Each Friday, we'll be letting a different DC.com writer share what they'll be reading over the weekend and why you might want to check it out. Here's this week's suggestion for a perfect Weekend Escape!
The Super-Fam’s iconic super-powered pup, Krypto, is a hot topic right now. Having made his big screen debut last year in Superman, Krypto has another major motion picture appearance slated in this month’s Supergirl. If you’re a comic reader, you’ve likely read Superman comics featuring Krypto before, but when is the last time you read something where Krypto was the main character? Well, good news! Krypto takes center stage in the stunning and at times tear-jerking limited series, Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton. The collected edition is out now, and I can’t recommend it enough to anyone dying for a bit more of the DCU’s biggest scene stealer.
THE PREMISE:
Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton explores Krypto’s origin story—how he came to Earth and how he found Clark Kent “despite the breadth of time and the depths of space that came between them.” Before Superman’s Kryptonian parents built the rocket that would save him from the destruction of their planet, they had to run some tests, using their family dog, Krypto, as their first live test subject. Unfortunately, a safe and routine trip outside of Krypton’s orbit goes awry when a rogue wormhole changes the course of Krypto’s life forever. As he lands alone and confused on a foreign planet, we follow his journey as Krypto travels from town to town and meets new people, animals and even a robot. All the while, he’s processing his new environment, missing his family and discovering his new abilities. Fair warning, all but the most stonehearted of you will cry—both happy and sad tears!
LET’S TALK TALENT:
From Eisner Award-winning writer Ryan North (who’s currently writing The Flash), Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton does a fantastic job of allowing us, the readers, to relate to its canine protagonist. Boasting the perfect balance of character and plot-driven elements, this story takes us on a slow-burn adventure that has a lot of heart! From normal pup to an alien Super-Dog, Krypto’s origin story is a perfectly crafted DC All In series!
North is joined by Eisner Award-winning artist Mike Norton (Battlepug, Mystik U), who crafts a fantastic and stylized visual world while expertly illustrating the facial expressions of Krypto—a dog! Norton’s artwork is the emotional anchor of this story. From set design to his exquisite character work, Norton creates a world that is large, yet whimsical…all from the perspective of a dog. Colorist Ian Herring (Ghost-Spider) brings a unique and captivating palette that adds so much to the incredible world-building by North and Norton!
A FEW REASONS TO READ:
- Witness Krypton and Krypto’s Life Before the World Ended: It’s not often we get to see Krypton in its prime before its destruction. Last Dog’s Krypton, as is true in many continuities, is a colorful and solar-punk society with retro-futuristic elements. It’s a treat to see some slice-of-life moments with Krypto hanging out on his home planet going for a walk, meeting other pups and snuggling with a baby Kal-El. You’ll audibly say “awe” when you see these happy Krypto moments!
- A Story Told Through the Empathetic Eyes of a Dog: While there are plenty of heartfelt moments, there are also devastating scenes that test Krypto’s spirits. From being locked in a cage, to discovering what loss is, Krypto discovers some of the worst aspects of humankind. These moments are more impactful because they are told through the perspective of an innocent dog who is lost, scared and alone. Just wait until you see Krypto curled up into a ball during one of these particularly emotional moments—my heart!
- A Selfless Hero Like No Other: Krypto has been ripped from his home and hurdled into a new environment, and that environment comes with some obstacles. And yet, despite all the bad, Krypto rises to the occasion and becomes a superhero! He saves lives, he puts a smile on people’s faces and he finds a way back to Kal-El. When discovering his new abilities, Krypto rises to the occasion, despite the hardships he faces. He represents the best of Kryptonians and humans alike. He’s not only the goodest boy, he’s the bravest boy!
- Some Familiar Faces, Both Good and Bad: This is a DC comic, after all! Expect to see some familiar faces like a Luthor, the Kents and perhaps an artificial-intelligent being from another planet… You’ll see what I mean! And for all of you DCU fans out there, look for a Mighty Crabjoys poster! It’s always fun to see familiar faces in a new context, and it’s one of my favorite aspects of this DC miniseries.
WHY IT’S WORTH YOUR TIME:
Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton is a heartfelt, and at times heartbreaking, story that explores the good and bad of human nature through the lens of a super-powered dog from another planet. Despite the hardships Krypto faces, he still maintains his compassion and becomes a hero that the Earth is lucky to have. Dogs are truly some of the purest beings to exist, and Krypto is the perfect protagonist to take us on this emotional adventure. If you like movies like Flow or The Wild Robot, this Ryan North and Mike Norton series is the perfect read for you!
Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton by Ryan North and Mike Norton is available in bookstores, comic shops, libraries and digital retailers as a softcover graphic novel. It can also be read in full on DC UNIVERSE INFINITE in standard format and is now being serialized in a DC GO! edition.
Sami DeMonster writes about superheroes, horror and sci-fi for DC.com and reviews comics every week on social media. Follow her at @samidemonster on Instagram and Substack.
NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this feature are solely those of Sami DeMonster and do not necessarily reflect those of DC or Warner Bros. Discovery, nor should they be read as confirmation or denial of future DC plans.
