Post by crazyoldhermit on Feb 26, 2015 20:52:57 GMT -5
The Amazing Spider-Man #34 (March 1966)
"The Thrill Of The Hunt!"
Script: Stan Lee
Editing: Stan Lee
Plot: Steve Ditko
Art: Steve Ditko
Letters: Sam Rosen
Relishing(?!): Sam Rosen
Cover: Steve Ditko
Summary: In his Nairobi trophy room Kraven takes a big swig of his magic potion and swears to successfully hunt Spider-Man. The potion pumps him up and he attacks a rogue lion. He bests the beast and sends it off to lick its wounds. At the port he packs up a shipment of caged animals (is Kraven the only villain - besides the Green Goblin, though we don't yet know it - to have a day job?) for American zoos and travels with them to hunt Spider-Man.
In New York Peter confesses his secret identity to Betty and climbs on the ceiling: He's Spider-Man! Betty wakes up from this nightmare screaming. Whatever Peter's secret is that can't be it. Contemplating her relationship, she realizes she can't put off her decision any longer.
In Forest Hills Peter finishes a night of studying and does a few cartwheels. He's clearly been rejuvenated by Aunt May being on the mend. The next day at the hospital the doctor tells him that May can return home and she'll be good as new in a few days.
At ESU Gwen is teasing all of the boys with a date to the football game. She shoos them away and grabs some things from her locker (college campuses have lockers?) but drops a book. Peter, deciding to be a good samaritan, tries to get it for her but she tells him not to dare. He doesn't understand the situation (and it's doubtful he even recognizes Gwen) but Harry sets him straight: The whole school hates him for being snobby about his scholarship. Peter realizes what's going on but doesn't care enough to set things straight. He has more important things to worry about. In chem lab Gwen wonders if Peter had a reason for being rude while Peter doesn't even kid himself about having zero chances with Gwen. Of course, he doesn't realize that Gwen, apparently of thin skin, is planning to win him over.
After class Peter sees some cop cars zooming after a criminal but he decides against doing anything since he still has some money from his last batch of photos (he should, he made quite a haul). He goes home, happy to be an average American student. Across town, Kraven finds The Chameleon's old hideout (which is decorated with giant head busts that make no sense but look great). He changes into his hunting garb, chugs some of his strange brew and thinks of a way to catch Spidey. After a few hours he has the right idea.
At home Aunt May is stuffing Peter full of food while on the streets Spider-Man insults, threatens and attacks J. Jonah Jameson. This Spidey is Kraven in disguise. Peter sees the news report but is reluctant to leave Aunt May so soon after her illness. He decides to sit on it while Kraven continues to harass Jameson. Eventually Peter catches a lucky break when Mrs. Watson comes to visit. Using a movie as an alibi Peter heads out after the ersatz. Spidey finds him quarry quite easily: He's signaled by a spider signal! Kraven leads him to a block of condemned buildings and reveals his true self. He sprays Spidey with a jungle scent that will allow Kraven smell his presence wherever he is. Also, he has rigged the buildings with traps. Kraven lures him through his funhouse while a gang of hoods, having spotted Spidey, go in through the front entrance to take him down. Spidey easily nets them and plays a game of cat and mouse with Kraven. It ends with Spidey facing Kraven man-to-man. He wins with pure fisticuffs and leaves Kraven tied up with the gang.
When the cops make the arrest Spidey considers snapping a couple pics but decides not to, not needing the money enough for it to be worth facing Betty. Kraven admits to the whole scheme, claiming it to be a matter of honor and Jameson isn't happy to find out that he doesn't have a legitimate case against Spidey. He has his correspondence handed to him by his secretary... Except it isn't Betty! Betty has quit her job and left town, forcing Jameson to replace her.
Back at home Peter puts on a brave face for Aunt May and Mrs. Watson but alone in his room he wonders if he's afraid of telling Betty the truth or if he's more afraid of her reaction. But he puts an end to such thinking by reminding himself that for as long as he is Spider-Man she will never accept her and he must not think about her.
Observations: We're in the home stretch folks. The first issue of the end of Ditko's run is mixed bag, and that's understating it. As a villain Kraven seems to come from a prior generation when really he's only a year and a half old. This sort of story seems more like an issue from the first half of the run but the signature Ditko-feel that has dominated the second half keeps it from really feeling like one. There is very little humor to be had and it just isn't as creative as his previous stories.
Of all the villains of the Lee-Ditko era I don't think any of them has fallen so hard so quickly as Kraven. In his first story he was a truly lethal predator. In his second story (in the Annual) he was little more than a footnote. And here he resorts to stealing the Chameleon's gimmick (dressing up as Spider-Man is the trick The Chameleon pulled way back in ASM #1) and is beaten not by Spider-Man's quick thinking but by his simple inability to stand toe-to-toe with Spidey and trade blows. It's a pretty rapid descent and truly disappointing after his stunning debut. Are there any high points for Kraven between his debut and Kraven's Last Hunt?
As is the norm for this string of issues, the Peter Parker side of things is far more interesting. After two issues away Peter is finally back at ESU. The transition hasn't totally settled in but it already feels more refreshing than the final days at Midtown High and the prospects of the Gwen Stacy are immediately more interesting than Betty's jealous whining. Speaking of Betty, she does all of the readers a favor by finally making up her mind and leaving town. Good for her, better for us. Looking back from the perspective of 2015, it's straight-up weird to see the Peter/Betty romance taken so seriously. History seems to have forgotten it. Betty has barely featured in the movies and even in the 1967 cartoon she was nothing more than a secretary (incidentally, as a kid I had no idea who Betty Brant was and, not having an ear for the particulars of the dialog, I assumed Mary Jane was J. Jonah Jameson's secretary).
So there it is. A major plot development amidst a totally pathetic villain encounter. Ditko's artwork is as glorious as ever but the writing is on the wall and Ditko has already checked out. 3/5, just for finally getting rid of Betty.
Other notes:
- Kraven calls the lion he fights "simba." Obviously the word has other meaning but it's just funny that Kraven is now owned by Disney.
"The Thrill Of The Hunt!"
Script: Stan Lee
Editing: Stan Lee
Plot: Steve Ditko
Art: Steve Ditko
Letters: Sam Rosen
Relishing(?!): Sam Rosen
Cover: Steve Ditko
Summary: In his Nairobi trophy room Kraven takes a big swig of his magic potion and swears to successfully hunt Spider-Man. The potion pumps him up and he attacks a rogue lion. He bests the beast and sends it off to lick its wounds. At the port he packs up a shipment of caged animals (is Kraven the only villain - besides the Green Goblin, though we don't yet know it - to have a day job?) for American zoos and travels with them to hunt Spider-Man.
In New York Peter confesses his secret identity to Betty and climbs on the ceiling: He's Spider-Man! Betty wakes up from this nightmare screaming. Whatever Peter's secret is that can't be it. Contemplating her relationship, she realizes she can't put off her decision any longer.
In Forest Hills Peter finishes a night of studying and does a few cartwheels. He's clearly been rejuvenated by Aunt May being on the mend. The next day at the hospital the doctor tells him that May can return home and she'll be good as new in a few days.
At ESU Gwen is teasing all of the boys with a date to the football game. She shoos them away and grabs some things from her locker (college campuses have lockers?) but drops a book. Peter, deciding to be a good samaritan, tries to get it for her but she tells him not to dare. He doesn't understand the situation (and it's doubtful he even recognizes Gwen) but Harry sets him straight: The whole school hates him for being snobby about his scholarship. Peter realizes what's going on but doesn't care enough to set things straight. He has more important things to worry about. In chem lab Gwen wonders if Peter had a reason for being rude while Peter doesn't even kid himself about having zero chances with Gwen. Of course, he doesn't realize that Gwen, apparently of thin skin, is planning to win him over.
After class Peter sees some cop cars zooming after a criminal but he decides against doing anything since he still has some money from his last batch of photos (he should, he made quite a haul). He goes home, happy to be an average American student. Across town, Kraven finds The Chameleon's old hideout (which is decorated with giant head busts that make no sense but look great). He changes into his hunting garb, chugs some of his strange brew and thinks of a way to catch Spidey. After a few hours he has the right idea.
At home Aunt May is stuffing Peter full of food while on the streets Spider-Man insults, threatens and attacks J. Jonah Jameson. This Spidey is Kraven in disguise. Peter sees the news report but is reluctant to leave Aunt May so soon after her illness. He decides to sit on it while Kraven continues to harass Jameson. Eventually Peter catches a lucky break when Mrs. Watson comes to visit. Using a movie as an alibi Peter heads out after the ersatz. Spidey finds him quarry quite easily: He's signaled by a spider signal! Kraven leads him to a block of condemned buildings and reveals his true self. He sprays Spidey with a jungle scent that will allow Kraven smell his presence wherever he is. Also, he has rigged the buildings with traps. Kraven lures him through his funhouse while a gang of hoods, having spotted Spidey, go in through the front entrance to take him down. Spidey easily nets them and plays a game of cat and mouse with Kraven. It ends with Spidey facing Kraven man-to-man. He wins with pure fisticuffs and leaves Kraven tied up with the gang.
When the cops make the arrest Spidey considers snapping a couple pics but decides not to, not needing the money enough for it to be worth facing Betty. Kraven admits to the whole scheme, claiming it to be a matter of honor and Jameson isn't happy to find out that he doesn't have a legitimate case against Spidey. He has his correspondence handed to him by his secretary... Except it isn't Betty! Betty has quit her job and left town, forcing Jameson to replace her.
Back at home Peter puts on a brave face for Aunt May and Mrs. Watson but alone in his room he wonders if he's afraid of telling Betty the truth or if he's more afraid of her reaction. But he puts an end to such thinking by reminding himself that for as long as he is Spider-Man she will never accept her and he must not think about her.
Observations: We're in the home stretch folks. The first issue of the end of Ditko's run is mixed bag, and that's understating it. As a villain Kraven seems to come from a prior generation when really he's only a year and a half old. This sort of story seems more like an issue from the first half of the run but the signature Ditko-feel that has dominated the second half keeps it from really feeling like one. There is very little humor to be had and it just isn't as creative as his previous stories.
Of all the villains of the Lee-Ditko era I don't think any of them has fallen so hard so quickly as Kraven. In his first story he was a truly lethal predator. In his second story (in the Annual) he was little more than a footnote. And here he resorts to stealing the Chameleon's gimmick (dressing up as Spider-Man is the trick The Chameleon pulled way back in ASM #1) and is beaten not by Spider-Man's quick thinking but by his simple inability to stand toe-to-toe with Spidey and trade blows. It's a pretty rapid descent and truly disappointing after his stunning debut. Are there any high points for Kraven between his debut and Kraven's Last Hunt?
As is the norm for this string of issues, the Peter Parker side of things is far more interesting. After two issues away Peter is finally back at ESU. The transition hasn't totally settled in but it already feels more refreshing than the final days at Midtown High and the prospects of the Gwen Stacy are immediately more interesting than Betty's jealous whining. Speaking of Betty, she does all of the readers a favor by finally making up her mind and leaving town. Good for her, better for us. Looking back from the perspective of 2015, it's straight-up weird to see the Peter/Betty romance taken so seriously. History seems to have forgotten it. Betty has barely featured in the movies and even in the 1967 cartoon she was nothing more than a secretary (incidentally, as a kid I had no idea who Betty Brant was and, not having an ear for the particulars of the dialog, I assumed Mary Jane was J. Jonah Jameson's secretary).
So there it is. A major plot development amidst a totally pathetic villain encounter. Ditko's artwork is as glorious as ever but the writing is on the wall and Ditko has already checked out. 3/5, just for finally getting rid of Betty.
Other notes:
- Kraven calls the lion he fights "simba." Obviously the word has other meaning but it's just funny that Kraven is now owned by Disney.
