The Tarantula was actually Bill Barnes, fiance of Deborah Morgan. He was not a wealthy man, so he turned to threatening and extorting money from rich young debutantes. When they failed to pay him, they died. He was brought to justice by Inspector Bentley of Scotland Yard.

The Tarantula had unusual climbing ability, and captured his victims by springing down on them from above. He then killed his victims with spider venom in a needle at the head on his cane. He also kept pet tarantulas.

*Pep Comics #10
Category:Villains
Category:1940 Debuts
Category:MLJ Characters
Category:Comic Book Characters
Category:Male Characters
Category:Spider Themed Characters
Category:British Characters
Category:Barnes Family Characters
Category:Joe Blair - Creator
Category:Sam Cooper - Creator