Ace the Bathound
Personal information
Real Name: Ace
Residence: Gotham City
Occupation: Companion animal, adventurer
First Appearance (Golden Age): Batman Comics #92 (June 1955)
Character History
Ace was born to a professional breeder sometime in the 1950's and provided police dog training to serve as a protective companion to his eventual master. He was eventually adopted by John Wilkers, an engraver at Gotham Printing and Engraving Company. In 1955, Wilkers was kidnapped by criminals hoping to exploit his skills to make counterfeit bonds. Ace attempted to rescue Wilkers but was stunned by a blow from the criminals. When the groggy animal gave chase, his attempt to cross a river left him in danger of drowning unless he was spotted by Batman and Robin.
Taken in by the courageous hound, the Dynamic Duo resolve to find his owner, Bruce Wayne takes out a lost-and-found ad in the newspaper to solicit clues. Ace follows Batman when he goes and patrol and because he distinctive bat mark on his forward may be link him to Bruce Wayne, Robin creates a mask for him to disguise his identity. Getting a tip that Ace belongs to WIlkers, the Caped Crusaders visit his home and find in ransacked. They visit Gotham Printing only to discover that Wilkerss has not been to work in days and when Ace gets a whiff of the bond paper, he begins to growl and bark, Realizing that Wilkers kidnappers had stolen some of the same paper, Batman deduced their next target will be the special ink used to print bonds.
Racing to the Eastern Printing Company, the find the criminals with Wilkers in tow, forcing him to identify the proper ink. Ace races ahead and is knocked unconscious by a barrel of ink. The criminals threaten to execute Wilkers if Batman interferes and the Dynamic Duo are taken prisoner. Ace is left behind as the criminals retreat to a hideaway on the outskirts of town where Wilkers states he will never cooperate in Batman is injured. The crooks stash Batman and Robin in a side room and indue Wilkers to work. In seclusion, Batman uses his emblem and a lamp to create a makeshift Bat-Signal which Ace spots and arrives soon after. Gnawing away their bonds, the three burst in on Wilkers and captors and make short work of them. Waiting for the police to arrive, Ace is reunited with his master and the heroes depart, offering Ace a job as Bathound should he ever want one (Batman #92).
Some months later, criminals capture Ross Millen and his trained dog Whitey and begin a series of robberies. When they rob a factory producing industrial diamonds for phonograph needles, Millen attempts to attract attention by activating all the phonographs at once. The cacaophony attracts Batman and Robin, who discover pawprints at the scene of the crime. Realizing they need canine assistance, they visit John Wilkers and ask to borrow Ace once more. Masking him up, they follow a series of leads until they find out Ross Millen's dog is a prize winning animal known for his extensive array of trained acts. Finding Millen's home abandoned, they follow a lead that Whitey has been seen in a nearby suburb, When they arrive, Ace takes off wearing a two way radio and quickly find Millen and Whitey along with their captors, Through the radio, Batman and Robin hear the criminals' plans to rob Minton Plant, another producer of industrial diamonds. Arriving during the crime, they find Millen outside who reveals he has been kidnapped and forced to cooperate, Powdering Ace white to resemble Whitey and with Batman putting on Millen's suit, they stroll up to the unsuspecting criminals before revealing themselves and capturing them easily. Ace is then returned to Wilkers to await his next adventure (Batman #97).
The later activities of Ace on Earth-Two are not recorded.
Powers and Abilities
Ace in his prime was a young German Shepard in peak condition. Fast, agile and with sharp teeth, he posed a significant threat to unarmored humans. He was trained his a variety of police and protective techniques as part of his preparation for his role as a companion animal and service dog. The origins and extent of this training is not known.
Weaknesses and Limitations
Ace possessed no super-powers and could be wounded or killed as any other dog of his age and fitness.
Multiversity
Earth-One
The Ace of Earth-One is thought to have a similar origin as the Earth-Two version but rather than appearing late in Batman's career, appears fairly early and has a more extensive record. Eventually Wilkers gives Ace to Batman permanently when his job takes him elsewhere (Batman #125). Ace is known to be active until 1970 (World's Finest #197) in this timeline but likely died shortly thereafter of old age.
Earth-0
The Ace of Earth-o was part of a pack of dogs abandoned by the Joker who eventually ended up at the pound for euthanasia. Ace is eventually adopted by Alfred who retrains him and gives him as a mask as Bat-Hound (Batman Annual Vol. 3 #1)
Post-Golden Age Appearances
|
Issue |
Comment |
Reprinted in |
|
Batman #92 |
1st appearance and origin, with Batman and Robin |
Batman from the 30’s to the 70’s HC, Batman Family #5, Batman in the Fifties (2001), Batman in the Fifties (2021), Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 10 |
|
Batman #97 |
with Batman and Robin |
Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 10 |