Detective Chimp is one of the stranger characters in DC Comics. Despite this, even Batman acknowledges him as the true “World’s Greatest Detective.” However, to help out his old Justice League Dark teammate Wonder Woman, Bobo T. Chimpanzee takes on the mannerisms of another great detective; Columbo.
Written by Tom King with art by Bruno Redondo, Wonder Woman #16 continues the investigation into Steve Trevor’s death. The long-time love interest of Princess Diana, Trevor was recently murdered by the Sovereign. This was part of his ongoing war on Wonder Woman and the Amazons, hoping to goad Diana into attacking him directly. Instead, the Sovereign found himself having to deal with Detective Chimp.
(Image Source: DC / Bruno Redondo)
The simian sleuth began hounding Sovereign, showing up at random to question him about Trevor’s activities before his death. Bobo was sheepishly apologetic about each disturbance, noting that there was just “one more thing” he had to ask each time. Mystery fans will recognize this as the same trick used by Lieutenant Columbo on the long-running 1970s detective show. Columbo frequently played the fool across repeated meetings, eventually tricking murderers into confessing their crimes.
While Bobo doesn’t inspire such a confession in Wonder Woman #16, he still sets up the Sovereign masterfully. Near the end of his rope after another Detective Chimp visit, the Sovereign responds with unmasked hostility toward another unannounced visitor. However, rather than Detective Chimp, the visitor is reporter Clark Kent. This brings about the downfall of the Sovereign and the exposure of his many crimes, including the murder of Steve Trevor.
(Image Source: DC / Bruno Redondo)
For all her combat prowess, Wonder Woman is also a master strategist. She knew the Sovereign well enough after their battles not to engage him in the direct fight he desired. She also had many allies, as this issue shows, who were more than willing to act on her behalf for the sake of truth and justice.
Wonder Woman #16 is now available at comic shops everywhere.