Tarantula

Real Name: Count Eugene Lycosa

Identity/Class: Human transformed by magic

Occupation: Unknown

Affiliations: Joseph (his man-servant), Crispin (another servant)

Enemies: Spider-Priestess, Abdul Rashad

Known Relatives: Unnamed ancestor cursed by a witch

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: New York

First Appearance: Weird Suspense #1 (Atlas Comics, February 1975)

Powers/Abilities: The Count would transform into a humanoid spider, presumably with superhuman strength and agility, the ability to walk up walls, create webbing and perhaps a venomous bite. He was a predator in this form, and would eat human victims.

History: The Tarantula was a European nobleman who suffered under a curse placed on an ancestor by a witch burned at the stake; (more or less) a were-spider, the Count essayed forth into the New York night to prey (literally) upon the criminal element.

Comments: Mike Murphy provided the origin details above and also mentions that the Tarantula is "One of three Atlas protagonists written by Michael Fleisher and who cannibalized their antagonists (and supporting cast)."

CLARIFICATIONS: Not to be confused with

Any Additions/Corrections? Please let me know.

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