by Gil Kane, 1975

Professor Smythe

Real Name: Professor Spencer Smythe
Identity: Public, not generally known as the creator of the Spider-Slayers
Group Affiliation: None
First Appearance: Amazing Spider-Man #25
Status: Deceased
Final Appearance: Amazing Spider-Man #192

Powers & Abilities:

Spencer Smythe was an expert in robotics and robot design. He is also an apparent expert in arachnids, particularly their biology.

Equipment & Weapons:

Professor Smythe developed a series of robots dubbed "spider-slayers". Each of these "spider-slayers" was more advanced than the previous incarnation though none accomplished their designed task of killing Spider-Man. At one point, Professor Smythe also used robot duplicates of Spider-Man's foes to keep Spider-Man off guard.

Origin:

Professor Smythe was a robotic expert who approached Jonah Jameson with a proposition. He had developed a robot that could track and attack spiders and anything spider-related. After a successful demonstration, Jonah agreed to rent the robot to hunt and capture Spider-Man. After the robot failed to capture Spider-Man, Professor Smythe was humiliated by the robot's defeat. He began to develop bigger and better robots in his increasing obsession to kill Spider-Man.

Professor Smythe's Timeline

Amazing Spider-Man #150