- "The sands of deep sleep fill his eyes -- and Vivian's too -- now to deal with the Tarantula, himself!!"
- ―The Sandman
| "The Tarantula Strikes" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Adventure Comics | |
| Title: | "The Tarantula Strikes" |
| Volume: | 1 |
| Number: | 40 |
| Cover price: | .10 |
| Cover date: | July, 1939 |
| Publisher: | National Periodical Publications |
| Credits | |
| Ex. Ed: | Vincent A. Sullivan |
| Writers: | Larry Dean |
| Pencilers: | Bert Christman |
| Inkers: | Bert Christman |
| Cover artists: | Creig Flessel |
| Cover inker: | Creig Flessel |
| Editors: | Vincent A. Sullivan |
| Navigation | |
| Previous: | Adventure Comics #39 |
| Next: | Adventure Comics #41 |
"The Tarantula Strikes" is the title to the first story featured in issue #40 of the Adventure Comics ongoing anthology series published by DC Comics. The story was written by Larry Dean with artwork by Bert Christman. This issue also features multiple stories of varying characters including a Barry O'Neill tale by Ed Winiarski, a Steve Carson story by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster, a Jack Woods story by Jim Chambers, a Captain Desmo tale by Ed Winiarski, a Bulldog Martin story by Bart Tumey, a Socko Strong vignette by Joseph Sulman, a Skip Schyler strip by Tom Hickey, Rusty and His Pals by Bill Finger & Bob Kane, and finally Taurus the Bull, also by Bart Tumey. The cover art design for this issue was rendered by Creig Flessel and all stories were edited by Vin Sullivan. This issue shipped with a July, 1939 cover date and carries a cover price of .10 cents per copy.
"The Tarantula Strikes"[]
An elderly man named Tom catches a newspaper with a headline announcing that a woman named Vivian Dale has been kidnapped by the Tarantula, who is holding her for $500,000 ransom. Distressed, Tom pays a visit to his younger friend, Wesley Dodds, and tells him about the news. He expresses his wish that somebody like the Sandman might be able to do something about.
The Sandman is on the move!
After Tom leaves, Wesley goes down to his laboratory and prepares a batch of chemicals, which he uses in a specially designed gas gun. He then dons the signature coat, fedora and gas mask of the Sandman.
At the Vale estate, members of the New York City Police Department interview all staff members and current house guests, alerting them to the fact that they are all suspects in Vivian's disappearance. An older man with a cane named Crossart is offended by such treatment from the police.
Meanwhile, the Sandman sneaks into Vivian's house and begins stealthily investigating the various corridors. He comes upon a hidden panel that leads into the basement. There he finds a thug keeping watch over Vivian. He sprays him with his gas gun and the thug falls over unconscious.
The Tarantula is likewise active in the house, and makes use of the hidden corridors to come and go as he pleases. He enters Crossart's room via a secret door and sees the hat and cowl of the Sandman. He fires a shot, but this is but a ruse as there is nothing there but empty clothing. The true Sandman emerges and doses the Tarantula with his gas gun, who is then revealed to be Crossart.
Featured characters
Supporting characters
Villains
Minor characters
Organizations
Races
Locations
Items
"The Suicide of Major Duval (Part 3)"[]
Featured characters
Supporting characters
Villains
- Count Guniff
Minor characters
- Jean Le Grand
- Major Fonteau
Locations
Items
"The Tarryville Counterfeiters"[]
- Writer - Jerry Siegel
- Penciler - Joe Shuster
- Penciler - Paul Cassidy
- Inker - Joe Shuster
- Inker - Paul Cassidy
- Editor - Vincent A. Sullivan
Featured characters
Supporting characters
Villains
- Jake
- Mike
- Nick
Minor characters
Locations
- Tarryville
Items
"Wolf Ruckson's Trap (Part 2)"[]
Featured characters
- Jack Woods
Supporting characters
- Unidentified elderly man
- Unidentified elderly woman
Villains
- Marty Snell
- Verne Starett
- Wolf Rucker
Minor characters
Locations
Animals
"Captured by Col. Benback (Part 2)"[]
Featured characters
Supporting characters
- Gabby Maguire
Villains
- Colonel Benback
- Butts
- Crusher
Minor characters
- Colonel McAllister
Locations
Items
"Slow Man's Double"[]
Featured characters
- Bulldog Martin
Supporting characters
- Lillian Fenton
Villains
- Hefty
- Palfry
- Ringer
Minor characters
- Sea Admiral, a horse
- Slow Motion, a horse
- Poison, a horse
Locations
- Naratoga horse track
Items
"The Flying Dutchman (Part 1)"[]
Featured characters
- Socko Strong
Supporting characters
- Jerry Indutch
Villains
- The Champ
Minor characters
- Tribal chief
Locations
- Brazitinia
Items
- Steam ship
"The Kidnapping of Donna Carnochan"[]
Featured characters
- Skip Schuyler
Supporting characters
- Donna Carnochan
- Kola Hoa
Villains
- Unidentified kidnapper
Minor characters
- Anthony Carnochan
- Major Barton
Locations
Items
"The Pirate Ship (Part 15)"[]
- Writer - Bill Finger
- Penciler - Bob Kane
- Inker - Bob Kane
- Letterer - Bob Kane
- Editor - Vincent A. Sullivan
Featured characters
- Rusty
- Specs
- Tubby
- Steve Carter
Supporting characters
- Alfred P. Forrest
Villains
- Ichabod Slade
- Long Sin
- Hunch
Minor characters
- Captain
- Duchess
Locations
Items
"Anchors Aweigh!"[]
Featured characters
- Don Kerry
Supporting characters
- Red Murphy
Villains
- Taurus the Bull
- Perkins
Minor characters
Locations
- Pacific Ocean
- Kolui Island
Items
Notes & Trivia[]
- "The Tarantula Strikes" is reprinted in the Golden Age Sandman Archives, Volume 1 hardcover collection, and in Justice League of America, Volume 1 #94.