Amazing Spider-Man #33 Review

Written by: Zeb Wells
Art by: Patrick Gleason
Colors by: Marcio Menyz
Letters by: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover art by: John Romita Jr., Scott Hanna, Marcio Menyz
Cover price: $3.99
Release date: September 6, 2023

Amazing Spider-Man #33 finds the sins of the past forcing a return to the storylines of the past when Norman’s sins turn Spidey into the hunter against Kraven as the prey.

Is Amazing Spider-Man #33 Good?

Amazing Spider-Man #33 is not bad in a nostalgic, “let’s swap roles,” novel sort of way. To Zeb Wells’s credit, he’s doing his best to make readers forget his critically disastrous first year on ASM (under Nick Lowe’s shocking misguidance as editor) with shorter, tighter stories designed to elevate Spider-Man by pitting him against elevated villains and twisted scenarios. That strategy worked well with Tombstone, and there are hints of a return to that recipe here. The developments in issue #33 may not be entirely original, but the twists are interesting.

When last we left Spider-Man, he interfered with Kraven II’s plan to reinfect Norman Osborn with his sins to force the return of the Green Goblin. Kraven II hoped to create a quarry greater than Spider-Man could ever completely defeat, thereby creating a Kraven hunt to surpass his father’s. Spidey stepped in front of the infecting below, taking Norman’s sins into himself.

Now, Spider-Man, infected with Norman Osborn’s sins, plays out a role-reversed, truncated version of Kraven’s Last Hunt by dusting off the black suit and forcing Kraven II to run for his life.

On the whole, Wells fires up a steady, building pace with palpable tension to make Kraven (and the reader) feel like he’s truly in danger as Spidey corners Kraven II over and over. Spidey pushes Kraven II from one scene to the next, wearing him down, making him fight when he has no chance, and breaking down his defenses until he’s almost helpless.

What’s great about Amazing Spider-Man #33? This issue is all about the tension. Wells creates it and doesn’t let up once throughout. Although it’s unlikely to happen, there are several moments where you could be convinced Spidey is going to kill Kraven II, and that’s what you want out of a scenario like this – to feel like the unthinkable could happen.

What’s not so great about Amazing Spider-Man #33? Although Wells executes the story well, you could argue that all he’s doing is copying Kraven’s Last Hunt (KLH). You get everything from the rainy night chase to a Vermin appearance to wear Kraven II down. This issue is almost a point-for-point repeat of the KLH climax without any of the buildup in the previous issues. Therefore, Wells is over-relying on nostalgia, which is not the best way to earn back confidence.

How’s the art? It’s good to great. Patrick Gleason has a tall order to fill by homaging Mike Zeck and Bob McLeod from the original KLH, but the results are respectable. The panels drip with black shadows to boost the sense of drama, and Gleason’s panel layouts are fantastic.

About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.

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Bits and Pieces

Amazing Spider-Man #33 replays a modern version of Kraven’s Last Hunt with Spidey and Kraven II in reversed roles for a decently intense comic. Gleason’s art is on point, and the issue ends with a strong cliffhanger. That said, this issue is an almost point-for-point remake of Kraven’s Last Hunt, so you’re better off reading the original, superior version.