This weekend’s superhero post from Balladeer’s Blog looks at the Black Spider, a neglected Ace Periodicals character from the 40s. FOR MANY MORE ACE CHARACTERS CLICK HERE.
THE BLACK SPIDER
Secret Identity: Ralph Nelson
First Appearance: Super Mystery Comics Vol 1 #3 (Oct 1940)
Origin: District Attorney Ralph Nelson grew disgusted with seeing criminals escape justice through loopholes, so he donned a costume, called himself the Black Spider and set out to take down those malefactors who seemed untouchable by the law.
Powers: The Black Spider was in peak physical condition and exceled at unarmed combat. He was also a skilled investigator and handy with a gun. Luckily, Ralph’s lifelong hobby was the study of spiders, so he used trained tarantulas and black widows from a package on his belt against his foes.
Comment: Nelson’s secretary Peggy Dodge was aware of his dual identity and often aided him on his adventures while wearing a mask herself. I feel she should have gotten her own alias, like Arachne or something. “The Black Spider and Arachne” has a Green Hornet and Kato feel to it.
SUPER MYSTERY COMICS Vol 1 #3 (Oct 1940)
Title: The Black Spider
Villains: Gangster Sol Risko and his men
Synopsis: We learn that the Black Spider has been active for some time already and is hated by the city’s organized crime chiefs. Peggy Dodge, the D.A.’s secretary, has a crush on him, not yet realizing he is her boss Ralph Nelson.
Peggy is disgusted at Ralph’s seeming lack of gumption when Sol Risko’s men manage a spectacular theft of evidence in the court case against him, jeopardizing any conviction. She dons a mask and trails Harrigan, a politician in Risko’s pocket.
Meanwhile, D.A. Nelson goes to his secret lair – a cave in the woods called the Web, where he keeps his spiders and other items. He becomes the Black Spider and trails Harrigan like Peggy is doing. Our hero arrives in time to save her from Harrigan and a Risko gunman, but she tears off his mask and learns the Black Spider is really Ralph.
She vows to keep his secret and slips away. The Black Spider takes Harrigan to the Web and gets information out of him by threatening to have his spiders bite him. Then, he recovers the stolen evidence from thugs at the Green Moon Cafe and Risko is found guilty. Continue reading
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