Get ready to howl with excitement! As July 29th approaches, the animated film DC League of Super-Pets is set to hit theaters, promising a fun-filled adventure for the whole family. This movie shines a spotlight on the heroic animal companions of the Justice League, featuring beloved characters like Krypto the Super-Dog and Ace the Bat-Hound, alongside new faces ready to join the Barn of Justice. In the spirit of celebrating this legacy and the fresh wave of super-powered pets, let’s dive deep into the history of Super-Pets in the DC Universe, honoring every animal who has ever answered the call to be a Super-Pet.
The Original Super-Pet Squad
Debuting in Adventure Comics #293 back in 1962, the Legion of Super-Pets wasn’t initially conceived as animal counterparts to the Justice League. Instead, it was a unique team of Superman and Supergirl’s animal allies. Mirroring the Justice League of America, the Legion of Super-Pets first united to protect Earth from an alien threat – the Gil’dishpan, brain-like aliens encased in globes, humorously known as “Brain Globes.” This original Super-Pets team remained active for 24 years until Crisis on Infinite Earths reshaped the DC Universe into a somewhat darker landscape.
Krypto the Super-Dog: The Forefather of Super Pets
First Appearance: Adventure Comics #210 (1955)
Krypto stands as the only original Legion of Super-Pet member to feature in the 2022 movie. Hailing from Krypton, Krypto was sent by Superman’s parents, Lara and Jor-El, to be a loyal companion to baby Kal-El, offering unconditional friendship in a new world. Krypto embodies the classic super pet, with powers mirroring Superman’s and an unwavering loyalty.
Streaky the Super-Cat: Earth’s Kryptonite Kitty
First Appearance: Action Comics #261 (1959)
Unlike his Kryptonian counterpart, Streaky is an Earth-born super pet. Initially, Streaky was the ordinary housecat of Linda Lee, Supergirl’s Silver Age secret identity. However, Supergirl’s experiments with “X-Kryptonite” unexpectedly granted Streaky Kryptonian-level powers. This power-inducing X-Kryptonite might ring a bell for viewers of TV series like Superman & Lois. Considering the numerous concepts Supergirl borrowed from Superman lore, Streaky’s X-Kryptonite origin feels like a fitting reciprocal nod.
Beppo the Super-Monkey: The Kryptonian Stowaway
First Appearance: Superboy #76 (1959)
Beppo, sharing Krypto’s Kryptonian origins, took a less conventional route to Earth. As Krypton’s doom approached, Beppo became an unintended passenger on baby Kal-El’s rocket, stowing away at the last moment and thus becoming the last Kryptonian monkey survivor.
Comet the Super-Horse: From Centaur to Super-Pet
First Appearance: Adventure Comics #293 (1962)
Comet the Super-Horse boasts a particularly intricate backstory, including romantic entanglements with Supergirl. Introduced as Supergirl’s pet horse during the Legion of Super-Pets’ inaugural meeting, further tales revealed Comet’s past as Biron, a centaur transformed into a horse by Circe’s curse. Rescued from space by Supergirl, Comet became her loyal companion and, during specific comet alignments, even transformed back into his human form, “Bill Star,” becoming a romantic interest.
While a different iteration of Comet emerged in the 1990s Supergirl comics post-Crisis on Infinite Earths, this version never joined the Super-Pets.
Silver Age Super-Pet Expansions
Whizzy the Super-Cat: A Legacy of Speed
First Appearance: Action Comics #287 (1962)
The name “Legion of Super-Pets” itself is a nod to the Legion of Super-Heroes, whom the pets encountered in their first adventure in the 30th century. This connection allowed for future members to hail from this distant future, considered part of the broader Superman Family. Whizzy, Streaky the Super-Cat’s 30th-century descendant, was the team’s first legacy addition. It seems X-Kryptonite exposure has lasting effects, even through generations.
Proty II: The Shapeshifting Mascot
First Appearance: Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen #72 (1963)
Proty II, an amorphous, telepathic being from the Antares star system, served as more of a mascot and ally than a pet to the Legion of Super-Heroes. While the original Proty’s time was brief, Proty II became a recurring Super-Pet hero whenever time travel allowed.
Super Pets in the Far Future: DC One Million
The Legion of Executive Familiars: 853rd Century Super-Pets
First Appearance: DC One Million 80-Page Giant #1 (1999)
Following Crisis on Infinite Earths, the original Legion of Super-Pets seemed confined to the past… until the DC One Million event in 1999. This event introduced the Legion of Executive Familiars of the 853rd Century, a team of intelligent animals succeeding the original Super-Pets. This futuristic team included Krypto-9, descendant of Krypto; Octus, an octopus from the 8th dimension; Wormhole, a massive, enigmatic worm inhabiting subspace; sun dogs Phaethon and Savitar; and Googal, the last mouse in the universe with self-replication powers.
Tiny Titans and the Super-Pet Renaissance
The Tiny Titans comic series in 2008 marked a significant resurgence for Super-Pets, expanding the concept beyond just Superman’s circle. Animals across the DC Universe, from the Golden Age to modern times, were now eligible to join, truly establishing the Super-Pets as a counterpart to the Justice League. This era introduced a host of new, diverse members to the expanded team.
Jumpa: Wonder Woman’s Leaping Kanga
First Appearance: Sensation Comics #6 (1942)
Technically the oldest Super-Pet, Jumpa, predates even Krypto by several months. Jumpa is the high-leaping kangaroo mount of young Diana during her princess years on Themyscira. Her origin is detailed in Wonder Woman #23. Jumpa is not just any kangaroo but a Kanga, a species ridden by the Sky Riders of Nebulosta. After young Diana foiled their invasion of Paradise Island, the Amazons adopted the Kangas, and Jumpa became Diana’s closest animal companion.
Hoppy the Marvel Bunny: Shazam! for Funny Animals
First Appearance: Fawcett’s Funny Animals #1 (1942)
The 1940s and early 1950s were golden years for diverse comic genres, including the popular “funny animal books” featuring anthropomorphic animals in cartoonish adventures. Fawcett Comics, the original home of Shazam, entered this genre with Hoppy, the Marvel Bunny. Hoppy transforms into a rabbit superhero by uttering “Shazam!” However, Hoppy’s Shazam acronym stands for Salamander’s wisdom, Hogules’ strength, Antlers’ stamina, Zebreus’ power, Abalone’s courage, and Monkury’s speed.
Terrific Whatzit: The Speedy Turtle of Zooville
First Appearance: Funny Stuff #1 (1944)
Following Fawcett’s lead in lampooning its own heroes in Funny Animals, DC introduced Merton McSnurtle in Funny Stuff. Merton, an anthropomorphic, laid-back turtle from Zooville, was granted powers by cosmic beings to test if a neutral entity would use them for good. In costume, he strikingly resembles Jay Garrick, the original Flash.
Decades later, when the Zoo Crew was created, Terrific Whatzit was revealed to be the uncle of Fastback, the team’s super-speed turtle. The modern Super-Pets team includes “Merton, Shell on Wheels,” named in his honor.
Ace the Bat-Hound: Batman’s Canine Crusader
First Appearance: Batman #92 (1955)
The same year Superman got Krypto, Batman gained Ace the Bat-Hound. Like many Bat-Family members, Ace has various origin stories. Originally, Ace was a German Shepherd belonging to engraver John Wilker, kidnapped by counterfeiters. Batman and Robin enlisted Ace to track them, and when Wilker left town, he entrusted Ace to Batman.
Since then, Ace has been re-imagined as a guide dog, a rescue from dog fighting, and in Batman Beyond, Bruce Wayne’s aged companion. DC League of Super-Pets presents yet another origin for Ace. It remains to be seen if this new story will become the definitive one.
Topo: Aquaman’s Loyal Octopus Ally
First Appearance: Adventure Comics #229 (1956)
Topo has appeared in many forms: intelligent octopus, anthropomorphic Atlantean, even Lovecraftian squid-beast, consistently serving as Aquaman’s friend and ally. Whether babysitting Aquababy, studying magic with Mera, battling Atlantis’s enemies, or drumming in the 2018 Aquaman film, Topo always answers Aquaman’s call.
Fuzzy the Krypto Mouse: An Obscure Super-Pet Rediscovered
First Appearance: Superboy #65 (1958)
Fuzzy the Krypto Mouse is perhaps Tiny Titans’ most obscure Super-Pet inclusion, previously appearing only in a single Silver Age Superboy issue. Like Streaky, Fuzzy gained superpowers from an experimental Kryptonite variant. After a day of heroics as “Krypto Mouse,” Fuzzy reverted to normal. Despite his brief Silver Age appearance, Fuzzy earned a spot in the expanded Super-Pets roster.
Super-Turtle (Tur-Tel): The Slow and Steady Hero
First Appearance: Adventure Comics #304 (1962)
Super-Turtle, or “Tur-Tel,” originated as a gag strip character in 1960s Adventure Comics, reminiscent of comics’ “funny animal” era. Like Superman, Tur-Tel is the last survivor of his planet, Galapagon, empowered upon reaching Earth. However, in a humorous twist, while Tur-Tel’s father foresaw Galapagon’s destruction, the turtle race was simply too slow to react in time.
Bd’g: The Green Lantern Rodent of Sector 1014
First Appearance: Green Lantern: Rebirth #3 (2004)
Bd’g, the rodent-like Green Lantern of Sector 1014, emerged early in Geoff Johns’ expansive Green Lantern mythology run, succeeding the popular but deceased Ch’p. Bd’g is notable for mentoring Simon Baz when other human Green Lanterns were occupied.
Robin Robin: The Bird with Bat-Skills
First Appearance: Tiny Titans #28 (2010)
Following the tradition of Comet the Super-Horse, the Tiny Titans creators, Art and Franco, introduced their Super-Pet: Robin Robin. This is a literal robin possessing all of Robin’s skills. Robin Robin found a spiritual successor in the highly competent Super Robin of Teen Titans Go!. The debate over the best Robin is incomplete without acknowledging Robin Robin (though Jason Todd arguably still holds the title for many fans).
Rebirth and the Modern Super-Pets
The Super-Pets made their return to DC continuity after the Crisis in Super Sons Annual #1, marking a long-awaited reunion for Krypto and Ace. Streaky rejoined them, alongside a newer generation of Super-Pets.
Bat-Cow: From Tiny Titans to Mainstream Meme
First Appearance: Tiny Titans #17 (2009)
Bat-Cow is a unique case, originating in Tiny Titans. Batman & Robin writer Grant Morrison liked Bat-Cow so much that they incorporated her into the New 52 Batman Incorporated series. Bat-Cow became a popular meme, and when a new Super-Pets team was assembled, this Tiny Titans alumnus was a natural pick.
Nathan the Daschund: Harley Quinn’s Beloved Pet
First Appearance: Harley Quinn #1 (2013)
Nathan, Harley Quinn’s dachshund, wasn’t part of the Super Sons Super-Pets reunion but joined in Dark Nights: Metal in a story by Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner, who created Nathan as Harley’s first and most cherished pet (excluding Bernie, her stuffed beaver).
Clay Critter: The Clayface Offshoot
First Appearance: Super Sons Annual #1 (2017)
Clay Critter, a modern counterpart to Proty, appears to be a sentient piece of Clayface in Super Sons Annual #1. Clay Critter is no longer active with the team, and his unknown fate might be linked to the original team’s disbandment before their Super Sons reunion.
Flexi the Plastic-Bird: The Elastic Enigma
First Appearance: Super Sons Annual #1 (2017)
Flexi the Plastic-Bird, with its red, white, and yellow coloring, feels distinctly familiar. Described as the “heart of the team,” Flexi’s abilities and resemblance to Plastic Man remain mysterious. Intriguingly, Flexi and Eel O’Brian have never been seen together…
Meet the New Breed of Super-Pets
The DC League of Super-Pets movie introduces a fresh team alongside Krypto and Ace: PB the Wonder Pig, Keith, Merton, Shell on Wheels, and Chip—who seems to be the resurrected Green Lantern Ch’p! Even without seeing DC League of Super-Pets yet, the revival of Ch’p alone makes the movie worthwhile. Get acquainted with this new generation of super pets in theaters this Friday and through the graphic novel tie-in, DC League of Super-Pets: The Great Mxy-Up.
DC League of Super-Pets hits theaters nationwide on Friday, July 29.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Super-Pets history, celebrating these amazing animal heroes as we anticipate their latest cinematic adventure.
