The Crimson Avenger

Gallery

Real Name

Lee Walter Travis

Current Alias

The Crimson Avenger

Affiliation

Seven Soldiers of Victory, All-Star Squadron, Justice Society of America

Base Of Operations

New York City

Status

Alignment

Good

Identity

Secret Identity

Occupation

Publisher of the Daily Globe-Leader, Adventurer

Origin

Origin

The original Crimson Avenger was a wealthy newsman named Lee Walter Travis who adopted his heroic identity to battle crime. He is generally recognized as the first masked mystery-man, the precursor to the plethora of superheroes to come.

Universe

Earth-Two, New Earth

Created by

Jim Chambers

First appearance

Appearance of Death

Detective Comics #20
(October, 1938)

DC Comics Presents #38
(October, 1981)

HistoryEdit

Origin

Lee Walter Travis was a member of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade during the Spanish Civil War, and as a young publisher of the Globe-Leader, a paper devoted to progressive causes, such as the support of war victims in Asia. A hard working and forward thinking publisher, Travis nevertheless seemed devoted to selling newspapers and his place in the social set, qualities which did not go unnoticed by fellow journalist Claudia Barker, who was interviewing Travis for Downtowner magazine, and Wing How, Travis' valet and chauffeur. Wing in particular was gently vocal in his distaste for wealthy American's predilection for solving problems like the war in Asia with parties and charity events.^[1].

That would change with a costume ball being held at the Van Gilder estate on the evening of Halloween. Clad in a "highway robber" costume ordered by his secretary, Lee Travis made his first appearance as the Crimson Avenger on the night of Orson Welles' famous broadcast of The War of the Worlds. Having gotten advance notice of the radio show, a group of criminals dressed in alien-like costumes took advantage of the ensuing panic in order to rob the Van Gilder party of funds raised for Chinese war victims. In the ensuing melee, Claudia Barker was shot while one of the criminals tried to steal her gold lighter.

Holding the dying woman in his arms, Travis heard her last words, "Qui Vindicet Ibit". An enraged Lee Travis went after the criminals in his limousine, while the broadcast by Welles went on, sending the nation into a state of panic. With Wing at the wheel, the Crimson exchanged gunfire with the costumed thieves, driving them into a ditch. Ably assisted by Wing, the Crimson was able to subdue the criminals and retrieve the money. Among the effects were Claudia's gold lighter inscribed with "Qui Vindicet Ibit", which is Latin for "The avenger will come". When the police arrived, Travis and How quickly drove away, letting it be said that a mysterious "Crimson Avenger" stopped the thieves, and giving Lee Travis a more meaningful purpose to his life.

Death

After being diagnosed with an incurable, deadly disease, Lee Travis feared he would die unremembered as a hero. Seeing a small boat in trouble in the harbor, he leaps into action. Saving a small boy on the way, the Crimson Avenger reaches the ship. Carrying some experimental chemicals and being hijacked by criminals, the ensuing battle cause a fire. After insisting the captain and crew leave, he pilots the ship out into the harbor, saving the City from the explosion. When asked what happened, the captain didn't know who saved him, Travis' fear apparently coming true. But, elsewhere in the City, the mother of the little boy he saved will remember. And so will the son, and his children.

Powers and AbilitiesEdit

Abilities

Skilled hand to hand combatant

Related

• 139 Appearances of Lee Travis (New Earth)
• 9 Images featuring Lee Travis (New Earth)
• 2 Quotations by or about Lee Travis (New Earth)
• Character Gallery: Lee Travis (New Earth)
• Fan-Art Gallery: Lee Travis (New Earth)

LinksEdit

External Links

• Crimson Avenger at the DC Animated Universe Wikia

Discover and Discuss

• Search this site for: Lee Walter Travis · Lee Travis (New Earth)
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Footnotes

Justice Society of America member This character is or was a primary member of the Justice Society of America in any of its various incarnations. This template will categorize articles that include it into the "Justice Society of America members" category.