Amazing Spider-Man #34
The Thrill of the Hunt
Kraven the Hunter walks around his trophy room, plotting his revenge against Spider-Man and his return to America. Meanwhile, Betty Brant confronts Peter to reveal his secret, and Peter finally gives in and reveals himself as Spider-Man... but Betty wakes up to realize it was only a nightmare. Peter goes back to college relieved now that Aunt May has a clean bill of health. While trying to go about a normal day, he gets snubbed by Gwen Stacy and Harry Osborn for being anti-social.
Spider-Man begins stalking J. Jonah Jameson’s movements and tries to corner him. Jameson flees and Spider-Man is seen as attacking him instead and runs away. However this is not Spider-Man, but his foe Kraven in disguise. Peter hears about the trickster running around, and decides to let him do so for the next few days. To save his reputation, he finally tracks down and chases the impostor to figure out who it is. When he follows him to an abandoned building, he runs into Kraven who sprays a mist canceling out his spider sense. Spider-Man goes around the building, loaded with traps, and finally battles Kraven. They trade blows before a gang of crooks makes them relocate their fight.
Soon enough, Spider-Man gives a final knockout punch and delivers the gang and Kraven in a neat spider web for the police. Kraven then confesses his impersonation of Spider-Man to the police and clears Spider-Man’s name. Jameson learns the news and angrily dismisses a secretary who’s replaced Betty as she has left without warning. Peter is turning over in his mind thoughts of Betty, not knowing her disappearance. Peter realizes he must move on as he’s accepted his fate as Spider-Man but Betty never would.
Recurring Characters
Spider-Man, Aunt May, J. Jonah Jameson, Frederick Foswell, Betty Brant, Kraven the Hunter, Gwen Stacy, Anna Watson, Harry Osborn
Continuity Notes
Although Betty Brant has a nightmare that Peter Parker is Spider-Man, she doesn't discover the truth until Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #15. Spider-Man's real identity was later erased from her mind in Amazing Spider-Man #545. Her fears about Peter stem from the fact that he constantly risks his life to get photos for the Daily Bugle, which reminds her of her brother Bennett who was seemingly killed in Amazing Spider-Man #11.
Peter recounts how he saved Aunt May's life last issue.
Gwen Stacy and Harry Osborn are unhappy with Peter for snubbing them between Amazing Spider-Man #31-33.
Certain elements in this story should be considered topical references per the Sliding Timescale of Earth-616. Specifically, the fact that Peter is watching the news on a black-and-white television, and the type of camera he uses.
This is Kraven's first one-on-one encounter with Spider-Man since Amazing Spider-Man #15.
