Several major elements were added to the story as DeMatteis began writing it. Marvel's plans to marry Spider-Man and Mary Jane Watson prompted DeMatteis to make their marriage the emotional focus of the story. The idea of substituting Kraven the Hunter for the new villain came to DeMatteis after a chance look at Kraven's entry in the "Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe". After Mike Zeck was brought on as penciler for "Kraven's Last Hunt", DeMatteis decided it would be a good idea to use a character he and Zeck had created together, Vermin.