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In this very first From the Archives episode of Collecting Issues, we go back to where it all began with our 2022 discussion of Kraven’s Last Hunt, the seminal Spider-Man story by J.M. DeMatteis and Mike Zeck. Originally published across The Amazing Spider-Man, Spectacular Spider-Man, and Web of Spider-Man in 1987, this dark, introspective arc sees Kraven the Hunter bury Spider-Man alive, assume his identity, and face off against the terrifying sewer-dweller Vermin.
We look at the story’s gothic almost Russian literature-esque tone, its place in the evolution of superhero comics, and its heavy literary and psychological themes—including a breakdown of its Freudian structure, Blakean symbolism, and bleak commentary on identity and mortality. Plus, we revisit how this tale reshaped Kraven as a complex villain—and how its impact still echoes today.
Find out as we awkwardly stumble through one of Marvel’s most unforgettable arcs—with all the chaotic podcast energy of our earliest recordings.
Topics include:
00:00 Introduction and Overview
03:56 Correcting the Record: Spider-Man Series Clarification
04:22 The Unique Structure of Kraven's Last Hunt
06:56 Reading Experience and Graphic Novel Format
08:03 1980s Vibes and Comparisons to Batman
11:46 Freudian Psychology in Spider-Man
15:29 The Shocking Suicide in Comics
16:36 Kraven's Return and Downgrade
22:30 Kraven's Last Hunt: Themes and Inspirations
April's Comic Book Club Pick: Eight Billion Genies by Charles Soule and Ryan Browne!