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| “ | Can't talk. Detective work. Leave bottle. | „ |
| ~ Detective Chimp. |
| “ | Just a Chimp with a magic sword, Lady. But you can count on me. | „ |
| ~ Prime Earth Detective Chimp to Wonder Woman. |
Bobo T. Chimpanzee, also known as Detective Chimp, is a superhero and supporting character in DC comics.
Originally a chimpanzee from Africa, he was captured and taught to act in the carnival as "Bobo the Detective Chimp". After drinking from the Fountain of Youth, Bobo's intelligence and analytics were enhanced, allowing him to investigate paranormal cases and stop threats. Following the kick off of the DC Rebirth, Detective Chimp has been a member of Justice League Dark under Wonder Woman's leadership. He's also been a member of the Shadowpact, Guild of Detection and a reserve member for the Justice League.
He was created by the late John Broome and the late Carmine Infantino, and first appeared in Adventures of Rex the Wonder Dog #4 in August of 1952.
Biography[]
Background[]
Nothing is known of the chimpanzee's past, but he originated in Africa around the mid-late 1940s and was captured by Fred Thorpe in 1953. Taken to Florida, Thorpe trained the chimp to answer questions as the carnival's new act - "Bobo the Detective Chimp". When his owner was murdered, however, Bobo assisted Sheriff Edward Chase in solving the case and became the latter's mascot.
Becoming an Investigator[]
At some point, Bobo was brought to the Fountain of Youth by Rex the Wonder Dog, granting him immortality, enhancing his intelligence and making him multilingual. Following Crisis on Infinite Earths, Detective Chimp and Rex were offered a position at the Bureau of Amplified Animals, with Bobo eventually heading the organization. He also encountered other detectives during his tenure, such as the Martian Manhunter and the Elongated Man when joining the Croatoans. However, the detective fell into alcoholism when the public forgot about him, becoming well known to spend his time drinking at the Oblivion bar. During the Day of Vengeance storyline, Detective Chimp became a member of the Shadowpact alongside Nightmaster, Enchantress, Ragman, Nightside and Blue Devil to stop the Spectre from destroying all magic in the universe.
After the Spectre and Eclipso's defeat, Bobo remained with the team and went on several adventures with them and the Phantom Stranger. While still with the Shadowpact, the chimpanzee went on his own adventures, such as helping Shazam stop the Seven Deadly Enemies of Man in Gotham City. Additionally, Bobo became the wearer of the Helmet of Fate when it returned to Earth, using it to stop the Trickster and resisting the helmet's temptations.
Prime Earth[]
On Prime Earth, Bobo's past is slightly altered, with him being captured and injured by cruel handlers, but was treated well by one of them named Fred. After Fred was murdered by the others, Bobo escaped and encountered Swamp Thing and Rex, whom brought the chimp to the Fountain of Youth. With the DC Rebirth, Detective Chimp becomes the owner of the Oblivion Bar and the Sword of Night after the death of his close friend Nightmaster. Some point following the destruction of the Source Wall, Wonder Woman recruited a reluctant Detective Chimp to restore the balance. Forming the Justice League Dark with Diana, Zatanna, Swamp Thing and the reformed Man-Bat, the team went to Doctor Fate for assistance and later stopped the Upside Down Man.
Portrayals[]
Television[]
- In Batman: The Brave and the Bold, he was voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson, who also voiced Cleveland Brown, Jr. in The Cleveland Show, Spawn in Spawn: Armageddon and General Monger in Monsters vs. Aliens tv series.
- Richardson reprised his voice for the character in Scooby-Doo! & Batman: The Brave and the Bold.
- In Teen Titans Go!, he was voiced by Scott Menville (who also voiced Robin in Teen Titans and Teen Titans Go! and Marlton Johnson in Call of Duty: Black Ops II and Call of Duty: Black Ops 4) and Fred Tatasciore (who also voiced Damon Baird and Tai Kaliso in the Gears of War series, Poseidon in God of War (2005), Mario Auditore in the Assassin's Creed series and Nikolai Belinski in Call of Duty series).
Video Games[]
- In Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham, he was voiced by Dee Bradley Baker, who also voiced Numbuh 4 in Codename Kids Next Door, Appa and Momo in Avatar: The Last Airbender, Clone Troopers in the Star Wars franchise and Perry the Platypus and Perry the Platyborg in Phineas & Ferb.
Trivia[]
- His name is unpronounceable, but it translates to "Magnificent Finder of Tasty Grubs".
