Kwaku Anansi the spider is a trickster god in West African folklore. In the DC Universe, he has been seen as an enemy to the Justice League. Anansi claims to be responsible for the powers of animal-based heroes such as Animal Man and Vixen.
There is also another enemy of Animal Man who calls herself Anansa the Spider Queen. Another character named Anansi was an Ghanaian vigilante and an ally of Static who was chosen by the god Anansi to be his champion. Using The Golden Spider of Kwaku Anansi, he gains the power to create illusions.
Kwaku Anansi was adapted by Gerry Conway, first appearing in Justice League of America #239 (1985).