One was a private investigator, the other a gangster. Both concerned with the costumed crusaders that would interfere with their plans. The answer was simple... don the costume of your favorite eight-legged creature which has a tendency to draw its prey into an intricate web from which it cannot escape. As the Tarantula, Lester and Crossart came equipped with guns. Frank Lester of Earth-One shot radioactive pellets, Crossart of Earth-Two shot real bullets. After striking out solo, they each crossed paths with two established superheroes, Superman and Sandman. From this occasion, both threatening damsels in distress, Frank shooting Lois Lane to draw the Man of Steel away from his trail, and Crossart endangering wealthy debutante Vivian Dale whose mansion he was staying in as a guest.
Lester had been relentlessly pursuing the Masher Mob in Metropolis, after he was left unemployed, inspired by his son's favorite television superhero. Crossart was perhaps inspired by another criminal named Tarantula, who would later try to uncover the secret identity of Sandman's Justice Society of America teammate Doctor Mid-Nite. While Lester never resumed his alter ego following his capture, Crossart once more donned his mask while under the employ of Ian Karkull. Once more, he was defeated by his old foe Sandman, who was aided by his JSA colleague the Atom.
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