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History

Mr. Dodd lived in the town of Somerville and owned the property where the local slum -- called Sunnyvale -- was located. Dodd was hoping to sell the land to allow a local railroad company to put tracks through the area, but the plan was threatened by the city council's plans to demolish the slum and build new homes for the people. Dodd vehemently opposed this and kept his reasons for doing so a secret. Instead, he used his charismatic personality to win people over (or to likely buy them off) to support his side of the argument, eventually creating a group called the Hooded Gang. He almost caused a city council meeting to end in a riot, which was prevented by intervention of the Human Torch and Toro who happened to be stranded in Somerville due to a storm.

The following day, when City Councilor Ross showed the Torch and Toro the slum, Dodd framed Ross for the murder of one of his own supporters. When the Torch and Toro searched Dodd's home for clues proving he was responsible, Dodd and his men captured the two heroes and bound them in asbestos tape. While the two heroes struggled to get free, Dodd rallied his followers, and decked in robes, they stormed the police station, demanding that Ross be released to them. When the authorities refused, Dodd and his men stormed the prison and forced Ross out, taking him to the local forest where they prepared to hang him and light him on fire to make it painful.

By this point, the Torch and Toro had broken free from their restraints and learned of Dodd's plans for Sunnyvale. They managed to catch up with the mob before they could kill Ross. Fighting them off, the heroes saved the life of Ross and forced Dodd to confess his crimes. Dodd was turned over to the authorities and eventually convicted of the crimes he was accused of.[1]

Attributes

Abilities

Very charismatic

See Also

Links and References

References

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