Everybody loves the Dog of Steel!
—
UPDATED 12/20/24: If you clicked on this you almost certainly watched James Gunn’s Superman trailer. Probably, at least, I don’t know, 13 times. In fact, here are 13 QUICK THOUGHTS on it! Anyway, it’s the perfect time to reprint this piece, which first ran in 2023, on Krypto’s anniversary. Woof! — Dan
—
By PETER BOSCH
Is there any creature on this earth that is capable of providing as much complete unconditional love as a dog can for its human? And vice versa? And was there ever as much love on two planets as Krypto showed for Kal-El?
In his first appearance, Adventure Comics #210 (March 1955), which went on sale 68 years ago on Jan. 25, 1955, he was shown as a puppy on Krypton before it exploded, pet to baby Kal-El, but Jor-El used Krypto in a test rocket with the expectation it would return safely with the pup unharmed. However, a meteor knocked the rocket off course and it was diverted into space where, after many years, it flew into Earth’s orbit and landed a short distance from Smallville. It was also an important connection for Superboy because, until that moment, he felt he was the only survivor of his home planet. They were reunited and so began years of love between Superboy and Krypto.
After years away romping in space, Krypto returned to Earth in Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen #29 (June 1958) to find the grown Kal-El for the first time, but the canine was now old and not as well as he used to be. Superman took Krypto to another planet which contained special water that returned years to the life of the Superdog and the rejuvenated pooch came back to Earth.
Flash forward through many more adventures. Cat Stevens once sang “I love my dog as much as I love you. But you may fade, my dog will always come through.” That certainly applies to Krypto and his human, Superman. In Action Comics #583 (Sept. 1986) — Part 2 of “Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?” — the final issue of the Superman so many of us baby boomers grew up with, Krypto joined Superman for the very last time and sacrificed everything for him.
Though he was described by others in his first appearance as “a mutt,” “a funny looking pooch,” and “a mongrel,” Superman would likely call him his best friend and the noblest canine of all.
Here are 13 TIMES KRYPTO WAS A VERY GOOD BOY:
—
Adventure Comics #210 (Mar. 1955)
Curt Swan pencils, Stan Kaye inks
—
Adventure Comics #220 (Jan. 1956)
Swan pencils, Kaye inks
—
Adventure Comics #239 (Aug. 1957)
Swan pencils, Kaye inks
—
Adventure Comics #259 (April 1959)
Swan pencils, Kaye inks
—
Adventure Comics #272 (May 1960)
Swan pencils, Kaye inks
—
Adventure Comics #310 (July 1963)
Swan pencils, George Klein inks
—
Superboy #56 (Apr. 1957)
Swan pencils, Kaye inks
—
Superboy #79 (Mar. 1960)
Swan pencils, Kaye inks
—
Superboy #82 (July 1960)
Swan pencils, Kaye inks
—
Superboy #101 (Dec. 1962)
Swan pencils, Klein inks
—
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen #29 (June 1958)
Otto Binder script, Swan pencils, Ray Burnley inks
—
Action Comics #583 (Sept. 1986). His noblest sacrifice, saving Superman, the human he loves above all else.
Alan Moore script, Swan pencils, Kurt Schaffenberger inks
—
Superman #680 (Nov. 2008)
Alex Ross art
—
MORE
— 13 KRYPTO COVERS: It’s the Dog Days of Summer! Click here.
— THE TERRIBLE TRIO: Inside the Wackiest Filmation SUPERBOY Cartoon of Them All. Click here.
—
PETER BOSCH’s first book, American TV Comic Books: 1940s-1980s – From the Small Screen to the Printed Page, has just been published by TwoMorrows. He has written articles and conducted celebrity interviews for various magazines and newspapers. Peter lives in Hollywood.
January 25, 2023
Krypto is one of the “Superman” brand’s finest characters.
January 25, 2023
Who’s a good boy?
January 25, 2023
How I would love a collected edition of all classic Krypto stories.
January 25, 2023
Krypto was a great add-on to the Captain Action Superman costume.
January 25, 2023
What? No Superman 287?
January 25, 2023
I assume you’re aware that Krypto’s co-creator is still alive 68 years after the debut of “The Super-Dog from Krypton.” Sy Barry was the Superteam member who first suggested that Superboy should have a super-dog and inked the first story in ADVENTURE COMICS #210.
January 26, 2023
Anthony, thank you for that information. I was not aware of that. I have been a fan of Sy Barry’s work since his years on “The Phantom.” Now I have another reason, to know that he was instrumental in the addition of Krypto.
January 26, 2023
That Alex Ross cover is a gem– such a noble pose! And having Krypto around reminds us that comics are supposed to be fun (apart from him dying of course– that scene slayed me). A Krypto omnibus would be a joy to behold.
January 26, 2023
Our little dachshund passed away last week after 14 years. My wife and I are still trying to deal with it. This has help to cheer me up a bit.
Dogs are great…they’re far better than peopl.
January 27, 2023
I’m so sorry to hear that. I’m glad this brought you a little comfort.
January 27, 2023
matte41, I am so sorry for your loss. A pet’s (and friend’s) love is so very important. My own experience and memories make me feel very warm inside and takes me back to those days. I’m glad this made you feel better.
October 16, 2023
I concur!
January 26, 2023
I met the Mark Redron whose father Lenn Redmond who worked on Filmation’s New Adventures of Superman. In the collection was a beautifully drawn picture of Krypto. Also, a version of The Blind Boy of Steel was later adapted into the Filmation cartoon titled, Krypto, Seeing Eye Dog written by Leo Dorfman.
December 20, 2024
This is silly, but I gotta say – why does the Krypto in the new movie not look like Krypto? I mean, it’s the wrong breed – different to how he has regularly been portrayed. Maybe the producers wanted something cuter?
December 20, 2024
There was a mini-series of Krypto stories in (I think) Superman Family about forty (wow!) years ago!