 This article belongs to the Reboot Continuity
|
| “ | I was going to free this world from it's modern shackles, begin the glorious start to a new steam era, and you lots have ruined it all! | ” |
– Steam Smythe following one of his defeats.[1] | ||
Steam Smythe is a villain who first appeared in The Clocktopus. He hates modern technology and is always trying to "bring back the past".
Appearance[]
Steam Smythe is an aged, bearded redhead who wears a steampunk armor suit and maroon pants. His facial hair consists of a thick mutton chops mustache. Most of his armor is a rusted-brown color, but other portions are maroon, much like his pants. Overtop of his armor, he wears a dull-brown waistcoat with epaulets. Tying his coat together is a belt with a buckle in the shape of an oversized gear. He wears a large top hat evocative of a smokestack.
.png "Image (19).png (206 KB)")
Personality[]
Steam Smythe is desperate to get whatever he wants for only to keep history. He thinks the future is nonsense and believes the past is the only thing that is understanding and intelligible. He will effortlessly pursue any plans to get rid of the future and make the past the present. He refers to himself as a "gentleman", and will not hit a lady or a senior citizen.[2]
Due to his gentlemanly nature, Steam Smythe has difficulty backing out of challenges to duels.[2] In actuality, however, he has little integrity and tends to cheat in the duels he is challenged to.[3][4]
Steam Smythe is a fan of older things. However, this has caused him to go crazy, thinking he is from an older time in the past.[DR 1]
History[]
Background[]
Steam Smythe is an 18th century man who, at some point, cybernetically-enhanced his body. Through unknown means, he has stopped physically aging.[merch 1] Several decades prior to Ben 10, he rode the S.S. Manby, along with a younger Max.[5]
Ben 10[]
Steam Smythe's debut
In The Clocktopus, Steam Smythe attacked a pier named Squid City. It was being turned into an megaplex, and Steam Smythe wanted to prevent that, using his Clocktopus. Steam Smythe was soon defeated by Ben in a duel.
In Steam is the Word, Steam Smythe stole a time capsule left behind by Nikola Tesla in Clara Vista. Believing it was a power source, he planned to use it destroy Silicon Valley with a massive ray gun. Upon opening the capsule, he was disappointed to find out his treasure was a teddy bear. After Ben caused his airship to explode, they found him later escaping the wreckage, proclaiming he would solely rely on his own inventions.
In Tomorrow Today Steam Smythe infiltrated the Buddy Bungalow so that he could find the M.F.B., a weapon created by the late Buddy Buddanski. However, he soon found out that the M.F.B. stood for "Mobile Fun Base", and was not a weapon, but rather, a Ferris-wheel-like mech. He was ejected from the machine by Stinkfly and was forced to retreat.
In Bon Voyage, Steam Smythe tried to destroy the SS Pettigrew, as he believed the S.S. Manby was a superior ship. His plan was ultimately foiled when Omni-Enhanced Heatblast put the S.S. Manby inbetween the SS Pettigrew and his steam-powered piranhas, destroying it and his Clocktopus.
Steam Smythe scolding Aristocrow
In The Nature of Things, Steam Smythe, alongside his avian partner-in-crime, Aristocrow, attempted to use a machine called the Smytherator to harness the Earth's steam to power gigantic engines that would decimate the nation's power grids. He planned to then usher in an era of steam power. However, after a fight with Aristocrow, the latter joined Team Tennyson and helped them destroy both his Smytherator and his Steam Smasher, foiling his plans.
In Past Aliens Present, Steam Smythe invaded State University using the Steambucket, his version of the Rustbucket, along with steam versions of Ben's aliens. After Ben destroyed the steam versions of Cannonbolt and XLR8, Steam Smythe transformed the Steambucket into a steam version of Grey Matter. Once Omni-Enhanced Diamondhead destroyed that, Steam Smythe retreated, swearing revenge.
In Ye Olde Laser Duel, Steam Smythe attacked a San Francisco train station with his Mechanoids. His plan was quickly foiled, leading him to challenge Ben to a gentlemanly duel. As the one challenged, Ben decided for the duel to take place at Laser Town, where he quickly gained the upper hand. In the middle of the duel, Steam Smythe summoned his Conductobot outside of Laser Town, forcing Ben to defeat it as Omni-Enhanced Heatblast. While he did that, Steam Smythe scored 10,000 points on Ben's discarded laser tag gear, winning the duel.
In Omni-Copped, Steam Smythe allied himself with the Forever Knight. He looked for Team Tennyson, and eventually found them flying with Phil in the Omni-Copter. He assaulted them cannonballs and air mines, but was quickly stopped by Cannonbolt, who tore through his airship and left him stranded in the air with a flying robot of his.
Steam Smythe reading the news
In Cyber Slammers, Steam Smythe travelled to Japan for the release of the video game "Cyber Sumo Slammers". He explained to Ben and Gwen that he read about the game in a newspaper and pre-ordered it through snail mail. He planned to use a modified Cyber Slammer robot to magnetize technology and wipe their data. After a fight with XLR8, he, along with his Cyber Slammer, were launched out of the store and into the sky.
In Beware the Scare-Crow, Steam Smythe plotted to reclaim his technology-free farm from Mac Bennyson, after he took it from him in foreclosure. Steam Smythe recruited Aristocrow to disguise himself as a scarecrow to scare the Bennyson family off, though their partnership was short-lived once Humungousaur destroyed all the corn used to sway Aristocrow. He was soon pummeled into the ground by Humungousaur's tail, and shortly arrested.
In Steam Fight at the OK Corral, Steam Smythe was defeated by Ben offscreen, leading to Kevin suggesting he give his Clocktopus and modern makeover. While they fought Team Tennyson in their upgraded Clocktopus, the two bickered, soon leading to their defeat. Steam Smythe decided to return to his steam-powered ways, kicking Kevin out of his restored Clocktopus. However, he was distracted by the impressed locals, allowing the police to arrest him.
In Falls, Falls, Falls, Steam Smythe attacked Team Tennyson at Shoshone Falls, where he planned to use hydro-machines to siphon water from. He challenged Ben to a race to the top of the falls, followed by a barrel drop over it. Once the two both made it to the top of the falls, he initiated the barrel drop, soon regretting his decision. As he plummeted, he was saved by Ben as Jetray, and subsequently arrested for barrel jumping.
In The Hex Factor, Steam Smythe told Hex about the Presto Palace, prompting the sorcerer to teleport out of their shared prison cell.
In Medieval Upheaval, Steam Smythe attempted to build a time machine so he could return to the steam era, and prevent tech from being created. However, due to Aristocrow laying an egg and it breaking on the gears, it malfunctioned, sending him rocketing into an ongoing renaissance fair. Believing he was in the medieval age, he sought out the king, who in actuality was Gwen. He challenged Ben (who he believed was the king's knight) to a duel for resources, which Ben accepted. Despite the odds, he came out victorious, but was denied resources anyways. He chose to kidnap Max, who he believed was a wizard with magic powers. He was stopped by Omni-Kix Cannonbolt, who acted as a cannonball. He launched Steam Smythe back to Biggie Box, reuniting him with Aristocrow.
Steam Smythe failing once again
In Ben 10 Versus the Universe: The Movie, Steam Smythe planned to destroy an industrial server farm with a mine. However, his scheme was quickly ruined by Heatblast, who knocked him off of his airship and steered his airship away from the farm.
In Ben 10,010, Steam Smythe attacked Ben and Gwen while Team Tennyson was at a hot spring using his upgraded Clocktopus. He quickly gained the upper hand, as Ben was stuck as Surge. Ben 10,000 then appeared, and used Four Arms to destroy the Clocktopus and defeat Steam Smythe. He hurled Steam Smythe into the sky, assuring Ben and Gwen that he would be fine.
Powers and Abilities[]
.png){kind=link}
.png){kind=link}
.png){kind=link}
.png){kind=link}
Steam Smythe is capable of creating numerous ingenious steam-based devices, ranging from robots to airships, which, while technologically outdated, are nonetheless formidable.
Steam Smythe is somewhat skilled in combat, having defeated Humungousaur in a fight.[6]
Equipment[]
Steam Smythe's body from his neck-down is covered in durable armor that allows him to take a lot of punishment, such as repeated blows from Humungousaur's tail.[7] Furthermore, his armor is equipped with multiple weapons, namely a wrist-mounted cannon, a series of tiny pincers, a close-range weapon,[8] and an arm cannon that can fire bolas.[6] He can also attach a drill to his forearm.[8]
His hat is similarly equipped with different contraptions, such as a monocle,[9] a telescope,[1] and rotor blades that allow the hat to function as a helicopter.[10]
Weaknesses[]
Steam Smythe is extremely reliant on his steam-powered technology. As his weaponry and machines are old, they often fail to work properly or are very slow.[5] Being obsessed with the past, he also isn't familiar with modern technology.[11]
Appearances[]
Ben 10[]
Season 1[]
- The Clocktopus (first appearance)
- Steam is the Word
- Tomorrow Today
Season 2[]
Season 3[]
Season 4[]
- Falls, Falls, Falls
- The Hex Factor (flashback)
- Medieval Upheaval
- Ben 10 Versus the Universe: The Movie
Season 5[]
Steam Smythe's Known Inventions[]
 This section needs expansion. You can help by adding information.
|
| Name | Information |
|---|---|
| Clocktopus | The Clocktopus was an invention created by Steam Smythe to destroy an in-the-works amusement park during The Clocktopus, however, it was destroyed by Ben. It later appeared in Bon Voyage when Steam Smythe tried to destroy a modern ship. In Steam Fight at the OK Corral, it was modified by Kevin, and both he and Smythe teamed up to take out Ben, however, Kevin's modifications failed and Smythe reverted the machine back to its original state. |
| Mechanoids | Mechanoids are Steam Smythe's robots that usually serve as his henchman. |
| Unnamed Ray Gun | This weapon is what Steam Smythe would've used to destroy a near by town in Steam is the Word. |
| Airship | Steam Smythe's airship first appeared in Steam is the Word, however it destroyed. The airship reappeared, rebuilt in Omni-Copped, but was destroyed again. It again reappeared in Ben 10 Versus the Universe: The Movie, but it was destroyed by Heatblast. |
| Steam Smasher | The Steam Smasher was a mecha Steam Smythe used to fight Ben in The Nature of Things. |
| Smytherator | The Smytherator was a generator that Steam Smythe intended to use to destroy the United States' power grid in The Nature of Things. |
| Conductobot | The Conductobot was a creation of Steam Smythe's that he used to distract Ben from winning a game of laser tag in Ye Olde Laser Duel. |
| Time Machine | In Medieval Upheaval, Steam Smythe built this device to go back to the steam era and prevent technology from being created. However Aristocrow's egg fell into the gears, causing the machine to go flying then explode once it hit the ground. |
Etymology[]
The Steam in his name is a reference to the past technology and machines he prefers and uses, which run with the help of engines which use steam.
Trivia[]
- Steam Smythe has somehow not physically aged in over 40 years. When asked about this, Duncan Rouleau replied that this was because Smythe was really old.[DR 2]
- Steam Smythe has a music jingle associated with him. It is a jaunty tune played by a harpsicord in the key of G minor.
- He is similar to Kundo from Omniverse as both hate modernization and want to keep old traditions at any cost.
- Steam Smythe, Hex, and Zombozo are the only present-day villains that appear in every season of the reboot.
