Red Bee (DC)
The Red Bee is the name used by several characters in the DC Universe.
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Red Bee (Richard Raleigh)
- Main Article: Richard Raleigh
Pre-Crisis
Richard Raleigh
Rick Raleighas an assistant D.A. decided to expedite the process of law and order by becoming the mysteryman Red Bee. He daringly fought crime with a swarm of trained bees, and in his first case he brought about the conviction of Boss Storm, head of a corrupt political machine. (Hit Comics v1 #1)
Post-Crisis
Following the Crisis on Infinite Earths, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events.
In April, 1944, a time traveling Black Barax attacked Washington to draw out Red Bee and the Freedom Fighters, and tried to abduct the Human Bomb to use his explosive power to fuel his damaged time-cube. The Freedom Fighters drove Barax back to his own time with the help of Mr. Terrific and time traveling heroes Hawkgirl II and Mr. Terrific II. The grateful Freedom Fighters had Human Bomb power Barax’ abandoned time-cube so the future heroes could return to their own time. (JSA v1 #42)
Red Bee came to befriend Starman VII in the afterlife. Starman VII brought his brother Starman VIII to a banquet in limbo attended by Red Bee and several other deceased mysterymen. Years of reflection after death made Red Bee realize that many people thought of him as a joke. He expressed great respect for Starman I, who treated him as an equal the one time they fought together. (Starman v2 #37)
Post-Flashpoint
Following the Flashpoint, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events. Richard Raleigh
It was noted that Raleigh used to visit the Big Bee Ranch that was a local honey farm and befriended the family that lived there. It was there that he met Rosibel Rivera who became a huge fan of the Red Bee after he saved her family from gangsters that were extorting them for protection money and the corrupt police chief that was helping them. The Rivera family later let the Red Bee use the farm as a base and one day Rosi stumbled across his hideout. Afterwards, Raleigh came to battle his nemesis Professor Pollen who used a size-shrinking device to turn Rosibel Rivera to the size of a ladybug. Red Bee was able to restore her back to normal though a side effect of the device allowed Rosibel to shrink at will. She later ended up being Raleigh's sidekick where she began to take the name Ladybug. Rosibel proved to be a morale booster for Red Bee during their adventures until she vanished one day. (The New Golden Age v1 #1)
Red Bee was among the superheroes that were revived by Batman using a Black Lantern ring. (Dark Nights: Death Metal v1 #5)
Red Bee (Jenna Raleigh)
- Main Article: Jenna Raleigh
Jenna Raleigh
Jenna was among several heroes kept in reserve by Uncle Sam and called to action when the Presidency was infiltrated by the alien called Gonzo the Mechanical Bastard. (Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters v1 #5) She had received Rick Raleigh’s old equipment from Uncle Sam and fashioned it into formidable mechanical weapons, including a suit that enabled her to fly, and robot bees that delivered a powerful 'sting'. (Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters v1 #6)
Overview
At one point, Richard Raleigh gained a sidekick who went by the name Ladybug. (The New Golden Age v1 #1)
The original Red Bee was aided by the Rivera family who maintained a bee farm. They came to train some of the bees to help Red Bee during his vigilante activities. The farm also came to serve as a base of operations for the Red Bee. (The New Golden Age v1 #1)
Notes
- The concept of Red Bee was created by Toni Blum and Charles Nicholas where it made its first appearance in Quality Comics Hit Comics v1 #1 (July, 1940).
- In Encyclopedia of Golden Age Superheroes (2013), Jess Nevins commented on the character, "he fights enemies like the evil spiritualist Dr. Marah, the Swordsmen (who use electrified swords), and Yellow Peril hatchet men."
Alternate Versions
In other media
Television
- In Stargirl, the Red Bee was referenced in the setting of the animated television series in the episode "Hourman and Dr. Mid-Nite". Beth Chapel was told by the AI of Charles McNider that not protecting secret identities is what got a hero named Red Bee killed by Baron Blitzkrieg.
Appearances
- Hit Comics v1: (1940)
- Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters v1:
- The New Golden Age v1: (2023)
External Links
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