There are several “must-read” Spider-Man trade paperbacks out there, collecting some of the most stellar runs on Marvel’s flagship superhero.  “The Death of Gwen Stacy”, “Son of the Goblin” and “Spider-Man Legends: Todd McFarlane vol. 1” are just a few examples of the cream of the crop, at least when it comes to Spider-Man.  Yet, among them all, one stands out as the best piece of Spider-Man fiction I have ever had the pleasure of reading, and the single trade paperback I would recommend above all others.

That’s “Spider-Man: Kraven’s Last Hunt”.

I never liked Kraven when I was a kid.  I thought he was the lamest of the lame, stagnating down there with the Beetle and the Trapster.  He just didn’t have the “oomph” that other Spider-Villains had.  He had no super-powers to speak of; he was just a tremendous athlete and hunter.  Then there was his costume, which was one of the most ridiculous outfits in Spidey’s rogue’s gallery (that’s really saying something, too).  So yeah, there just wasn’t anything about this guy that impressed me in the slightest.

Then I picked up “Kraven’s Last Hunt”, and like many others, immediately developed a new-found respect for the one-time mort.  It’s hands-down the best Kraven story ever written, and fittingly enough, the last one, too (well, last one for the original Kraven; a new one has since taken his place).  Author J.M. DeMatteis takes a deep, psychological look into what makes Kraven tick; from his iron-clad sense of honor, to his overwhelming obsession which has been whittling away at his sanity for so many years.  In 6 issues, Kraven rises from the ranks of “another stupid villain” and into a legendary status.

Kraven, his mind gradually decaying, desires only one last hunt; to restore his honor by finally defeating Spider-Man.  Kraven at last learns from his many mistakes in the past and preys on Spider-Man when he’s at his weakest.  Netting the wall-crawler then drugging him with a poison that simulates living death, Kraven buries Spider-Man alive in a coffin six feet under.  Kraven then proceeds to prove he’s superior to Spider-Man by becoming Spider-Man; masquerading in the heroes costume and violently thwarting crimes, even going so far as to use lethal force.  Kraven then hunts down the vile sewer-dwelling cannibal, Vermin: a foe Spider-Man was unable to defeat on his own.  By defeating Vermin, Kraven will have proven his superiority.  Meanwhile, after two weeks underground, Spider-Man finally digs his way to the surface.

A simple plot summary can’t hope to describe how intense and impressive this storyline really was.  Making expert use of inner-monologue, DeMatteis journeys into the minds of the heroes and villains, examining what makes them do what they do.  You understand Kraven’s desperate need to hunt, but at the same time, you realize that he’s totally nuts.  Vermin is also handled quite well; a disgusting, frightening creature straight out of a horror film.

Mike Zeck’s artwork is stunning.  He conveys the dark atmosphere of the story splendidly, but without laying it on too thick.  There are several events happening at the same time, with panels for each plotline cut into pages, developing tension and anticipation.  Particularly well-done in regards to Spider-Man’s return from the grave.

“Kraven’s Last Hunt” is currently available in a hardback edition that runs for $19.99.  A paperback version has also been released, though is currently out of print.  I can’t recommend this book enough; it’s the only Spider-Man story you just *have* to read.

I’ve got a crap-load of comic book trade paperbacks (TPBs for short), so I want to share with you reviews of some of my favorites. So if you’re browsing your local comic shop, looking for something new, you might want to pick a few of these babies up.

The first comic I want to gush-over in this feature: “The Mask” by John Arcudi and Doug Mahnke, released by Dark Horse Comics. Now, before you run-away, screaming “Dude, that movie SUCKED!”, let me assure you of something; The Mask comic and The Mask movie have practically nothing in common save for the title and a guy with a green head.

First thing’s first, I’ll get the story out of the way. While looking through a pawn shop for a gift for his girlfriend, spineless nerdlinger, Stanley Ipkiss, purchases a bizarre green mask. He discovers that when he puts it on, unlimited powers are at his finger-tips. The only catch; he goes completely nuts in the process, with no regard for property or human life. Becoming a mass-murdering green-faced lunatic dubbed “Big-Head”, Stanely goes on a cartoonish killing-spree all over Edge City. Stanley is eventually “dealt with” and the mask falls into the hands of Lt. Kellaway, who uses it to clean up the streets of Edge City…in the most violent way possible. The only thing standing in his way? A hulking brute named Walter who appears to have no sense of pain what-so-ever.

So, by reading that synopsis, you can already deduce a few inconsistencies with the movie adaptation. Firstly, this comic is magnificently violent. The “cartoonish” kills are among some of the most brutal images I’ve seen outside of a Garth Ennis comic, brought to life with Doug Mahnke’s gruesome art style.

But beneath all the gore and violence, there is a lesson to be learned. The Mask is all about anarchy; fighting back against the rules and regulations one is born into and doing whatever your heart desires, whether society accepts it or not. Big-Head is anarchy-incarnate, fulfilling everybody’s deepest, darkest fantasy with the manic enthusiasm of Daffy Duck. But the gory art and gallons of bloodshed further the lesson by showing the outcome of unrestrained anarchy and rebellion gone too far. And while this isn’t really the kind of book designed to make you think, it’s possible you just might. And even if you don’t, it’s just freakin’ awesome.

The Collection contains more than just the comic, though. There is a forward written by Mike Richardson, detailing the genesis of Big-Head and The Mask comic book, including early design sketches, scripts and pages from Dark Horse Comics Presents featuring the earliest incarnation of the character. To top all THAT off, the book concludes with a collection of unfinished pages from a Mask one-shot called “Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice” which was never published.

You get all that for the cover price of $14.99. Not bad, I must say. Once you’ve read the book, you’ll find it hard to imagine how they possibly could have made a family-friendly kid’s movie out of the whole gory mess. And the fact that they DID might just make you angry. The Mask is a lost classic, regretfully over-shadowed by the movie and cartoon incarnations which misinterpret the character of Big-Head to the highest degree. Do yourself a favor and pick this trade up.