2019. She returned to her quiet apartment after another long day at Sunset Gardens and slipped off her shoes at the door before returning her coat to its hook. “Honey, I’m home,” she said softly. Her cat came out to meet her, a fluffy little monster, responding less to her voice than the opening of … Continue reading 55: All for Love
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54: Love Whispers
1966. The Troubadour had his rights read to him, his hands cuffed, and his mask removed. Thus ended the crime spree of one of the Crimson Wraith’s most remarkable adversaries of that age. Thus began the incarceration of Esteban Valentino, twenty-five years old, son of Cuban immigrants, graduate of the Titan University theater program. He … Continue reading 54: Love Whispers
53: Different Choices
2019. Judge Ghosh tugged at his beard thoughtfully as he looked down from his bench at Zack. “What I am curious about,” he said, “was exactly why you decided to ask the District Attorney to drop the charges against Miss Chapel — in your own words please.” Zack looked at the DA who nodded at … Continue reading 53: Different Choices
52: Curtains for the Troubador
1966. The chrome skull on its hood gleamed in the afternoon sun as the Crimson Roadster roared into Titan City. with the Scarlet Stranger at the wheel of the cherry red convertible and Wiley Wisp at his side. They had precious little time to thwart the Troubador’s plan to deface the Spirit of Prosperity, and … Continue reading 52: Curtains for the Troubador
51: Justice to be Served
2019. Morning frost clung to the edges of the star-shaped reflecting pool in Titan City Justice Center courtyard, holding in place fallen leaves that stuck halfway-in, halfway-out of the water. Gracie bundled up in the black overcoat Stephen had provided her, wearing the suit that had been purchased for her courier job with Snyder-Finn. Gracie … Continue reading 51: Justice to be Served
50: The Playwright of Peril
1966. The sun shone brightly on the steps of Titan City Hall, where three men stood at the podium — Kelly Winchester, the Crimson Wraith, and the Wily Wisp. In their hoods and domino masks, the costumed crimefighters' smiles were as broad as their spandex-covered chests; and on those chests, the Crimson Wraith bore the … Continue reading 50: The Playwright of Peril
49: Prison, Institution, or the Grave
2019. Danny nodded. “Yeah, Edward was murdered.” “You guys were talking like he was real old, so I just thought, you know, ‘natural causes.’” “He was eighty-seven years old, but someone felt like going ahead and murdering him anyway.” “What the fuck? Who would do that?” “We don’t know yet. Kevin thinks it was someone … Continue reading 49: Prison, Institution, or the Grave
47: When a Wraith Retires
2019. Alone in the Crypt together, things were all business between Gracie and Danny. Kevin had sent her down to get her voice and palm scanned for security, apparently unaware the two had any tension between them. Danny said nothing about the morning. Mostly he kept his eyes on the monitor as he pulled up … Continue reading 47: When a Wraith Retires
46: Face-to-Face with Shadowmaster
1954. Gazing upon Lady Luna’s arrow gleaming in the darkness, its promise of death pointed at his heart, Eddie cursed himself for not being more suspicious of her. Perhaps that was the unease he had felt around her, something his father’s feelings for his childhood sweetheart had kept him from seeing. Had there been any … Continue reading 46: Face-to-Face with Shadowmaster
45: Boxing with Shadows
2019. Kevin steadied the heavy punching bag that hung from a chain in the room of Finn Manor that he called “the dojo.” Gracie felt the boxing tape squeeze as she readied her fists one more time and tried to make herself want to hit it. But she wasn’t angry at the bag. It wasn’t … Continue reading 45: Boxing with Shadows
44: In the Lair of Shadowmaster
1954. The mask felt strange to Eddie. As the Wily Wisp, the rest of his costume differed from his father’s only in color. But the skull of the Crimson Wraith was something else altogether. Before most of the world had even heard of Titan City’s Scarlet Stranger, Eddie had met him in person. But the … Continue reading 44: In the Lair of Shadowmaster
43: The Weight of a Cape
2019. The wheels of the treadmills sang under their feet as Kevin and Gracie brought their speed up to a full run. Wires from the electrodes they wore bounced with each step. Working out wasn’t really Gracie’s thing. It felt strange to run without something to run from or to. “Looking back through the legacy … Continue reading 43: The Weight of a Cape
42: The Return of Shadowmaster
1954. Seeing Sylvia on the rooftop the night before, masked as Lady Luna, unsettled Eddie less than opening the door of Finn Manor to her the next day in broad daylight. Perhaps it was the smile she wore — the kind that said, I’m in on the secret, part of the club. Eddie didn’t remember … Continue reading 42: The Return of Shadowmaster
41: To Know Things
2019. Danny didn’t look bad in his thin white tank-top and plaid pajama pants. Gracie surprised herself by how she noticed the muscles in his arm when he reached to take the maple syrup from the refrigerator for their toaster waffles. Apparently, he didn’t spend all his time behind a keyboard doing computer stuff. “We’ll … Continue reading 41: To Know Things
40: The Silver Arrow of Lady Luna
1954. All throughout the Titan City Capitol chambers, onlookers edged forward in their seats, eager for William Finn’s response. News reports held pencils at the ready, some toward the exit to see just how quickly they could phone their editors with what would surely be tomorrow morning’s headline. Even if Will had no confession regarding … Continue reading 40: The Silver Arrow of Lady Luna
38: Trial of the Crimson Wraith
1954. Officer Goodman remained calm in the face of the committee and its wrath. Their demands for answers about his association with the Crimson Wraith rolled off of him, even as they filled the walls of the Titan Capitol Building with thunder. However, the questions were not ultimately directed at Officer Goodman himself, William Finn … Continue reading 38: Trial of the Crimson Wraith
37: A Lineage of Mask and Cloak
2019. Danny’s fingers danced across a few keys, and with a few quick clicks of his cursor, the Crypt’s computer monitors began lighting up with image after image of all the Crimson Wraiths who came before. There were seven in total, many accompanied by their own Wily Wisp. “In 2005,” said Kevin. “I became the … Continue reading 37: A Lineage of Mask and Cloak
36: The Monte Cristo Code
1948. Captain Hargreaves downed fistfulls of antacid as he awaited the wealthy parents of the young men who had been kidnapped by the Three Billy Goats Gang. His ulcer was screaming as he thought about donations they had made to the TCPD and the strength of their connections in the Titan City government. By the … Continue reading 36: The Monte Cristo Code
35: Into the Crypt
2019. Discovering that he had been the Crimson Wraith all along, Gracie was surprised, but immediately realized it made all the sense in the world. “That day at Sprang & Sons, you were checking up on me.” “I was.” Kevin guided Gracie around the back of the Finn Mausoleum, where two brass angels stood on … Continue reading 35: Into the Crypt
32: A Seat at the Table
1986. The Titan Metro ride up to the 6th Avenue station wasn’t exactly comfortable for either Hank or Jasmine. Typically, she didn’t like going out during the day. It never felt safe to dress the way she felt most herself when the sun was out. So, she threw on something a boy had left at … Continue reading 32: A Seat at the Table
31: Perspective Provided
2019. No routes of the Titan Metro Line made their way into the hillsides beyond the Englehart River, but Gracie didn’t really want Stephen to give her a ride all the way to Sprang & Sons. That might raise more questions than she wanted to answer. So, she asked him to bring her to the … Continue reading 31: Perspective Provided
30: Enter the Zephyr
1986. Sunday nights, the sign above the Golden Sphinx stayed dark, as did the strands of lights winding up the potted palm trees out front. The desperate and lonely men of Titan City would have to look elsewhere for titillation. But between the iron bars covering its windows, light shone through the red lace curtains. … Continue reading 30: Enter the Zephyr
29: Faces in Old Photographs
Afterward... By the time Kevin arrived in the Crypt, Danny had removed the costume he wore during the meeting with Gracie and returned it to its place among the other high-tech battle suits of the Crimson Wraith. He looked up from the Crypt computer wearing jeans and a basketball jersey for the Titan Hoplites. “Well, … Continue reading 29: Faces in Old Photographs
28: A Chance and a Choice
2019. As she waited for her appointment with the Crimson Wraith, Gracie returned to her copy of Nights of Justice: No definitive consensus exists regarding the precise inception of the Crimson Wraith’s career. He did not, after all, trumpet his arrival to the major media outlets of the day. The earliest known police report to … Continue reading 28: A Chance and a Choice
27: The Crusader
1984. Every step Hank took up the stairs of Jasmine’s building made the wound in his abdomen burn. He leaned on her for the whole three flights. Then, she opened the door to her apartment, and the air sang with perfume, overpowering the hallway stench of beer, sweat, and urine. As Jasmine brought him inside, … Continue reading 27: The Crusader
26: Occupied Territory
2019. “Well, one piece of good news,” Hancock told Gracie over the phone, “is that you not being on the lease means you don’t have to worry about rent. You’re free and clear when it comes to that. “The not-quite-as-good news is that we probably could have used you being on the lease to argue … Continue reading 26: Occupied Territory
25: The Cook
1984. They didn’t want Hank back at the Infantino Fishery. “You gotta understand, we’re a family business,” the foreman told him. “People around here know each other’s wives, each other’s kids. They knew Carla.” “I didn’t mean to,” said Hank. He couldn’t say it in full, couldn’t say, “kill her,” not back out in the … Continue reading 25: The Cook
23: The Convict
1984. It helped his case that Hank had come along peacefully when the arresting officer arrived, “showing sincere remorse and a desire for rehabilitation,” his public defender said. What didn’t get said — not out loud, anyway — was the fact that the Crimson Wraith had been on the scene. But the judge and assistant … Continue reading 23: The Convict
22: Your Weirdo Pal in a Cape
2019. He sat at the breakfast table, wearing a casual outfit once again from the autumn collection of the douchebag department — burgundy cardigan over eggshell henley and crisp chinos. Every inch of fabric appeared so soft that it simply whispered “money” without having to shout. The sun room’s brightness bathed him in a heavenly … Continue reading 22: Your Weirdo Pal in a Cape
21: The Killer
1979. Hank Mills didn’t mean to kill his wife, and he wanted the Crimson Wraith to know that. Titan City’s Scarlet Stranger caught up with him about a block from the tenement building where he’d left Carla, appearing in an explosion of blinding light and sulfurous smoke. Among the rest of its graffiti, his building … Continue reading 21: The Killer
20: Miss Chapel
2019. She’d heard about it, knew it was there, sometimes even saw its blue lights glowing in the distance, but not once in her life had Gracie ever had reason to pass under the Arch of Mercy and cross the 6th Avenue Bridge. The Arch of Marcy served as a portal between her world — … Continue reading 20: Miss Chapel
19: The Other Side of Purgatory
2019. When Gracie had seen them on TV, the insides of police stations contained an almost-boiling-over chaos of phones ringing from a scattered array of desks, where beleaguered detectives all sat somewhere near the verge of losing their sanity, sobriety, and spouses, and suspects being marched past them in hand-cuffs proudly proclaimed their hate for … Continue reading 19: The Other Side of Purgatory
18: Defender of the Defenseless
1939. Will had anticipated much of that night: the point in the secret passage where Chubby would also wear the cloak and mask to block Robert’s escape, the blanks he had loaded into his father’s pistol, the mannequin lowered from the roof to make him appear to float outside the window, the disabled car starters, … Continue reading 18: Defender of the Defenseless
17: Fifteen Seconds
2019. Seven cameras with two hundred hours of video on each, but it was fifteen seconds of footage that Kevin focused on. In those seconds, the door could be seen to open. Light cut into the darkness of the front hallway, and a figure stood there, silhouetted. Their left hand raised, and then the footage … Continue reading 17: Fifteen Seconds
16: You Cannot Kill Me Again
1939. “Murderer…” The hollow, ethereal voice did not rouse Robert at first. He merely shifted in his bedsheets. “Murderer…” The second time drew him toward waking, but his eyes were slow to open. “Murderer…” When at last he was awake enough to realize that the voice was no dream, Robert’s eyes shot open to see, … Continue reading 16: You Cannot Kill Me Again
15: Hancock’s Plan
2019. Gracie received a text from Brianna: Heard you aren’t feeling well and taking time off. Good! Could tell you need rest. Can’t be a superhero all the time. Rich had been cool about it when Gracie asked if she could get her shifts at the bookstore covered for the week. And her attendance at … Continue reading 15: Hancock’s Plan
14: A Ghost, Freshly risen
1939. Too hot. Far too hot. Will was smothered, damp, and could not move. Something heavy enshrouded him. He pushed against his bonds, twisted, and let out a groan A dull, hollow ringing filled his ear, a tone that would one day fade from his attention but never fully leave his hearing. It accompanied a … Continue reading 14: A Ghost, Freshly risen
13: What is Lawful and What is Right
2019. There wasn’t much sleep for Gracie that night. She tried, but everything in her head felt jumbled and on fire. First thing she did was clean the whole apartment up and down, left to right, and back to front. Bringing order out of chaos sometimes calmed her. She even cleaned Kristen’s room, although some … Continue reading 13: What is Lawful and What is Right
12: A Father’s Love
1939. Below them, the Englehart River rushed through the snow that clung to its shores, and falling flakes caught streetlights in their crystals. Will pressed his back against the cold metal railing of the 6th Avenue Bridge, his eyes on the barrel of the pistol Robert pointed at his chest. “That’s it,” Robert said with … Continue reading 12: A Father’s Love
11: Return to Sunset
Meanwhile… The elderly residents lounging in front of Sunset Gardens in defiance of autumn chill smiled at the gentleman who approached. They didn’t know his name nor recognize his face, but he was a handsome young man — young to them at thirty-nine years old — sharply dressed, with briefcase in hand. He looked like … Continue reading 11: Return to Sunset
10: Don’t Be Afraid
2019. As soon as Gracie walked through the door of Sprang & Sons, Brianna hit her with, “Whoa, are you all right?” Gracie nodded. Brianna squinted at her. “Are you sure?” “I’m sure.” “Are you sure you’re sure?” “I’m sure I’m sure.” “Okay…” Her pinched brow told Gracie that Brianna was dropping the subject out … Continue reading 10: Don’t Be Afraid
9: The Wraith’s First Flight
1930. The portraits lining the walls of Finn Manor depicted figures with whom William Finn — formerly Will Singer — shared no blood but his new father, Josiah, urged him to call "family." Yet to William, every heartbeat within those walls felt like kin, and in each face, he so often found a warm smile, … Continue reading 9: The Wraith’s First Flight
8: What Price Justice?
2019. Jerry and Joe slinked away as Gracie and the Crimson Wraith stood face-to-mask in the strange fog that had arrived just ahead of the costumed crimefighter’s appearance. “Don’t,” the Crimson Wraith repeated, keeping his red-gauntleted hand raised to her. Gracie didn’t — didn’t move, didn’t blink, for a moment she didn’t breathe, and she … Continue reading 8: What Price Justice?
7: The Hunger and the Hustle
1922. From his corner on the exhaust-choked streets of Titan City, Young Will Singer watched shiny new motorcars carrying well-to-do businessmen honk arguments at each other, each one of them seemingly in someone else’s way. The summer heat made hot tempers hotter, and Will felt thankful for the shade he stood in as he held … Continue reading 7: The Hunger and the Hustle
6: Blood, Glass, and Ghost
2019. The whole ride home on the Titan Metro Bus, Gracie kept checking her phone to see the midterm grades. Only her math class had posted so far — a 98. She had never gotten a 98 on anything in high school, not even her art class, which had been mostly based on participation. That … Continue reading 6: Blood, Glass, and Ghost
5: Whispers from a Friend
1973. They followed each other out of the Kronos-Kola bottling plant with their wrists bound, each one chained to the next. And like a mother duck leading her little ducklings behind her, first in line came Otto von Kemp, a.k.a. the Buzzard, bald and hook-nosed, his fur-collared coat drenched in explosions of beverage equipment from … Continue reading 5: Whispers from a Friend
4: A Stranger in True Crime
2019. In the past three minutes of standing at the Sprang & Sons sales counter, Howard had shifted two books from the first stack to the third, four books from the second to the first, and five books from the third to the first and second. These stacks represented, as he told Gracie, “Buy Now,” … Continue reading 4: A Stranger in True Crime
3: Scream of the Blue Banshee
A monochromatic image showcasing an old industrial building with a towering smokestack next to railroad tracks 1940. The Blue Banshee’s eyes burned with maniacal fury through jagged slashes torn in the shapeless hood that concealed his face. Across from him, the Crimson Wraith met his gaze, the dark and seemingly-hollow sockets of his skull mask … Continue reading 3: Scream of the Blue Banshee
2: Shadows at Sunset
Elsewhere... His shift in the kitchen having ended, Lawrence didn’t mind escorting Mr. Burton back to his room after dinner. It was on his way out anyway. He kept pace with the elderly gentleman as he worked his way down the thickly carpeted hall — past the pair of cockatiels who served as pets for … Continue reading 2: Shadows at Sunset
1: The Watcher in Red
2019. Rats scurried along the gutters of South Titan’s warehouse district, seeking sizzling meats whose scents rose up from street vendors’ carts into the crisp October night. The hour was late, and in doorways, on steps, and on sidewalks up against the sides of buildings, the homeless bundled themselves against the chill in sleeping bags, … Continue reading 1: The Watcher in Red
From “Nights of Justice: a Study of Titan City’s Crimson Wraith”
At the meeting point of the Englehart and Brennert Rivers sits the largest natural harbor on the North American Eastern seaboard, which English explorer Sir Roger Marshal purchased from its indigenous inhabitants for a few furs and a pile of empty promises. He gave that harbor his name, Marshal Bay, and upon its shores would … Continue reading From “Nights of Justice: a Study of Titan City’s Crimson Wraith”
Foreword to Legacy of the Crimson Wraith
An hour can feel eternal when you’re eleven. In June 1989, we waited at least that long outside the movie theater — maybe two or three hours even — but I don’t remember the wait being unbearable. Time stood still as I lost myself in the glossy images of the promotional catalog we got with … Continue reading Foreword to Legacy of the Crimson Wraith
from Kirkus Reviews
An enthralling crime-fighting saga that focuses on the people behind the mask. This volume chronicles the fictional history of a superhero and the motley individuals who have donned the red hood. Twenty-three-year-old Gracie Chapel fled her abusive household as a teenager. She grows into a capable woman who squares off against violent men in Titan … Continue reading from Kirkus Reviews
The Crimson Wraith 