“Comic Book Heroes”

There’s times when real people let me down,
When the temperature falls to zero
I cuddle by the fire with a good book, and
For a while I am a superhero
You really need to be a superhero
‘Cause many times people will hurt
You and try to mess you ’round

And anyway, my comic book heroes won’t
Let me down
Comic Book Heroes! -Rick Springfield 1973

The latest Superman movie swoops into theaters this month. The James Gunn iteration has fans talking, not just about the new Man of Steel or even his Legion of Doom villains list, but about a CGI pooch that is already stealing hearts.

That’s right, Krypto is making his big screen debut. Some fans didn’t know that Clark Kent’s alter ego had a dog. But Krypto’s history, and super pets in general, goes back almost to the beginning.

Let’s start with a look at Krypto. Apparently, scientists back on Krypton were a lot like scientists here on Earth, sending animals out into the void of space before they sent people. In one of the first origin stories for the pup, he is used as a test subject for the rockets that will eventually send young Kal-El to our planet, but it is knocked off course by an asteroid. 

Writers introduced him way back in 1955 as a one off in a Superboy storyline, but like so many things in comic book lore, he was a hit and popped up in more comics, animated series, and recent live-action shows. 

The other DC icon, Batman, was also a dog owner. Ace the German Shepherd, also known as Bat-Hound because of course, made his first appearance in Batman #92 just months after and probably inspired by, Krypto. After helping the Dark Knight in several adventures, he vanished into the doghouse until 1991. That version of Ace was introduced in the DC Rebirth era, as a former guard dog of the Joker who was later adopted by Alfred Pennyworth. Ace has also been a guide dog, a dog-fighting ring survivor, and even a companion for an old Bruce Wayne. Currently, the Super-Pets version of Ace the Boxer stands guard on my bookshelf.

Both of those super-pups were preceded by Rex, the Wonder Dog, entering the comic book world in 1952.  Created by Robert Kanigher of Wonder Woman fame and artist Alex Toth, he starred in his own eponymous bi-monthly series for several years. Rex is a White Shepherd dog who spent his early years in the U.S. Army’s K-9 Corps, alongside his brother, Pooch. Early in his training it became apparent that Rex had great potential, which resulted in his getting selected as a test subject for a super-soldier serum. He battled Nazis during the war years then was adopted by a nice family and became a crime fighter before fading into obscurity.  He made a brief comeback in 1977 and has only made sporadic appearances since then.

The 1970s also saw a dog become part of the Super Friends. Wendy, Marvin, and Wonder Dog appeared in the first season of the show before being replaced by the Wonder Twins and Gleek the monkey.

Marvel followed in those pawprints with some pups of their own. Lockjaw was the pet and protector of the Fantastic Four, first appearing in 1965. The giant bulldog was considered one of the most powerful animal heroes in the Marvel Universe and had the power of teleportation. He made his live action debut on the tv show, Inhumans in 2017. During his adventures, Lockjaw at one point teamed up with another crimefighting canine as part of the Pet-Avengers, Ms. Lion. Ms. Lion first appeared in the 1980s in the Spider-Man animated series. Ms. Lion was later reincarnated as a male dog belonging to Peter Parker’s Aunt May.

Another notable Marvel entry into the pet pages, is Cosmo.The space-trotting pup first premiered in Nova Vol 4. #7 in 2008, and has received his own backstory and lore in the years since. He served as a security officer in the planet Knowhere, and later became a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy.

Unlike all of the previously mentioned pooches, Cosmo appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, making his debut in the first Guardians of the Galaxy film. A life-size animatronic of him even appears at Disney’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout ride. Cosmo may also have appeared in the Hawkeye series under the disguise of Lucky the Pizza Dog. 

Which of these are your favorites? Did I miss anyone? If so, let me know. In the meantime, enjoy the trailer for 2025’s Superman.