Betty does redeem herself at the end, realizing she’d been behaving foolishly. This time, it’s Peter’s turn to be the jerk, unavailable to go out with her because he has a date with yet another girl.
When Peter’s blind date gets cancelled, he tries to call Betty back, but it’s too late. He tries Liz, but she’s out with Flash, despite her seeming dismissal of him earlier. Peter’s problem through the issue was having three different girls. Now he ends up alone for the evening.
Rating: ★★★☆☆, 59/100
Significance: ★★★★★
I read this story in Amazing Spider-Man Epic Collection vol. 1: Great Power. You can also find it in Marvel Masterworks: Amazing Spider-Man vol. 2. Or on Kindle.
Characters:
- Spider-Man/Peter “Petey” Parker
- Chameleon
- J. Jonah Jameson
- Betty Brant
- Liz Allan
- Flash Thompson
- Kraven the Hunter
- Mrs. Watson
- Mr. Warren
Story notes:
- Chameleon has special chemical gas to change his suit color.
- Chameleon has been deported after his arrest as a spy.
- Kraven the Hunter is Chameleon’s old friend.
- Jameson describes Kraven as greatest hunter of all time; he’s defeated every kind of beast single-handed. Kraven is a celebrity and a crowd has gathered to see him arrive in New York.
- Liz and Betty meet for the first time.
- “Most Dangerous Game” reference; we just saw another in Tales to Astonish #58.
- Kraven defeats escaped cobras and gorillas.
- Betty doesn’t like that Liz calls him “Petey”.
- Kraven has super strength and speed from a secret potion he stole from the witch doctor of a hidden African tribe; he is strong enough to stop the charge of a bull elephant.
- Aunt May has arranged a blind date with the niece of their neighbor, Mrs. Watson.
- Kraven’s poison leaves Spidey with shaking hands.
- Chameleon impersonates Kraven to trap Spidey.
- Jameson gives Parker a bonus of a chocolate bar.
- Kraven and Chameleon deported.
- Kraven plans to get in shape hunting in the Congo.
- Peter talks to Liz’s mom on the phone.
#218 story in reading order
Next: Tales of Suspense #56
Previous: Fantastic Four #29
