Rex the Wonder Dog
Encyclopedia
Rex the Wonder Dog is a fictional dog
in the DC Comics
universe. Created in 1952 by Robert Kanigher
of Wonder Woman
fame and artist Alex Toth
, Rex has sometimes been compared to Superman
's dog Krypto
, who was created three years later. However, though the two canine crime fighters do share some similarities, they are decidedly different. Rex shares his name with a number of other fictional dogs, including Rex the Runt
, Inspector Rex and Rex the Wonder Dog or Rex the Dog, a canine actor from numerous silent films of the 1920s.
, all drawn by Gil Kane
and mostly inked by Bernard Sachs; although from issue #29 (September/October 1956) a few issues had scripts by Bob Haney
instead of Kanigher. Gil Kane also drew all of the distinctive covers.
After the title was cancelled in 1959, Rex did not appear in again for another 18 years, until he was re-introduced by writer Steve Englehart
in Justice League of America
#144 (July 1977), a flashback issue to 1960 which featured a number of minor 1950s DC Comics characters that had once had their own series. After this there were only sporadic appearances: a 'Whatever happened to ...' tale in DC Comics Presents
#35 (July 1981) written by Mike Tiefenbacher with art by Gil Kane, Secret Origins
#48 (April 1990), The Flash
vol. 2 #46 - 47, (January - February 1991), Green Lantern
, vol. 3 #30 - 31 (October 1992) and the linked The Flash #70, November 1992, and Guy Gardner: Warrior #29 (March 1995). Rex then had a supporting role in Superboy
and The Ravers (September 1996 - March 1998), and later Day of Vengeance: Infinite Crisis Special
#1 (March 2006), which led directly into Rex making a number of appearances in Shadowpact
(July 2006 - July 2008).
for saving POWs. He and then Captain, later Major, Dennis followed this by served in the Pacific campaign against Japan
, then later in Korea
.
After his army career, Rex was adopted by Major Dennis and his family. Not long after moving into his new home, Rex began a new career as a crime solver when Major Dennis' son Phillip was accused of murder and, when the police were unable to solve the crime, Rex succeeded in finding all the requisite clues to clear Phillip's name. Soon after, he was made an honorary Forest Ranger and became a Hollywood stunt dog. In most of his subsequent adventures he would be seen accompanying Phillip's younger brother, Danny.
Over the next few years, as well as solving a never-ending series of burglaries, robberies, murders and other crimes, becoming a film star and a circus actor, and daring natural disasters such as forest fires and thick snow, Rex also managed to survive attacks from lions, wolves, bears, panthers, and even octopi (twice). He could ride a horse, or bull, - and proved an expert bullfighter. He often operated small appliances such as cameras, or swung on ropes or vines to save people. Many of Rex's adventures took place in the American Midwest
, but a number happened in Europe
, Asia
and especially Africa
(largely as a result of Major Dennis being involved in various archaeological expeditions). Rex added to his military medals when he was decorated for bravery by the French Foreign Legion
in North Africa
, after one of several adventures with them, and added further to his awards when he became an honorary Native American
Indian Chief, and an Honorary Fire Chief.
Occasionally Rex was forced to perform heroic acts in stranger circumstances. Wearing very cool protective shades he once witnessed a nuclear explosion, then fought the Tyrannosaurus Rex and pterodactyl that appeared from an underground world as a result of the seismic shift, and fought frozen mammoth
s on several occasions. In Australia
he met an alien, Xstar, and helped him recapture an escaped creature - and met Xstar again soon after to solve an outer space crime, becoming 'Wonder Dog of Earth' in the process. While staying with a scientist friend of the family, John Rayburn, who created a formula to shrink living beings to microscopic size, they had a number of adventures either at a much-reduced size, in a sub-atomic world - pre-empting Ray Palmer, The Atom
by over a year - and, by using the formula in reverse, in a giant-sized 'super-atomic world'.
Around this time, Rex was involved in thwarting an attempted invasion of Earth by Martians with the future founder members of the Justice League of America The Flash, Superman
, Wonder Woman
, Batman
and Green Lantern
, among others. After this, he and Danny Dennis became a circus act for many years, where Detective Chimp
came to see them and got involved in an adventure with a now obviously ageing Rex. Taken to the Caribbean, Rex and Detective Chimp accidentally drank from the lost Fountain of Youth
and were both rejuvenated. Some years later, Lt. Colonel Daniel Dennis and Rex became part of a U.S. moonlanding team, Rex becoming 'America's first Wonder Dog on The Moon' in the process.
By 1991, it became clear that more than a new lease of life had happened to Rex. While saving the world from Gorilla Grodd
, 'the dog at the heart of the world, the dog for whom the universe has waited' (as he now described himself) confidently communicated with the newly sentient animals of Central City, and persuaded them to fight against Grodd. No reason was given for this new ability, but shortly afterwards Rex joined 'The Bureau of Amplified Animals', an organisation of animals with abnormally high intellect run by Detective Chimp to help mankind, and was instrumental in defeating Grodd again; also revealing that he can speak, and possesses 'the knowledge of force of mind, and how to use it' . Detective Chimp later explained that both his and Rex's new powers were another effect of drinking from the Fountain of Youth.
At some point after this, it appears that Danny and Rex parted company, as the now ageing Danny does not feature in Rex's later adventures. After being (accidentally) involved a fight involving almost every DC hero and many villains at the opening of Guy Gardner's
bar 'Warriors', Rex later became attached to Hero Cruz
(also known as HERO) sometime before he became a member of 'Superboy and The Ravers', and lived with him in Metropolis
. Hero, owner of the "H-Dial" from 'Dial H for Hero
', later made reference to having discovered Rex imprisoned in a metal box. It is known that Hero found the H-Dial and other heroic relics after breaking into a weapons cache owned by the villainous Scavenger; but it is unknown whether, although likely that, Rex had previously been captured and was found during the same raid. Rex's part in the Ravers adventures was minor, and showed little of his powers. How long he stayed with Hero afterwards is unknown, but Rex was next seen, without Hero, assisting the mystical team Shadowpact in battling the Seven Deadly Enemies of Man, which had been loosed in Gotham City
. During this event Rex was taken over by the entity known as 'Sloth' - a situation rectified by his friend Detective Chimp.
Shortly afterwards confirmation that Rex held a place in DCs pantheon of mystical powered characters occurred when first he was called as one of Earth's most powerful magical characters to aid The Spectre in saving the Universe,. Soon after he is one of the many agents tasked by the Phantom Stranger
to monitor a mystical bubble that contained the town of Riverrock, Wyoming and the newly-formed Shadowpact - vowing to stay until Detective Chimp was freed, and doing so for a year as a result. He later deliberately allowed himself to be influenced by The Huntsman's Hellhound Pack to infiltrate them, but became trapped with the pack, and spent a considerable amount of time using his intelligence to become their leader, although he eventually aided Shadowpact to beat The Huntsman and returned to Earth with them.
' during World War II. His adventures were documented in 'Our Fighting Forces
' and several series of 'The Losers' for DC Comics and the Vertigo imprint. Without Rex's powers, Pooch followed Gunner and Sarge through thick and thin, was wounded multiple times and received the honorary rank of Sergeant. He perished alongside Gunner, Sarge, and The Losers near the end of World War II.
', Terry McGinnis once refers to Bruce Wayne's Great Dane
, Ace, as "Wonder Dog" - a nod to both Rex and Ace the Bat-Hound
, as well as to Marvin White's Wonder Dog
from 'Superfriends'.
Dog
The domestic dog is a domesticated form of the gray wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties. The dog may have been the first animal to be domesticated, and has been the most widely kept working, hunting, and companion animal in...
in the DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
universe. Created in 1952 by Robert Kanigher
Robert Kanigher
Robert Kanigher was a prolific comic book writer and editor whose career spanned five decades. He was involved with the Wonder Woman franchise for over twenty years, taking over the scripting from creator William Moulton Marston. In addition, Kanigher spent many years in charge of DC Comics' war...
of Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman is a DC Comics superheroine created by William Moulton Marston. She first appeared in All Star Comics #8 . The Wonder Woman title has been published by DC Comics almost continuously except for a brief hiatus in 1986....
fame and artist Alex Toth
Alex Toth
Alexander Toth was an American professional cartoonist active from the 1940s through the 1980s. Toth's work began in the American comic book industry, but is known for his animation designs for Hanna-Barbera throughout the 1960s and 1970s. His work included Super Friends, Space Ghost, The...
, Rex has sometimes been compared to Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
's dog Krypto
Krypto
Krypto, also known as Krypto the Superdog, is a fictional character. He is Superman's pet dog in the various Superman comic books published by DC Comics. Krypto's first appearance was in a Superboy story in Adventure Comics #210 in March 1955...
, who was created three years later. However, though the two canine crime fighters do share some similarities, they are decidedly different. Rex shares his name with a number of other fictional dogs, including Rex the Runt
Rex the Runt
Rex the Runt is an animated claymation television show produced by Aardman Animations for BBC Bristol in association with EVA Entertainment and Egmont Imagination. Its main characters are four plasticine dogs: Rex, Wendy, Bad Bob and Vince....
, Inspector Rex and Rex the Wonder Dog or Rex the Dog, a canine actor from numerous silent films of the 1920s.
Publication history
Rex the Wonder Dog first starred in his own bi-monthly series, The Adventures of Rex the Wonder Dog #1 - 46 (January/February 1952 - September/October 1959), titled Rex the Wonder Dog for issues #1 and #2. The series was written by Robert Kanigher, and was originally illustrated by Alex Toth. From issue #2 (March/April 1952) almost every issue had one Rex story written by Kanigher and one written by John BroomeJohn Broome (writer)
John Broome , who additionally used the pseudonyms John Osgood and Edgar Ray Meritt, was an American comic book writer for DC Comics.-Early life and career:...
, all drawn by Gil Kane
Gil Kane
Eli Katz who worked under the name Gil Kane and in one instance Scott Edward, was a comic book artist whose career spanned the 1940s to 1990s and every major comics company and character.Kane co-created the modern-day versions of the superheroes Green Lantern and the Atom for DC Comics, and...
and mostly inked by Bernard Sachs; although from issue #29 (September/October 1956) a few issues had scripts by Bob Haney
Bob Haney
Robert G. "Bob" Haney was a US comic book writer, best known for his work for DC Comics. He co-created the Teen Titans as well as characters such as Metamorpho, Eclipso, Cain, and the Super-Sons.- Early life and career :...
instead of Kanigher. Gil Kane also drew all of the distinctive covers.
After the title was cancelled in 1959, Rex did not appear in again for another 18 years, until he was re-introduced by writer Steve Englehart
Steve Englehart
Steve Englehart is an American novelist. In his earlier career he was a comic book writer best known for his work at Marvel Comics and DC Comics, particularly in the 1970s...
in Justice League of America
Justice League
The Justice League, also called the Justice League of America or JLA, is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by DC Comics....
#144 (July 1977), a flashback issue to 1960 which featured a number of minor 1950s DC Comics characters that had once had their own series. After this there were only sporadic appearances: a 'Whatever happened to ...' tale in DC Comics Presents
DC Comics Presents
DC Comics Presents was a comic book published by DC Comics from 1978 to 1986 featuring team-ups between Superman and a wide variety of other characters of the DC Universe...
#35 (July 1981) written by Mike Tiefenbacher with art by Gil Kane, Secret Origins
Secret Origins
Secret Origins is the title of three American comic book series published by DC Comics.The title began in 1961 and for one issue, all reprints. The title Secret Origins of Super Heroes went onto a second series, also reprints, which ran for seven issues from 1973-1974...
#48 (April 1990), The Flash
The Flash (comic book)
The Flash is an ongoing comic book series featuring the DC Comics superhero of the same name. The character's first incarnation, Jay Garrick, first appeared in Flash Comics #1...
vol. 2 #46 - 47, (January - February 1991), Green Lantern
Green Lantern
The Green Lantern is the shared primary alias of several fictional characters, superheroes appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The first Green Lantern was created by writer Bill Finger and artist Martin Nodell in All-American Comics #16 .Each Green Lantern possesses a power ring and...
, vol. 3 #30 - 31 (October 1992) and the linked The Flash #70, November 1992, and Guy Gardner: Warrior #29 (March 1995). Rex then had a supporting role in Superboy
Superboy
Superboy is the name of several fictional characters that have been published by DC Comics, most of them youthful incarnations of Superman. These characters have also been the main characters of four ongoing Superboy comic book series published by DC....
and The Ravers (September 1996 - March 1998), and later Day of Vengeance: Infinite Crisis Special
Infinite Crisis
Infinite Crisis is a 2005 - 2006 comic book storyline published by DC Comics, consisting of an eponymous, seven-issue comic book limited series written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Phil Jimenez, George Pérez, Ivan Reis, and Jerry Ordway, and a number of tie-in books...
#1 (March 2006), which led directly into Rex making a number of appearances in Shadowpact
Shadowpact
The Shadowpact is a group of magic-based heroes who fought against the Spectre in the 2005 limited series Day of Vengeance, published by DC Comics. They are a sort of Justice League for the supernatural elements of the DC Universe...
(July 2006 - July 2008).
Fictional character biography
Rex is a white German Shepherd Dog who spent his early years in the U.S. Army's K-9 Corps, alongside his brother, Pooch. Early in his training it became apparent that Rex had great potential, which resulted in Dr. Anabolus selecting him as a test subject for a super-soldier serum. After receiving an injection of the serum, Rex found himself endowed with great strength, speed, stamina, and intelligence. Dr. Anabolus was killed by a Nazi spy soon after, and as Anabolus left no records, this led to Rex being the only dog of his kind. Rex served during World War II, acting during the Italian campaign and earning an unspecified medal for saving his handler Lieutenant Dennis from a German patrol, and later receiving a Silver StarSilver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
for saving POWs. He and then Captain, later Major, Dennis followed this by served in the Pacific campaign against Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, then later in Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
.
After his army career, Rex was adopted by Major Dennis and his family. Not long after moving into his new home, Rex began a new career as a crime solver when Major Dennis' son Phillip was accused of murder and, when the police were unable to solve the crime, Rex succeeded in finding all the requisite clues to clear Phillip's name. Soon after, he was made an honorary Forest Ranger and became a Hollywood stunt dog. In most of his subsequent adventures he would be seen accompanying Phillip's younger brother, Danny.
Over the next few years, as well as solving a never-ending series of burglaries, robberies, murders and other crimes, becoming a film star and a circus actor, and daring natural disasters such as forest fires and thick snow, Rex also managed to survive attacks from lions, wolves, bears, panthers, and even octopi (twice). He could ride a horse, or bull, - and proved an expert bullfighter. He often operated small appliances such as cameras, or swung on ropes or vines to save people. Many of Rex's adventures took place in the American Midwest
Midwestern United States
The Midwestern United States is one of the four U.S. geographic regions defined by the United States Census Bureau, providing an official definition of the American Midwest....
, but a number happened in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
and especially Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
(largely as a result of Major Dennis being involved in various archaeological expeditions). Rex added to his military medals when he was decorated for bravery by the French Foreign Legion
French Foreign Legion
The French Foreign Legion is a unique military service wing of the French Army established in 1831. The foreign legion was exclusively created for foreign nationals willing to serve in the French Armed Forces...
in North Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
, after one of several adventures with them, and added further to his awards when he became an honorary Native American
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
Indian Chief, and an Honorary Fire Chief.
Occasionally Rex was forced to perform heroic acts in stranger circumstances. Wearing very cool protective shades he once witnessed a nuclear explosion, then fought the Tyrannosaurus Rex and pterodactyl that appeared from an underground world as a result of the seismic shift, and fought frozen mammoth
Mammoth
A mammoth is any species of the extinct genus Mammuthus. These proboscideans are members of Elephantidae, the family of elephants and mammoths, and close relatives of modern elephants. They were often equipped with long curved tusks and, in northern species, a covering of long hair...
s on several occasions. In Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
he met an alien, Xstar, and helped him recapture an escaped creature - and met Xstar again soon after to solve an outer space crime, becoming 'Wonder Dog of Earth' in the process. While staying with a scientist friend of the family, John Rayburn, who created a formula to shrink living beings to microscopic size, they had a number of adventures either at a much-reduced size, in a sub-atomic world - pre-empting Ray Palmer, The Atom
Atom (comics)
The Atom is a name shared by several fictional comic book superheroes from the DC Comics universe.There have been five characters who have shared the Atom codename. The original Golden Age Atom, Al Pratt, was created by Ben Flinton and Bill O'Connor and first appeared in All-American Publications'...
by over a year - and, by using the formula in reverse, in a giant-sized 'super-atomic world'.
Around this time, Rex was involved in thwarting an attempted invasion of Earth by Martians with the future founder members of the Justice League of America The Flash, Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
, Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman is a DC Comics superheroine created by William Moulton Marston. She first appeared in All Star Comics #8 . The Wonder Woman title has been published by DC Comics almost continuously except for a brief hiatus in 1986....
, Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
and Green Lantern
Green Lantern
The Green Lantern is the shared primary alias of several fictional characters, superheroes appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The first Green Lantern was created by writer Bill Finger and artist Martin Nodell in All-American Comics #16 .Each Green Lantern possesses a power ring and...
, among others. After this, he and Danny Dennis became a circus act for many years, where Detective Chimp
Detective Chimp
In the fictional DC Universe, Detective Chimp is a deerstalker-wearing chimpanzee with human-level intelligence who solves crimes, often with the help of the Bureau of Amplified Animals, a group of intelligent animals that also includes Rex the Wonder Dog...
came to see them and got involved in an adventure with a now obviously ageing Rex. Taken to the Caribbean, Rex and Detective Chimp accidentally drank from the lost Fountain of Youth
Fountain of Youth
The Fountain of Youth is a legendary spring that reputedly restores the youth of anyone who drinks of its waters. Tales of such a fountain have been recounted across the world for thousands of years, appearing in writings by Herodotus, the Alexander romance, and the stories of Prester John...
and were both rejuvenated. Some years later, Lt. Colonel Daniel Dennis and Rex became part of a U.S. moonlanding team, Rex becoming 'America's first Wonder Dog on The Moon' in the process.
By 1991, it became clear that more than a new lease of life had happened to Rex. While saving the world from Gorilla Grodd
Gorilla Grodd
Gorilla Grodd is a supervillain appearing in DC Comics, primarily as an enemy of The Flash. He debuted in Flash v.1 #106 , and was created by writer John Broome and artist Carmine Infantino....
, 'the dog at the heart of the world, the dog for whom the universe has waited' (as he now described himself) confidently communicated with the newly sentient animals of Central City, and persuaded them to fight against Grodd. No reason was given for this new ability, but shortly afterwards Rex joined 'The Bureau of Amplified Animals', an organisation of animals with abnormally high intellect run by Detective Chimp to help mankind, and was instrumental in defeating Grodd again; also revealing that he can speak, and possesses 'the knowledge of force of mind, and how to use it' . Detective Chimp later explained that both his and Rex's new powers were another effect of drinking from the Fountain of Youth.
At some point after this, it appears that Danny and Rex parted company, as the now ageing Danny does not feature in Rex's later adventures. After being (accidentally) involved a fight involving almost every DC hero and many villains at the opening of Guy Gardner's
Guy Gardner (comics)
Guy Gardner is a fictional character, a comic book superhero published by DC Comics. He is a core member of the Green Lantern family of characters, and for a time was also a significant member of the Justice League family of characters.He was created by John Broome and Gil Kane in Green Lantern...
bar 'Warriors', Rex later became attached to Hero Cruz
Hero Cruz
Hero Cruz is a fictional character in comic books published by DC Comics. Within the narrative of the fictional DC Universe, Hero is a portrayal of a Latino gay superhero of African descent...
(also known as HERO) sometime before he became a member of 'Superboy and The Ravers', and lived with him in Metropolis
Metropolis (comics)
Metropolis is a fictional city that appears in comic books published by DC Comics, and is the home of Superman. Metropolis first appeared by name in Action Comics #16 ....
. Hero, owner of the "H-Dial" from 'Dial H for Hero
Dial H for Hero
Dial H for Hero is a comic book feature published by DC Comics about a mysterious dial that enables an ordinary person to become a superhero for a short time, by selecting the letters H-E-R-O in order. Each time it is used, the dial causes its possessor to become a superhero with a different name,...
', later made reference to having discovered Rex imprisoned in a metal box. It is known that Hero found the H-Dial and other heroic relics after breaking into a weapons cache owned by the villainous Scavenger; but it is unknown whether, although likely that, Rex had previously been captured and was found during the same raid. Rex's part in the Ravers adventures was minor, and showed little of his powers. How long he stayed with Hero afterwards is unknown, but Rex was next seen, without Hero, assisting the mystical team Shadowpact in battling the Seven Deadly Enemies of Man, which had been loosed in Gotham City
Gotham City
Gotham City is a fictional U.S. city appearing in DC Comics, best known as the home of Batman. Batman's place of residence was first identified as Gotham City in Batman #4 . Gotham City is strongly inspired by Trenton, Ontario's history, location, atmosphere, and various architectural styles...
. During this event Rex was taken over by the entity known as 'Sloth' - a situation rectified by his friend Detective Chimp.
Shortly afterwards confirmation that Rex held a place in DCs pantheon of mystical powered characters occurred when first he was called as one of Earth's most powerful magical characters to aid The Spectre in saving the Universe,. Soon after he is one of the many agents tasked by the Phantom Stranger
Phantom Stranger
The Phantom Stranger is a fictional character of unspecified paranormal origins who battles mysterious and occult forces in various titles published by DC Comics, sometimes under their Vertigo imprint.-Publication history:...
to monitor a mystical bubble that contained the town of Riverrock, Wyoming and the newly-formed Shadowpact - vowing to stay until Detective Chimp was freed, and doing so for a year as a result. He later deliberately allowed himself to be influenced by The Huntsman's Hellhound Pack to infiltrate them, but became trapped with the pack, and spent a considerable amount of time using his intelligence to become their leader, although he eventually aided Shadowpact to beat The Huntsman and returned to Earth with them.
Relatives
His brother, Billy, affectionately known as 'Pooch', became the mascot of Gunner and Sarge of 'LosersThe Losers (comics)
The Losers is the name of a war comic book feature published by DC Comics. The name was later given to a reimagined comic book series for DC's Vertigo imprint.The first Losers comic was a war comics feature set during World War II...
' during World War II. His adventures were documented in 'Our Fighting Forces
Our Fighting Forces
Our Fighting Forces is a DC Comics war-anthology comic book series that ran for 181 issues from 1954-1978.Writer-editor Robert Kanigher and writer-artist Jack Kirby were among the comics creators whose work appeared in the title...
' and several series of 'The Losers' for DC Comics and the Vertigo imprint. Without Rex's powers, Pooch followed Gunner and Sarge through thick and thin, was wounded multiple times and received the honorary rank of Sergeant. He perished alongside Gunner, Sarge, and The Losers near the end of World War II.
Powers and abilities
Originally Army trained, Rex has augmented abilities far beyond those of normal dogs, with the ability to communicate to humans and all animals, together with exceptional strength, speed, stamina, and intelligence and an understanding of the world around him that is at least comparable to most humans. Rex has revitalized health and longevity stemming from a drink from the Fountain of Youth. He has also exhibited unspecified other enhanced powers as a result of this, and is acknowledged as a member of DC's magical and mystical community.Other media
In the animated series 'Batman BeyondBatman Beyond
Batman Beyond is an American animated television series created by Warner Bros. Animation in collaboration with DC Comics as a continuation of the Batman legacy...
', Terry McGinnis once refers to Bruce Wayne's Great Dane
Great Dane
The Great Dane , also known as German Mastiff or Danish Hound , is a breed of domestic dog known for its giant size...
, Ace, as "Wonder Dog" - a nod to both Rex and Ace the Bat-Hound
Ace the Bat-Hound
The comic book character Ace the Bat-Hound was the canine crime-fighting partner of Batman and Robin in DC Comics of the 1950s and 1960s. Ace debuted in Batman #92...
, as well as to Marvin White's Wonder Dog
Wonder Dog (Super Friends)
Wonder Dog is a fictional canine superhero from the original Super Friends television series. The character appeared in both the animated series, as well as the comic book of the same name, but wasn't incorporated into the DC Universe until 2008....
from 'Superfriends'.
- In the animated series Young JusticeYoung Justice (TV series)Young Justice is an American animated television series created by Greg Weisman and Brandon Vietti for Cartoon Network. Despite its title, it is not an adaptation of Todd Dezago and Todd Nauck's Young Justice comic series, but rather an adaptation of the entire DC Universe with a focus on young...
episode "Alpha Male" Superboy adopts a genetically altered white wolf. Kid Flash suggests naming the animal "Krypto", to which Miss MartianMiss MartianMiss Martian is a superhero in the . Miss Martian was created by Geoff Johns and Tony Daniel and first appeared in Teen Titans #37 . Miss Martian is named "Megan Morse" after Marvel Comics associate editor Ben Morse's wife, Megan...
replies the name is already taken. But "Wolf" as a result of his altered genetics Wolf possesses near human level intelligence and super-strength is obviously a Varsion of Rex the Wonder Dog
Other information
- Rex was based on the character Streak the Wonder Dog who became Green LanternGreen LanternThe Green Lantern is the shared primary alias of several fictional characters, superheroes appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The first Green Lantern was created by writer Bill Finger and artist Martin Nodell in All-American Comics #16 .Each Green Lantern possesses a power ring and...
's dog sidekick in 1941 and eventually replaced the superhero as the cover star of his own magazine. - Dr. Anabolus and his formula were all created for Rex's origin in Secret Origins #48, in a humorous retconRetconRetroactive continuity is the alteration of previously established facts in a fictional work. Retcons are done for many reasons, including the accommodation of sequels or further derivative works in a series, wherein newer authors or creators want to revise the in-story history to allow a course...
written by Gerard JonesGerard JonesFor the entrepreneur see Gérard Jones.Gerard Jones is an award-winning American author and comic book writer.-Biography:Jones was born in Cut Bank, Montana, and raised in Los Gatos and Gilroy, California...
which parodied the origin of Marvel ComicsMarvel ComicsMarvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
character Captain AmericaCaptain AmericaCaptain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
. Despite the parody tone of the tale, the story has not been written out of Rex's history since.
External links
- GCD: Rex the Wonder Dog
- Toonopedia: Rex the Wonder Dog
- Comicvine: Rex the Wonder Dog
- DCU Guide: Rex the Wonder Dog