Richard Deacon
Richard Deacon, born in Newark, New Jersey, 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 for J. Jonah Jameson), 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. Due to his inexperience, the Fly is no match for him and is defeated.[3]
Some time later, Human Fly begins to display fly-like tendencies like eating garbage.[4] He also develops physical mutations, including compound eyes.[5] Human Fly attacks Spider-Man after Spencer Smythe handcuffs Spider-Man and J. Jonah Jameson to a bomb. Human Fly hurls the two from a rooftop and leaves them for dead. Once freed from the shackle, Spider-Man tries to stop Human Fly from stealing an art exhibit, but the villain knocks him down and escapes. Soon afterwards, the police catch the Fly using S.H.I.E.L.D. equipment.[6]
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. Malus uses some of Human Fly's DNA to temporarily mutate Scotty McDowell into the similarly powered Hornet.[5]
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.[7]
Over time, Deacon's mutation increases. After escaping from a mental institution, Deacon is killed by the Scourge of the Underworld while trying to take revenge on Spider-Man.[8][9]
During the "Dark Reign" storyline, the Hood resurrects the Human Fly and seventeen other victims of the Scourge of the Underworld using the power of Dormammu and recruits them to eliminate the Punisher.[10] The Fly now possesses acidic vomit and powerful wings, and demonstrates cannibalistic behavior.[11][12]
Human Fly is later recruited by the third Crime Master to become a member of his Savage Six.[13] He is then hired by Boomerang and Owl to become a member of the Sinister Sixteen.[14]
Human Fly (superhero)
The second Human Fly is a young man of unknown identity who was severely injured during a car crash. After a long hospitalization, including a number of reconstructive surgeries in which much of his skeleton was replaced by steel, he took on the masked identity of the Human Fly. As the Human Fly, he performed daredevil stunts to benefit various charities, especially those helping children with disabilities.[15]
His activities often drew him into conflict with criminals, who were often seeking to rob the charity events at which he performed. Additionally, he drew the attention of Spider-Man, who thought he might be the villain of the same name.
The character was based on real-life stuntman Rick Rojatt.[16] The comic book carried the tag line "The Wildest Super-Hero Ever – Because He's Real!", and photographs of Rojatt in a Human Fly costume appeared in the books.[17]
