Cartoon review: “Krypto the Superdog” (2024)

Today’s cartoon review is “Krypto the Superdog,” a series that originally aired on Cartoon Network from 2005 to 2006. Two seasons totaling 39 episodes were produced.

DC Comics super-pets summary

Krypto is a superpowered white-furred dog of indeterminate breed, though he usually looks like some type of Labrador Retriever. The Dog of Steel first appeared in a Superboy story in “Adventure Comics” #210 (March 1955), and was created by writer Otto Binder and artist Curt Swan.

As explained in his first appearance, Krypto was the El family’s dog on Krypton. Superman’s father, Jor-El, used Krypto as a passenger in a test rocket before sending Kal-El (the future Superman) to Earth. Unfortunately (or fortunately, given Krypton’s fate), the rocket was knocked off course, and failed to return to Krypton. After drifting through space for years (I assume Krypto was in suspended animation?), Krypto eventually landed on Earth, where he was found by a now-teenage Clark. Since anyone from Krypton gained superpowers under Earth’s yellow sun, Krypto received the same powers as Superboy/Superman, but dog-sized.

Krypto became popular, and thus other “super-pets” eventually appeared in the late 1950s and 1960s, comics’ “Silver Age.” The most prominent Silver Age super-pets besides Krypto were Ace the Bat-Hound, Batman’s dog, and Streaky the Supercat, Supergirl’s pet cat. Ace and Streaky were written out of the comics by the end of the 1960s, however, in a bid to make DC’s books less “silly.” Krypto himself was written out of the Superman comics with a 1986 reboot of Superman. However, Krypto eventually returned, starting with a 2001 storyline. The other super-pets also returned, including a few new ones, such as “Bat-Cow,” Damian Wayne’s pet cow.

Krypto’s also appeared in media spin-offs, dating back to the 1960s Filmation-animated Superboy cartoons. The most prominent appearances to date are the “Krypto the Superdog” series and the 2022 “DC League of Super-Pets” CGI animated movie, where Krypto is voiced by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

“Krypto the Superdog” summary

“Krypto””s premise resembles the comics: Krypto gets sent to Earth in a rocket, and gains superpowers upon landing. (In the series, Krypto is specifically shown being put into suspended animation during the trip.) In the TV show’s case, instead of being taken in by Superman, Krypto’s adopted by Kevin Whitney, a young boy who lives with his family in suburban Metropolis. Superman makes a cameo in the pilot, reuniting with Krypto and giving his blessings to Krypto staying with Kevin. Kevin’s parents allow Kevin to adopt Krypto, unaware that the new family pet has superpowers or ties to Superman.

Kevin can understand and talk to Krypto (and any other animal), thanks to wearing a hearing aid-like universal translator packed in Krypto’s rocket. Inspired by Superman, Krypto becomes a superhero known as “Superdog,” going on various adventures saving humans and animals alike. Like Superman, Krypto’s good-natured and enjoys helping others, as well as hanging out with Kevin.

Cast

Besides Krypto and Kevin, the main cast includes:

• Streaky: A cat who lives next door to Kevin and Krypto. During an adventure, Streaky gains a weaker copy of Krypto’s superpowers, and adopts his own superhero identity as “Supercat.” Streaky’s personality is laid-back but well-meaning; he’s also obsessed with naps and eating fish. His personality and voice reminds me a bit of Beast Boy from “Teen Titans.”
• Andrea Sussman: Streaky’s owner; a girl who lives next door to Kevin. She enjoys dressing up Streaky in pet clothes, to his mild annoyance, and eventually learns about Krypto and Streaky being superheroes. Andrea and her family are Jewish, as seen in the Hanukkah episode “Iguanukkah.”
• Ace the Bat-Hound: A crime-fighting dog who uses dog-sized equipment (including a “utility collar” and a rocket-sled) to fight crime. Ace’s personality is serious and logical—basically “Batman if he was a dog.” He also considers Batman his “partner,” not “owner.”
• Stretch-O-Mutt: A goofy dog who works as a guard dog at S.T.A.R. Labs. Thanks to a lab accident, he gains Plastic Man-like stretching and shape-shifting powers.
• The Dog Star Patrol: An updated version of the Silver Age comics’ “Space Canine Patrol Agents.” The Dog Star Patrol is a team of super-powered canines from various planets, whose ranks Krypto joins. Keeping with the dog theme, their spaceship is shaped like a giant fire hydrant. Besides Krypto, the Dog Stars include:
  • Brainy Barker, the Dog Stars’ leader; she’s a Saluki, though she claims to be an Afghan in one episode. Brainy possesses telekinetic and telepathic powers.
  • Paw Pooch: A basset hound with multiple limbs.
  • Tail Terrier: A terrier who can use his tail as a lasso. He speaks like an Old West cowboy.
  • Mammoth Mutt: A Chihuahua who can inflate her body to a large size and attack foes, similar to Bouncing Boy of the Legion of Super-Heroes.
  • Tusky Husky: A husky with a French-Canadian accent who can use a giant front tooth as a super-hard drill.
  • Bull Dog: A bulldog with a British accent and retractable bull-like horns that can be used for attacks.
  • Hot Dog: A dachshund with the ability to generate tremendous heat and fire. He also possesses a short temper. One episode has Hot Dog do a gag similar to the “I’m always angry” bit we see years later in the “Avengers” movies.
  • Drooly: Appears in one episode as an honorary member; a sheepdog who can control his own drool as a weapon.

Recurring antagonists include:

• Mechanikat: The series’ main villain, an alien cyborg cat who wants to take over the Earth. He’s assisted in his schemes by…
• Snooky Wookums: A cute-looking short cat who’s Mechanikat’s main henchman.
• Delilah: Another agent of Mechanikat.
• Ignatius: Lex Luthor’s pet iguana.
• Isis: Catwoman’s pet cat.
• Bud and Lou: the Joker’s pet hyenas.
• The Penguin’s pet birds: Artie the puffin, Griff the vulture, and Waddles the penguin.

Highlights

• The show’s animation style resembles 1960s-era Hanna-Barbera cartoons (such as “Atom Ant,” “Secret Squirrel,” “Top Cat,” etc.), including some of the same sound effects. Winsome Witch’s magical sound effect gets used for a malevolent witch casting a spell; the entrance to the Dog Stars’ spaceship uses the Jetsons’ doorbell chime; a time travel trip to the Mesozoic sees the pterosaur from “Jonny Quest” appear.
• There’s also a number of references to Silver Age DC Comics lore. Red kryptonite is sometimes seen in the series, with varying effects on Krypto. One episode features a “Whirly-Bat,” Batman’s one-person helicopter. (The name is a play on “whirlybird,” an early nickname for helicopters.)
• Alan Burnett and Paul Dini, of “Batman: The Animated Series” and “Superman: The Animated Series” fame, are the producers of the series. They also wrote several episodes.
• The title cards have the episode title’s spoken by Krypto himself; unusually, however, Krypto also speaks the name of the episode’s writers and director.
• The episode “Streaky’s Field Trip” revolves around Streaky reluctantly taking the “Supercat Fan Club” (which is led by his kitten nephew, Squeaky) to Ace’s secret Metropolis storehouse; hijinks ensue.
• The versions of Krypto, Ace, and Streaky from this show also appear in the super-pets story in “DC Super Friends” #14 (June 2009).

Theme song

Here’s the series’ opening and closing credits.

Conclusion

“Krypto the Superdog” is aimed at younger viewers, but may also be entertaining for fans of 1960s-era Hanna-Barbera cartoons or Silver Age Superman comics. The series isn’t available on any streaming service (as of this writing), but a complete series DVD box set is available. It’d be nice, however, to see a Blu-ray set released, given HD prints of the show exist.

It’s still surprising to me that despite the kid-unfriendly tone of most modern superhero comics, Krypto, Streaky, and the other super-pets have seen renewed popularity. Of course, Krypto has kid appeal, thus his appearances in kid-oriented media spin-offs. Also, in real life, dogs are popular pets; Statista reports in 2023, 65.1 million US households own at least one dog. And of course, dogs assist humans as service animals, with security, as part of emergency rescue efforts, etc. If dogs are good enough to help protect and assist people in real life, why not also in superhero stories?

Image: “Krypto the Superdog.” (Warner Bros.)