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Tarantula (Anton Miguel Rodriquez)

Tarantula (Anton Miguel Rodriquez)

40 appearances · Bronze Age · 1974–2026 · 1 key issues
Who is Tarantula?

Anton Miguel Rodriguez is a ruthless mercenary and assassin from the fictional nation of Delvadia, trained as an elite soldier whose criminal ambitions led him to become the Tarantula — a agile, hand-to-hand combat specialist who wears boots tipped with poisoned spikes.

Swinging out of the Bronze Age in the pages of The Amazing Spider-Man #134 (1974), Tarantula is a Marvel villain who made an immediate impression under the creative hands of Gerry Conway and Ross Andru — a debut issue that collectors still flag as a key. Over a publishing history stretching more than five decades, this dangerous figure has kept some of the most electrifying company in the Marvel Universe, sharing pages with Spider-Man, Mysterio, and Electro across titles like Sinister War and beyond. Forty catalog appearances and counting, Tarantula is a testament to the staying power of a well-crafted Bronze Age antagonist — the kind of character who rewards the fan willing to dig into Spidey's rich rogues gallery.

Identity

Real name. Anton Miguel Rodriquez

Powers. Skilled Fighter: In his human form, the Tarantula was a brilliant athlete with great agility, especially in leaping. He was also a superb hand-to-hand combatant.

Affiliations. The Savage Six ; agent of the Brand Corporation Formerly: ; the Delvadian Army ; former ally of the Jackal ; Señor Muerte ; Kraven the Hunter ; and Lightmaster

★ First appearance
The Amazing Spider-Man #134
Jul 1974

Part of the Tarantula legacy

Tarantula is one of 2 heroes to carry the Tarantula mantle. See the whole Tarantula family ▸

Top series

Covers through the years — 1974–2023

The Amazing Spider-Man #135 1974
The Amazing Spider-Man #135
Daredevil #165 1980
Daredevil #165
Marvel Tales #210 1988
Marvel Tales #210
Spider-Man: Clone Genesis #[nn] 1995
Spider-Man: Clone Genesis #[nn]
The Amazing Spider-Man #8 1999
The Amazing Spider-Man #8
Punisher #1 2009
Punisher #1
Spider-Man: The Next Chapter #2 2012
Spider-Man: The Next Chapter #2
Prowler #5 2017
Prowler #5
Sinister War #1 2021
Sinister War #1
Amazing Spider-Man Epic Collection #9 2023
Amazing Spider-Man Epic Collection #9

Appearances

The Amazing Spider-Man (1963)
Super Spider-Man (1976)
The Spectacular Spider-Man (1976)
#2
Daredevil (1964)
The Amazing Spider-Man Annual (1964)
#15
Super Spider-Man TV Comic (1981)
Marvel Tales (1966)
Spider-Man: Clone Genesis (1995)
Spider-Man Megazine (1994)
Punisher (2009)
#1
Spider-Man: The Original Clone Saga (2011)
Spider-Man: The Next Chapter (2011)
#2
Spider-Man: Mark of the Tarantula (2013)
Prowler (2016)
#5
Prowler: The Clone Conspiracy (2017)
Sinister War (2021)
Amazing Spider-Man (2018)
Custom Sony Interactive Entertainment 2023 UK English Print Comic [Spider-Man 2] (2023)
#1
Custom Sony Interactive Entertainment 2023 English Print Comic [Spider-Man 2] (2023)
#1
Amazing Spider-Man Epic Collection (2013)
Superior Spider-Man (2024)
Spider-Man by Michelinie & Bagley Omnibus (2024)
#1
Spider-Society (2024)
#1
Giant-Size Amazing Spider-Man (2025)
#1
Web of Venom (2026)
#1