The Crimson Avenger is the name of three separate superheroes and supervillains in the DC Comics Universe. The character debuted in 1938 and is notable as the first masked hero in DC Comics.
The first Crimson Avenger, Lee Walter Travis, first appeared in Detective Comics #20 (October 1938). He is also known as a founding member of DC's second depicted superhero team, Seven Soldiers of Victory.
Fictional character biography
Lee Walter Travis
The Crimson Avenger and his sidekick Wing first appeared in the DC Comics anthology series Detective Comics in issue #20.[1][2] The Crimson Avenger had many similarities to the Green Hornet, including a sidekick named Wing who was an Asian valet, and a gas gun that he used to subdue opponents.[3]
Albert Elwood
Albert Elwood made a single appearance as the Crimson Avenger, in World's Finest Comics #131 (February 1963), in a story entitled "The Mystery of the Crimson Avenger". Eccentric inventor Albert Elwood adopts the guise and attempted to help Superman, Batman and Robin thwart the robberies of the Octopus Gang. A requisite identity confusion occurs when one of the Gang members assumes the Crimson Avenger's identity. Elwood helps the heroes capture the gang and retires right afterward.[4]
Jill Carlyle
A female Crimson Avenger first appeared in Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. #9 (April 2000), created by Geoff Johns and Scott Kolins. This version is a minor Spirit of Vengeance and a lawyer who lost a case in which the defendant was clearly guilty. She obtained a pair of Colt pistols originally owned by the first Crimson Avenger and used them to exact vengeance upon the unknown criminal.[5] These guns are cursed, giving the Crimson Avenger an eternally bleeding bullet wound on her chest. Additionally, if Crimson Avenger uses the guns for revenge, they will track and kill those who have taken an innocent life.[6][7][8] The Crimson Avenger was never given a name, but is referred to by fans as Jill Carlyle, a name taken from the headstone of a victim the character was shown avenging in an early appearance.
Other versions
- An alternate universe version of Lee Travis / Crimson Avenger appears in Batman: Detective No. 27. This version is a detective.
- King Crimson, a character based on Crimson Avenger, appears in Kingdom Come.
In other media
- The Lee Travis incarnation of Crimson Avenger makes non-speaking appearances in Justice League Unlimited. This version is a member of the Justice League.
- The Lee Travis incarnation of Crimson Avenger appears in a photograph in the Stargirl episode "Brainwave" as a member of the Seven Soldiers of Victory.
- The Lee Travis incarnation of Crimson Avenger appears in issue #33 of the Justice League Unlimited tie-in comic.[9]
External links
References
- M. Keith Booker. Comics through Time: A History of Icons, Idols, and Ideas ABC-CLIO, 2014^
- Richard A. Hall. The American Superhero: Encyclopedia of Caped Crusaders in History ABC-CLIO, 2019^
- John Wells. Flashback: Whatever Happened to...? Back Issue!, TwoMorrows Publishing, May 2013^
- Michael L. Fleisher. The Original Encyclopedia of Comic Book Heroes, Volume Three: Superman DC Comics, 2007^
- Hanna Flint. 10 fierce superheroes the goddess Beyoncé should play SYFY WIRE, April 24, 2018, retrieved October 29, 2020^
- Dan Wallace. The DC Comics Encyclopedia Dorling Kindersley, 2008^
- Jason Wiese. 7 DC Characters Zendaya Would Be Perfect To Play CINEMABLEND, June 15, 2020, retrieved October 29, 2020^
- Stephanie Holland. 10 Black Female Heroes We Want To See In Live Action Screen Rant, February 19, 2020, retrieved October 29, 2020^
- Justice League Unlimited #33 - Everything Old is New Again (Issue) Comic Vine, retrieved March 27, 2026^