The 6 Cutest & Coolest Superhero Dogs From The Comics—Krypto Included
Krypto proved dogs can be heroes in Superman, and Dogpool showed Deadpool isn’t the only one who can cause chaos. These aren’t just cute companions, anymore. They’re loyal, protective, and sometimes become comic book legends themselves. Batman has had dogs, Spider-Man, too, at times, and thanks to Krypto’s DCU spotlight, more canine sidekicks are probably coming to the big screen soon. From comics to movies, these pups do more than fetch. They fight, protect, and steal scenes. If you thought superhero action was only for humans, think again. Here’s a look at some of the coolest dogs in comic book history.
Ms. Lion
Ms. Lion isn’t who the name suggests. He’s actually a male dog, sometimes white, sometimes brown depending on the universe the comic book is set in, living with Peter Parker’s Aunt May in Queens, New York. He doesn’t have superpowers like Krypto, but thanks to the Mind Gem, he shares a telepathic link with the rest of the Pet Avengers (basically a bunch of animals owned by the real Avengers). That connection was enough to make him a founding member of the group.
Outside of heroic duties, however, Ms. Lion lives a normal dog life where he hangs out with Aunt May and occasionally crosses paths with Spider-Man. No great powers, really. So no real responsibility.
Ace The Bat Hound
Ace, usually portrayed as a loyal German Shepherd, made his debut in Batman #92 back in June 1955. Originally owned by engraver John Wilker, he crossed paths with Batman and Robin after his master was kidnapped by counterfeiters. When the Batmobile pulled out of the cave one night, Ace sprinted after it, and, typical Batman move, he was adopted on the spot. You know how Bruce is with strays.
In DC League of Super-Pets, Ace, voiced by Kevin Hart, took on a pitbull form with Bruce Wayne as his official owner. Like Batman himself, Ace isn’t about jokes. Crime fighting is very serious business.
Cosmo
Cosmo might look like just a cute space pup, but his backstory is pretty dark. Once a test animal in the Soviet Space Program, he was launched into orbit during the 1960s and, because space travel back then was basically guesswork, he drifted off course. Well, he ended up on Knowhere, mutated along the way, and eventually became the outpost’s security chief. If you watched James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, you know exactly how much personality he brings.
Lockjaw
Lockjaw first appeared in comics thanks to Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and quickly became impossible to ignore. This giant bulldog can teleport anywhere, making him more than just a royal pet for the Inhuman family. His origins are murky, though. Some say he’s a giant dog with powers, others think he’s a mutated Inhuman shaped like a dog. Either way, he’s impressive. You might have caught him in the failed Inhumans TV series, where Lockjaw still stole every scene he was in.
Krypto
We can’t have a list about superhero dogs without mentioning Krypto. Yes, Krypto is Superman’s dog, and yes, he’s a pretty big deal, especially now that he’s become the face of the DCU. Created by Otto Binder and Curt Swan, he started life on Krypton as the family dog in Jor-El’s household. His first “mission” was a test flight that went off course, drifting through space until he picked up baby Kal-El’s rocket. Krypto grew up on the Kent Farm in Smallville alongside Superboy, sharing many of Superman’s powers. First appearing in Adventure Comics #210, he joined Team Superman, the Legion of Super-Pets, and the Space Canine Patrol Agents. Krypto wasn’t just a pet. He was actually the first super-dog in the DC Universe. In Gunn’s DCU, however, he is actually owned by Kal-El’s cousin, Supergirl, aka Kara Zor-El.
Dogpool
The moment that Pugese pup licked Ryan Reynolds’ face in Deadpool & Wolverine, Dogpool became an instant fan favorite. Marvel hasn’t cashed in with an animated spin-off yet, but based on the response, it feels like a missed opportunity. Since the film’s release, the four-legged star has been touring comic cons and expos worldwide, stealing more attention than most human celebrities. In the comics, Dogpool made his debut in Prelude to Deadpool Corps #3 before joining the Deadpool Corps series as a core member. Cute, chaotic, and very Deadpool, he’s proof that not all heroes need hands to fight.
