Human Torch #9 (1942)

After saving a mother and her child from a burning building in a midwestern town, the Human Torch and Toro take a bus back to New York. Their bus breaks down in a heavy down pour forcing the passengers to walk to the town of Somerville where they learn all the roads have been washed out and they cannot be pulled out until the storm stops and the roads are cleared. Put up in a hotel for the night, a local real estate man named Dodds tries to pick a fight with the Torch for being a "know it all city man" but the Torch easily fights him off. Settled in, the Torch and Toro decide to see what Somerville has to offer and a local suggests they check out the action happening in city hall. There they witness a heated debate to demolish the local slum and build new subsidized houses. There are a small group of people who oppose this plan that are led by Dodd. Dodd almost incites a riot and people begin to throw things at the city councilors but the Torch and Toro break it up. With the interruption ended, the city decides to put it to a town vote on the manner, much to Dodd's dismay. City councilor Ross thanks the Torch and Toro for their help and asks them to accompany him into Summerville, the slum of the city the following morning to see what they are dealing with. The Torch and Toro are shocked to find that a place with such a cheerful name is a bleak shanty town. When they start questioning the residents there, most seem to be for the reconstruction plan and they learn that Dodd owns all the land in the area. They are soon attacked by a group of men who oppose the urban renewal project and during the fight the Torch and Toro manage to force most of them into fleeing. Catching one of the men, he is shot dead. Before they can find the shooter, one of the fighters comes back with a police officer and accuses Ross for killing his friend. Searching Ross's person the officer finds an air gun and arrests Ross. Knowing that Dodd had something to do with this obvious frame up, the Torch and Toro decide to sneak into Dodds house. They are caught and knocked out and Dodd has them wrapped up in asbestos tape to keep them from foiling his plan. Dodd then gathers a mob and they confront the police station wearing robes demanding that Ross face justice. When the police refuse to turn Ross over to the mob for a lynching, they force themselves inside and take the city councilor. Meanwhile, the Torch literally breaths fire out of his nose to free himself and Toro and they race after the hooded mob. They attack two of their members and learn the location of the lynching. There the Torch and Toro save Ross and easily break up the lynch mob. Catching Dodds, the Torch forces him to confess his role in everything and makes him reveal that he was attempting to sell the Summerville land to a railroad company and make a lot of money in the bargain. With his true motives revealed, Dodd is arrested. Months later after Dodd is sentenced to prison, the Torch and Toro are invited back and are surprised to find that Summerville has been rebuilt into a prosperous community.