The history of the criminal known as the Tarantula is largely unknown.  He first came to public attention in 1947 when a minion of his named Logger stumbled onto the home of the blind Dr. Charles McNider.  Emerging from shower with his towel around his head, McNider looked liked Dr. Mid-Nite.  Logger was so intrigued by the idea that he was caught up staring in the window.  McNider saw him and called out, revealing that he could in fact see.  Logger threw his gun and known McNider out then hauled him back to the Tarantula's base.   Logger shared his theory but the Tarantula was skeptical.  He decided to announce his intent to break into the evidence room at the Paul Street police station and free the friendly Ramey gang.  If Dr. Mid-Nite shows up with McNider bound back at the hideout, the McNider was not Dr. Mid-Nite.   If he didn't, the Mid-Nite's identity would be compromised.

Prior to their arrival, the Tarantula dropped sleeping gas bombs into the ventilation so that when they strolled into the police station, everyone was unconscious.  As  they were prying open a safe, Dr. Mid-Nite rushed in and began to thrash the Tarantula's men.  As Dr. Mid-Nite began to gain the upper hand, the police began to revive, capturing the Tarantula's gang while Tarantula himself fled to see if McNider was still under wraps.  Arriving back to the base, he finds Logger and McNider still bound.  He says this means McNider can't be Mid-Nite and announces his departure for their next hideout - The Rex Roadhouse.  He left without realize that Logger was in fact out cold and had been fooled with some rope tricks and ventriloquism.

As the Tarantula arrived at the Roadhouse, he was astonished to see Dr. Mid-Nite waiting for him.  The two engage in intense fisticuffs with Tarantula gaining the upper hand and preparing to execute Mid-Nite with a revolver.  A handful of poker chips flung in his face blocked the Tarantula's aims, allowing Mid-Nite to land a knockout blow and summon the authorities.  Racing back to the original hideaway, he brought Logger out of a hypnotic trance in which he had left him as the police arrive, convincing the criminals they had been wrong all along and Dr. Mid-Nite's identity (All-American #88).

The full history of the Tarantula remains unrevealed and his final fate on Earth-Two is unknown.