10 Weird DC Heroes You Won't Believe Exist

9. Detective Chimp

Matter-Eater Lad
DC Comics

Conceptually, Detective Chimp is pretty simple to understand. He is a chimpanzee who is also a detective.

Bobo T. Chimpanzee was captured by a man named Fred Thorpe in 1953. Fred taught Bobo some basic detective skills and turned him into a carnival act. However, one day Bobo discovered the Fountain of Youth (as you do) and its waters gave him human level intelligence and an immortal lifespan. Now able to talk as well, Bobo began helping out the police as Detective Chimp.

Detective Chimp has also helped out other DC detectives on cases, including Batman and John Jones (the civilian identity of Martian Manhunter).

When Detective Chimp's police work dried up, he turned to alcoholism and took up residence at the otherworldly Oblivion Bar. He was broken out of his funk though by the magical superhero team Shadowpact, who invited Chimp to join their ranks. As a member of Shadowpact, Bobo was also briefly the caretaker of the Helmet of Nabu, a mystical artefact that can turn ordinary people into Dr. Fate.

He also later revealed that Bobo is the name Fred gave him and his real name is a series of shrieks that translates to "Magnificent Finder of Tasty Grubs."

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I was just a mild-mannered NCTJ accredited journalist until one day I found out the truth... that I could share my nerdy ramblings with people on the internet! It's just like mumbling to myself on the train, but without all the strange looks.