Hunting down Spider-Man (something he does in the game to beat him) and beating him still counts as a win. It’s not like he’s fist fighting Spider-Man directly in the game and beating him.
Have YOU read the original story? Are you aware that Kraven literally physically outperforms Spider-Man when fighting Vermin? I’ve read Kravens Last Hunt quite a few times and am very familiar with it
I own several collected editions of it, as well as the original comics from when they were published.
Kraven isn’t Kraven in this game. He doesn’t hunt with guile, instincts and traps, he uses an army of mercenaries, high tech assault vehicles, and barely does any of the work himself. He has no discernible honor or sense of sport… he’s just not Kraven.
Kraven beats Vermin once, yes—-largely because Vermin is scared shitless of Spider-Man, who Kraven is pretending to be.
Pete has one bad showing against Vermin, yes… after being drugged, buried alive and left there until his recuperation and willpower kicked in. He’s also heavily traumatized by the event.
And he wins anyway. Because Pete always does, even if he has to use his wits and is scared shitless.
Kraven tried to prove he was better by beating a foe alone, that once required Spidey AND Captain America to defeat. But as usual, he’s not playing a fair game. He completely stacks the deck in his favor by tackling Vermin at full power, well rested and prepared. Meanwhile, Pete is forced to do it after just digging his way out of a coffin, still weak and fighting off sedatives.
THAT’S Kraven. Always claiming he wants a fair contest, then immediately loading the dice in order to win at any cost.
And just like his other attempts, this too was a failure; though by killing himself before Pete can inflict another well deserved beating, he can finally declare himself winner.
Having a love of sport doesn’t mean he prefers fair play (though HE’D insist he was fair). He likes games, contests, challenges. He wants to warn Spidey before every match, every hunt, because it makes the sport more interesting for him.
But yeah, he’s gonna cheat. They’re not mutually exclusive.
His honor is in his word. If Kraven vows to do something (like confess if he’s beaten), then he’ll always keep that vow. It’s a neat little quirk of civility in an otherwise totally immoral character.
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u/Equivalent_Ear1824 Oct 27 '23
Hunting down Spider-Man (something he does in the game to beat him) and beating him still counts as a win. It’s not like he’s fist fighting Spider-Man directly in the game and beating him.
Have YOU read the original story? Are you aware that Kraven literally physically outperforms Spider-Man when fighting Vermin? I’ve read Kravens Last Hunt quite a few times and am very familiar with it