The Crimson Avenger is the name of three separate superheroes and supervillains in the DC Comics Universe. The character debuted in 1938 and is notable as the first masked hero in DC Comics.
The first Crimson Avenger, Lee Walter Travis, first appeared in Detective Comics #20 (October 1938). He is also known as a founding member of DC's second depicted superhero team, Seven Soldiers of Victory.
The Crimson Avenger and his sidekick Wing first appeared in the DC Comics anthology series Detective Comics in issue #20. The Crimson Avenger had many similarities to the Green Hornet, including a sidekick named Wing who was an Asian valet, and a gas gun that he used to subdue opponents.
Albert Elwood made a single appearance as the Crimson Avenger, in World's Finest Comics #131 (February 1963), in a story entitled "The Mystery of the Crimson Avenger". Eccentric inventor Albert Elwood adopts the guise and attempted to help Superman, Batman and Robin thwart the robberies of the Octopus Gang. A requisite identity confusion occurs when one of the Gang members assumes the Crimson Avenger's identity. Elwood helps the heroes capture the gang and retires right afterward.
A female Crimson Avenger first appeared in Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. #9 (April 2000), created by Geoff Johns and Scott Kolins. This version is a minor Spirit of Vengeance and a lawyer who lost a case in which the defendant was clearly guilty. She obtained a pair of Colt pistols originally owned by the first Crimson Avenger and used them to exact vengeance upon the unknown criminal. These guns are cursed, giving the Crimson Avenger an eternally bleeding bullet wound on her chest. Additionally, if Crimson Avenger uses the guns for revenge, they will track and kill those who have taken an innocent life. The Crimson Avenger was never given a name, but is referred to by fans as Jill Carlyle, a name taken from the headstone of a victim the character was shown avenging in an early appearance.