Krypto was originally baby Kal-El's dog while they were on Krypton.
History
Jor-El, testing prototypes for the rocket that would eventually send Kal-El to Earth, decided to use Krypto as a test subject. However, Krypto's rocket was knocked off-course; the rocket drifted through space for years until it eventually landed on Earth, where Krypto was reunited with the now-teenaged superhero, Superboy. Due to the environment of Earth's yellow sun and lower gravity), Krypto possessed the same powers and abilities as his master, although his physical abilities were proportionate to his smaller size and species, similar to an ordinary dog vs. a human. Certain sensory abilities of Krypto's (senses of smell and hearing) would be more acute than those of Superman, just as an ordinary dog's senses would be more acute than those of an ordinary human. Krypto also had super-canine intelligence (approximately human level, though with his canine traits and interests still present).
When fighting crime, Krypto usually wore a gold collar, a miniature facsimile of the famed Superman-"S" symbol for a dog tag, and a dog-sized version of Superman's cape.
When not accompanying Superboy/Superman, Krypto spent much of his time romping through space; while on Earth, however, he stayed with the Kent family, posing as their pet dog, "Skip". In that identity, his guardians applied a brown dye patch on his back for a disguise which Krypto could burn off with his heat vision when he went into costume.
Krypto had the distinction of belonging to not one but two organizations of super-animals; the 30th century Legion of Super-Pets, and the Space Canine Patrol Agency.
Powers and Abilities
Powers
- Claws
- Fangs
- Flight
- Invulnerability
- Superhuman Strength
- Superhuman Speed
- Heat Vision
- Enhanced Sight: Includes telescopic vision, microscopic vision, and X-ray vision
- Enhanced Sense of Smell
- Super-Breath
- Superhuman Durability: As long as Krypto is charged under a yellow sun, he doesn't need to eat, breathe or sleep. He is also impervious to extreme heat and cold. Able to survive indefinitely in a vacuum in a yellow sun system.
Abilities
- Eidetic Memory
- Genius Level Intellect: Had much higher than normal intelligence for a canine, about the level intelligence of a 5 or 6 year old child.
Weaknesses
- Vulnerability to Kryptonite
- Vulnerability to Magic
- Krypto had a canine behavior that could affect his effectiveness in heroism, before Kal-El trained him adequately.[4] (Formerly)
Notes
- This version of Krypto, including all history and corresponding appearances, was erased from existence following the collapse of the original Multiverse in the 1985–86 Crisis on Infinite Earths event and later restored following the rebirth of the infinite Multiverse during the Dark Crisis of 2022-2023. Even though other versions of the character may have appeared, this information does not apply to those versions.
Trivia
- Superman summoned Krypto by creating radio-like electromagnetic waves, instead of using an ultrasonic whistle; this was necessary to contact Krypto given the bulk of the Superdog's time was spent romping in outer space, where no sound can propagate.[5]
Related
- 293 Appearances of Krypto (Earth-One)
- 17 Images featuring Krypto (Earth-One)
- Quotations by or about Krypto (Earth-One)
- Character Gallery: Krypto (Earth-One)
Footnotes
Superman Family member |
Super Pets member This character is or was a member of the Super Pets in any of its various incarnations, super-powerful sentient animals that fight crime together. |