Read the complete essay on Comic Book Herald: www.comicbookherald.com/the-nightmarish-tragedy-of-kravens-last-hunt/

Kraven should have stayed dead after this story. Him believing he'd proven himself better than Spider-Man, letting Peter go after Vermin and killing himself just as his mother had was a fitting end to his character. Resurrecting him was another example of comics being unwilling to permanently kill certain characters off working against them. Film, TV series, games and other adaptations are willing to do what the comics themselves won't.

I love this story. This story pushed Spidey to his psychological limits and turned Kraven into a tragic but scary antagonist. JM DeMatties was always great at exploring the minds of villains. To JM, the villains were broken people, battling their own demons.

“I am the Spider. No not the spider. I AM KRAVEN! I have slain the spider. Become him.” What a story

J.M Dematteis is a master of putting Spidey and the rest of the cast in a new light by exploring how the events of the stories affect them mentally, even more then physically!

"If you want to overcome the whole world, overcome yourself," "Demons" - Fyodor Dostoyevsky

My favorite comic book story of all time. I’ve always said it’s Spider-Man’s “Killing Joke”. It should really be more iconic than it is imo.

Fun fact: My Dad let me read this when I was 7. Another Fun Fact: This was my introduction to Spider-Man Yet Another Fun Fact: This Video is Amazing.

I’m bipolar and have attempted to take my own life more times than I can count. I have a very low tolerance for media portrayals of what it’s like because of how off base they usually are. This story is probably one of the most haunting realistic depictions I’ve seen. Just happens to be about evil Tarzan

The art of this book is so awesome. The one cover of Spider-Man erupting from his grave is just beautiful (and reminds me of Batman RIP). The black suit never looked better than in this arc.

This is one of my favorite Spider-Man story! I would love for someone to bring Kraven for a live action movie. It would be glorious!

I'm a simple person, I see Matt Draper talking about Spider-Man, I click

I read of this story through the Spider-Man Saga, and when I finally tracked it down, I was not disappointed. I also really love the spiritual sequel The Child Within which explores the origins of Vermin’s childhood trauma, Peter’s suppressed PTSD from being buried alive and how it compounded his personal guilt over losing loved ones even before Uncle Ben, and was the beginning of the end for Harry Osborn as the ghost of his father drives him back to the goblin suit and his eventual death. DeMatteis is one of my favorite writers for the deep psychological issues he explores.

J.M. Demattis also wrote the best Harry Osborn Story in Spectacular Spider-Man #188-200. He also wrote underrated stories like “Light the Night” and The first arc of webspinners which gave new depth to Electro and Mysterio. I consider him a top 3 Spider-Man writer.

What a masterpiece! And it's a perfect template on how to do dark deconstructionist stories! It's just like structuring a lesson according to adult education science. Repetition: remind the reader of what they know. Deconstruction: call aspects of the character, his motives or his world into question. And the most important, but way too often forgotten part: RECONSTRUCTION: Show how the hero or his psyche has changed. In this case it uses that formula to reaffirm that it's not the spider that makes Peter a hero, but the man. Something craven MIGHT have understood in his final moments, but I can see how that would be debatable!

I was fourteen when this came out. Fantastic. I never thought it glorified suicide. Quite the opposite. It made you feel for Kraven. You knew there was something wrong and tragic going on. That a part of him had completely broke. Likely when he realized. To defeat Spiderman, you could mean not attempt to truly harm him. My mom's brother committed suicide when I was still a little kid. For the pain it caused her, I had always considered it a very selfish act, and in some ways still do. This book made it more nuanced, but still made it a clear waste of potential. In the book, Kraven showed he could do the right thing. He could have changed and found meaning and a reason to live. However, he could not see past his pain.

By far my favorite Spiderman storyline: DeMatheis narration with superb Zeck pencils turned a C villain into one of my favorite villains ever

Here after the Spider-Man 2 teaser and excited to see Kraven in the game. Im really hoping they adapt this story into the games narrative.

I swear, if Marvel had a good animation studio like DC does, then this would make for a great animated film adaption versus what Hollywood wants.

Glad to know that whenever I do come back to this channel, it’s still amazing. Love this story (as weird as it gets) and this analysis

This is one my my favorite Spider-Man stories. Good lord ,is it awesome. Everyone should read it. J.M. DeMatteis doesn’t get enough credit as one of the greatest comic writers ever. Spectacular Spider-Man #200 is another one of my favorite Spider-Man stories by DeMatteis.

Not just my favorite Spider-man story, but my favorite comicbook story of all time.

This is absolutely my favourite Spider-Man story. I think it proves you can make a story of the friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man really dark but really well done. This should certainly be made into a movie or a story DLC for the Insomniac games.

If I imagine myself being a hero. Either in the superhero, sc-fi, fantasy, or any type of genre. I find it tough and anxious to be playing the hero. Fighting off villains, saving citizens, and being put on a task to save the day. For me, I find it as imagination, kid stuff, fun and games. Until it becomes a serious task and journey. A scene in Spider-Man 2. A civilian grown man says about Spider-Man, unmasked and exhausted. And says, "He's still just a kid". I feel like that too. I am a young adult. When people mention or describe me, I am still just a kid. A child, a pampered baby boy child. Who views the world through imagination, childish escapism, curiosity, cuteness, peaceful, happy, fun, and a passionate experience I have been born my entire life. It's a way for me to cope with stress, anxiety, shyness, and loneliness. This is me, Javi. And that's my viewpoint and philosophy here.

Let’s cram a Batman story into Spider-Man. As a kid I was so confused by this I had no idea who Kraven was why it was so weird

One of my favorite spider man stories. Despite the dark tone, I really hope that MCU eventually adapt this amazing story or at least have Kraven in a Spider man movie. He's such a underrated villain.

I still haven't found what I'm living for, maybe just the hope that tomorrow will be better.

I absolutely adore Kraven's Last Hunt, and your analysis was excellent as always, Matt. It was even similar (?) to one I made last year (I mean, you simply can't twist reality and make the comic be something else each time you analyze it, so common things will always be present no matter what). And, of course, your videos are always top-quality, much more nuanced and thought out than even reviews from some major outlets. So keep it up, man. You're the best comic essayist or straight up the best comic-related KZfaq channel, imo.

DeMatteis would keep on putting his horrific stamp on Spiderman with subsequent stories in Spectacular Spiderman. The first one of his I ever read was a followup to Kraven's Last Hunt, The Child Within with Sal Buscema. That one was, if anything, more harrowing, using Vermin and Harry Osborne to probe the pain and costs of child abuse. In retrospect, those stories are the ultimate rebuke to the grim and gritty power fantasies of the era, showing the costs and lies of such.

Another incredible video, Matt. These is also one of my favorite stories.

I've been waiting for you to cover this and you have not disappointed! Great stuff dude like usual!

I’ve been waiting for you to do this story since what feels like forever. You didn’t disappoint. Helluva episode.

I was wondering how long until you covered this story and BAM! Here it is, amazing video as always!

One of the great Spidey stories. Been waiting for this video!

I love this story so much and you reminded how much I love it and why it's a beloved story of my favourite fictional character. Thank you for doing a video on this comic.

I sometimes wonder how much this story gets impacted if Peter didn't have the symbiote and was in his old red and blue costume. In some ways, it works better with Peter being in the black suit because the symbiote was consuming him, and this story sort of redeems Peter, eventually leading to getting rid of it.

To me this is the darkest spiderman storyline ever done it reinvented kraven in a different light and Spiderman was resented in that he is haunted by death and tragedy

Great video Matt!

OMG dude, your narration and ideas are so good, keep going

Great video as always!

Great video as always

Just discovered you thanks to a post on twitter, great show! Subbed!

Dude you're the best. Keep making videos ((:

I started reading comics in the early eighties as a kid. I enjoyed them but when "Kraven's Last Hunt" came out I was blown away. J.M. DeMatteis story was superb and Zeck and McLeod's art was amazing. I would put this right up with Miller's "Born Again", Claremont/Byrne's "Days of Future Past" and Simonson's Thor as essential 80's reading. Thanks for making this video, its really takes me back to being a 14 year old fan again.

Quality content as always

Excellent (as always)! Please Matt, do one about SPIDER-MAN THE CHILD WITHIN (The Spectacular Spider-Man #178 - 184), the "spiritual sequel" for the Last Hunt.

This is a really great analysis.

I absolutely love that page of Kraven taking off his mask looking sad before laughing like an absolute lunatic

My favorite spider man arch. There was a good Kraven arch a few years back too where he was collecting superhero’s.

Matt you are my favorite comics analysis I’ve ever seen but is it possible for you to do a Cerebus the aardvark analysis, controversies aside.

I was just watching your secret wars video the you drop this bomb, love your videos man

please matt, its my birthday, can you stop making me cry?... great video really, you are a cool guy.

Great video

I remember back when you uploaded your Born Again video that I requested Kraven's Last Hunt for another video topic and here it is.

What also makes kravens last hunt memorable is how so many y writers fail to understand what makes it great. Too many writers write villains going darker and psychotic without good reason. Kravens here we get insight into his personality. And it’s all the more shocking because kravens was a goofy villain that most writers had forgotten about. I mean for gods sake, the chameleon-another goofy villain-goes psycho in the 90s to present day for….reasons! The fact that kraven died in his last hurrah makes it quite clear that death in comics can be a good tool. And the comic makes it clear that the violence kraven inflicts isn’t ok. Kevin Smith actually makes a meta commentary on the escalating violence comic books can do and how making b list villains go insane when he makes Mysterio as a mastermind homicidal villain for daredevil. Mysterio actually does very similar stuff to Kraven; he plots a smart plan against the hero with the intention of driving him insane all for reasons that the hero can’t understand. Both villains cause the hero to be separated from their loved ones. Mysterio wanted to be a big shot before he died while kraven wanted to regain his honor before he died Neither daredevil nor Spider-Man could have seen them coming. And yet Kevin smith has daredevil LAUGH and berate Mysterio for essentially being nothing more than a intimidator of other bad guys who went crazy and who did similar plans that brought nothing but pain. Mysterio even says in his last moments that he stole from Kraven by shooting himself. And all of this Mets reference has a big influence from Kraven last hunt

Thank you Matt Draper for this Brilliant video Analysis of this Spider-Man Storyline Masterpiece. The Analysis you mentioned with Enthusiasm and Passion explores how Deeper with Themes, Symbols, Inspirations inside this Comics makes it so Powerful and Entertaining to read with Reflections. This Comics himself made Spider-Man a Great Inspirational Hero Transformation. Mary-Jane Watson is a Benevolent Wife and the Values of Love inside Spider-Man Soul. This Comics himself defines Spider-Man in all Themes explores in his Story. Always Source of Creations for Future Spider-Man Fans Generations.

It’s kind of ironic how the writer of this phenomenal story also went to make Judas traveller of the clone saga. (I personally don’t hold that traveller fiasco against him though.)

Spider-Man 2 ps5?

Thank you!

Goddamn I love every episode! Keep up the comic breakdowns! Would love to see a Fourth World breakdown or maybe a character study on Orion as he’s basically Luke Skywalker. Would love to hear you breakdown the Father/Son dynamic between Orion and Darkseid 💜

Great video! Please make a video about Iron Man: Demon in a Bottle

One of, if not THE BEST Spider-Man stories ever committed to paper.

I needed a video while i made muffins and you upload another perfect video

Hard to believe my first comic was Last Hunt. I love it.

thank you so much

U Have 1 Of The Best Channels On KZfaq

This is my favourite Spider-Man story ever!

This one is one of my favorites.

I’m glad we got last hunt, but damn that Batman and Hugo Strange version would have been great.

I think we can all agree this is one of/the best Spider-Man stories ever

It honestly baffles me why this story isn’t taught in schools like Watchmen and the dark knight returns, It’s a literary marvel in the form of a comic.

I remember in the late 90s dematiess introduced alyosha who was posing as his dad was areal great story but he didn’t get to finish it which was a bummer also did that side story in the grim hunt where leaven meets kaine was amazing. He was born to write this character

Since you’ve already done a video on a J.M DeMatteis comic, I’d love if you did a video on his run on Justice League International with Keith Giffen & Kevin MacGuire!

Beautiful art

You should do Spider-Man Life Story for your next Spidey project! I would love to see you talk about it!

I love this story it’s was really awesome and badass

I've owned the deluxe version of this book for over 5 years and have not read it. This video changes everything!

Draper's the man!

Interesting that other characters were going to be in the story. Though I think it worked out for the best having it be Spider-Man and Kraven.

One of the best mini-series in comic book history.

I just read it and damm it's amazing

Spiderman kraven's last hunt was my favorite spiderman story and it still looks pretty good for a 1987 graphic novel

Grim, grim and grim. I bought these issues back then and I did wonder *"did I buy the right title!!?"*

awesome

My favourite darker Soiderman story is that team up is Spider-man Versus Wolverine by James Owsley, which is a pen name for Christopher Priest (let me know if I’m wrong). It was released in February 1987 so it was around the same time and man is it a great story. One of my favourite of any Spidey or Wolvie stories. I’m surprised it was green-lit. I’m sure Spidey has some PTSD. It’s in the Wolverine Omnibus vol. 1. Really good stuff. Give it a go.

Superior spiderman really took from this story.

I still need to read this story. I had a collected edition of Spiderman while had the venom suit and it wasn't in it. I guess it must have disrupted the pace too much.

Damn it! Now I have another thing to read!

Imo the greatest thing about these books are the colors.

LETS GOOOOOOOOO

Video idea: Steve Gerber's Man-Thing run.

Kraven, you are going through a pretty hard time. You’re eating spiders. Kraven. Please.

Grim hunt was an insane sequel to this line

I would love if you did a video on Spider-Man Life Story. It was one of the most moving comics I have ever read in my life.

I really hope they adapt this storyline in the MCU with its Spider-Man.

The Scene Where Kraven Off's Himself in Last Hunt. Is the Same Thing Mysterio Would do in Kevin Smith's Daredevil Story ''Guardian Devil''!!!

I’m glad to find out that there are portions of the story meant to confuse you and make you feel delusion cause otherwise I would just feel too dumb for the whole story lol

I have a hard cover copy from the early 90's with the paper cover still intact somewhere in a box in my attick I should dig it out and see how much it's worth 🤔

I own most of these. Some of the first spider man comics I read

what software is used to edit comic book panels like this? I need to do this for a project anyones help would be appreciated