The Amazing Spider-Man #22 Review

Writer: Nick Spencer / Artist: Humberto Ramos / Marvel Comics The Amazing Spider-Man, this week, winds down “Hunted”. Kraven’s grand plan and motivations are finally revealed in a dramatic exploration of Spider-Man’s ethics. Spider-Man cut out Dr. Connor’s (a.k.a the Lizard) implant that prevented his violent actions. Now Lizard can save his son, Billy, and Black Cat. This is despite the risk that the Lizard may die or go berserk and could (as he’s done before) kill his own son. Spider-Man’s fears are realized as he is inexplicably released from his restraints to see a pile of slashed up, dead guards. Spider-Man is unable to chase Lizard to rectify his mistake as he’s confronted by Kraven. It is here that we discover Kraven’s thesis. He resents the blasphemy of Spider-Man denying the spider’s nature as a deadly hunter with his refusal to kill even as the spirit of the Spider has imbued him with its power. Now, if Spider-Man wants to save anyone he’ll have to kill Kraven.

It’s a story that’s been done time and time again with characters that have a “no kill” policy but this comic is just well done and there is something special about Spider-Man’s type of character. Characters like Daredevil and Batman avoid killing from a place of fear that they will lose control and not be able to maintain an acceptable line of who deserves death. The Spider-Men of the superhero genre avoid killing simply because they believe killing is wrong. They strive to let mercy and redemption drive th…