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[[File:Spike_Dyke.jpg|thumb]]
  
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{{Infobox
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Spike Dyke was a zany bandleader, who helped [[Dick Tracy]] track down [[Sketch Paree]]. When Sketch learned of Spike’s involvement with police he tried to kill him during a show but Dick Tracy, who was hidden in Spike’s band shot Sketch dead first. The watching crowd thought the shooting was part of the show.
  
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|Box title = Spike Smith
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|image = File:SpikeSmith01.jpg
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|Row 1 title = First Appearance:
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|Row 1 info = August 7th, 1949
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|Row 2 title = Also Known As:
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|Row 2 info = Spike Dyke
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|Row 3 title = Known Relatives:
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|Row 3 info = [[Son of Spike]], Son
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|Row 4 title = Created By:
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|Row 4 info = [[Chester Gould]]
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|Row 5 title = Can Be Found:
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|Row 5 info = [[The Complete Dick Tracy Vol. 11]]}}Spike Smith was an entertainer and musician, whose band played comical music. He was previously know as "Spike Dyke". Spike had wavy hair, light eyes, and a pointed nose and chin.
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==Dick Tracy Meets "Spike Dyke"==
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Spike helped [[Dick Tracy]] track down [[Sketch Paree]]. Paree had previously been employed by Spike as a costume designer, but Spike had fired Paree when he showed increasing signs of mental instability. Paree stole on of Spike's prop guns and used it to murder Talcum freely.
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When Sketch learned of Spike’s cooperation with police, he tried to kill him during a show but Dick Tracy (who was hidden in Spike’s band) shot Sketch dead first. The watching crowd thought the shooting was part of the show.
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==The Return of Spike==
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Years later, Spike (now going by the name "Spike Smith") contacted Tracy and asked him to intervene with Spike's [[Son of Spike|son]], whom Spike feared had become involved in illegal activities. Tracy agreed, and the investigation led him to an encounter with [[Cueball]], [[Screwball]], and [[Putty Puss]].
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Spike's son was not implicated in the criminal acts.
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==Appearances in Other Media==
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===1990s Feature Film Continuity===
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Spike does not appear in the 1990 ''[[Dick Tracy (1990 film)|Dick Tracy]]'' feature film. He is a character in the 2 original follow-up novels written by [[Max Allan Collins]].
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In ''[[Dick Tracy Goes to War]]'', Spike and his orchestra are a featured act at [[Vitamin Flintheart|Vitamin Flintheart's]] [[Club Ritz|Stage Door Canteen]]. Their raucus music is used at the novel's climax to cover the sound of Tracy's shootout with B-B Eyes.
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In ''[[Dick Tracy Meets His Match]]'', Spike and his orchestra were a part of [[Ted Tellum|Ted Tellum's]] popular television variety show. Spike was briefly a suspect in Tellum's murder, but was cleared of any wrong-doing.
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==Notes==
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*Spike was clearly inspired by the popular novelty recording artist Spike Jones. One of Jones' signature tunes "Cocktails for Two" was heavily referenced in ''[[Dick Tracy Goes to War]]''.
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*When Spike re-appeared in the strip in 2011, his last name was changed from "Dyke" to "Smith". This is mostly likely due to increased awareness of the word "dyke" being used as a harmful slut against lesbians.
 
[[Category:Musicians]]
  
[[Category:Musicians]]

Revision as of 21:07, 11 September 2014

Spike Smith
SpikeSmith01

First Appearance:

August 7th, 1949

Also Known As:

Spike Dyke

Known Relatives:

Son of Spike, Son

Created By:

Chester Gould

Can Be Found:

The Complete Dick Tracy Vol. 11

Spike Smith was an entertainer and musician, whose band played comical music. He was previously know as "Spike Dyke". Spike had wavy hair, light eyes, and a pointed nose and chin.

Dick Tracy Meets "Spike Dyke"

Spike helped Dick Tracy track down Sketch Paree. Paree had previously been employed by Spike as a costume designer, but Spike had fired Paree when he showed increasing signs of mental instability. Paree stole on of Spike's prop guns and used it to murder Talcum freely.

When Sketch learned of Spike’s cooperation with police, he tried to kill him during a show but Dick Tracy (who was hidden in Spike’s band) shot Sketch dead first. The watching crowd thought the shooting was part of the show.

The Return of Spike

Years later, Spike (now going by the name "Spike Smith") contacted Tracy and asked him to intervene with Spike's son, whom Spike feared had become involved in illegal activities. Tracy agreed, and the investigation led him to an encounter with Cueball, Screwball, and Putty Puss.

Spike's son was not implicated in the criminal acts.

Appearances in Other Media

1990s Feature Film Continuity

Spike does not appear in the 1990 Dick Tracy feature film. He is a character in the 2 original follow-up novels written by Max Allan Collins.

In Dick Tracy Goes to War, Spike and his orchestra are a featured act at Vitamin Flintheart's Stage Door Canteen. Their raucus music is used at the novel's climax to cover the sound of Tracy's shootout with B-B Eyes.

In Dick Tracy Meets His Match, Spike and his orchestra were a part of Ted Tellum's popular television variety show. Spike was briefly a suspect in Tellum's murder, but was cleared of any wrong-doing.

Notes

  • Spike was clearly inspired by the popular novelty recording artist Spike Jones. One of Jones' signature tunes "Cocktails for Two" was heavily referenced in Dick Tracy Goes to War.
  • When Spike re-appeared in the strip in 2011, his last name was changed from "Dyke" to "Smith". This is mostly likely due to increased awareness of the word "dyke" being used as a harmful slut against lesbians.
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