The Tarantula

Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #1

by Sal Buscema, 1976

Later, the Tarantula is hired by Lightmaster to perform a series of kidnappings. The first public kidnapping was Lightmaster himself, in his civilian identity of Vice-Chancellor Edward Lansky, in order to draw suspicion away from Lansky. When Spider-Man interferes, the Tarantula distracts him long enough for his stooges to load Lansky in a getaway car. The Tarantula and his men then make their escape.

Next, the Tarantula is dispatched to assassinate the mayor of New York in such a way that it appears to be another bungled kidnapping. Again, Spider-Man happens to be on the scene. This time, Spider-Man's presence thwarts the assassination attempt, but the Tarantula makes good his escape by throwing the mayor out a high-story window as a distraction.

Tarantula's failure to assassinate the mayor forces the Lightmaster to hire Kraven, the Hunter to team-up with Tarantula. The pair are assigned to capture chancellor Richard Gorman. Despite the extra-security surrounding the chancellor, the pair make off with the heavy-set Gorman easily. As Kraven lies in wait for Spider-Man to investigate the kidnapping, Tarantula collects his fee. However, Lightmaster has his own plan, and he double-crosses Tarantula by gassing him and taking him prisoner.

Finally, the Tarantula escapes his bonds, but Lightmaster, revealing himself for the first time, subdues him again with a blast of solid light. Presumably, Tarantula was taken into custody after Spider-Man defeated Lightmaster.