TILDE

Real Name: Tilde (possibly Matilde), last name unrevealed

Identity/Class: Human, citizen of the United States

Occupation: Landlady

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: Ben Reilly

Enemies: None

Known Relatives: Unrevealed

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Lower Manhattan, New York City

First Appearance: Spider-Man I#64 (January, 1996)

Powers/Abilities: Tilde has no known superhuman abilities. Boisterous but stern, Tilde is welcoming but quick to anger when she feels someone was trying to double cross. Tilde wears glasses, prefers to wear a noticeable amount of make up and she is a smoker.

Height: Unrevealed (approximately 4'9")
Weight: Unrevealed (approximately 180 lbs.)
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Red (dyed)

History:

(Spider-Man I#64 (fb) - BTS) - Tilde was the owner of a tenement house in Lower Manhattan. When she had a vacancy in her building, she was contacted by Ben Reilly who wanted to make an appointment to check out the apartment.

(Spider-Man I#64) - Tilde showed Ben the vacant one bedroom apartment. He was immediately taken with it and, much to her delight, signed the lease then and there. Happily puffing on a cigarette, she told her new tenant that he could call on her for anything he might need. As soon as she left the flat, she realized she'd forgotten to give him the security key to enter the building. When she came back in to hand it to him, she was startled to find he had somehow slipped out. In reality, Reilly had changed into his Spider-Man costume and was happily web slinging away.

(Amazing Spider-Man I#411 - BTS) - The IRS flagged Ben Reilly for possible identity fraud, freezing his bank account pending the outcome of their investigation.

(Amazing Spider-Man I#411 (fb) - BTS) - As a result, Ben's rent check bounced. Tilde was furious and decided to turn off the heat to Reilly's apartment until he paid up.

(Amazing Spider-Man I#411) - Ben remained unaware of the IRS situation until he woke up in a cold apartment. When he went downstairs to tell Tilde there was no heat, she blew up. In no uncertain terms, she told her tenant that he was a deadbeat who had written her a bum check and if he didn't come up with the cash, he'd be out on his butt. Shocked by this turned of events, Ben assured Tilde he would get her the money she owed (see comments).

Comments: Created by Howard Mackie, John Romita Jr, Al Williamson.

It's a little unusual to be named after an accent (~) so it's more likely her full name is Matilde. Tilde was one of the more minor characters introduced to fill out Ben Reilly's supporting cast during his all too brief turn as the one, true Spider-Man. She only popped up twice and only got a single page each time, but she was given so much personality it seems clear there were plans to use her more.

At the end of the IRS arc, Ben wasn't homeless so it looks like he got the rent money to Tilde off panel, but we never see Ben at home anymore until Onslaught hits and who knows if Tilde's tenement building survived the Sentinels.

Tilde has an unconfirmed BTS appearance in Sensational Spider-Man I#2 where Ben's friends throw him a surprise housewarming party. That means they must have gained access to his place and the landlord is the best possible bet. However, Tilde isn't shown on panel, not even a quick background cameo during the party.

Profile by Norvo

CLARIFICATIONS:
 Tilde should not be confused with

• TILDA, Asgardian, captain of the Crimson Hawks--Thor I#454
• TILDA JOHNSON, aka Deadly Nightshade--Captain America I#164
  
• TILLIE THE HUN, Band of the Bland member--Marvel Treasury Edition I#12
• MAMIE MUGGINS, Peter Parker's even more prickly landlady--Amazing Spider-Man I#139
  
• or any other "Tilde" characters

Images: (without ads)
Spider-Man I#64 p13, pan3 (main)
Spider-Man I#64 p13, pan2 (closeup)
Amazing Spider-Man I#411 p7, pans 2&3 (no heat)

Appearances:
Spider-Man I#64 (January, 1996) - Howard Mackie (writer), John Romita Jr. (pencils), Al Williamson (inks), Eric Fein (editor)
Amazing Spider-Man I#413 (July, 1996) - Tom DeFalco (writer), Mark Bagley (pencils), Larry Mahlstedt, Al Milgrom (inks), Ralph Macchio (editor)

First Posted: 12/22/2025
Last Updated: 12/22/2025

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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