Ace the Bat-Hound on Television
Batman's Dog Fights Crime in Canine Style on the Small Screen
Dec 16, 2008
In 1955, Krypto the Superdog showed up in Smallville as Superboy's pet. At virtually the same moment, Ace the Bat-Hound became a member of the Batman Family. Ace wasn't superpowered like Krypto, but he did sport a snazzy cowl to protect his secret identity.
It would take nearly half a century before Ace would make his debut on television.
Batman Beyond
In 1999, Batman Beyond picked up some forty years in the future from the events of Batman - The Animated Series. Bruce Wayne is an aged recluse living alone in Wayne Manor, with only his dog, Ace, for company. He takes a young man named Terry McGinnis on as his protege and trains him to be the new Batman.
At first, Ace is simply a dog, acting as any guard dog would to protect its master. Eventually, Ace's back story is explored and a couple of episodes revolve around him.
It is revealed that Ace escaped from a dog fighting ring and shortly afterwards stumbled upon Bruce Wayne in Crime Alley as he visited the site of his parents' murder. When Bruce is attacked by members of the Jokerz Gang, Ace defends him and is injured in the fight. After taking the brave canine for veterinary care, Bruce learns that no one can be found to adopt the dog, so he takes him for his own.
Ace even comes to the new Batman's rescue once or twice, most notably in the direct to DVD movie, Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker. In that movie, the new Batman actually tells Ace that he's a "Good Bat-Dog" after he chases off a villain.
Krypto the Superdog
In the 2005-2006 series, Krypto the Superdog, the titular character is joined by other heroic animals, including Streaky the Supercat and Ace the Bat-Hound. Krypto, Ace and the others team up to fight various animal villains including a Super Flea, the Joker's Hyenas and Lex Luthor's Iguana, Ignatius. Ace even has Catwoman's flirty cat Isis to contend with.
Ace has a utility belt full of gadgets, wears a cape and cowl and considers himself more Batman's partner than his pet.
Ace the Bat-Hound is voiced by Scott McNeil.
Close, but not Quite
In the direct to DVD movie, Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman, Harvey Bullock (when confronted with a Batwoman to add to the already teeming Bat population of Gotham City) remarks, "I mean sheesh, what's next? Bat-Hound?" Watching Bullock on television, Tim Drake (Robin) remarks, "You know, I've been thinking about getting a dog. It could help us sniff out clues."
In the third season of The Batman, Batgirl enters the Batman Family, prompting Alfred to quip, "A Batgirl, sir? Perhaps I should equip the Batcave with a doggie door, should Bat-Hound decide to join the gang."
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