I: Feature Story: "In the Hands of the Hunter!"

Pages: 20

Script: Stan Lee
Pencils: John Romita
Inks: John Romita
Letters: Sam Rosen

Villain: Kraven the Hunter

Guest Appearance: Aunt May, Anna Watson, Mary Jane Watson. Harry Osborn, Norman Osborn, Gwen Stacy, Ned Leeds, Betty Brant, J. Jonah Jameson, Frederick Foswell

Cameo Appearance: John Jameson

Flashback Cameo: Green Goblin/Norman Osborn

Gadgets & Technology: Kraven's double-barreled muscle-magnetizing ray

Synopsis: Kraven the Hunter flashes back to previous events in his life of fighting with Spider-Man: while he fights Spider-Man in a previous battle, the Green Goblin hovers closeby monitoring the scene. He had offered Kraven a cash prize of $20 thousand dollars if he defeated Spider-Man, and he almost beats Spider-Man in battle. Kraven argues with the Green Goblin's "agent" over payment, and is told that he will only receive full payment once Spidey is destroyed for good. Furious, Kraven follows the agent to his home and discovers the man to be Norman Osborn (although Kraven has no idea Osborn was the Green Goblin himself!)

Now, Kraven is released from prison after his last bout with Spider-Man (see ASM #34). He finds out that, according to the Daily Bugle headlines, the Goblin has died in a fire at the hands of Spider-Man. He vows revenge against Spidey for spoiling his plans of revenge against the Goblin, but first the Green Goblin still owes him money. He knows the man he can get it from: Norman Osborn!

Aunt May is unpacking now that she's moved in with Anna Watson. Mary Jane comes by to help, but she gets distracted by tunes on the hi-fi and starts "cutting a rug". Peter calls but can barely hear Aunt May over the loud music. While he tries to have a conversation with his aunt, his new roommate Harry answers the door to meet his father. Harry introduces Peter to his father Norman, who offers Peter a job at his company's science lab before departing on a business trip. Peter is relieved that the Green Goblin has been erased from Norman's psyche, and is sure that his arch-enemy is gone. Another arch-enemy however, is very much alive and plotting against both Spider-Man and Norman Osborn. Kraven has designed a double-barrelled ray hidden in his lion vest that will "magnetize the muscular electrolytes" of his target. Next step - to use it in battle against Spider-Man.

Gwen Stacy is still planning Flash's draft-sendoff party when Peter and Harry show up. They both flirt with her and Gwen uses the moment to tell Peter to invite Mary Jane. He's disappointed that she sees him as "taken" already. He asks her to study with him but she politely turns him down. He is sure that he missed his chance with her.

Peter swings over to the Bugle and invites Betty Brant and Ned Leeds to Flash's party. J. Jonah Jameson is on the phone with his son John Jameson before Peter can get his attention to sell him pictures of the Shocker.

Kraven storms Osborn's mansion, trashes the place and terrifies the butler. He makes sure that Osborn gets the message that he's after him.

Flash's party is going well even though Mary Jane and Gwen Stacy get pretty catty towards each other on the dance floor. Suddenly, Kraven smashes through the wall! He is looking for Harry, Norman Osborn's son. Kraven grabs Harry and leaves, swatting Flash aside. Peter dashes off and meets Kraven across the street as Spider-Man. Kraven drops Harry and scales a nearby construction site to get at his foe. Flash and the girls rescue Harry as the fight begins!

A crowd gathers to watch Spider-Man and Kraven flip and swing about the girders in combat. Ned Leeds calls the Bugle and J. Jonah Jameson and Frederick Foswell are soon on the scene to get the scoop. Norman Osborn, back from his business trip, hears the news at the airport and jumps in a cab to get there.

Spidey has the upper hand in the fight until Kraven uses his secret weapon. His ray freezes Spider-Man in place. Kraven knocks him down with a nerve punch but just then, he spots Norman getting out of the cab. He lassoes Osborn and hauls him into the construction site, demanding his money from the Green Goblin. Norman has no idea what Kraven is talking about. When Kraven looks into Osborn's eyes, he sees something different there: the cunning he previously recognized is long gone. He assumes that the Green Goblin must have hypnotized him before, and with his death have gone his secrets. Kraven tosses Norman aside and escapes.

Spider-Man comes to his senses just as Norman topples off the girders. He swings in and saves Osborn, then swings away to change back to Peter Parker. When Peter returns he has just enough time to wish Flash good luck on his induction. They part as friends.

--synopsis by Jonathan Clarke, aka doesitmatter, and Gormuu

Issues Reprinted
Amazing Spider-Man #41-50, Annual #3

Click on cover image to learn more about each issue.