Black Tarantula

Latest revision as of 06:29, 21 March 2025

Black Tarantula in Amazing Spider-Man v1 #432.

The Black Tarantula is a male comic character who features in Marvel Comics.

Biography

Origin

Carlos LaMuerto was a male human born in the modern age where he came to part of a family line in South America where the eldest son adopted the mantle of the Black Tarantula. It was noted that Carlos's father and grandfather had both been previous bearers of the mantle. (Amazing Spider-Man v1 #436)

Among his servants was El Uno who had served him for many centuries. (Amazing Spider-Man v1 #420)

LeMuerto was attached to the Argentinean diplomatic mission where he first met Marina Caches whilst she was attending graduate school. The two embarked on a romance where they came to be married and Marina even became pregnant with their son Fabian. It was almost a year into their marriage when Marina came to learn the truth about her husband. (Amazing Spider-Man v1 #436) She came to beg him to not take the mantle of the Black Tarantula but Carlos saw it as his duty. Thus, he came to inherit the mantle from his own father and took on his criminal network. (Daredevil: Blood of the Tarantula v1 #1) This resulted in Marina running away from him and taking their son where Carlos attempted to track them down. (Amazing Spider-Man v1 #436)

Spider-Hunt

He later looked to expanding his domain into the lucrative market in New York City. Chesbro updated Black Tarantula on the state of the New York underworld and the efforts of Don Fortunato, the Rose, and Hammerhead to take it over. Black Tarantula wondered if fate was leading him to New York in addition to his desires for wealth and new opportunities. Through his agent El Uno, he offered to sell expensive stolen emeralds to the local criminals for a million dollars, far less than what they were worth. The Rose sent a delegation of men, led by Delilah, and El Uno had his men kill the Rose's men. Spider-Man attacked, poking El Uno in the eyes and webbing his face, but he easily ripped free. The building exploded, due to a bomb Delilah had placed, and El Uno was nearly killed. Chesbro gave the news to Black Tarantula. (Amazing Spider-Man v1 #419) El Uno escaped the hospital, covered in bandages, and planned his revenge on Spider-Man and Delilah. He came across two frightened homeless men and stole their clothes. Black Tarantula, meanwhile, grew frustrated when Chesbro set up a Christmas tree, ordering him to take it down. He wondered where El Uno, a servant of the clan for centuries, had disappeared to, ignoring Chesbro's efforts to give him hope. In New York, El Uno tracked Delilah, savagely attacking her, knocking her through the roof of an apartment. Delilah knocked him into a fuel truck that exploded. The Rose and Delilah mailed El Uno's head back to the Black Tarantula in Argentina. (Amazing Spider-Man v1 #420) Black Tarantula sent his agents, the True Believers, led by Madame Qwa and including Dragonfly, to attack the Rose's holdings in New York. Chesbro established a video link between Qwa and Black Tarantula and she reported that they would need to go after Spider-Man, who had been interfering with them. (Amazing Spider-Man v1 #421) Chesbro established another link to Qwa in New York where the Black Tarantula then tasked the True Believers with increasing their pressure on his North American counterparts. They were also to assassinate Robbie Robertson as a senior member of the press and place the blame on the Rose. (Amazing Spider-Man v1 #422) Qwa sent Dragonfly after Robertson, but she was nearly killed by the Rose's agent Electro. Spider-Man and Robertson saved her, so she gave information to the press about Black Tarantula. (Amazing Spider-Man v1 #423)

This mission failed due to the intervention of Spider-Man with the failure being printed in the Daily Bugle whilst the True Believers were facing their blood enemies in the Hand. As a result, the Black Tarantula had Madame Qwa returned her forces home whilst the Black Tarantula looked to regroup his forces as he intended to travel to New York himself to personally oversee the establishment of his criminal operation in that city. (Amazing Spider-Man v1 #424)

Shadowland

Fighting the Man Without Fear in Daredevil Annual v2 #1.

At some point, Black Tarantula was arrested and incarcerated at Ryker's Island. He found several followers within the facility, while other criminals, such as Boss Morgan, Kingpin, Owl, and Hammerhead, found their own followers. In Ryker's Island penitentiary, LaMuerto approached the supposedly blind Matt Murdock, who'd been incarcerated for suspicion of being Daredevil, in the infirmary. Murdock identified LaMuerto before he spoke, claiming he knew it was him because it was Tuesday, the same day LaMuerto got his weekly shot that took away his powers. LaMuerto told Murdock that Wilson Fisk, the incarcerated Kingpin, had attacked his men in the showers, killing four based on an assumption, even twisting one's head all the way around. LaMuerto asked Murdock to be on his side as things were about to get ugly, but Murdock continued denying he was Daredevil. LaMuerto reminded Murdock that he had to pick a side, whether it be Boss Morgan, Owl, Hammerhead, or someone else. (Daredevil v2 #82) Hearing that Kingpin had arranged the murder of Murdock's ally Foggy Nelson, LaMuerto offered to get Murdock a Shiv, but Murdock turned him down. He reminded Murdock that prison changes a man and that he had a reputation to uphold. He then laughed as the Punisher was escorted into the prison. That night he met with Hammerhead and Morgan, who confirmed that a riot was going to break out the next day that would leave Murdock and Fisk both dead. (Daredevil v2 #85) LaMuerto, Hammerhead, and Morgan stood on an upper deck, watching the violent riot break out between the prisoners and wondering where their artillery was. Bullseye hit Morgan with a card, seemingly killing him, and Hammerhead jumped to safety. LaMuerto attacked Bullseye, who impaled him with a card, leaving him in a pool of blood. Murdock and Punisher later escaped from the prison. (Daredevil v2 #86)

A counselor in prison told LaMuerto that the outside only seemed desirable because it was different and unfamiliar, but it was really the same world with more choices. LaMuerto was released on parole due to overpopulation in the prison system. He was given pills that would suppress his powers, which they would check every two weeks. LaMuerto checked in with his parole officer, Dwight Peterson, as required, but was put off by the man's racist and cynical nature. Peterson told LaMuerto that he would be required to pay him $1000 per month to stay on the streets, and that for another $1000 per month, he could get his powers back. Feeling hopeless, he went to Matt Murdock's law clinic, looking for work. The nervous Foggy Nelson showed him in, and Matt shook his hand, agreeing to set him up with assisting private investigator Dakota North. LaMuerto got a terrible apartment in the Barrio, and he was disgusted with the state of the city. After buying a churro, he ran into Little Loco on the streets, and Loco, with his armed men, was sure to let LaMuerto know that he didn't rule the streets anymore. LaMuerto met with North the next morning, though she was skeptical about his criminal career. She and Murdock asked him to look into the facts of the murder case and he grew frustrated with her sardonic nature and the difficulty of working with a computer. He went out to the streets and roughed up Pedro, trying to get information on the murders that way, but Murdock stopped him. Murdock told LaMuerto to come back when he was ready, then walked off, accosted by muggers. LaMuerto fought them off, then Murdock invited him on a private mission. He dressed as Black Tarantula and joined Daredevil in fighting down a group of Yakuza. LaMuerto was tempted to use the drug money there to do good things in his neighborhood, but Murdock refused to let him. Remembering the words of his shrink, he threw his medication against the wall, refusing to take it anymore so his powers could return. Murdock soon called LaMuerto, telling him that Little Loco had been connected to the murders. Dressed as Black Tarantula, LaMuerto stormed Little Loco's home, realizing he was guilty. His men shot LaMuerto several times, but he healed quickly and easily defeated the group. Little Loco invited LaMuerto to join his criminal enterprise, but LaMuerto killed him with money in his throat instead. Murdock arrived, asking what LaMuerto had done, but he refused to justify himself. When Daredevil threatened to arrest LaMuerto again, he punched the hero back, healing him before he left. He soon left Murdock incriminating evidence on Peterson, then turned over all of Loco's money to the local church. (Daredevil Annual v2 #1)

LaMuerto claimed a section of the city as his own. He sent out word that no drugs would be allowed on his streets. When he saw a drug deal going down in a playground, LaMuerto, in his Black Tarantula costume, attacked the dealers, healing from their gunfire and taking them down easily. He left them alive to spread the word, then took their money to a local rescue mission, where the father was uncomfortable with the blood-stained costume LaMuerto wore. He destroyed the drugs that night, looking over his city. He walked through his city confidently, knowing that his people appreciated them. As he was paying off the cops, he thought he saw Marina and Fabian walking in the crowd, but was unable to find them. He wondered if they were in danger out in the city. That night, he got a call from Fabian, whose voice was quickly replaced by a kidnapper's. He demanded LaMuerto be on the pier that night or his family would be dead. He went, despite the risks, and he was taken down by tranquilizer darts. He woke up tied to a pole with his cousin Luis in his face, leading men from his own Argentian gang and wanting to kill LaMuerto so that he could obtain the Black Tarantula powers for himself. Luis claimed that he was backed by the family and that they wanted him to start a drug campaign again. LaMuerto managed to break the pole he was on and he went plummeting into the water as he was riddled with bullets. Struggling to heal, he showed up on Murdock's doorstep. Two days later, he awakened and thanked Murdock, asking him for help against Luis despite the illegalities. He soon found the kidnapped woman and child, realizing they were not his family, seeing that the boy did not have the small spider tattoo at the base of his skull like Carlos would have. As LaMuerto tried to free the victims, Luis blew up the building. LaMuerto emerged from the fire, burning alive, and killed Luis with his own blade. LaMuerto planned to blame it all on Luis, but he knew there would be more men after him. He knew he would have to keep a low profile. Two weeks later, he was working as a construction worker, missing his old life. (Daredevil: Blood of the Tarantula v1 #1)

Instead, he came to save Foggy's life and then battled White Tiger, attempting to cure her of the Hand's influence. (Daredevil v1 #500) A group of Hand assassins attacked LaMuerto in his apartment, overwhelming him with their numbers and fighting skills. LaMuerto savagely fought back, killing several of them. He went to Murdock for help, but was defeated by the elderly Master Izo, who left LaMuerto tied up until Murdock returned. (Daredevil v2 #112) Whilst there, Murdock, Dakota, and Master Izo, he heard discussion about the Hand and Elektra being exposed as a Skrull. Iron Fist showed up, also having been attacked, and they discussed Master Izo's origins with the Hand. On that night, LaMuerto and Izo worked on tracking down the Hand. Izo killed a few Hand ninjas before they found a Hand station with pictures of Carlos and others, including the White Tiger. (Daredevil v2 #113) Hearing that the White Tiger Angela Del Toro had gone missing, LaMuerto continued looking for her and the Hand. He followed Izo's advice and found the White Tiger battling Hand operatives. He attacked them, but the White Tiger turned on him, killing him. Now resurrected under the Hand's control, Black Tarantula and White Tiger waited for Murdock at his apartment. (Daredevil v2 #114) Murdock battled his former friends savagely until Iron Fist and Master Izo attacked. The battle spread across the home and Murdock rushed up the stairs, where Lady Bullseye attacked and determined Murdock was not yet ready. When Izo rushed off to kill her master Hirochi, Lady Bullseye ordered Black Tarantula and White Tiger to go after Izo. Iron Fist pursued them, but they knocked him unconscious and rushed off after Izo again instead of killing him. They found Hirochi with his hand severed and Izo gone. Both flew with Hirochi and Lady Bullseye to Spain for their secondary plan when the primary plan, to recruit Daredevil as leader of the Hand, failed due to Daredevil's refusal. (Daredevil v2 #115)

Carlos then lead an attack against Daredevil at his home along with White Tiger, Lady Bullseye, and Lord Hirochi. Daredevil was joined by Master Izo and Iron Fist, and together they fought off the Hand. Black Tarantula defeated Iron Fist but stopped White Tiger from killing him, giving the excuse that he did not want the competition. (Daredevil v2 #115) Black Tarantula and White Tiger were next ordered to kill Foggy Nelson by Lady Bullseye. (Daredevil v2 #119)

When Matt Murdock took over leadership of the Hand, Black Tarantula became Matt Murdock's lieutenant alongside White Tiger. He lead 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. (Shadowland v1 #3) While New York was in crisis, Black Tarantula was informed by White Tiger to execute looters, but became confused, seeing that something was wrong with Daredevil. White Tiger, still possessed by the Hand, stabbed Black Tarantula in the back and tossed him over the edge of Shadowland to fall onto a vehicle, leaving him for dead. (Daredevil v1 #510) After Shadowland, it was revealed that Black Tarantula was still alive, having been cared for by Night Nurse. (Daredevil v1 #512)

Aftermath

Overview

Personality and attributes

It was noted that he was a handsome and charming man. He was one of many in his ancestral line that inherited the name of Black Tarantula. In this guise, he wore a black costume and a mask that hid his face from his enemies. (Amazing Spider-Man v1 #436)

There were stories in South America that spoke of his ruthlessness. (Amazing Spider-Man v1 #419)

Some argued that the Black Tarantula tried to do good in his own way. It was said that his people did not fear him as they knew he was there to help as he was one of them. (Daredevil: Blood of the Tarantula v1 #1)

LaMuerto came to hide the nature of his business operations and claimed that his family operated in the service industry. (Amazing Spider-Man v1 #436)

It was noted that his father and his grandfather had been the previous Black Tarantulas. (Amazing Spider-Man v1 #436)

He used to be married to Marina Caches who became pregnant with their child who was named Fabian. Carlos had believed that his son would follow the grim tradition of their family line by becoming the next Black Tarantula. However, upon learning of this, Marina came to flee him and was separated from her husband as she sought to hide from him. She came to file for divorce from him but had always feared that Carlos would demand the return of his sole heir. (Amazing Spider-Man v1 #436)

Among his relatives was his cousin Luis who was just a boy when Carlos had last seen him. (Daredevil: Blood of the Tarantula v1 #1)

The Black Tarantula came to note that Spider-Man to be a man of honor who was well-intentioned but somewhat misguided. (Amazing Spider-Man v1 #436)

Powers and abilities

He was part of a family line all of whom inherited the powers and abilities of the Black Tarantula. (Amazing Spider-Man v1 #436) The ceremony was shown to involve bloodletting where the blood of the previous holder was used to transfer their power to their successor. (Daredevil: Blood of the Tarantula v1 #1)

It used to be that getting shot was something that hurt him but over time he learnt to control himself and his body would heal his wounds. Carlos noted that it took a lot to take him down though special poisons were able to slow his recuperative powers. (Daredevil: Blood of the Tarantula v1 #1)

Such was his incredible strength that he could strike with high impact blows and was able to shatter thin titanium steel shell. He was able to easily best a Killdroid which were heavily armored personal combat suits designed to take on a small army. (Amazing Spider-Man v1 #436)

He was served by a diminutive servant by the name of Chesbro. (Amazing Spider-Man v1 #419)

LaMuerto was the heir to a grand birthright and took the throne of a family that had ruled Argentina for a thousand years. The family mark was said to be a small spider tattoo located on the base of the skull. (Daredevil: Blood of the Tarantula v1 #1) His family were known to offer their services in matters concerning theft, extortion and murder. (Amazing Spider-Man v1 #436) The Black Tarantula was served by a cult that worshipped him like a god. His criminal empire was said to be a major player on the international scene. (Amazing Spider-Man v1 #419) Their family was shown to have special priests who were responsible for the ritual that transferred the power of the Black Tarantula to another of the bloodline. (Daredevil: Blood of the Tarantula v1 #1)

Notes

• The Black Tarantula was created by Tom DeFalco and Steve Skroce where he made his first appearance in Amazing Spider-Man v1 #419 (January, 1997).

Alternate Versions

• In Marvel Universe Vs. The Avengers v1 #1 (2012), an alternate version of Black Tarantula appeared in the setting of the Last Gun on Earth that was designated as Earth-11080 in the Multiverse. When a plague turned the world's population into cannibals, Black Tarantula was among the many to succumb to it.

In other media

Video games

• In Marvel: War of Heroes, the Black Tarantula appeared as a playable card in the setting of the electronic collectible card game.
• In Spider-Man Unlimited, the Black Tarantula appeared in the setting of the mobile video game as a playable character. Carlos LaMuerto was the latest in the line of crimelords known as Black Tarantula. He briefly travelled to Japan and joined The Hand. During his tenure, he gained numerous superpowers, most notably immortality. Back in New York City, he found Spider-Man and Doppelganger fighting on his territory, with the latter expressing his intention of stealing LaMuerto's interdimensional teleporter. Finding the teleporter went missing during the battle, he joined the Spider-Men to bring the thief to justice. Believing the Symbiote Hive was lacking strong leadership, Black Tarantula returned to Klyntar to take over the planet. He defeated Carnage and Venom and took out their sects. Unfortunately for Carlos, Scream was able to rally the rest of her troops to dethrone him.

Appearances

• Amazing Spider-Man v1: (1997)
• Daredevil v2:
• Daredevil: Blood of the Tarantula v1:
• Daredevil v1:
• Shadowlands v1:
• Deathlok v5:
• Contagion v1:

External Links

• Marvel Database Entry
• Comicvine Entry
• Wikipedia Entry

This article is a stub. You can help Multiversal Omnipedia by expanding it.