Crimson Avenger

The world was poised on the brink of war in 1938 with Japanese armies invading China, and “appeasement” of Germany leading to the downfall of Czechoslovakia. On October 30th, Orson Welles’ “War of the Worlds” was broadcast, throwing thousands into a panic. In the fantasy world of comics, it was at that moment that gun-wielding thieves disguised as “Martians” decided to loot a costume party attended by newspaper publisher Lee Travis. Travis’ date was shot and killed in the robbery before Travis, dressed in a red mask and cape, managed to stop them. He decided then to assume a double life as an anti-Nazi publisher by day, and the Crimson Avenger by night.

The Crimson Avenger first burst upon the scenes in 1938’s Detective Comics #20. He was DC’s first masked hero, predating Batman by scarcely seven issues. Fifty years later, this four-issue mini-series brought new adventures by a hero who inspired Batman, Green Hornet, and others.