Red Tornado is the name of two DC Comics superheroes.

Red Tornado I

The first was a humorous character, "Ma" Hunkel, a housewife and mother who wore longjohns and a pot on her head. This was one of the first superhero parodies.

Created by Sheldon Mayer , Ma Hunkel first appeared in All-American Comics somewhere around #18 (Sep 1940), and became the Red Tornado in All-American Comics #20 (Nov 1940).

Her popularity was such that she was given a cameo in the first adventure of the Justice Society of America, visiting the JSA's headquarters but being forced by a humorous mishap to leave without having the chance to apply for membership. Years later, Ma Hunkel was appointed the custodian of the Justice Society Museum.

Red Tornado II

The Silver Age Red Tornado was an android created by the supervillain T. O. Morrow for the purpose of infiltrating the Justice Society. (Part of the plan involved giving the android a false memory indicating that it was the Red Tornado who had attended the first JSA meeting.) After the android was complete, it was merged with two other entities: Ulthoon, the Tornado Tyrant of Rann, and the being Tornado Champion. This created a living being with the ability to control wind, especially in a cyclone form. Using the name John Smith, he joined the Justice Society, and eventually the Justice League.

During the Crisis on Infinite Earths, Red Tornado became separated from his body, becoming an air elemental. Air pollution upset him, sending him half crazy and in conflict with Firestorm in The Elemental War. Eventually, Captain Atom and Firestorm calmed him, and Firestorm manufactured a new body shell for Red Tornado.

Since this time, he has been a member of the Leymen , and also Young Justice.

His first appearance was in Justice League of America #64 (Aug 1968), written by Gardner Fox.