Krypto is Having a Moment
In eleven days the movie Superman opens nationwide.
It’s the debut film from the new DC Studios. Studio head, and director, James Gunn says this movie is going to usher in a whole new universe of superhero movies featuring Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and the rest of the DC Comics cast of characters.
If any of you reading this post know me at all, you know I am a HUGE comic book geek, so I have a really keen interest in this film.
I think Gunn is going to hit a home run.
You want to know why?
Because of Krypto, the Super-Dog.
When the first teaser trailer dropped for the movie I was super excited.
It opens with Superman crashing down onto a snowy landscape. He lies in a crater, apparently severely injured. We then see various quick clips from the movie (accompanied by a reimagining of the original John Williams score, which always brings a lump to my throat) and then, at about the minute mark, the prone, bloodied Superman whistles. We then see something in a cloud of snow barreling toward him. Fifteen seconds later, Krypto emerges from the cloud and licks Superman’s face. The Man of Steel pleads with his Good Boy to take him home.
(Which, of course, he does. Because, Good Boy.)
It’s the inclusion of Krypto that’s convinced me that Gunn is going to absolutely nail this latest version of Superman. Gunn is unapologetic about how absurd comics can be. I mean, seriously, Krypto is a really goofy character. Start with name: it’s like I named one of my dogs “Eartho.”
Gunn proved in Marvel’s The Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, Warner Brother’s second Suicide Squad movie, and the Peacemaker TV show on HBO Max that he is able to make exciting, heartfelt, and, at times — very silly —superhero movies. I think that is the key to success. The best superhero films are the ones that embrace, fully, the source material, both the seriousness and the goofiness.
Krypto debuted in Adventure Comics, featuring Superboy, way back in 1955. Like any comic book character that’s been around that long, his story is very convoluted. He’s had superpowers, he’s been a normal dog; he’s been banished to a “pocket universe” and the Phantom Zone; he’s changed his appearance, several times; he’s joined the Legion of Super-Pets in the 31st Century; and he’s even been … hm … this is a cheery post, not going to go there. (If you want to keep a smile on your face, don’t read the first issue of Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.)
For this movie I think all you really need to know is that he is from Krypton, the planet of Superman’s birth, where he was the family pet. He was a space-flight test subject, who ended up on Earth. He has the same powers as the Man of Steel: he has super-strength; is more or less invulnerable; can fly; and has all the weird “super-senses” that Superman has.
Krypto has emerged as a promotional powerhouse for the film. Clips from the movie and marketing videos have been popping up all over Tik Tok, Instagram, and YouTube for weeks now.
He’s getting a big push at DC Comics, including a new comic book retelling his origin DC is also selling Krypto-themed merch, including dog bowls and collars.
Gunn and his dog Ozu were featured on Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl. (Gunn has said Ozu is the inspiration for the film’s version of Krypto.)
Regal Cinemas will have Krypto-themed popcorn buckets.
Spin Master and Funko are selling Krypto figures.
And Milk Bone is going all out, plastering Krypto all over its products.
You may be wondering why I posted this story. This site is supposed to be about dog owners in New York City, right?
How is a story about Krypto relevant?
How about this: Superman lives in Metropolis. Metropolis is supposed to be DC Comic’s version of New York City, no? I mean, Metropolis’ nick name in the comics is “The Big Apricot.” That’s a lot like “The Big Apple,” no? If that’s not indicative, I don’t know what is.
It’s certainly enough for me!
If you want to read about more cartoon dogs, check out Urban Dog’s Cartoon Dog Breeds post.
UPDATE!
Well, now that the movie has opened, Krypto has indeed emerged as a super-star.
Here are some of the stories I’ve seen…
Glen Weldon writes in his review for NPR:
“Mostly, though, we were cheering for the dog.
Krypto is a super-powered (and super-poorly trained) dog in a cape, and he's resolutely awesome. He gets several cheerable moments, bless his foofy little ears.
I should perhaps mention here that the original draft of my book about Superman included 5,000 words on the fascinating history and abiding importance of Krypto, in all his awesomeness, which were cruelly cut down to a single paragraph by my editor, because, in his words, ‘Nobody cares about the damn dog.’
When Gunn's Krypto emerges as the breakout character find of 2025, history will have proven me right.”
The New York Times did a feature on how Gunn modeled Krypto on his own dog.
New York Magazine did a story on Krypto’s origins and this think piece, Hail the Important Nonsense of Krypto the Superdog, about how essential he is to the Superman movie and mythos.
The Today Show reports that Krypto’s appearance in the movie has spurred a 500% increase in inquiries about adoptions.
There was a Krypto Lookalike Contest at Manhattan West Plaza.
And these stories are just the tip of the iceberg! I’m sure we’ll see more in the days to come.
UPDATE PART 2
So, I saw the movie last night. As a true comic book geek, I loved it.
And yes, Krypto is a break-out star in a film with lost of great performances (and that’s saying a lot considering Krypto is CGI!)
I was surprised how prominently he figured in the film.
That’s all i’m going to say. I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone who has yet to see the film.
Go see it! It’s great!
