Rex the Wonder Dog
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Rex the Wonder Dog is a fictional dog in the DC Comics universe created in 1952. He starred in his own bi-monthly series, The Adventures of Rex the Wonder Dog for eight years. It was written by Robert Kanigher of Wonder Woman fame and was illustrated by Alex Toth, who later went on to create Hanna-Barbera's Space Ghost. Rex has sometimes been compared to Superman's dog Krypto, who was created three years after, and though the two canine crime fighters do share similarities, they are decidedly different characters.
[edit] Character history
Rex is a white German Shepherd who spent his early years in the U.S. Army's K-9 Corps, alongside his brother, Pooch. Even early in his training it was 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, Rex found himself endowed with great strength, speed, stamina, and intelligence. Dr. Anabolus was shortly thereafter killed by a Nazi spy, leading to Rex being the only dog of his kind. After a few years his hitch was over and he was adopted by a young man named Phillip Dennis. Not long after moving into his new home, Phillip was framed for murder, and where the police could do nothing, Rex succeeded in finding all the requisite clues to clear his owner's name. In most of his subsequent adventures he would be seen accompanying Phillip's younger brother, Danny.
Rex's adventures were hardly mild-mannered. He manages, on different occasions, to survive attacks from lions, wolves, bears, panthers, and even octopuses. His series also took a more science fiction approach when he bested a Tyrannosaurus rex in combat. A dog of many talents, Rex could even ride a horse, operate small appliances, and swing on ropes or vines.
Later in the series, Rex would get a home with scientist John Rayburn, who preceded the The Atom in creating the technology required to shrink living beings to microscopic size. Together, he and Rex had many adventures in the sub-atomic world. His self-titled series continued in this format until low sales forced it to be discontinued in 1959.
Two decades later, in April of 1978, Rex made a surprise appearance in an issue of Justice League of America, courtesy of writer Steve Englehart, who attempted to gather together all the superheroes and action/adventure characters who appeared in comics in the 50s into one gigantic crossover event. He would later make guest appearances on the back pages of DC Comics Presents, along with other defunct characters.
In the late 1990s, Rex would appear in the comics series Superboy and the Ravers, having found a new owner in teenager Hero Cruz. Hero, a wielder of the "H-Dial" from Dial H for Hero, made reference to having discovered Rex imprisoned in a metal box. Hero had found the H-Dial and other heroic relics after breaking into a weapons cache owned by the villainous Scavenger; it is unknown if the long-lived Rex was found during the same raid. Presumably he still resides with the Cruz family in Metropolis.
Rex's longevity stems from not only his initial injection during World War II, but also a revitalizing drink from the Fountain of Youth alongside his old friend Bobo, the Detective Chimp.
Aside from appearing from time to time in various DC Comics titles, Rex is currently a member of the US Government's "Bureau of Amplified Animals" along with his old friend Detective Chimp, and even today remains a minor yet consistent part of the DC Comics universe. He most recently appeared in the Day of Vengeance: Infinite Crisis Special, assisting the Shadowpact in battling the Seven Deadly Enemies of Man and has since guest-starred in the Shadowpact series.
[edit] Skills
Rex has abilities far beyond those of normal dogs, and shows an understanding of the world around him that's comparable to most humans. Aside from being a trained attack dog, Rex can perform a number of human functions, possible through mimicry. It should be noted that the deductive reasoning required for his investigative exploits cannot be achieved through mimicry. Rex also has revitalized health stemming from a drink from the Fountain of Youth.
[edit] Trivia
- Several silent films have been made starring a "Rex the Wonder Dog", yet they are not connected to this character.
- In the animated series Batman Beyond, Terry McGinnis once refers to Bruce Wayne's Great Dane, Ace, as "Wonder Dog", a possible nod to the classic character, but most likely referring to Ace the Bat-Hound.
- His brother, Billy, affectionately known as Pooch, became the mascot of Gunner and Sarge during World War II. Following Gunner and Sarge through thick and thin, Pooch 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.
- Dr. Anabolus and his formula were all created for Rex's origin in Secret Origins #48, a humorous retcon written by Gerard Jones to parody the origin of Marvel Comics character Captain America. The story is written for laughs, whereas the original Rex stories were over-the-top, with the Wonder Dog being able to wrestle an octopus and drive a stagecoach for example, but otherwise played straight. Rex's subsequent appearances have not carried the farcical manner of this story.
