Rex the Wonder Dog

Rex the Wonder Dog is a

Rex shares his name with a canine film actor "Rex the Wonder Dog", from numerous silent films of the 1920s.[2]

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.^[3] The series was written by Robert Kanigher, and was illustrated for the first three issues by Alex Toth and Sy Barry.^[4] From issue #2 (March/April 1952) almost every issue had one Rex story written by Kanigher and one written by John Broome. From issue #4, the stories were drawn by Gil Kane^[4] 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 and Sy Barry also drew all of the distinctive covers. The title was cancelled after issue #46 (November–December 1959).

After the cancellation, Rex did not appear again for another 18 years, until he was re-introduced by writer

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 octopuses (twice).[15]^[16] He could ride a horse, or bull,^[17] and proved an expert bullfighter.^[18] He often operated small appliances such as cameras,^[19][20] swung on ropes and 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,^[21] after one of several adventures with them, and added further to his awards when he became an honorary Native American Indian Chief,^[20] and an Honorary Fire Chief.^[19]

Occasionally Rex was forced to perform heroic acts in strange circumstances. Wearing very cool protective shades he once witnessed a nuclear explosion, then fought the

Around this time, Rex was involved in thwarting an attempted invasion of Earth by Martians with the future founding members of the Justice League of America: The Flash, Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman and Green Lantern, among others.^[28] After this, he and Danny Dennis became a circus act for many years,^[29] where Detective Chimp came to see them and got involved in an adventure with a now obviously aging 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. Moon landing team, Rex becoming 'America's first Wonder Dog on The Moon' in the process.^[30]

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.^[31] 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,^[32][33] also revealing that he can speak, and possesses 'the knowledge of force of mind, and how to use it'.^[33] Detective Chimp later explained that both his and Rex's new powers were another effect of drinking from the Fountain of Youth.^[34]

Working without Danny

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 in a fight between almost every DC hero and many villains at the opening of

His brother, Billy, affectionately known as 'Pooch', became the mascot of Gunner and Sarge of 'Losers' 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.^[42] An alternate-universe story places the death of those heroes on Dinosaur Island.

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.

In other media

The character Wolf from Young Justice is modeled after Rex.^{[citation needed]}

Other information

• Rex was based on the character Streak the Wonder Dog who became Green Lantern'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
  retcon written by Gerard Jones which parodied the origin of Marvel Comics character Captain America
  . Despite the parody tone of the tale, the story has not been written out of Rex's history since.