A supporting character published by
DC Comics.
Ace the Bathound
first appeared in
Batman #92 in 1955.
With the Superman family of characters a huge success, DC Comics
made an effort in the 1950's to expand on the characters that
were associated with their next biggest character, the Batman.
In a relatively short span of time, Batwoman, Batgirl and the
ever popular Bat-mite appeared on the scene. But never ones to
miss out on a opportunity, DC Comics realized that they were missing
out on the pet ownership aspect of the Caped Crusader. To that
end they introduced Ace the Bathound.
The story goes that Batman and Robin discover a stray dog while
patroling and rather than leave the dog to fend for itself, they
take it with them back to Wayne Manor. The next day, posters go up
all over Gotham City, with a picture of the dog who has been named
Ace, saying that Bruce Wayne is looking for the owner of this dog.
Later, when the Bat-Signal is lit, alerting the Dynamic Duo to trouble,
the two heroes jump in the Bat-mobile and speed off toward Gotham
City. Halfway there, they realize that Ace has accompanied them and
that if they are seen with the dog, their secret identities could be
in danger. The two decide that the best way to avoid the problem
is to disguise the dog by putting it in a mask and cape. Calling
the dog Ace the Bathound, Batman and Robin went on to foil the villains
with the help of their new companion.
Ace did not appear in very many stories and eventually was forgotten
by most comic fans. He has returned in recent years in the Batman
Beyond cartoon series as a companion to the elderly Bruce Wayne.