Richard Deacon

Richard Deacon is the Human Fly, a criminal who gains insect-based powers after an experimental procedure grafts fly DNA into his body, granting him abilities modeled on a housefly. He becomes a recurring menace in Spider-Man's world.

Richard Deacon made his Marvel debut in the Bronze Age classic The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #10 (1976), brought to life by the powerhouse creative trio of Bill Mantlo, Len Wein, and Gil Kane. Sharing pages with the likes of Spider-Man, Electro, the Human Fly, and J. Jonah Jameson, Deacon has carved out a niche in the darker corners of the Spider-Man corner of the Marvel Universe across a surprisingly enduring nearly five-decade publishing history. With 15 catalog appearances — including one collector-recognized key issue — and a presence stretching all the way into 2024's Amazing Spider-Man by Zeb Wells, he's a fascinating Bronze Age creation who has quietly refused to fade away. For fans who love digging into the rich supporting tapestry of Spider-Man's world, Richard Deacon is exactly the kind of deep-cut discovery that makes collecting so rewarding.