Tis the first Saturday Showcase of September and most of you won't see it until Sunday. I apologize for that, but between the weather and technical difficulties, it couldn't be helped. Last week I showcased the great Razorback who will be in a 5 figure Marvel Legends set exclusively with Amazon. Well, today we will focus on another character in that set, the Human Fly.
The Human Fly first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #10 (January 1976), and was created by Len Wein, Bill Mantlo, and Gil Kane. He then appears in such titles as The Amazing Spider-Man #192–193 (May–June 1979), Spider-Woman #30 (September 1980), Moon Knight #35 (January 1984), Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #86 (January 1984), and The Amazing Spider-Man #276 (May 1986), in which he was killed by the Scourge of the Underworld.
The Human Fly also known as Richard Deacon, was born in Newark, New Jersey. He was a small-time criminal who was shot by the police and left for dead after an unsuccessful kidnapping attempt which was foiled by Spider-Man. Stumbling into the laboratory of Dr. Harlan Stillwell (whose brother Farley Stillwell created the Scorpion) Deacon coerces the scientist into saving his life. Overhearing an offer Jameson made with Stillwell to fund the creation of a new superhero, Deacon insists he be the subject of the experiment. Stillwell imprints the genetic coding of a housefly onto Deacon, empowering him and healing him of his bullet wounds. Deacon then kills Harlan Stillwell after he served his purpose and uses his newfound powers to further his criminal ambitions. He first uses Jameson as bait to get revenge on Spider-Man. But due to his inexperience, the Fly is no match for him and is defeated.[the Amazing Spider-Man Annual #10].
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Over the course of time, the Human Fly begins to display fly-like tendencies like eating garbage. He also develops physical mutations, including facet eyes. In one plot for revenge, the Human Fly attacks Spider-Man after Spencer Smythe handcuffed him—along with Jameson—to a bomb. The Human Fly hurls the two from a rooftop and leaves them for dead, not knowing they were actually alive...stunned but alive. Once freed from the bomb shackle, Spider-Man tries to stop the Human Fly from stealing an art exhibit, but the villain knocks him down and escapes. Soon afterwards, the police catch the Human Fly thanks from help from S.H.I.E.L.D.
Traveling to Los Angeles, the Fly seeks out Dr. Karl Malus, who confirms that his powers are fading and he will soon be powerless. Malus recommends that he get a new set of powers using a blood transfusion from another superbeing, which would most conveniently be the locally operating Spider-Woman. With his powers already at less than a third their usual strength however, he is unable to defeat her and is apprehended.
The Human Fly is freed from prison and his powers restored by untold means. He subsequently battles Moon Knight, leaving the hero temporarily paralyzed, and again seeks revenge against Jameson and Spider-Man. With the help from the Black Cat, Spider-Man defeats the Human Fly yet again and he is sent to a high security mental institution.
Over time, Deacon's mutation increases. With the new power given to him through these mutations he escapes from his prison only to be killed by a Scourge of the Underworld while trying to take revenge on Spider-Man.
- Savage Six
- Sinister Sixteen
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