History

  Born on the planet Rann, the Red Tornado was originally the criminal Tornado Tyrant, who later reappeared as the good-hearted wind-being called the Tornado Champion. This creature eventually merged with an android called the Red Tornado, a sentient weapon created by T.O. Morrow to infiltrate the JSA. Having no memory of his previous life, the Red Tornado nonetheless felt the compulsion to do good, rebelled against Morrow, and eventually became a valued member of both the JSA and the JLA. He took on the alias of 'John Smith', met a woman named Kathy Sutton, and took an orphaned girl named Traya under his protection. All the time, neither he nor his friends knew that he was actually a living creature.

  During the Crisis, the Tornado's true being broke free and realized that it was in fact an Air Elemental, defender of Earth's environment (and possibly created by the Parliament of Vapors). Driven half-mad by the pollution of air, the Red Tornado became a destructive force for some time. An encounter with Captain Atom and Swamp Thing calmed him down, however, and he became a champion of ecology and humanity alike.

  Later reappearing in his metal body, the Tornado joined the supernatural Leymen (a.k.a. Primal Force) for a brief time. Still later, he was found by the Young Justice team in the former JLA HQ of Happy Harbor. His human feelings now restored and his elemental agenda left behind him, he renewed is relations with Kathy and Traya, and also became a reserve member of the JLA, mentoring the youthful heroes of Young Justice until the team disbanded.