Nothing says Golden Age quite like a young sidekick, an imp from the 5th Dimension… or a Super Pet!
Krypto, a true product of this era, was created by Otto Binder and Curt Swan and made his first appearance in Adventure Comics #210 (March 1955). While he never headlined his own book, Krypto appeared in stories with Superboy and other super canines.
The Dog of Steel has already made multiple appearances in TV and film, but this year marks a new milestone in his journey. Krypto the Superdog will make his live-action cinematic debut in the upcoming Superman film by James Gunn.
If you’ve watched the trailer and found yourself asking, “Who is Krypto?“, Comic Book Treasury has the answer for you… and more!
Krypto, The Dog From Krypton
For many years, Superman thought he was the last survivor of Krypton. Things started to change in the Silver Age. It would be easy to think that his cousin Kara Zor-El was the first member of the Superman Family to be introduced, but it would be wrong.
A few years before Superman met Supergirl, the Man of Steel was reunited with his best friend: Krypto! Krypto had no difficulty seducing young readers with his cute doggy face and ridiculous antics. On Earth, Krypto was gifted the same kind of powers as his Master. He has invulnerability, super strength, super speed, heat vision, enhanced sight and sense of smell, and more.
But how did Krypto find his way to Earth? Like Superman, our Superdog came aboard a rocket ship. Jor-El, Kal-El’s father, used Krypto as a test subject for the rocket that would eventually send his son to Earth. However, Krypto’s rocket was knocked off course by a meteor and drifted away for many years in space before landing on the planet, at a time when Ka-El was a teenager.
In the years that followed, Krypto split his time between Space and Superman’s adoptive planet. He became a member of the Legion of Super-Pets (with Streaky, Supergirl’s cat) and the Space Canine Patrol Agents.
While Kal-El has accompanied Superman on some missions, our Superdog has also been, throughout the years, a loyal companion to Conner Kent, Martha Kent, and Supergirl.
Great Krypto Stories
As written above, Krypto made his debut in Adventure Comics #210 where he is reunited with teenage Kal-El. Since his first appearance, the Dog of Steel has helped Superman on several occasions, and has even been at the center of several DC Stories!
Reading about his adventures during Pre-Crisis can be rough, but don’t worry Krypto had a few occasions to shine after! Following are five great comics featuring Superman’s Dog:
Superman #680 (2008)– Facing Atlas, Superman is taking the beating of his life. But the enemy didn’t count on Krypto, Superman’s best friend ready to do anything to protect his master. This is also the issue with the famous cover by Alex Ross, one of the most iconic images of Krypto today. Collected in Superman: The Coming of Atlas.
Superman #712 (2011) – Krypto the Super-Dog goes looking for Superboy in this sad and emotional tale set just after the events of Infinite Crisis. Collected in Superman by Kurt Busiek Book Two.
Action Comics (Vol. 2) #13 (2012) – Like many DC Comics Characters, Krypto has more than one origin story! During the New 52 era., Krypto wasn’ put on a rocket, but found himself stuck in the Phantom Zone after defending baby Kal-El and became an intangible ghost after the destruction of Krypto. Collected in Superman Action Comics Vol. 3: At the End of Days.
Super Sons Annual #1 (2017) – In one of his most recent adventures, Krypto and other animals of DC Comics take the spotlight during the Super Sons Annual! For the occasion, The Legion of Super Pets is reformed! Krypto, Flexi the Plastic-Bird, Titus the Dog, Bat-Cow, and Streaky the Cat, team up to save innocent pups. Collected in Super Sons Vol. 3: Parent Trap.
“Fetch” in Superman Red and Blue #5 (2021) – Superman Red and Blue is an anthology filled with short stories all created with emphasis on the blue and red colors. Writer Judd Winick reimagines young Clark Kent being reunited with Krypto after the dog’s ship arrived on Earth. Just a few pages that will speak to every dog person out there! Collected in Superman Red and Blue.
