This version is not portrayed as a villain, only coming into conflict with Spider-Man after the former was driven insane. Additionally, Kraven was originally a big-game hunter who got wounded while saving his fiancé Dr. Mariah Crawford. To save his life, Crawford administered a serum that healed him and strengthened his senses and physical abilities, though it also caused him to become increasingly bestial until Spider-Man assists in curing him. Kraven later returns to help Spider-Man when the latter mutates into a feral Man-Spider. With Crawford and the Punisher's help, Kraven cures Spider-Man of his mutations.