Superman Day: Krypto’s Importance In The DCU

In anticipation of Superman coming to movie theaters in June, I thought I would take the time to talk about Krypto. Krypto is one that audiences see in both trailers, and it is more expansive of how exactly Krypto acts. In the comics though, it is a little different on how Krypto’s relationship with Superman is. 

Krypto’s first appearance was in March of 1955, in a Superboy adventure story. It was in Adventure Comics #210.  Krypto was created by Otto Binder and artist, Curtis Swan. It is told in that specific comic, that Krypto and Superman had met when he was a toddler. Jor-El was working on the rocket that was sending Superman to earth.  Krypto was described as having the same powers as Superman, with super strength and also super hearing. Krypto has a collar (like most dogs around the world) and he wears the ‘S’ symbol  just like Superman. 

When Krypto is not hanging around with Superman, he is often at the Kent house. He lives out his days being a regular dog. He also goes under the name “Skip” when he is there, just like Superman has Clark Kent as his disguise. 

In the later versions of Krypto that started in the early 2000s, Superman and Krypto  kind of started to butt heads. It became more apparent in later comics, as Batman points out a few times the feud that they have. Hopefully we get to see that in live-action, since that is where James Gunn seems to be taking Krypto’s direction. One other note is that Krypto was not a big fan of Supergirl, a.k.a. Kara Zor-El (Superman’s cousin).  His main job in one of the comic runs, is to protect the fortress of solitude. 

I am really excited to see him in the new Superman film. In the trailer, it shows a little sneak peek of how Krypto will be. James Gunn also explained that our favorite furry friend is based off his real life dog, Ozu.  When it comes to Krypto, people know that he is always on Superman’s side. Even a hero sometimes needs a best friend, who just happens to be a dog that he can depend on. 

What do you think of Krypto? Are you excited to see him in the film? Leave a comment down below!

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