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
Tarantula, enemy of the Spider
Tarantula, enemy of Storm Force
Tarantula, foe of the THUNDER Agents
Tarantula, South American assassins who fought Spider-Man
Any Additions/Corrections? Please let me know.
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