Marvel’s Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Episode 3, introduced two new villains called Tarantula and Speed Demon. During their first appearance, they caught fans’ attention with their advanced combat gear and powerful attacks against Spider-Man. Their presence raised curiosity about their origins, abilities, and connections to the comics. With their synchronized tactics and formidable weapons, these two villains proved to be a serious challenge for the webslinger.
Here’s a deep dive into who Tarantula and Speed Demon are in Marvel’s Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man and their comic book backgrounds.
Who is Marvel’s Tarantula in Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man?
Marvel’s Tarantula in Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is a criminal. She is Speed Demon’s partner and lover.
Tarantula, aka Maria Vasquez, is outfitted with two mechanical gloves that can generate blades, after purchasing it from a robotic dumpster. These blades, coated in red energy, are strong enough to cut through Spider-Man’s webbing.
In Episode 3, Tarantula and Speed Demon perform a bank robbery that is thwarted by Spider-Man. The two then fight the webslinger, overwhelming him with powers from their tech weapons and synchronized attacks until rob discovers their weaknesses and communicates them to Spider-Man, helping the latter defeat them.
In the comics, Vasquez’s Tarantula becomes a hero to avenge her sister, who was killed in a battle that took place in Stamford. She later becomes a member of the Heroes for Hire.
Who is Marvel’s Speed Demon in Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man?
Marvel’s Speed Demon aka James Sanders, is a criminal in Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. He is the partner and lover of Tarantula.
In Episode 3, Sanders is given a pair of mechanical boots from a mysterious robotic dumpster. These boots allow him to run at incredible speeds.
In the comics, Sanders was a chemist at Hudson Pharmaceutical Company, who grew weary of his job. Grandmaster later contacted him and gave him his superhuman speed. He later took on the alias Whizzer and joined the Squadron Sinister in fighting the Avengers, who were being used by Kang the Conqueror. However, he and the Squadron were later defeated.
Speed Demon later improved his powers and began a life of crime. He joined multiple villainous organizations like the Sinister Six and Hood’s Gang. As a result, he fought many heroes, most commonly Spider-Man.
