Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for X-Force #33
In the latest issue of X-Force, Wolverine officially confirms his status as Marvel’s greatest hunter of all time following an epic battle with Kraven the Hunter. Known for his prowess as a formidable hunter who tracks only the most worthy prey, Kraven has recently set his sights on mutantkind whom his sees as the world’s new apex predators. However, Wolverine’s new battle with the Spider-Man villain confirms Logan is the better hunter in the Marvel Universe.
Previously in issues of X-Force, Kraven used Deadpool’s severed head to gain access to the mutant-exclusive nation of Krakoa. Using the X-Men’s war with the Eternals in Judgment Day as cover, Kraven sabotaged several resurrection eggs in order to raise of the stakes of his hunt, striking from the shadows and brutally killing as many mutants as he could find. However, Kraven eventually learned that the strongest and best among the mutants was Wolverine. As such, Kraven used Beast as bait and created a deadly prehistoric environment using the Shadow Room to lure Wolverine for an intense and bloody showdown.
With dinosaurs and a volcanic eruption perilously in the background, Wolverine saves Beast before finally facing off with Kraven himself in the new X-Force #33 from Benjamin Percy and Robert Gill. Known for his own impressive tracking skills and being the best as what he does with his metal claws, Wolverine and Kraven are very evenly matched in terms of their skill and ability. While Logan eventually gains the upper hand he refuses to kill the incapacitated villain, proving his status as the better hunter in the Marvel Universe.
Why Wolverine Is A Better Hunter Than Kraven
After his long life serving a deadly living weapon, Wolverine understands that the act of killing should never be the reward for a truly worthy hunter. This is in direct opposition to Kraven who takes great pleasure in taking lives. Although Kraven ends up escaping the Shadow Room and Krakoa in the aftermath of their battle, Wolverine tells Laura Kinney he’s glad the villain is still alive and around:
“I like the idea of him out there, same as I like the idea of sharks cutting through the deep and crocodiles soaking in the swamp and bears shambling around the woods. They keep you looking over your shoulder, and when you’re looking over your shoulder, you’re valuing your life.”
Essentially, Wolverine is eqauting Kraven with the biggest and most dangerous game. Likewise, this is how Kraven similarly sees Wolverine and how he once saw Spider-Man before mutants gained their greater prominence. However, even though both hunters see each other as the most worthy prey, Wolverine is definitively the better hunter in the Marvel Universe not only because of his comparable if not greater skill, but also because he carries more honor and nobility. X-Force #33 is on sale now.
