Krypto The Superdog Is Speeding Into Stores
Has it taken a new movie to return Krypto to his rightful place in the Superman pantheon?
When the first trailer for James Gunn’s new Superman movie was released last December, the live-action Krypto was an immediate star. The appearance of Gunn and his dog Ozu on Puppy Bowl XXI boosted the buzz around Krypto’s appearance. Now, with the film’s July 11 release just around the corner, Superman merchandise is soaring into stores, and although the Man of Steel remains the centerpiece, the Dog of Steel isn’t far behind. There’s never been so much Krypto merch available all at once, and the retail community is banking on the superdog becoming a superstar.
Krypto has been given short shrift in comics for decades. He originally showed up in Adventure Comics #210 (March 1955), where writer Otto Binder and artist Curt Swan brought the white canine to life as Superboy’s pet. The backstory was that Kal-El’s father Jor-El, while planning to rocket his son to Earth before their home planet of Krypton was destroyed, had sent Kal-El’s puppy first, in a test rocket. Kal-El wound up on Earth first, because meteors had knocked Krypto’s rocket off course. Once they were reunited, the boy and his dog were virtually inseparable.
But in comics continuity, once Clark Kent reached adulthood and moved to Metropolis to be Superman, Krypto was pretty much forgotten except for rare guest appearances. Of course, DC’s multiple continuity revamps complicate the story even more.
On screens large and small, Krypto’s history is similarly mixed. He briefly had his own TV series, Krypto the Superdog, on Cartoon Network and The CW, where he interacted with other DC pets, including Ace the Bat-Hound and Streaky the Super Cat. But he hasn’t been a movie star.
Until now, that is.
Krypto on the Store Shelves
None of this off-and-on exposure resulted in a flood of Krypto merch. With Krypto’s appearance in the movie—and the heat from all the pre-release promotion—that’s changing. DC Comics is publishing a five-issue comic book miniseries called Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton.
Box Lunch and Kidrobot are both offering plush Kryptos (sleeping Krypto for Box Lunch, wide awake for Kidrobot). Spin Master has a remote-control flying Krypto. When he’s standing still the three propellers attached to a pole that sticks out of the superdog’s back looks a little strange, but he almost comes alive when he’s airborne. Fans can print a 3D Krypto—at life-size or custom sizes—with a model from Do3D. Even Funko gets into the Krypto action with an adorable, round-eyed Krypto Pop.
Of course, there are licensed books and T-shirts galore, as well as multiple books and mugs. Your own superdog can get into the action with bandannas and costumes, dog toys, a pet-treat canister and a feeding bowl. If tie-in merchandise is any indication (and when has it not been?), it’s safe to say that Krypto is this summer’s breakout dog star.
Superman, based on the DC Comics character, written and directed by James Gunn and starring David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, will be released on July 11, 2025.
