University of Panels

17: Morlun

 

One of the lesser known foes of the web-slinger, Morlun was the first antagonist for Spidey to face in J. Michael Straczynki's (or JMS's) astounding run on THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, which introduced the concept that Spider-Man's powers were actually mystical in nature. According to a man named Ezekiel, the spider that had granted Peter it's powers was actually a totem, a mystical being that could impart the attributes of animals into humans. So rather than the radiation granting the spider to give it's abilities to Peter, the spider was actually trying to pass on the powers it already possessed before the radiation killed it. While the totemistic origins for Spider-Man's powers have recieved a mixed reaction from spidey-fans, I found the idea interesting as it added a new layer of mythos to Spider-Man's character. Which brings us to the entity known as Morlun.

 

If Spider-Man were the pure source of the spider-totem, then Morlun would be the predator to those totemistic powers. A being that has walked the earth for centuries, Morlun has absorbed the energies of countless totemistic avatars, killing everyone of them in the process. His need for energy soon draws him to New York, where he sets his sights on the wall-crawler's unique energy signiture. Ignoring Ezekiel's warnings to avoid Morlun (if he were to touch Spidey even once, he could track him wherever he went) Peter engages Morlun in order to prevent innocent civilians from being caught in his rampage. Morlun is possibly one of the greatest threats that Spidey has ever faced, as he is able to resist all of Spider-Man's powers with little effort, and one blow from him hurts Peter more than a punch from the Hulk (and he's fought the Hulk before)! In essence he is the natural predator to Spider-Man's kind, designed to be far superior than the wall-crawler in every way imaginable. He rarely spoke (keeping true to idea that he's like an animalistic predator), and just continuously pursed the wall-crawler with the intent of feeding on his totIn a battle that nearly costs Spidey his life, he is able to beat Morlun through a shear stroke of luck (as well as Peter's knowledge of science).

 

Morlun has since returned only twice (once in JMS's THE OTHER storyline, as well as Dan Slott's recent SPIDER-VERSE crossover). But to me, his most lasting appearance will always be the immortal battle that he had with Spider-Man in the opening arc of JMS's earth-shattering run!

 

It was a Hunter/Prey story to the truest definition!