| RED BEE I (Rick Raleigh) | BIOGRAPHY |
| Created by Toni Blum and Charles Nicholas |
PERSONAL DATA
Real Name: Rick Raleigh
Occupation: Assistant District Attorney
Status: Deceased
Citizenship: American
Marital Status: Presumed single
Known Relatives: Jenna Raleigh (grandniece)
Base of Operation: Superior City
Group Affiliation(s): All-Star Squadron, Freedom Fighters
Gender: Male
Height: 5'9 ½"
Weight: 147 lbs.
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Black, later reddish-blond
First Appearance: Hit Comics #1 (July 1940) [Quality]
Creators: Toni Blum and Charles Nicholas
OVERVIEW
Rick Raleigh was an Assistant District Attorney in Superior City, who got frustrated with so many criminals getting away from the clutches of the law. Donning a colorful costume and using the help of trained bees (!) and a 'stinger gun' (!!), Raleigh fought crime and Nazis as the Red Bee during the 1940s. The Bee was a member of the second group of Freedom Fighters and the All-Star Squadron. He was killed by Baron Blitzkrieg while saving the lives of Hourman I and his fellow Freedom Fighters.
[Someone carrying on the name of the Red Bee was seen with the Freedom Fighters in JSA #42. He is a brunette, while the original had auburn/red hair].
HISTORY
As a young district attorney working in Superior City, Rick Raleigh was stymied time and time again in fighting crime through the legal channels of the courts, due to the widespread corruption and intimidation of several crime bosses. Taking matters into his own hands, Raleigh became The Red Bee and used unorthodox crime fighting methods and brought down the largest crime lord, 'Boss' Storm.
Fighting crime for nearly two years, he was overwhelmed when asked to join a collection of mystery men and women known as the All-Star Squadron in the early days of World War II. During the first full meeting of the group, Uncle Sam appeared and called on the assembled heroes to aid him in fighting off an invasion of Santa Barbera, California. The Red Bee joined them where he was killed by Baron Blitzkrieg, giving his life to protect an injured and captive Hourman. He was made a posthumous member of the group that formed out of that adventure, the Freedom Fighters.
The original Red Bee appeared as a ghost with a group of other heroes to give their views to Jack Knight, the son of the original Starman. The Red Bee was depressed and angry that he felt that his peers looked down on him, but he was reassured by those assembled that his career was still a good example of the fight for justice, and he was able to go on to his final reward with an uplifted spirit.
A second hero later took up the name and methods of the first, any relation to Rick Raleigh has not been made known or any adventures after 1944.
POWERS AND WEAPONS
The Red Bee used several different means of fighting crime, the first of which was his 'pet bee' named Michael, who stayed in his belt buckle and was intelligent enough to act on verbal cues or signals from the Red Bee. He could also summon stinging swarms of insects, such as bees, wasps and hornets, but it is unknown how he did this.
The Red Bee also used a bright red armoured roadster sportscar for transportation.
The Red Bee was a good hand-to-hand fighter and was a good detective.
CHRONOLOGY
For a definitive list of appearances of Red Bee in chronological order click here
PROFILE REFERENCES
Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe #19 (September 1986)