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Detective Chimp
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In the fictional DC Universe, Detective Chimp (alias Bobo T. Chimpanzee) was a chimpanzee wearing a deerstalker (in honor of Sherlock Holmes) with human-level intelligence who solves crimes, often with the help of the Bureau of Amplified Animals, a group of intelligent animals, like Rex the Wonder Dog. He was originally created in the Silver Age of Comic Books.
After a few brief appearances over the years (notably in cameos in 1985's DC Challenge and a 1989 issue of Secret Origins, the character was revived in the 2005 Day of Vengeance miniseries and subsequently appeared in its spin-off series Shadowpact, through the latter's last issue, #25.
first introduced, the Detective Chimp was a simple, although intelligent, trained chimpanzee, who acted as a "helping mascot" for the local sheriff, after helping him to solve the murder of his chimpanzee trainer, Fred Thorpe.
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In the fictional DC Universe, Detective Chimp (alias Bobo T. Chimpanzee) was a chimpanzee wearing a deerstalker (in honor of Sherlock Holmes) with human-level intelligence who solves crimes, often with the help of the Bureau of Amplified Animals, a group of intelligent animals, like Rex the Wonder Dog. He was originally created in the Silver Age of Comic Books.
After a few brief appearances over the years (notably in cameos in 1985's DC Challenge and a 1989 issue of Secret Origins, the character was revived in the 2005 Day of Vengeance miniseries and subsequently appeared in its spin-off series Shadowpact, through the latter's last issue, #25.
Fictional character biography
Origins
When first introduced, the Detective Chimp was a simple, although intelligent, trained chimpanzee, who acted as a "helping mascot" for the local sheriff, after helping him to solve the murder of his chimpanzee trainer, Fred Thorpe. He could not speak, but being very intelligent he could understand humans, and make himself understood. He appeared briefly with Sam Simeon in Gorilla City during Crisis on Infinite Earths.
This origin was elaborated on and slightly modified in the Day of Vengeance six part limited series. There it was shown how he was captured in Equatorial Africa in 1953 by Fred Thorpe, who sought to train him for his carnival act: "Bobo the Detective Chimp". For the act, the Detective Chimp was trained to answer some detective-related questions using a combination of signals and rewards, giving the illusion that he could "discover the deepest secrets of the public". Bobo forms a strong bond with Thorpe, because he took care of him, and gave him a simpler life than in the jungle. The success of the act lasted until, during a trip in Florida, Rex, the Wonder Dog took him to the Fountain of Youth, where he gained the ability to speak to all living creatures, even humans, in their own language along with eternal youth. (Rex' and Bobo's journey to the Fountain of Youth was originally depicted in DC Comics Presents #35, July 1981.) The fountain would later be boiled away by the Spectre. The intelligence Bobo gains puts a damper on the success of the sideshow act, in at least once instance, he decides that a woman has in fact murdered her sister and will advise the local police about his insights.
At some point after this, Bobo was employed by the Bureau of Amplified Animals. It is not known how he left, or if the Bureau still exists.
After the death of Fred Thorpe, he began to work by himself. Initially he did quite well, as a chimp detective was seen as a novelty. During this successful period he is visited by another detective, John Jones (actually the Martian Manhunter, during the JLApe crisis), who thought Bobo's agency seemed to be doing better than his own.
But being an ape, without civil rights and being unable to stand as a juridical person, he couldn't enforce unpaid bills. When the public began to forget him, he became an alcoholic. In "Day of Vengeance" #5, he acknowledges he has not left the Oblivion Bar since Jim Rook has gained ownership; neither has he left during the previous two owner's tenures.
He also has a smoking habit. It has been revealed that Detective Chimp is a member of Mensa, which entails that his Intelligence Quotient has been estimated to be higher than 98 percent of the adult (human) population.
It was recently revealed that he had a long-standing partnership with four other detectives as the Croatoan Society. One of the members is the detective/superhero Ralph Dibny,
Shadowpact
When the Spectre tries to destroy all magic and began killing wizards, Detective Chimp, while still mostly drunk, coerces a group of mystical characters, which he gathers from the other-dimensional Oblivion Bar, into battling the Spectre. This would be the beginning of the group Shadowpact.
Although lacking superhuman powers, Detective Chimp exhibits not only fine detective skills but also the genius of a true tactician. Benefiting from the counsel of the Phantom Stranger (newly turned into a mouse), he devises a plan to use the powers of Black Alice and Nightshade to confront the combined menace of Eclipso and the Spectre.
In Day of Vengeance: Infinite Crisis Special, he also participates in cleaning up the demonic damage left when the Rock of Eternity explodes over Gotham City. Not only are the sentient seven sins of mankind rampaging through the city, other monsters are loose as well. Detective Chimp captures the sin of 'Sloth', which has possessed his long-time friend Rex the Wonder Dog. The Rock is reformed, the sins re-imprisoned and all magical influence cleaned out of Gotham. The remnants of Doctor Fate, dying because of the Spectre, hands D.C. the helm of fate, which despite everything, still has power. After finding it does not fit him, Detective Chimp convinces Captain Marvel to throw it to earth, to let fate choose its next bearer.
Since these initial adventures, he has remained with the team. He personally stuck around the Oblivion Bar, a magical hangout for mystical types of all sorts. There asked by the Phantom Stranger to travel through a mystical shield surrounding the town of Riverrock, Wyoming. There they confronted the murderous villains known as the Pentacle. Detective Chimp was captured separately by his Pentacle 'counterpart' Karnevil, but manages to escape and free the team. During the resulting magical battles, Detective Chimp (and everyone else in town) sacrifices one full year of their life inside of one moment in order to bring down the barrier. Later, he discovers he was part of a Shadowpact statue that others had erected in Metropolis in order to honor the seemingly-dead team.
The Helmet of Doctor Fate
Despite his unwilling imprisonment in Riverrock, he is shown with the remnants of the Croatoan Society during the year long '52' event. He is also shown with several Shadowpact members and another Society member, Ralph Dibny. Tim Trench, a Society member, has seemingly fallen victim to misuse of the Doctor Fate helmet. Ultimately, it is revealed Tim had been slain by Felix Faust in an attempt to mislead Ralph.
As detailed in 'Volume 2' of the 52 graphic novel collection, writer Mark Waid acknowledges the Riverrock mistake.
In the one shot "Helmet of Fate: Detective Chimp" one-shot, the helmet comes back to Earth, literally knocking out the titular hero. He awakens and 'bonds' with the helmet, perceiving many things not perceived before. He uses the knowledge to perform some heroic acts but knowing so much about innocents in danger, he defaults back to the murder case he was working on before being knocked out. He helps Gotham City police officers arrest the Trickster, who has slain four young magic-powered wannabes. Using the Doctor Fate powers, Detective Chimp then nuetralizes the magical smuggler who was planning to sell the now-dead teens their powers. Detective Chimp struggles against the desires of the helmet, managing to send it onto another journey. Much of the knowledge stays with him for about a week, which he then uses to solve dozens of crimes.
Recently, it has been shown that he occasionally assists Batman in his cases by way of chat room discussions where they swap theories. The Riddler is also known to chat with them but he is unaware of the other two's identities.
Powers and abilities
The Detective Chimp possesses no unusual physical abilities, save the level of agility and physical strength that comes with being a chimpanzee with human knowledge of movement and tools. He is capable of conversing with all animals, regardless of origin, in their own language, including all spoken and written human languages. He is also one of the most highly skilled investigators in the world, with detective skills rivaling those of the Batman and Ralph Dibny. His IQ has been ranked above the 98th percentile of the human population. Because a chimpanzee's muscles are much denser than a human's, Detective Chimp is unable to swim in water.
Alternate origin
- In a 1989 issue of Secret Origins, his intelligence was explained by experimentation of an alien microscopic race, and he was brought to the USA because he impressed a scientist he saved. This seems to have been retconned.
True name
- According to Detective Chimp in Day of Vengeance #4, he does not consider Bobo to be his real name, which he won't reveal to protect his secret identity. It is revealed by the Phantom Stranger's narration in Shadowpact #7 to be "mostly an unpronounceable screech and three grunts", which translates as "Magnificent Finder of Tasty Grubs".
Other versions
Detective Chimp appears in Justice League Unlimited #39, working alongside fellow detectives Batman and Elongated Man. In the DC Animated Universe continuity, Detective Chimp is portrayed as a citizen of Gorilla City, but does not actually appear until the end as he's impersonated by Gorilla Grodd for much of the issue.
In Tangent: Superman's Reign, the Earth-9 version of Detective Chimp is revealed to be a human hacker named Guy Gardner.
In DC One Million, the far future version of Detective Chimp is one of the heroes of the Gorilla Galaxy, and wears a costume similar to Batman.
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