Tarantula I
First appearance: Amazing Spider-Man #134

A revolutionary in the South American state of Delvadia, turned brutal government agent, Anton Miguel Rodriquez was recruited to become that forceful government's answer to Captain America. Rodriquez become the Tarantula, and soon departed for New York city where he tried in vain to rob a ferry boat that was unfortunatly carrying both Peter Parker and the Punisher. The Tarantula was quickly defeated and promptly sent to prison for his attempted robbery, but with his technological wizardry he recreated his weapons, and escaped with the aid of the Jackal, who wished to use the Tarantula against his foe Spider-Man. The Tarantula was unsuccessful however in his revenge ploy, and he soon sought out more steady gains by allying himself with Senor Suerte, on old foe of Luke Cage, the Power Man. Their plans were thwarted by Captain America, and the Tarantula tried again for the riches he felt he deserved by hiring himself out to Lightmaster, and working alongside Kraven the Hunter. Once more his old foe Spider-Man intervened, and the Tarantula was defeated and humiliated. Fed up with his continual disgrace, the Tarantula retired to Florida where he remained in isolation, making the best of what remained of his life.

Soon however opportunity came calling in the form of the Brand Corporation, who needed the Tarantula to kill a Daily Bugle reporter named "Nose" Norton who was investigating Brand and uncovering their seedy secrets. Daily Bugle employees Ben Urich and Peter Parker tracked down Norton first though, and luckily Parker was on the scene when the Tarantula arrived. No match for Spider-Man, the Tarantula suffered a fierce defeat at Spidey's hands, suffering several broken ribs, and a terribly bruised ego. It was no surprise then that the Tarantula leapt at the chance to get spider-like powers, when Brand decided to eliminate Spider-Man as well. The experiment went awry though, when the mysterious Will O' the Wisp, and his intangiblity powers affected the serum, and the Tarantula was mutated into a giant Tarantula creature. Horrified at the beast he had become, the Tarantula leapt off a roof top and was gunned down by waiting police officers.

Years after the Tarantula's death, Delvadia selected another within their government to become a successor to the original Tarantula. Captain Luis Alvarez was the next man to become the Tarantula, but like Rodriquez, Alvarez too died in action.

Powers and Abilities: A skilled athelete, with expert training in hand to hand combat, the Tarantula also pocesses gloves and boots with retractable knives, laced with chemicals to knock foes unconcious.

REFERENCES: Amazing Spider-Man #134-135, Amazing Spider-Man #147-149, Captain America #224, Spectacular Spider-Man #1-3, Amazing Spider-Man #233-236

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