DeFalco/Frenz Retrospective: Amazing Spider-Man Annual 1996


 

Writer: Tom DeFalco
Penciler: Ron Frenz

Synopsis: Ben Reilly flashes back to a time earlier in Peter's career when he fought Kraven the Hunter. 

Comments: Ben is wearing the spider suit that I associate most with Spider-Girl. How does Ben, a clone, have all the same memories Peter has? 




This Kraven story takes place between Amazing Spider-Man #87 and #88. I actually want to see the full Kraven story that takes place between Amazing Spider-Man #34 and #47, which was shown in flashback in issue #47 where the Green Goblin had Kraven fight on his behalf. Some people think the flashback was to #34, but they seem to dissimilar to me. 







 Kraven "Tiger King" the Hunter sure likes to beat up on his tiger a lot. Someone needs to get Carole Baskin on his case. 





Peter was worried around that time that Robbie and George Stacy were on to him. He expressed that worry on the opening page of Amazing Spider-Man #82. The part where Spider-Man approached him to be a special deputy happened in Untold Tales of Spider-Man #1. 





Norman's breakdown in the flashback is foreshadowing when he'll get his memory back that he's the Green Goblin and fight Spider-Man in Amazing Spider-Man #96-98, the issues that were released without the Comics Code stamp of approval because they mentioned drug use in a negative way. 




Kraven attack Harry after Norman plants a tip. Harry actually made a better showing against Kraven in Amazing Spider-Man #47. 




Pretty cool fight between Kraven and Spider-Man. Kraven uses the paralyzing ray from Amazing Spider-Man #47. 






Mary Jane gives Harry the cold shoulder because he was frightened of a supervillain. This reminds me of how Bart's babysitter on The Simpsons looked down on Jimbo because he was a "coward" when Moe the bartender held a knife to his bare chest. Other behavior like this from Mary Jane and his father to Harry will lead to his first bout with drug addiction from Amazing Spider-Man #96-98.  Also shown here is the moment when George Stacy finally figured out that Peter Parker is Spider-Man, something he would reveal he knew when he died in Amazing Spider-Man #90. 





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