10 Comic Book Villains That Died (And Never Returned)

6. Alistair Smythe

Alistair Smythe might not scream out as being one of Spider-Man's most intriguing adversaries, but he did feature heavily in the character's nineties paraphernalia.

Son of Spencer Smythe, the Kingpin's top science officer, Alistair was a gifted man with a keen interest in science. Obviously his father's criminal connections had a bearing on where he'd go next, as, when his father did die (as a result of his Spider Slayer program), he took to tracking down Spider-Man as a newly-established enemy.

Years would pass before Smythe would get his comeuppance for tormenting the wall-crawler, but when it did come - in the pages of Superior Spider-Man - it was fairly brutal. With Doctor Octopus now in control of Peter's body, Smythe attempted to transmit his own conscious into the body of the web-slinger, only to be foiled by Otto who, having exploited the same pathway before, had psychically blocked any potential conscious incursions from taking place.

With his mind now in limbo, Smythe perished. Granted this only happened one or two years ago, but it's doubtful any writers are going to be desperate to resurrect a niche nineties villain when they get the keys to the series once Dan Slott inevitably departs.