Mad Dog
(Robert Baxter)
Context
Originally, Robert “Buzz” Baxter appeared in 1944, in Timely Comics’ Miss America (Timely is the predecessor of Marvel). He’s in the strip that introduces romance/slice of life heroine Patsy Walker, who’ll eventually get her own Golden Age comic books.
Quite improbably, he returned in 1983… as a super-villain, after Patsy Walker made her strange, strange return to the Marvel Universe. Ms. Walker had promptly become a super-heroine, Hellcat.
These are older technical notes, not a full profile. Mad Dog fills a useful tactical niche as opposition, so early on I converted my 1980s TSR Marvel Super-Heroes RPG notes about him to DCH. Therefore – yeah, it’ll have to be significantly be revised and updated.
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Background
- Real Name: Robert “Mad Dog” Baxter.
- Marital Status: Divorced.
- Known Relatives: Patsy Walker Hellstrom (ex-wife).
- Group Affiliation: Former agent of Roxxon, and of Secret Empire III.
- Base Of Operations: Mobile.
- Height: 6’2” Weight: 270lbs.
- Eyes: Blue Hair: Black
Powers and Abilities
Mad Dog is a minor nightmare. He’s extremely fast, strong, tough and aggressive. He has strong claws, a bite that can penetrate metal thanks to his bionically strengthened jaw, and enhanced senses.
His teeth are able to secrete vast quantities of poison (making him foam at the mouth) to which he himself is immune.
Lastly, his mental state is such that establishing mental contact with him is very hard.
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History
Robert “Mad Dog” Baxter is from Patsy Walker Comics. The 1940s+ romance comics. Really. Honest.
He was the husband of romantic heroine Patsy Walker. Unfortunately, after serving in Việt Nam, he became somewhat psychologically damaged and highly irritable. While he was in the process of busting his marriage, he became responsible for the security at the criminal corporation Brand. Patsy divorced him.
Several month later, Patsy became Hellcat. She fought her husband at Brand, threatening to enucleate him if he did not release the Avengers. Thus humiliated by his ex-wife Baxter volunteered for a Brand mutagenic treatment and became Mad Dog.
He’s since been a merc and professional criminal, occasionally trying to kill Patsy. He has worked with Mutant Force, Professor Power, Crossfire and AIM.
Mad Dog continues to degrade psychologically. In recent appearances he displayed animalistic tendencies as well as long, tangled hair and a long beard. He may in time become completely bestial.
Description
Mad Dog is a big, black haired, military man with a small moustache. He is almost always seen in costume, a dull brown and black outfit with a stylized hell hound head on the chest. He does not wear a mask anymore.
Last time he was seen, he had very long hair and a long beard.
Personality
Remember the old joke about the DI and the pitbull ? Well, Mad Dog is the worst of both worlds. He’s as savagely aggressive as the pitbull, and quite likely to bite your arm and stay there until you die. In combat, he usually goes berserk.
And he’s as nice as the DI. He loves to order people around, belittle them, yell at them, humiliate them and if given a chance hit them. He especially likes hurting people he knew or loved, such as his ex-wife.
One wonder if his more recent attack dog-like behavior might an improvement over his old personality.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Mad Dog
| Dex: 09 | Str: 08 | Bod: 08 | Motivation: Psycho |
| Int: 03 | Wil: 06 | Min: 02 | Occupation: Merc |
| Inf: 04 | Aur: 04 | Spi: 02 | Resources {or Wealth}: 04 |
| Init: 018 | HP: 040 |
Powers:
Analytical smell/tracking scent: 08, Claws: 09, Extended hearing: 06, Invulnerability*: 08, Mind field: 06, Poison touch: 10, Running: 05
Bonuses and Limitations:
- Mind field is Self Only (-2) and Always On (-0).
- Poison touch can only be used if Mad Dog gets RAPs with his bite (his Claws power).
Skills:
Acrobatics*: 09, Charisma (intimidation, persuasion): 06, Military science: 06, Vehicles (land, air): 06, Weaponry (firearms): 04
Advantages:
Iron Nerves, Lightning Reflexes.
Drawbacks:
MIA toward overconfidence, MPI, Catastrophic Rage, Unluck.
Helper(s): Kansas Jim, Dave Oakes.
Source of Character: Marvel comics.