Unveiling Kraven The Hunter's Mysterious Origins: A Dark Connection to an Unexpected Batman Foe

Superheroes offer boundless opportunities for creativity, with very few limitations on what can qualify as a superhero. Each hero possesses an origin story, although these can become somewhat predictable. There are only a limited number of ways to tragically kill loved ones and bestow extraordinary powers upon the protagonist. In the comics, Kraven the Hunter drew inspiration from Catman's backstory for his big-screen debut.

Sony's attempts to transform their cast of villains into anti-heroes have thus far been underwhelming. Venom, their most prominent character, starred in two films that were, at best, messy. Kraven, although considered a lesser adversary in Spider-Man's rogues gallery, may benefit from a character revamp to add excitement.

What Is Kraven the Hunter's New Backstory?

The first trailer for Kraven the Hunter reveals significant revelations. Kraven's powers appear to stem from a new source, with his motivation now driven by his abusive father, Nikolai. The trailer depicts him as a young man struggling to kill a lion, a feat his father deems him too weak to accomplish and attributes to his mother. Kraven holds his father responsible for his mother's death and develops a unique bond with animals, leading to a near-death experience after refusing to kill the lion. Interestingly, Kraven seems to have obtained powers from an infusion of lion blood, which potentially served as the origin of his abilities. As he grows up, Sergei becomes a hunter targeting criminals and corrupt businesspeople, aiming to counteract the negative influence of his father. He adopts a conservationist mindset due to the threat posed to the animals he encounters, signifying a significant transformation for the character.

In the comics, Kraven is portrayed as the son of a wealthy Russian aristocrat. In 1917, after the Russian nobility were overthrown in the February Revolution, Kraven's family flees their homeland. While his father in the comics also displays abusive behavior, he is an alcoholic who passes away shortly after their departure from Russia. Following her husband's death, Sergei's mother experiences a mental breakdown, ultimately leading to her institutionalization. As an orphan, Sergei embarks on a journey by stowing away on planes, trains, and ships. Ultimately, he resides in Africa for over ten years and becomes a skilled hunter. In the comic version, Kraven acquires his powers through a herbal serum, rendering him incredibly strong, fast, and resilient. His aging process is considerably slower than that of regular humans, and he utilizes his abilities to violently eliminate formidable prey, transitioning from predators to superheroes. Although he lacks the innate ability to communicate with animals, he becomes a proficient animal tamer. The film adaptation alters Kraven's backstory, advancing the timeline and keeping his father alive. It places emphasis on the abuse he endured and transforms him from a mere trophy hunter to a conservationist. While these alterations may evoke greater sympathy for the character, they also bear resemblance to a lesser-known Batman antagonist.

Who Is Catman?

Thomas Reese Blake was first created in 1963 by Bill Finger and Jim Mooney as a villain who stole Catwoman's costume design. He would steal cat-related items and don a magical costume that granted him multiple lives. One of his tactics was to frame Catwoman for his crimes. However, after being defeated by Batman, Robin, and Batwoman, he disappeared from the public eye for nearly three decades.

He eventually resurfaced as a member of the Misfits, a group of low-level villains who banded together with hopes of climbing the ranks. However, their efforts proved unsuccessful. Subsequently, Catman found himself in Green Arrow's rogues gallery, where he became a laughingstock and an easy target for Oliver Queen. He was shunned by other villains and had a reputation as an outcast.

It wasn't until the early 2000s that the significant version of Catman emerged. He returned in Gail Simone's 2005 miniseries Villains United. This story depicted a rebuilt life for Catman, now residing in Africa alongside a pride of lions. The comic delves into Catman's tragic backstory, revealing that he was abused and abandoned by his father, a big game hunter. The pivotal moment occurs when Thomas's father forces him to kill his own tranquilized mother, berating him for his perceived weakness.

These traumatic experiences shape Thomas's path, leading him to become a vigilante and ultimately transforming him from a villain to an anti-hero. In a similar vein to Kraven the Hunter, he becomes a conservationist, advocating for the protection of wildlife. The comparisons between Catman and Kraven are so striking that even Gail Simone herself acknowledged them on Twitter, showcasing the similarities between their respective scenes.

Kraven the Hunter did not fully steal Gail Simone's backstory for Catman. It would be more accurate to say that they incorporated elements from Kraven's comic book story and complemented it with aspects of Thomas Blake. Fans have long seen Catman as DC's version of Kraven. This gradual merging of the characters could bring them both into the limelight and address any discrepancies. While there may be instances of Kraven borrowing from Catman, it is difficult to label it as theft.