So the great three-part Master Planner storyline is over. It is now time to development a villain that was introduced back in Amazing Spider-Man #15: Kraven The Hunter. Kraven also made appearances in Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1 where he became part of the Sinister Six, and then also non-Spider-Man appearance: Tales Of Suspense #58, where Kraven went up against Iron Man. Now it is time for Kraven to continue his biggest challenge in his life: Hunting down Spider-Man, and it continues here, in "The Thrill Of The Hunt!"

Kraven opens the story as he walks into his trophy room. A room filled to the brim with mounted animals that he has hunted down and defeated with his bare hands throughout his career. His greatest prize has still been denied to him though, and that is Spider-Man. Kraven even has a plaster cast ready to show-off the mask of Spider-Man once he defeats him. Kraven drinks a potion of special herbs that gives him his great strength, and then finds a rogue lion outside, battles and easily defeats it. He lets the lion go free after it's defeat, but states that his next victim might not be as lucky. Some days later, Kraven prepares his trip back to America while working on a port in Nairobi. He plans to deliver wild animals to a zoo in the states, and at that point, he will begin his next hunt for Spider-Man.

Where is Spider-Man as all of this is happening? He has a talk with Betty Brant, his on and off girlfriend and co-worker at the Daily Bugle. Peter tells Betty that he is Spider-Man, and she is in great shock, but No! It's just a nightmare for young Ms. Brant, as the real Peter Parker is at home studying. Peter is very much relieved after learning that his Aunt May is doing much better from her illness last issue. At the hospital the next day, Peter sees his Aunt and then heads for school, where the recently introduced Gwen Stacy (Amazing Spider-Man #31) fights off all the boys who want to take her out. She wonder why Peter Parker is the only one who doesn't pay her any attention, then Peter walks by attempting to help her with a dropped book. Harry Osborn gets in the way, telling Peter that he is not too popular around there and to mind his own business. After class, Peter hears police sirens go off, then changes into Spider-Man. Elsewhere, Kraven finds his way to his friend, the Chameleon's last hideout from Amazing Spider-Man #15, then attires himself in his costume and prepares for his inevitable re-match with Spider-Man. Kraven decides that he needs the right bait for Spider-Man, schemes up an idea, then the Hunt begins!

Back to the Parker residence, Aunt May is back home and everything seems all right. At the same time, Spider-Man is out in the city and attacks Daily Bugle publisher J. Jonah Jameson as he awaits a taxi. How is that possible you ask? Peter is supposed to be home with his Aunt, but we soon learn that Kraven the Hunter has dressed up like Spider-Man to bait the real deal to come looking after him. Peter learns of the attack on television soon enough and decides that he doesn't want to upset or worry his Aunt, as he she just recovered from her illness. The impersonation continues though, as Kraven is the persistent one, continuing to hound Jameson. One day, when Aunt May's friend Anna Watson visits her, Peter has his chance to become Spider-Man. He makes the switch, and swings around until he finds another Spider-Man. He chases him onto a rooftop, but does not find him there. In his place, comes Kraven the Hunter admitting that he has impersonated him. Kraven then sprays some "Jungle Scent" onto Spider-Man to cancel out his spider-sense and then the fight is on. Kraven set some traps on the rooftop, with falling bricks, and other traps in place. Neither Spider-Man nor Kraven is aware that a third party comes into play here: A group of angry men that are set out to capture Spider-Man for his recent appearances and attacks, are also in the building, and they hear something unusual. They find Spider-Man, but he easily webs them up, and then continues his pursuit of Kraven. He eventually finds the Hunter and the two battle it out pretty even until the gang of men come after them again. The two are temporarily broken up, but Kraven follows the sent he sprayed on Spider-Man earlier, and leaps on him from atop the building. They trade punch for punch, but Spider-Man's last couple of punch's end Kraven's hunt, for now at least.

After Spider-Man webs Kraven up for the police, Peter takes some pics of his capture. Kraven actually admits to the police that he impersonated Spider-Man, for sake of honor. Back at the Bugle, Jameson hires a replacement for Betty Brant, who has just leaved suddenly. Back at the Parker residence, Peter arrives back home, and goes to his room. He wonders if he is being a coward for not telling Betty that he is Spider-Man, but realizes that she will never accept him as Spider-Man.

Nice little "re-match" between Spider-Man and Kraven (really the third battle if you count Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1). Kraven appears next in Amazing Spider-Man #47, where more is revealed concerning this issue and who was truly pulling the strings of Kraven's in this issue.

Reprinted In:
Marvel Tales #27
Marvel Tales #173
 Marvel Masterworks Vol. 16
Spider-Man Essentials II