Alter Ego: Richard (Rick) Raleigh, now publicly known
Marital Status: Single
Known Relatives: None
Group Affiliation: All Star Squadron, Freedom Fighters
Base of Operations: Superior City formerly, now Gotham
First Appearance: Hit Comics #1
Height: 5'9 1/2"
Weight:147 lbs.
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Reddish Blond
History: Rick Raleigh was secretly the costumed crimefighter, the Red Bee.
His first recorded case was in 1940 where he brought "Boss" Storm to justice.
Recently, aliens cloned the Red Bee. After his rescue, Rick
has been trying to adjust to fifty years worth of changes. He's begun to
update his law license and catch up on history. The cultural shock was
pretty dramatic-Life was so much simpler back in the 1940s!
Rick was horrified to discover that his original had died recently,
embittered and disappointed by how his life turned out. Rick is determined
this will not happen to him. He wants to be remembered as a hero, not as a
joke. He is always trying new things. He still cracks wise, but seems to
trying to model himself on Batman. Only not so grim!
He has recently befriended a fellow law student named Tom Grant.
Through the course of their talks, Rick has discovered that he is gay. He
hasn't acted on it yet. (He and Tom are just friends.)
Powers & Weapons:
The Red Bee II is a superb athlete and hand to hand combatant.
Originally, he believed that his Bee Swarm was "trained," but has come
to believe that the Metagene is somehow involved. His control of the swarm
seems to be telepathic. The Red Bee also seems able to affect their DNA
unconsciously while he controls them. The Swarms seems tougher, and more
long lived, and seems able to sting repeatedly without dying.
The Swarm can be stored for up to thirty-six hours in his Belt Buckle.
(This device is a gadget. I assume he originally got it from a friendly mad
scientist.) The Bees are miniaturized and in suspension while inside.
He also has taken to carrying a few gimmicks in his belt. These are
very low-tech, not Batman style items. He has a grappling hook and cable, ear
plugs, and a pair of handcuffs.
