Name: Tarantula
Universe: Earth-2
Alter Ego: Jonathan Law
Occupation: Mystery Novelist
Marital Status: Single
Group Affiliation: All-Star Squadron
Base of Operations: New York City
Known Relatives: None
Height: 5 ft. 10 in.
Weight: 180 lbs.
Hair Color: Blond
Eye Color: Blue
First Appearance: Star Spangled Comics #1

History:
Intrigued by the costumed crimefighters who had begun appearing in the late 1930s, best-selling mystery writer Jonathan Law began doing research for a non-fiction book about such "mystery-men." In the course of his research, Law interviewed Dian Belmont in the summer of 1941 about her association with the original Sandman. Belmont gave Law a sketch of a new costume she had designed for the Sandman which she doubted he would ever wear. After having written about crimefighting for years, Law decided to become a costumed crimefighter himself and decided to wear the costume in his mystery-man role.

Inspired by his pet Tarantula, Law had decided to take the name Tarantula and, in keeping with this spider theme, devised a "web-gun" and suction discs for his boots that would enable him to walk up walls. He entrusted his loyal housekeeper Olga with the secret of his double identity.

A few days after Law’s meeting with Belmont, Olga finished making the costume. That night, since the Sandman was out of town, Belmont donned his original costume to investigate a case of sabotage, only to be killed by a Nazi agent. Tarantula then attacked the Nazi agents, and was joined by the Sandman, who was wearing a costume based on Belmont’s sketch. Together, they overcame the saboteurs.

Tarantula made his first public appearance soon afterwards when he defeated theives who had robbed an audience at a Broadway theater. Reporting the incident, a radio announcer referred to the new hero as both a "Tarantula" and a "Spider Man!"

Tarantula joined the wartime All-Star Squadron, and soon afterwards adopted a new costume, feeling that Belmont had intended hers for the Sandman. Law also continued doing research for his book on mystery-men.

Tarantula’s whereabouts and activities after 1942 are unknown, but his book on mystery-men, Altered Egos, was published in the 1960s.

Powers:
Tarantula has no super-powers but is a superb hand-to-hand combatant. He is also a skilled acrobat.

Tarantula’s web-gun shoots a sticky wet "web-line" with which he can ensnare criminals. His boots have small suction cups which enable him to walk up walls.