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The Amazing Spider-Man (1963-1998)
The Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 1, No. 111
Kraven the Hunter enters the fray! Can Spidey handle him AND the Gibbon?
- GenresComicsSpider ManMarvel
32 pages, Comic
First published August 10, 1972
About the author
Gerry Conway
2,097 books89 followersGerard Francis Conway (Gerard F. Conway) wass an American writer of comic books and television shows. He was known for co-creating the Marvel Comics' vigilante the Punisher and scripting the death of the character Gwen Stacy during his long run on The Amazing Spider-Man. At DC Comics, he was known for co-creating the superhero Firestorm and others, and for writing the Justice League of America for eight years. Conway wrote the first major, modern-day intercompany crossover, Superman vs. the Amazing Spider-Man.
On April 27, 2026, Marvel Comics announced on its website and social media accounts that Conway had died at the age of 73.
News of Conway's death from Wikipedia
On April 27, 2026, Marvel Comics announced on its website and social media accounts that Conway had died at the age of 73.
News of Conway's death from Wikipedia
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 6, 2026
Nothing really bad to say about this issue - just that the Gibbon (G) seems to be the Beast 'lite' as far as ability and powers. Kraven (K) recruits the G to battle Spidey because he is recovering from his last defeat. Just get well K - and go after Spidey another day! You have a much better record as far as holding your own! Would not be surprised if one day the G comes back (he is now officially dead) in some kind of 'misfit toys' team à la Suicide Squad.
May 10, 2025
ASM #111 marks the beginning of a new era for the wall-crawler as Gerry Conway officially steps in as writer, picking up the threads from Stan Lee’s final issue and running with them in wild, weird, and wonderfully Bronze Age fashion.
This issue continues the saga of Martin Blank, aka The Gibbon, who’s still reeling from Spidey’s earlier rejection. Enter Kraven the Hunter, never one to pass up a good manipulation opportunity. He lures the Gibbon in with promises of strength and glory, and—as was fashionable in the 70s—some extremely trippy science-serum stuff that forges a “mindlock” between the two. It's half mad science, half acid trip, and 100% Kraven melodrama.
The real star here, though, is Gerry Conway’s tone shift. While still firmly in superhero territory, there’s a slight darkening of the mood—Peter’s inner monologue is a little heavier, the supporting characters are a bit more emotionally complex, and there's a creeping tension that wasn’t always as present during the Lee era. Conway also isn’t afraid to play around with Spider-Man’s abilities (sometimes too freely—“My Spider-Sense tells me Aunt May isn’t home”? Okay, Peter, that’s a stretch).
Speaking of May, she’s up and vanished, leaving Peter a farewell note after Gwen scolds her for babying him. This subplot adds a bit of real-world tension, highlighting the often strained and overly dependent relationship Peter has with his aunt. It also sets up the growing divide between Peter’s private life and superhero identity—something Conway would continue to explore.
And of course, John Romita Sr. (with assist from his son John Romita Jr.) delivers another clean, expressive, and impactful visual performance. The fight scenes pop, the emotional beats land, and Kraven looks as regal and menacing as ever. Even if the Gibbon is more sympathetic punching bag than genuine threat, he’s drawn with such heart and desperation you can't help but feel for the guy.
Ultimately, ASM #111 is a successful handoff—Conway and Romita Sr. keep the spirit of the series intact while starting to steer things into a more psychologically nuanced, emotionally grounded direction. Gibbon and Kraven might be strange bedfellows, but the mix of high drama, bizarre science, and emotional tension works surprisingly well.
This one’s a little unhinged, a little heartfelt, and very 1970s Marvel.
This issue continues the saga of Martin Blank, aka The Gibbon, who’s still reeling from Spidey’s earlier rejection. Enter Kraven the Hunter, never one to pass up a good manipulation opportunity. He lures the Gibbon in with promises of strength and glory, and—as was fashionable in the 70s—some extremely trippy science-serum stuff that forges a “mindlock” between the two. It's half mad science, half acid trip, and 100% Kraven melodrama.
The real star here, though, is Gerry Conway’s tone shift. While still firmly in superhero territory, there’s a slight darkening of the mood—Peter’s inner monologue is a little heavier, the supporting characters are a bit more emotionally complex, and there's a creeping tension that wasn’t always as present during the Lee era. Conway also isn’t afraid to play around with Spider-Man’s abilities (sometimes too freely—“My Spider-Sense tells me Aunt May isn’t home”? Okay, Peter, that’s a stretch).
Speaking of May, she’s up and vanished, leaving Peter a farewell note after Gwen scolds her for babying him. This subplot adds a bit of real-world tension, highlighting the often strained and overly dependent relationship Peter has with his aunt. It also sets up the growing divide between Peter’s private life and superhero identity—something Conway would continue to explore.
And of course, John Romita Sr. (with assist from his son John Romita Jr.) delivers another clean, expressive, and impactful visual performance. The fight scenes pop, the emotional beats land, and Kraven looks as regal and menacing as ever. Even if the Gibbon is more sympathetic punching bag than genuine threat, he’s drawn with such heart and desperation you can't help but feel for the guy.
Ultimately, ASM #111 is a successful handoff—Conway and Romita Sr. keep the spirit of the series intact while starting to steer things into a more psychologically nuanced, emotionally grounded direction. Gibbon and Kraven might be strange bedfellows, but the mix of high drama, bizarre science, and emotional tension works surprisingly well.
This one’s a little unhinged, a little heartfelt, and very 1970s Marvel.
July 9, 2021
#111 is the return of Kraven as he plays to The Gibbon’s weakness in promising him the infamy of one responsible for taking down the wall crawler. Kraven concocts one of his drug infused potions which he persuades Gibbon to drink, after a brief scuffle Kraven states “It appears we’ve established a link. Some form of telepathic bond, a mindlock of sorts”. 70’s LSD must have been good stuff.
Meanwhile Aunt May does a runner, leaving Peter a farewell note and Peter tells Gwen not to blame herself when she previously told May to stop treating Peter like a child. It’s worth noting that Conway opts to play fast and loose with Peter’s ability here as he exclaims “According to my trusty Spider-Sense Aunt May isn’t home” which instantly reminds me of the “that’s not how the force works” scene in Ambram’s Star Wars remake ‘The Force Awakens’.
“The arrival of Gerry Conway as the Spider-Man writer may have caused a plot change in mid-epic and it certainly didn’t hurt to bring Kraven the Hunter into issue #111. Gerry was a brilliant young writer wo rose to the occasion and made a seamless transitions for readers and for me as artist. We plotted together comfortably and never missed a beat. We were in sync always and he often gave me the top credit on the series. No wonder he has gone on to conquer television as a writer and producer. And as a team we did some earth-shaking issues.”-John Romita Snr.
Meanwhile Aunt May does a runner, leaving Peter a farewell note and Peter tells Gwen not to blame herself when she previously told May to stop treating Peter like a child. It’s worth noting that Conway opts to play fast and loose with Peter’s ability here as he exclaims “According to my trusty Spider-Sense Aunt May isn’t home” which instantly reminds me of the “that’s not how the force works” scene in Ambram’s Star Wars remake ‘The Force Awakens’.
“The arrival of Gerry Conway as the Spider-Man writer may have caused a plot change in mid-epic and it certainly didn’t hurt to bring Kraven the Hunter into issue #111. Gerry was a brilliant young writer wo rose to the occasion and made a seamless transitions for readers and for me as artist. We plotted together comfortably and never missed a beat. We were in sync always and he often gave me the top credit on the series. No wonder he has gone on to conquer television as a writer and producer. And as a team we did some earth-shaking issues.”-John Romita Snr.
March 24, 2024
Tras su contienda previa en la Tierra Salvaje, Kraven vuelve a New York para tratar de vengarse de Spiderman, aunque aquella otra vez fue Ka-Zar quien le midió el lomo. En esta ocasión, debido a su convalecencia, el buen Sergei utiliza al Gibón para tal fin. El resultado es interesante en tanto que vemos a un villano de primera, malvado sin la menor doblez, utilizar a uno de segunda con poca convicción sobre su carrera delictiva. Es un buen acercamiento a la psicología de dos tipos de antagonista muy distintos.
January 1, 2023
Setting aside the giant ape guy, Im here for the family drama and I do think Gwen is right and she’s being a good partner here.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews