| Debuting in Hit Comics #1, Rick
Raleigh is an assistant district attorney in Superior City. In the Bee's
debut, he captures gangster boss "Boss" Storm, whose gang has been
terrorizing the city. The Red Bee is a superb athlete, and has no
superpowers except for an uncanny ability to train/control bees. The Bee's
costume consists of a red mask, red and yellow striped tights, a red shirt
with long flesh colored sleeves, and red wristbands. The Red Bee's golden
age adventures last until Hit Comics #24. Joining
the All Star Squadron in early 1942, the Red Bee joins the task force (which
later becomes the second Freedom Fighters team) that travels to Santa
Barbara, California to stop a planned Japanese invasion. Pre crisis, this
invasion happens on Earth X, but post crisis, it is said to have happened as
well. The Freedom Fighters succeed in stopping the invasion, but all except
the Red Bee are captured by Baron Blitzkrieg. Blitzkrieg threatens to kill
the Freedom Fighters one by one if Hourman refuses to give him the Miraclo
formula. The Red Bee comes to the rescue just as Blitzkrieg is about to kill
Phantom Lady. The Red Bee valiantly charges the vastly more powerful Baron
Blitzkrieg with a two-by-four as his only weapon. He suffers a broken back
and is killed in the ensuing fight, but his sacrifice allows the others
enough time to escape and defeat Blitzkrieg. |
