Krypto the super dog”™s first appearance in March 1955 must have been a success, because just a few months later readers were introduced to Batman“™s canine comrade, Ace the Bat-Hound. Robin made a mask for the dog to cover a distinguishing mark on his forehead—but should he have even bothered? If the citizens of Gotham City weren”™t clever enough to realize Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, and Ace looked exactly like Batman, Robin, and Bat-Hound, would that little mark really have given him away?

Bat-Hound was nowhere near as popular as Superman“™s pet pooch though, and was prominently featured in only a handful of stories. It could have been that readers weren”™t as interested in Batman”™s dog because he lacked super powers. More likely, it stemmed from the fact that Krypto”™s thought balloons revealed him to be a rational being with a personality, while nobody ever knew what regular dog Bat-Hound was thinking.

Ace popped up occasionally for almost 10 years but when a new editor took over in 1964, Batman”™s supporting cast took a hit. Alfred, Commissioner Gordon, and Robin made the cut but Batwoman, Bat-Girl, Bat-Mite, and Bat-Hound were all shown the door.

Illustrating one playing card a day using characters found between 1957-1967 in DC Comics. Next: Robin, the Boy Wonder!