When the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman dropped, I was immediately enamored with its take on Krypto the Superdog. I also remember another Superman fan saying something that stuck with me: “Nothing in comics is too ridiculous if it has heart.” It’s a mantra that Ryan North and Mike Norton have taken to heart with Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton #1. As the title suggests, it focuses on Krypto, specifically in the days before Krypton met its fiery end.
This gives the audience a chance to see how Krypto lived with the Els. The answer, at first, is “like any regular dog.” But as we all know, Krypto’s no regular dog – he’s fiercely loyal, yet North shows that he has a surprisingly soft side, especially when it comes to baby Kal-El. The Last Dog of Krypton #1 also offers a major, but welcome retcon to explain how Krypto got to Earth, and it leads to a shocking last page that will have readers talking.
Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton #1 also looks incredible thanks to Norton’s artwork. Norton has a clear eye for the sort of cutting-edge sci-fi visuals that you’d need to bring to Krypton: there’s shining silver buildings, red and blue rockets, and fashion that feels like it came out of a classic sci-fi novel. Halfway through the issue, things switch to Earth and the contrast couldn’t be clearer since there’s grimy alleyways and lush forests that give way to Metropolis. But my favorite moment comes from a single page where Krypto curls up next to baby Kal; it’ll melt your heart, and it’s a reminder of the bond the two will share in the future.
DC
Another great shift comes with the color art by Ian Herring, who utilizes bright colors to represent Krypton’s cutting-edge society and a darker palette to represent Earth. In between, there’s a moment where his ship passes through a reddish-pink swirl of wormholes, which is an utterly chaotic but also oddly calming sight. In a way, the shift in colors also signals the massive shift that Krypto has gone through in his journey across the stars. But the powerful pooch stands out thanks to his snow white fur and the collar bearing the signature S-shield.
Finally, Lucas Gattoni deserves credit for his unique lettering style. You’d think there wouldn’t be that much dialogue in a comic where a dog is the focus, but most of the people speaking shift to lowercase while in the background, only going to uppercase when they’re directly speaking to Krypto. This showcases how a dog’s hearing would work.
The best part of Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton #1 is that it’s mostly a standalone issue. If you pick it up and don’t like it, you won’t have to continue with it. But if you pick it up and love it, there’s enough to keep you around for the next issue while also making you feel like you got a full story. It’s a skill that North has perfected with Fantastic Four and Star Trek: Lower Decks, and I’m glad Last Dog of Krypton is following in those footsteps.
Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton #1 begins a unique miniseries that aims to flesh out the life of its titular canine. Is a comic about Superman’s dog a little ridiculous? It might sound that way, but this comic’s got more than enough heart to keep you hooked.
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