Amazing Spider-Man #233 (October 1982)

If you ever watched the trailer to the upcoming film Spider-Man: Brand New Day, you may have noticed a cameo by a red and black-wearing man with what looked like a spike in his boot. That man was an actual character from the comics: the Tarantula.

There have been several Tarantulas over the years. The first was Antonio "Anton" Miguel Rodriguez, who debuted in Amazing Spider-Man #134 (July 1974), created by Gerry Conway and Ross Andru. Conway drew inspiration from the political upheavals in South America going on in the 1970s, with the US supporting the oppressive regimes that rose up in the era, like in Chile. Additional inspiration was drawn from a conversation he had with fellow Marvel writer Don Glut, which postulated that that larger countries in the Marvel Universe would not be the only ones that had superhuman beings and superheroes of their own. Smaller countries would likely have them, too. Which is something that does make sense in the MU when you think about it. 

Conway intended Rodriguez to be a South American version of Captain America, but the character would be rather short-lived. Rodriguez would get killed off later in the 1980s, but he would be revived decades later in the Clone Conspiracy storyline. Other characters would take up the mantle of the Tarantula, including Anton's daughter Jacinda and former Hero for Hire Maria Vasquez, who was unrelated to the other Rodriguez Tarantulas. There had been other characters that have used the Tarantula name, but that's not important here. 

I had actually wanted to look at the issue in which Rodriguez debuted, but I'm afraid I do not have it. However, I did have access to another story in which he plays a significant role...and would lead to his downfall and death later on. This is Amazing Spider-Man #233!

The cover is a John Romita Jr and Al Milgrom piece. I love this cover. It's pretty darn funny. You see Tarantula come down and try to bring down Spider-Man with his trademark boot blades, but thanks to his Spider-Sense and superhuman strength, our man is easily able to avoid it and send the South American assassin to dreamland with a Mighty Punch. It's a good and funny cover, my only complaint is that it seemingly does not fit the tone of the interior story at all. You'll see what I mean.

"Where the @$%# is Nose Norton?"
Writer: Roger Stern
Penciler: John Romita Jr.
Inker: Jim Mooney
Colorist: Glynis Wein
Letterer: Diana Albers
Editor: Tom DeFalco
Editor-in-Chief: Jim Shooter

The story begins with J. Jonah Jameson being as cheerful as he usually is known to be, demanding to know where on Earth a man named "Nose" Norton went off to. You see, "Nose" is an informant, and he has some juicy information the Bugle could use to expose the Brand Corporation. Jameson paid good money for the info, and the old skinflint fears that "Nose" made like Steve Miller and took the money and ran.

Sitting in the office with him is his wife Marla, and his fellow Buglers Robbie Robertson and Ned Leeds. Robbie tries to assure Jameson that Norton will surface, as the cops are looking for him. Ned adds that that there are whispers of some out-of-town muscle that is looking for "Nose" as well. And it does not take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that said muscle is after Norton because of what he knows.

Jameson, ever the brilliant mind he is, theorizes that Spider-Man is also after Norton as the web-slinger fought the villain known as Cobra (as in the long-running Marvel villain, not the ruthless terrorist organization determined to rule the world) just as Leeds was about to get the info from Norton in issue #231. Leeds naturally finds it ridiculous. 

Of course, Leeds finds Jameson's theory dumb, because Spider-Man was the one who saved him, Betty Brant, and Norton from the Cobra. Also, Jameson is so obsessed with smearing Spider-Man that if he stubbed his toe on a sidewalk curb, Jameson would scream that Spider-Man deliberately put that curb there.

As such, Leeds refuses to let him use the expose to commit libel. Robbie has Leeds's back, saying that dragging Spider-Man into it will make the paper look bad. I can imagine that under Jameson, the Daily Bugle has had to print many a retraction about the Web-Head over the years.  As this is going down, Peter Parker is swinging his way back to the Bugle's building. It's then the Parker Luck strikes again.

It's not mentioned here, but someone covered the outside handle with gum as well.

Yeah, no going in that way. Peter has to use the elevator shaft to make his way inside. Once he does, he goes to wash his hands, as elevator cables are friggin' filthy.

After he gets that handled, Jameson shows up in the newsroom, and he's making an announcement. 

It was then that the Daily Bugle workers knew he had gone utterly mad.

Yeah. $1,500. In the 80s, that's a nice chunk of change. Considering how much of a skinflint scrooge he is, the rest of the Bugle staff see it as a sign that Jameson is that desperate to find Norton...or he has some serious health issues. Our man Peter sees dollar signs in his eyes. That money would be very helpful to him. Not to mention with his powers, he has the best chance of finding Norton.  

On his way out, he passes by a blonde beauty named Amy. She's looking for Lance Bannon, another Bugle photographer at the time. However, the man is late. Again. Get him a watch! 

She learns about Peter from another staffer...and it inspires her.

"I always wanted to be a femme fatale..."

Yeah, the Parker Luck combined with the Parker Rizz...it's a dangerous combination. But this is a book about Spider-Man, right? What's he up to?

This is why nobody wants to play pool with you, Pete.

Well, looking for the Nose, of course. The sight of the webslinger gets the pool players running.

Our man uses his webs and powers to get some answers. Unfortunately, Peter makes a goofup.

"I also lost a bet thanks to you, you webbed jerk!"

Yeah, he accidentally grabbed an undercover cop and ruined a bust. The Parker Luck strikes again. 

The scene shifts to the blue waters and warm sun of Miami Beach. People come here to surf, tan, and have a good time, and for one man, he just wants to sit at his table and have a smoke. He gets visited by a Senor "Smith". Smith wants to hire this man to kill Norton. You see, this is Anton Rodriguez, laying low under a pseudonym. Smith offers coverage of all expenses and will provide some new equipment...as well as $250,000. In 80s money, that's a very nice chunk of change. Anton is all like "You got yourself a Tarantula". 

So, now we got the players set, both after Norton. Both Anton and Peter are after him for different reasons, the only commonality is the need for that sweet cash. But where has Norton himself been hiding out? Well, he's naturally been laying low in his apartment above a bar in Staten Island called Murray's. But the cabin fever has gotten to him, and the Nose needs to get out. I know the feeling.

"This beer smells so good..."

That may have ended up being the last beer that the Nose would enjoy. One of Smith's men spots him and calls it in.

Elsewhere, Ben Urich also gets a call to head to Murray's. He rushes there, being followed by Spider-Man. 

Peter meets Ben on the Staten Island Ferry, and the two head to Murray's. They find the Nose.

"Hey there, Nose! Did you get that thing we sent you?"

Peter's Spider-Sense goes off, signaling the Tarantula has arrived. 

"BEHOLD MY GLORIOUS FOOT!" 

Anton knocks Ben aside. Peter moves to save the reporter, allowing the assassin to make off with the Nose. He goes to interrogate the terrified informant, but's all an act.

You see, Tarantula knows Ben is watching him, so he's trying to mess with Urich by portraying Nose as a cowardly liar. Spider-Man shows up and engages the Tarantula. 

Peter easily tosses the South American assassin into a garbage scow. Yeah, people tend to forget that Spider-Man is a powerhouse in his own right. Sure, he's no Hulk, Wonder Man, or Thor, but he is hardly the stereotypical 98-pound weakling. Anton tries to stick our man with his poison-tipped boot blades. These new ones are now retractable. Spidey webs his boots to the ground. 

Meanwhile, Ben tries to talk to the Nose. However, Norton is too freaked out, pulling a gun on him. The two then hear what are presumably New York's Finest calling for everyone to freeze. Tarantula reveals another new trick. 

"I am invincible because I have the power of jazz hands!"

Yup, he now also has retractable poison blades in his gloves. It's a respectable upgrade, but Peter Parker still has a couple big advantages: His Spider-Sense and his superpowers. This allows our man to take down the Tarantula easily. He hears gunshots and goes to check it out.

"He also threw shoes at us! Who throws a shoe?! Honestly!"

Ben is alright, as he hit the ground when the shots started flying...although he has got to quit smoking. I'm not making a joke, Ben does say that. The men who shot Nose are private investigators, claiming they shot him in self-defense. They had been after Norton because of his activities as a fence. A fence is someone who buys stolen goods to be resold at a profit. Fences will often use legit businesses like pawn shops as a front, a way of "laundering" the stolen goods.

Spider-Man finds the whole thing a bit convenient. These two guys happened to show up and shoot Norton while Spidey was trying to stop the Tarantula from killing him? Yeah, it does sound a bit convenient. Luckily (or unluckily, depending on who you ask) Nose is still alive. He needs an ambulance. Spidey also wants the cops called to take care of the Tarantula...who also has vanished. Someone evidently has, so it's time for Spider-Man to make an exit...and Peter Paker to make his entrance. Peter's camera has gotten some pictures. Hopefully, they have photos of the supposed PIs shooting Nose first. Our man isn't sure, but he's willing to find out.

I enjoyed this issue. But then again, I am a fan of Roger Stern's Spider-Man run in general. We get a couple bits of humor with Spider-Man accidentally ruining a sting and having to find another way into the Bugle's offices, some set up of a bit of drama with Amy Powell, and plenty of action with Spider-Man fighting the Tarantula. Peter easily beating him does make a bit of sense. Anton at this point is only human. He's a good fighter, but Peter has actual superpowers. He's super-strong, presumably more durable than the average man, and got great reflexes. Not to mention his Spider-Sense. It's a nice solid entertaining little story.

John Romita Jr turns in some fine art on this issue. What is interesting is that we're starting to see his style slightly differ from his legendary father. There is still a slight bit of Senior in the style, mainly in how he renders women and Spider-Man himself in full costume. I do wish he had stuck to this, as it looks really good. 

As I said earlier, this issue would lead to the downfall of Anton Rodriguez. In the next couple issues, agents of the Brand Corporation would subject Anton to an experiment in an attempt to give him powers like Spider-Man's, presumably to make him a better match against the Wall-Crawler. However, a battle between Spider-Man and the Will O' The Wisp would wreck it, causing Anton to get powers...but also to slowly mutate into a giant spider. In his giant spider form, he would leap into the gunfire from some cops. Anton would remain dead for decades until as I said earlier, he would be resurrected (with his humanity restored) in the Dead No More: The Clone Conspiracy storyline. 

If you want to read this issue yourself, I got the scans from the 2013 trade paperback Amazing Spider-Man: Mark of the Tarantula. It will also be included in the upcoming (as of the time of this writing) 2026 trade paperback Amazing Spider-Man Epic Collection Vol. 13: Nothing Can Stop the Juggernaut. Thanks for reading this blog entry! If you liked it, show it off! Take care of yourselves and each other! If you want to give this blog some additional support, please make a donation to my Ko-fi! See you next time!