Get ready to embrace your inner animal lover because July 29th marks the theatrical release of the highly anticipated animated film, DC League of Super-Pets! Soon, families everywhere can witness the extraordinary adventures of the Justice League’s furry, feathered, and scaled companions. You’ll recognize iconic names like Krypto the Super-Dog and Ace the Bat-Hound, alongside exciting new faces like PB the Wonder-Pig and… Keith? Indeed, the Barn of Justice is welcoming fresh recruits! In the spirit of the DC Universe’s rich legacy, we celebrate these new heroes, opposable thumbs or not. But to truly appreciate the present, let’s journey back and acknowledge all the incredible animals who’ve proudly donned the mantle of a Super-Pet.
The Original Super-Pet Squad: A Starting Lineup
Debuting in 1962 within the pages of Adventure Comics #293, the Legion of Super-Pets wasn’t initially envisioned as animal counterparts to the Justice League. Instead, it began as a specialized team composed of Superman and Supergirl’s own animal companions. Mirroring the Justice League of America, the Legion of Super-Pets first united to safeguard Earth from an extraterrestrial threat – the Gil’dishpan, a race of brain-like aliens encased in globes, humorously dubbed “Brain Globes.” This original Super-Pets roster remained a team for 24 remarkable years, until the Crisis on Infinite Earths event ushered in a more serious era for the DC Universe.
Krypto the Super-Dog: The Kryptonian Canine Companion
First Appearance: Adventure Comics #210 (1955)
Krypto stands as the sole original member of the Super-Pets featured in the 2022 film, a testament to his enduring legacy. Hailing from the doomed planet Krypton, Krypto was sent to Earth by Lara and Jor-El, baby Kal-El’s parents, to serve as a loyal friend in a potentially hostile new world. This Kryptonian canine is more than just a pet; he’s a symbol of hope and companionship.
Streaky the Super-Cat: Earth’s X-Kryptonite Feline
First Appearance: Action Comics #261 (1959)
Unlike Krypto’s extraterrestrial origins, Streaky is an Earth-born Super-Pet. Initially, she was an ordinary housecat belonging to Linda Lee, Supergirl’s Silver Age secret identity. However, Supergirl’s experiments with artificial “X-Kryptonite” unexpectedly granted Streaky Kryptonian-level superpowers. Fans of TV’s Superman & Lois might recognize the power-bestowing X-Kryptonite. Given the Supergirl TV series’ numerous borrowings from Superman lore, this concept crossover feels like a fitting exchange.
Beppo the Super-Monkey: The Unintentional Kryptonian Stowaway
First Appearance: Superboy #76 (1959)
Beppo, sharing Krypto’s Kryptonian heritage, arrived on Earth under different circumstances. He wasn’t a planned passenger on Kal-El’s rocket but rather a last-minute stowaway in the escape pod fleeing Krypton’s destruction. Beppo’s impulsive decision ensured the survival of the last Kryptonian monkey.
Comet the Super-Horse: From Centaur to Supergirl’s Steed
First Appearance: Adventure Comics #293 (1962)
Comet the Super-Horse boasts a particularly intricate and fascinating backstory, including romantic entanglements with Supergirl. Introduced as Supergirl’s equine companion during the Legion of Super-Pets’ inaugural meeting, Comet’s origins were gradually revealed in subsequent Supergirl stories. He was once Biron, a centaur transformed into a horse by the sorceress Circe. Lost in space, Comet was rescued by Supergirl and became her loyal pet. Intriguingly, during specific comet alignments, he would temporarily revert to his human centaur form, becoming Supergirl’s romantic interest, “Bill Star.”
A reimagined Comet emerged in the 1990s Supergirl comics post-Crisis on Infinite Earths, but this iteration never joined the Super-Pets.
Silver Age Super-Pet Reinforcements
Whizzy the Super-Cat: A Legacy from the 30th Century
First Appearance: Action Comics #287 (1962)
The Legion of Super-Pets’ name draws inspiration from the Legion of Super-Heroes, as the pets’ initial adventure intertwined with the 30th-century defenders. This temporal connection allowed for the inclusion of future members in the Super-Pets’ ranks, aligning with the expansive Superman Family concept of the time. Whizzy, a 30th-century descendant of Streaky the Super-Cat, became the team’s first legacy member, suggesting X-Kryptonite’s effects are hereditary.
Proty II: The Telepathic, Shapeshifting Mascot
First Appearance: Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen #72 (1963)
Proty, an amorphous, telepathic being hailing from the Antares star system, served as both pet and mascot to the Legion of Super-Heroes. While the original Proty’s tenure was brief, Proty II frequently joined the Super-Pets in their time-traveling escapades, becoming a hero in its own right when temporal mechanics permitted.
DC One Million: Super-Pets of the Future
The Legion of Executive Familiars: 853rd Century Successors
First Appearance: DC One Million 80-Page Giant #1 (1999)
Following Crisis on Infinite Earths, the original Legion of Super-Pets seemed relegated to the past… until the distant future. The 1999 DC One Million event introduced the Legion of Executive Familiars of the 853rd Century, an evolved team of intelligent animals succeeding the original Super-Pets. This futuristic lineup included Krypto-9, descendant of Superman’s Krypto; Octus, an octopus from the 8th dimension; Wormhole, an immense, enigmatic worm inhabiting subspace; Phaethon and Savitar, the sun dogs; and Googal, the last mouse in the universe, possessing self-replication abilities.
Tiny Titans: Expanding the Super-Pet Universe
The Tiny Titans comic series, launched in 2008, marked a significant resurgence for the Super-Pets, broadening their scope beyond Superman’s circle. This delightful, lighthearted series extended membership to animals from across the DC Universe, spanning the Golden Age to the modern era. Tiny Titans truly established the Super-Pets as a genuine counterpart to the Justice League. This era saw the introduction of numerous new members to the expanded team.
Jumpa: Wonder Woman’s High-Jumping Kanga Companion
First Appearance: Sensation Comics #6 (1942)
Technically predating even the original Legion, Jumpa, introduced in Sensation Comics #6, was the high-jumping kangaroo mount of a young Diana, princess of Themyscira. Wonder Woman #23 details Jumpa’s origin as a Kanga, a mount utilized by the Sky Riders of Nebulosta. When young Diana bravely foiled the Sky Riders’ invasion of Paradise Island, the Amazons adopted their Kangas, and Jumpa became Diana’s closest animal ally.
Hoppy the Marvel Bunny: Fawcett’s Funny Animal Hero
First Appearance: Fawcett’s Funny Animals #1 (1942)
The 1940s and early 1950s were a golden age for diverse comic book genres, with “funny animal books” enjoying immense popularity. Fawcett Comics, the original publisher of Shazam, entered this genre with Hoppy, the Marvel Bunny. Hoppy, a rabbit capable of transforming into a leporine hero simply by uttering “Shazam!”, drew his powers from a humorous animalistic pantheon: the wisdom of Salamander, the strength of Hogules, the stamina of Antlers, the power of Zebreus, the courage of Abalone, and the speed of Monkury.
Terrific Whatzit: The Speedster Turtle of Zooville
First Appearance: Funny Stuff #1 (1944)
Not long after Fawcett’s humorous takes on heroes in Funny Animals, DC followed suit. Long before Captain Carrot and his Zoo Crew, Funny Stuff introduced Merton McSnurtle, an anthropomorphic, leisurely turtle from Zooville. Granted superpowers by cosmic beings testing neutrality and power, Merton became the Terrific Whatzit, bearing a striking resemblance to Jay Garrick, the original Flash, in costume. Later, the Zoo Crew comics revealed Terrific Whatzit as the uncle of Fastback, the team’s modern-day super-speed turtle, further solidifying his legacy with the Super-Pets.
Ace the Bat-Hound: Batman’s Canine Crimefighter
First Appearance: Batman #92 (1955)
In the same year Superman gained Krypto, Batman welcomed Ace the Bat-Hound. Like many Bat-Family members, Ace’s origin story has evolved. Originally, Ace was a German Shepherd belonging to John Wilker, an engraver kidnapped by counterfeiters. Batman and Robin enlisted Ace’s tracking skills, and when Wilker relocated, he entrusted Ace to Batman. Since then, Ace has been reimagined as a guide dog, a rescue from dog fighting rings, and in Batman Beyond, Bruce Wayne’s aged companion. DC League of Super-Pets will present yet another origin for Ace, leaving fans to see if this version becomes definitive.
Topo: Aquaman’s Versatile Octopod Ally
First Appearance: Adventure Comics #229 (1956)
Topo has undergone numerous iterations, from intelligent octopus to Atlantean humanoid to Lovecraftian squid-beast, yet consistently remains Aquaman’s steadfast friend. Whether babysitting Aquababy, studying magic with Mera, battling Atlantis’s foes, or drumming in the 2018 Aquaman film, Topo is always ready to answer Aquaman’s call.
Fuzzy the Krypto Mouse: A One-Issue Silver Age Wonder
First Appearance: Superboy #65 (1958)
Fuzzy the Krypto Mouse represents Tiny Titans‘ most obscure Super-Pet selection, having previously appeared in only a single Silver Age Superboy issue. Similar to Streaky, Fuzzy gained superpowers after exposure to an experimental Kryptonite variant. After a day of superheroics as “Krypto Mouse,” Fuzzy reverted to his normal form but earned a lasting place in Super-Pet history through Tiny Titans.
Super-Turtle: A Funny Animal Throwback
First Appearance: Adventure Comics #304 (1962)
Super-Turtle, or “Tur-Tel,” emerged as a gag strip character in 1960s Adventure Comics, intentionally reminiscent of the earlier “funny animal” comic era. Like Superman, Tur-Tel was the sole survivor of the planet Galapagon, empowered by Earth’s environment. Ironically, while Tur-Tel’s father successfully warned Galapagon’s Science Council of impending doom, their turtle-like slowness prevented any effective response.
Bd’g: The Green Lantern of Sector 1014
First Appearance: Green Lantern: Rebirth #3 (2004)
Bd’g, the rodent-like Green Lantern of Sector 1014, debuted early in Geoff Johns’ influential Green Lantern run, succeeding the popular but deceased Ch’p. Bd’g is particularly notable for mentoring Simon Baz, a new Green Lantern Corps member, while the more established human Lanterns were occupied with other galactic events.
Robin Robin: The Bird of Boy Wonder Proportions
First Appearance: Tiny Titans #28 (2010)
Continuing the tradition of unique Super-Pets like Comet, the Tiny Titans creative team, Art and Franco, introduced Robin Robin, an actual robin possessing all the skills of Robin. Robin Robin’s legacy extends to the hyper-competent Super Robin of Teen Titans Go! Any discussion of the best Robin must include this avian wonder, though some might still argue for Jason Todd.
Rebirth Era Super-Pets: A Modern Revival
The Super-Pets returned to mainstream DC continuity after Crisis in Super Sons Annual #1, setting the stage for a long-awaited reunion between Krypto and Ace. Streaky rejoined them, but the rest of the roster featured newer animal heroes.
Bat-Cow: From Tiny Titans to Batman Incorporated
First Appearance: Tiny Titans #17 (2009)
Bat-Cow is a fascinating case, originating in Tiny Titans. Grant Morrison, writer of Batman & Robin, embraced Bat-Cow, incorporating her into the New 52 Batman Incorporated series. Bat-Cow became a meme, and when a new Super-Pets team was assembled, this Tiny Titans alumna was a natural choice.
Nathan the Daschund: Harley Quinn’s Beloved Companion
First Appearance: Harley Quinn #1 (2013)
Nathan, while absent from the Super Sons Super-Pets reunion, joined their ranks in the Dark Nights: Metal crossover event, in a story by Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner. Conner and Palmiotti created Nathan as Harley Quinn’s cherished pet, the first and most beloved of her numerous animal companions (excluding Bernie, her stuffed beaver).
Clay Critter: The Enigmatic Clayface Offshoot
First Appearance: Super Sons Annual #1 (2017)
Clay Critter, a modern counterpart to Proty, appears to be a sentient fragment of Clayface in a Super Sons Annual #1 flashback. No longer part of the modern team, Clay Critter’s fate remains unknown, but his absence may have contributed to the original team’s disbandment before their Super Sons reunion.
Flexi the Plastic-Bird: A Stretchy Mystery
First Appearance: Super Sons Annual #1 (2017)
Flexi the Plastic-Bird, with red, white, and yellow markings, evokes a sense of familiarity. Described as the “heart of the team,” Flexi’s abilities and resemblance to Plastic Man are yet to be fully explained. Intriguingly, Flexi and Eel O’Brian, Plastic Man’s alter ego, have never been seen together, sparking theories about their connection.
The New, Nifty Zoo: Super-Pets for a New Generation
Alongside Krypto and Ace, the newly titled DC League of Super-Pets movie introduces a fresh team: PB the Wonder Pig, the simply named Keith and Mark, Merton, Shell on Wheels, and Chip—who remarkably seems to be the resurrected Green Lantern Ch’p! Even without seeing DC League of Super-Pets, the revival of Ch’p alone justifies the movie’s existence. Discover this new generation of Super-Pets in theaters this Friday, and explore their further adventures in the graphic novel follow-up, DC League of Super-Pets: The Great Mxy-Up.
DC League of Super-Pets arrives in theaters nationwide on Friday, July 29.
This article was written by Alex Jaffe, a regular contributor to DCComics.com, covering TV, movies, comics, and superhero history. Follow him on Twitter at @AlexJaffe and join him in the DC Community as HubCityQuestion.
