The IR and visible spectra of the benzene iodine atom complex in argon and nitrogen matrices at 17 K, have been obtained. The IR data indicate an axial complex of about the same strength as the molecular iodine complex. In argon, the visible spectrum of the benzene iodine atom complex has a charge transfer band with a well-developed fine structure. The dominating progression has a 280 cm−1 spacing which can be interpreted as evidence for a strongly bound excited state.