10) Detective Chimp
How could we talk about the best comic book detectives without mentioning the strangest of the lot? Enter Detective Chimp. One of those characters whose name says it all, really.
When he debuted back in 1952’s Rex The Wonder Dog #4, the character – real name: Bobo – was simply an ape with above-average intelligence who could communicate with people. Eventually, DC was revamped and given a genius-level intellect, the ability to speak and his own detective agency. A kind of parody of crime fiction tropes, Detective Chimp is always seen with his Sherlock Holmes-like deerstalker and is a serial smoker and alcoholic.
Bobo’s had some crazy adventures over the years, too. For a period, he lived in the other-dimensional Oblivion Bar, after that he possessed the Helmet of Fate and gained all its immense powers and, along the way, teamed up with other DC detectives like Martian Manhunter and the Phantom Stranger. His most recent appearance in DC Rebirth even saw him team up with Batman himself.
9) Martian Manhunter
Fans only familiar with the Last Son of Mars from David Harewood’s interpretation on Supergirl might be surprised to learn that the character usually leads a career as a detective, instead of heading the alien-busting governmental organization the D.E.O. like in the hit The CW show.
Debuting in 1955, J’onn J’onzz AKA the Martian Manhunter came to Earth after leaving his home planet of Mars – originally because he was exiled from it, not because he was the last of his species. With his shapeshifting abilities, he assumed the identity of Detective John Jones. Over the years, the importance of his alter ego has faded in and out, with J’onn even abandoning his human life for a time.
Martian Manhunter’s detective work isn’t as integral a part of the character as much as it is with other heroes on this list, then, but it’s a traditional, long-running element. It would be nice to get J’onn’s detective career referenced in Supergirl at one point, too. Better still, how about a spinoff featuring the character as a private eye investigating alien-related cases?