Eldon "Rughead" Nodle was a criminal who operated in and around Dick Tracy's city. He was bald on the top of his head, which he attempted to conceal by wearing an ill-fitted toupee. His hair was orange on the back and sides.
Rughead had heavy eyelids which often gave him the appearance of being bored or tired. He frequently smoked cigarettes using a long holder.
The Fur Racket[]
Rughead dealt in stolen fur coats, which was discovered by Rainbow Reiley, Sparkle and Wingy Plenty. Rughead and his gang held Rainbow and the girls as prisoners, but they were eventually able to escape.
Rainbow and the girls were able to provide Dick Tracy with clues to the location of Rughead's hideout. Tracy investigated disguised as a telephone lineman. He was discovered, and Rughead and his gang attempted to flee.
Rughead and his underling Happy escaped, but another member of their gang was killed. Rughead then ordered Happy to kill Tracy. Happy was killed in the attempt and Rughead fled to Mexico.
Rughead on the Run[]
While in Mexico, Rughead replaced his orange wig with a black one. He dyed the hair on the sides of his head to match it.
Rughead returned to the city and sought revenge on Ned Noxx, his one-time fence. After robbing and killing the fence, Rughead was lured into a trap by a former girlfriend named Mimi. Mimi and her associates wanted the cash which Rughead was keeping concealed on his person. Rughead tried to escape and hid in a nearby culvert. He exchanged gunshots with his abductors before the police arrived. Rughead was struck by a ricochet and was killed.
Rughead's ill-gotten money was later recovered, and his body was claimed by his brother Billiard, who was a successful legitimate businessman.
Notes[]
- Rughead was the villain featured on the cover of IDW's The Complete Dick Tracy Vol. 16.
- Rughead was a sophomore in high school in 1935. At the time of his death, he was said to be 35 years old. This would place his year of birth circa 1920.
- Rughead's high school yearbook indicated that he had the nickname "Rughead" even when he was a young man with a full head of hair.
- Rughead's real name Eldon Nodle is a palindrome.
Rughead in color on the cover of The Complete Chester Gould's Dick Tracy Volume 16
