History: (Superman Family #169) -Frank Lester was a P.I. who was frustrated with the Masher Mob, who was running drugs in Metropolis. He couldn't get any member of the mob convicted, and after losing his P.I. license he refused to give up his crusade against the Mashers. He became a vigilante, patterning his costumed persona of the Tarantula after the hero of a 1960s' television show of the same name. His son Gerold was obsessed with the show, and he hoped that anyone investigating the Tarantula would suspect his son was the vigilante, not him. After assassinating every member of the Masher Mob he was confronted by Superman. He shot a radioactive pellet at the nearby Lois Lane, compelling Superman to save her, and allowing Tarantula time to escape. While investigating Gerold Lester, Lois Lane discovered Tarantula was really Frank Lester. Tarantula tried to kill her, but Superman saved Lois and defeated him.

Due to the Crisis on Infinite Earths, Tarantula's existence was erased from DC continuity.

Comments: Created by Cary Bates, John Rosenberger & Vince Colletta

It's been established that most pre-Crisis stories involving Superman have been erased from DC continuity, so I assume the Tarantula no longer exists in the post-Crisis DCU. 

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