The 20 greatest (and 10 worst) Spider-Man villains of all time

7th Best Villain: Kraven the Hunter

Most of the villains on this list became Spider-Man’s enemy either because they’re career criminals, or because wanted revenge. Kraven the Hunter became Spider-Man’s enemy out of boredom.

First appearing in Amazing Spider-Man vol. 1 #15, Sergei Kravinoff was a world-famous big-game hunter who preferred besting his prey with his physical prowess, cunning, and skill. Thanks to drinking a witch doctor’s brew, he could literally wrestle lions and tigers and bears (oh my!) with his bare hands. But after being able to capture or kill every known animal species on the planet, he could no longer take pleasure in hunting what had now become easy prey.

Then Sergei’s half-brother, the Chameleon, suggested that if he really wanted a challenge, he should set his sights on “The Most Dangerous Game” of all: man. Specifically, Spider-Man. Desperate for something to do, and prove he was still the greatest hunter of all time, Kraven accepted his half-brother’s challenge. And thus began an obsessive, mid-life crisis inspired quest to take down the web-head as a matter of personal honor and pride.

But other than his debut, and becoming a founding member of the Sinister Six, Spider-Man fans dismissed Kraven as a joke. Hard to take someone who wears a lion-shaped vest and leopard-pattern leotards as a serious threat, after all. That misconception however changed after J.M. DeMatteis’ “Fearful Symmetry,” better known as “Kraven’s Last Hunt.” Not only did Kraven capture Spider-Man, he buried him alive for two weeks, then took up his costumed identity. Having at last bested his ultimate quarry, Kraven committed suicide.

Kraven’s children would also take up the hunt, and Kraven himself came back to life in Joe Kelly’s “The Grim Hunt.” But “Kraven’s Last Hunt” remains this villain’s crowning achievement. Because as silly as he looks, Kraven accomplished what few other villains did: defeat Spider-Man on his own terms.