Spider-Man: The Lost Hunt # 1 Second Printing 2023 NM-

Spider-Man: The Lost Hunt #1 is the November 9, 2022 premiere issue of a five-issue limited series published by Marvel Comics. Written by legendary Spidey author J.M. DeMatteis—the mastermind behind the iconic 1987 storyline "Kraven's Last Hunt"—with pencils by Eder Messias, this series serves as a deep-dive psychological continuation and a prequel exploring the hidden origins of Kraven the Hunter.

The Setting & Timeline

The comic is explicitly set during the infamous 1990s Clone Saga era, right after the events of Spider-Man: The Final Adventure. During this time, a temporarily powerless Peter Parker has passed the superhero mantle over to his clone, Ben Reilly. Peter and a pregnant Mary Jane Watson-Parker have moved away from New York to Portland, Oregon, trying to build a quiet, normal civilian life where Peter works as a teacher's assistant.

The Plot of Issue #1

Despite leaving the costume behind, Peter is severely traumatized and experiencing an identity crisis, suffering from horrific nightmares and hallucinations of his past villains. He frequently pushes his fragile body by jumping across Portland rooftops, causing heavy distress to Mary Jane.

Meanwhile, danger follows them. A mysterious, formidable figure from Kraven the Hunter’s past named Gregor (alongside a new character named Mishkin) tracks Peter down. Gregor is deeply bitter and holds Spider-Man responsible for the tragic events that led to Kraven's ultimate demise. Knowing Peter is completely defenseless, Gregor initiates a ruthless psychological and physical hunt to eliminate the former web-slinger and finish what Kraven started.

Key Themes & Significance

• Kraven's Mythology: Intertwined with Peter's survival story are flashback sequences that peel back the layers of Sergei Kravinoff’s early life, revealing deep-seated family secrets and the primal origins of what made him a powerhouse villain.
• Psychological Focus: Much like DeMatteis' original Last Hunt, the narrative leans heavily into dark psychological drama, focusing on Peter's repressed rage, his struggle to accept a life without powers, and the lingering generational trauma of the Kravinoff legacy.