Kraven was born and raised in Russia during the time of the Russian Revolution. Born into an aristocracy that had come to the end, Kraven turned to the hunt in order to fulfill his sense of lost nobility. His talent for the sport led him to Africa, where he was given a potent potion that granted him the abilities and strength of a jungle cat and extended his lifespan. He eventually grew bored of hunting big game and instead decided to turn his focus to hunting the ultimate prety -- Spider-Man!