Eric Needham (Prime Earth)

The Black Spider (real name Eric Needham) is an infamous mercenary and hitman enemy of Batman. He was also a member of the Suicide Squad and the Secret Society of Super-Villains.

History

Early Life

Eric Needham was a drug user and thief who, when he went to rob a store, ended up killing his own father who was there to buy cigarettes and he didn't recognize him when his father called out to him. When he came to his senses and realized what he had done, he would clean himself up and became the masked vigilante known as Black Spider, supported by Daniel whom he grew close to.^[2]

Targetting drug trafficking, causing him to clash with Batman, who once committed him to Arkham Asylum.^[2] For a time, Eric would eventually start a family of his own until they were killed and continued acting as a vigilante, garnering a reputation.^[3] Eventually, while combatting a new drugs known as "Lights Out", he came across the leader of Basilisk and was defeated by him soundly. Encountering Regulus later, he joined Basilisk inspite of not believing in most of their lies to him, having become radicalized by their belief that metahumans will one day supplant humanity.^[4]

Task Force X

With Regulus anticipating former teammate Amanda Waller's actions, Needhman is set up as a double agent for Regulus within Task Force X, tasked with assassinating Amanda Waller. Needham worked alongside the Suicide Squad during the Basilisk Rising, eventually betraying the team despite his respect for Waller.^[4]

Dark Crisis

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Working with the Cobblepots

Black Spider was hired by The Penguin's children, Addison and Aiden Cobblepot, in exchange for being paid with the drug Venom, as the siblings had exclusive access to it then, the only way to alleviate the symptoms of his sick boyfriend Daniel. But as Daniel was taken hostage by them because Black Spider was not doing as ordered, he needed to team up with the Penguin to take them down.^[2]

But unfortunately Daniel ended up being killed by the Cobblepot twins.^[5] To avenge him, Black Spider went after the Penguin to kill him because he considered him the reason for everything that happened to Daniel, but Batman stopped him by saving the Penguin's life. Later, however, Black Spider allied himself with the Penguin in exchange for the opportunity to kill Addison, while Aidan had already been killed by his own father, and as part of the deal, Black Spider agreed to work for the Penguin.^[1]

Powers and Abilities

Abilities

• Athletics: Neeham is considered a superb athlete and gymnast.^[6] Deadshot attributes that one of his known skills includes being able to dodge bullets.^[7]
• Deception: Needham was skilled enough to deceive Amanda Waller.^[4]
• Martial Arts: Needham is a master martial artist.^[6]
• Mechanical Engineering^[8]
• Thievery: Black Spider is an accomplished thief. He was able to successfully rob a diamond exchange, however he was apprehended by Flash shortly afterwards.^[9]
• Weaponry: Needham is a weapons expert, with a preference for kamas.^[6]
  • Firearms

Other Characteristics

• Drug Addiction (Formerly): A former addict, Needham went through the twelve steps to overcome his addiction.^[2]
• Obsession: Eric possess a strong desire to seek vengeance against criminals, especially drug traffickers, making him unwilling to leave drug traffickers alive.^[6][2]
  

Paraphernalia

Equipment

• Mechanical Arms: Black Spider is equipped with a pair of high-tech multi-jointed robotic arms.
  • Superhuman Strength: Black Spider's mechanical arms are strong enough to lift cars above his head.^[9]

Weapons

• Guns^[2]

Notes

• Eric Needham was created by Gerry Conway and Ernie Chan, first appearing in Detective Comics #463. However, in the Prime Earth continuity, Eric Needham first appeared as part of the New 52 DC Universe in Suicide Squad (Volume 4) #1 by Adam Glass and Federico Dallocchio.
  

Trivia

• It is mentioned by Amanda Waller that Eric Needham once had a family years before being a member of Task Force X.^[3] While not named, it is likely reference to his previous incarnation's history, which included Linda Morrel and Michael.
• In the initial run of Suicide Squad (Volume 4), Black Spider was referred to as the Eric Needham version. In Suicide Squad (Volume 4) #14, he was identified as Derrick Coe instead.

Related

• 41 Appearances of Eric Needham (Prime Earth)
• 22 Images featuring Eric Needham (Prime Earth)
• 2 Quotations by or about Eric Needham (Prime Earth)
• Character Gallery: Eric Needham (Prime Earth)

Footnotes

Secret Society of Super-Villains member This character is or was a member of the Secret Society of Super-Villains, a cadre of super-villains who band together to accomplish feats no one super-villain can do alone, in any of its various incarnations. This template will categorize articles that include it into the "Secret Society of Super-Villains members" category.

Suicide Squad member This character is or was a member of the Suicide Squad, a team of imprisoned super-villains who perform high-risk missions for the U.S. Government in exchange for commuted sentences, in any of its various incarnations. This template will categorize articles that include it into the "Suicide Squad members" category.

Batman Villain(s) This character, team or organization, has been primarily an enemy of the Batman, or the Batman Family as a whole. This template will categorize articles that include it into the category "Batman Villains."

Flash Villain(s) This character, team, or organization, is or was primarily an enemy of any or all of the various incarnations of the Flash. This template will categorize articles that include it into the category "Flash Villains."