Spencer Smythe
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Spencer Smythe is a fictional villain in the Marvel universe. He is the father of Alistair Smythe.
[edit] In comics
Spencer created the Spider-Slayer robots, which were designed to kill Spider-Man. After he continually failed to defeat Spider-Man, Smythe died of radiation poisoning from the materials used to create the Spider-Slayers.
[edit] In other media
Spencer Smythe (voiced by Edward Mulhare) appears in Spider-Man: The Animated Series. In the series, he is hired by Norman Osborn to create the original Spider-Slayer, called the Black Widow, in an effort to capture Spider-Man; as part of the bargain, Osborn would build a hoverchair for his paralyzed son, Alistair. At OsCorp, the robot captures the wrong person, and Spider-Man attempts a rescue which leads to a massive fire in the plant. When Osborn refuses to build the promised hoverchair for Alistair, Spencer chooses to stay behind and finish Spider-Man off while Osborn get Alistair to safety. After the Black Widow is destroyed by Spider-Man, OsCorp explodes, and Spenser is believed dead.
Later, it is revealed that Spencer had survived, having been found by the Kingpin. Smythe was put in cryogenic suspension in order to maintain the loyalty of Alistair. Eventually, however, Alistair outlives his usefulness and is changed into a biomechanical Spider Slayer by his replacement, Dr. Herbert Landon. Smythe eventually discovers that his father is alive with Spider-Man's help and escapes with his preserved body. Afterwards he continues working for various individuals, most predominantly the Kingpin's rival Silvermane, in order to revive his father. Spenser would remain in stasis at the conclusion of the series.
