The Tarantula

First Appearance - Amazing Spider-Man #134

by Ross Andru, 1974

The Tarantula's first exploit in New York involved hijacking a day-liner cruising New York's riverways and holding its passengers hostage. Teamed with two thugs - Juan armed with a bola and Hidalgo armed with a bullwhip - he subdued the crew of the shift. Also on board in his civilian identity was Spider-Man, but he was forced to abandon the boat to save a crewman who had fallen overboard.

While waiting for their one-million dollar ransom to be paid, the Tarantula further subsidized his scheme by robbing and terrorizing the helpless passengers (including Flash Thompson). Spider-Man returned to the boat via a passing police helicopter, and after subduing the two thugs, battled the Tarantula about the ship. The battled remained at a standstill until the Hildago and Flash Thompson both tried to intervene which distracted Spider-Man enough for the Tarantula to stick him with his drugged boot spikes. At this point, the Punisher enters the scene and mistakes Spider-Man for one of the Tarantula's allies. In the resulting confusion, the Tarantula and flunkies make their escape.

Setting aside their differences, Spider-Man and the Punisher track the Tarantula and his me to a tenement facing Central Park. As the Punisher ambushed and took out the Tarantula's thugs, Spider-Man pursued Tarantula into the park. After another short battle, Spider-Man subdues the Tarantula by tossing him into a pond. Webbed up and helpless, the Tarantula and his men were left for the authorities.