Black Tarantula
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Black Tarantula | |
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The Hand | |
Abilities | Skilled martial artist Superhuman strength, speed, agility, durability and reflexes/reactions Genius-level intelligence Energy beam projection through eyes Healing factor |
Black Tarantula is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in The Amazing Spider-Man #419 (January 1997), and makes his first full appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man #432 (March 1998). Black Tarantula was created by writer Tom DeFalco and artist Steve Skroce. The name was allegedly inspired by a Harry Belafonte song.
Fictional character biography
The origin of the Black Tarantula is shrouded in mystery and misinformation. There is a legend that the Black Tarantula was a European explorer, who traveled to
The current Black Tarantula moves his base of operations from Argentina to New York, claiming that he wants to expand his operation. He comes into conflict with the local crime lord
Spider-Man takes on the identity of
Black Tarantula is later seen at
After Black Tarantula takes care of the gang, he kills Loco by choking him with the money he was paid for killing the woman. Daredevil shows up at the scene, asking what Black Tarantula has done; Black Tarantula then tells him that he plans on taking the rest of the money from the hideout. Daredevil attempts to stop him but is knocked out with a single punch from Black Tarantula. Black Tarantula collects the money and gets ready to leave, but before he goes he kneels in front of Daredevil and heals the flu he has been afflicted with. Black Tarantula leaves the money he took from the gang in a church, with a note saying "Help people with this".[3]
Carlos LaMuerto's story is focused upon again in April 2008, in a one-shot issue entitled Daredevil: Blood of the Tarantula, where he turns in desperation to Matt Murdock to help his new 'mission'.[4]
One morning Carlos was attacked in his apartment by a group of Hand assassins. His fight is observed by
While out patrolling, Black Tarantula runs into White Tiger being attacked by Hand ninjas exactly like he was. After diving in to help her he is killed by White Tiger and resurrected by the Hand as an assassin.
Black Tarantula and White Tiger are then given the assignment to kill Foggy Nelson[9] by Lady Bullseye, who has been hired by the Owl. Black Tarantula instead saves Foggy's life and then battles White Tiger, attempting to cure her of the Hand's influence.[10]
When Matt Murdock took over leadership of the Hand, Black Tarantula became Matt Murdock's lieutenant, along with White Tiger. He then currently ran the Hand in North America and oversaw the construction of "Shadowland" while Matt and White Tiger were in Japan, meeting high ranking Hand leaders from across the globe and discussing Murdock's vision of a more heroic Hand.[11] While New York was in crisis, Black Tarantula is ordered by White Tiger to execute looters, but he becomes confused and sees that something is wrong with Matt Murdock's motives. However, White Tiger was still possessed by the Hand and stabbed Black Tarantula in his back with a blade, and tossed him over the edge of Shadowland to fall into a vehicle, leaving him for dead.[12] In the aftermath, it is revealed that Black Tarantula is still alive, having been cared for by Night Nurse following his confrontation with White Tiger.[13]
During the "
Powers and abilities
Black Tarantula possesses superhuman strength enabling him to lift (press) up to 25 tons. He also possesses superhuman speed, reflexes and reactions, agility, and durability of an unquantified degree. He has a powerful healing factor on a par with the likes of Wolverine or Deadpool that, combined with his superhuman durability, make him extremely difficult to seriously injure. He is also able to stimulate the healing process in other people's bodies, though he rarely does this. He is able to fire laser-like beams from his eyes, but this drains his physical resources severely, so it is only used as a last resort. Spider-Man claims that it is not possible for himself to physically match Black Tarantula because the latter is not only stronger than him, but also faster and more agile.
Black Tarantula is also skilled at different forms of martial arts, and has a genius level intellect.
Other versions
MC2
In the alternate future MC2, Fabian LaMuerto, the son of the current Black Tarantula, has taken up his father's mantle. Fabian wears a variation of his father's suit, removing the sleeves and using futuristic metal gauntlets and boot-soles, and possesses the same superhuman powers as his father. He is also trained in hand-to-hand combat and martial arts. He made his first appearance in a conflict with the crime lord Canis.[volume & issue needed]
Many originally thought he was responsible for the death of
Though a criminal, this Black Tarantula has a deep sense of honor, and he has helped support Spider-Girl's crime-fighting career. He does have a hidden agenda, however—he hopes to win her over as "his mate". Black Tarantula and Spider-Girl face each other often, and their story is ongoing. He attempted to negotiate with the Cabal of Scriers (the former lackeys of Norman Osborn) to call off their hit on Spider-Girl, and when this failed, he challenged their leader to mortal combat for leadership of the Cabal. Victorious, he ordered the hit canceled.[volume & issue needed]
In The Amazing Spider-Girl #3 it is revealed that after the time jump between the series, the Black Tarantula is the current Kingpin of Crime and it is implied that he is interested in the mysterious item that Mona Carlo is carrying. Mona, a known con artist, stole a disk from her boyfriend and was planning to sell it. The disk supposedly contained information about the organization of Wilson Fisk. Black Tarantula and the Hobgoblin were about to start a war to obtain it. With the help of Mad Dog, Spider-Girl obtained the disk and left Mona safely with the police. Chesbro reported to Black Tarantula about Spider-Girl's interference. Fabian decided to move on, but sent a threat to the Hobgoblin, warning him to "back off" from Spider-Girl.[volume & issue needed]
In other media
Video games
- Black Tarantula appears in Marvel: War of Heroes.
- Black Tarantula appears in Spider-Man Unlimited.
References
- ^ The Amazing Spider-Man #419. Marvel Comics
- ^ The Amazing Spider-Man #434-435. Marvel Comics.
- ^ a b Daredevil Annual #1. Marvel Comics
- ^ "Solicitations, Daredevil: Blood of the Tarantula #1". Marvel.com. Retrieved 2011-02-07.
- ^ Daredevil vol. 2 #112. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Daredevil vol. 2 #113. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Daredevil vol. 2 #114. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Daredevil vol. 2 #115. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Daredevil vol. 2 #119
- ^ Daredevil #500
- ^ Shadowland #3 (September 2010). Marvel Comics.
- ^ Daredevil #510 (September 2010). Marvel Comics.
- ^ Daredevil #512. Marvel Comics.
- ^ The Amazing Spider-Man vol. 5 #17. Marvel Comics.
External links
- Profile at Spiderfan.org Archived 2020-07-10 at the Wayback Machine
- Black Tarantula at Marvel Appendix