Timed perfectly to go with the new Man of Steel film, this third issue spotlights a Superman’s Best Friend, Krypto.
In the past, young Clark Kent tried to train his unruly pup.
In the present, the Superdog looks for amusement and follows the scent of Winslow Schott, the terrible Toyman. He doesn’t find the villain, though, just something with his imprint.
Unfortunately, the robot is powered by green Kryptonite, and the mighty mutt gets a powerful dose. Hoping to save his pooch pal, Superman prepares to try his new trick of being able to release all the solar power in his body, first turning gold and becoming impervious to the green radiation.
Or maybe Superman has actually released his solar energy – writer Dan Slott doesn’t state for certain one way or the other on the page, and it’s not clear from the art of illustrator Rafael Albuquerque and colourist Marcelo Maiolo if Superman is exhibiting the ultimate self-tan or is himself being affected by the green K. Plus, in a scene that has to take place pretty soon after this one, he’s at the Fortress of Solitude, still trying to cure Krypto, so it doesn’t look like he shot his super load.
How I hate Super-Invulnerability-To-Green-Kryptonite-For-200-Seconds.
I don’t hate the rest of this issue, though, as we also get more on the Daily Planet’s new IT guru.
And Superboy Jon Kent gets a shock.
Overall, I enjoyed Slott’s script; I’m getting used to the portrayal of Krypto as more dog-like, less anthropomorphic, and the arc plotline around a massive green K comet having made a dodgy little state rich is used to good effect.
The tiny Toyman type wouldn’t get the benefit of the doubt from Superman had he seen what happened just before Krypto appeared fighting the robot.
As for the art… (theatrical sigh). Three months in and Albuquerque still draws a very weird Superman…
… and now we find that he’s seemingly never seen Krypto in his life, neither the classic mutt, nor the slightly curlier movie version. This dog, with massive eyebrows, looks like Green Lanteen G’nort (and yes, I know I made the same remark as regards Tee-Nah on the cover of the first issue… is it my fault Albuquerque keeps drawing G’nort?).
As for Jon Kent, well, he is recognisable… recognisable as the tween Super Son he was before he spent years trapped on Earth 3. Editors Jillian Grant and Paul Kaminski seem to be applying the lightest of touches when it comes to directing Albuquerque… is he really such an asset to sales that he doesn’t have to have anyone on model?
The storytelling is excellent, though, and the action scenes a treat – when it comes to unfamiliar flying dogs attacking overgrown toys, Alburquerque’s art rocks.
Maiolo’s colours are generally very decent, while Dave Sharpe’s letters are fine throughout – extra points for working in the classic Krypto logo.
Mind, for a ‘very good boy’ Krypto looks very scary on Albuquerque and Maiolo’s cover.
Superman Unlimited #3 is an entertaining superhero romp. The training of Krypto is something I’ve never seen, and the new Boy Toyman has my attention. How was it for you?
Too Dangerous For a Girl 2 
Jon looks like a girl and his nose an mouth look, like he was toymanified or wearing a flesh mask…
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I’ve not slept since reading this!
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Not even Krypto’s loveable demeanor can save Dan Slott from his aimless storytelling. It’s issue three and what is the point of the Kryptonite macguffin? Why is Jon Kent dressed in his “Superboy” clothing? We got a filler issue and we’re only three issues into his run. I really wish I had the chance to write comics. I wouldn’t waste the opportunity.
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I don’t think this is meant to be a filler issue, it just seems to have been planned to coincide with the big screen doggo.
‘Aimless’ – not unfair.
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I was really looking forward to this series but issue 2 bugged me. Specifically Superman’s handling of the armored car heist. He knows kryptonite is a more common threat, has superspeed, xray vision, heat vision and other means of assessing and addressing the situation. But Slott has him fly in without any strategy and Supes is almost killed save for the fact Slott has the thugs decide to manhandle him rather than shoot him full of kryptonite bullets and thanks also to the Creeper’s timely aid. It made Superman look like a novice and took me out of the story. It’s just comics but the writing choices need to make sense for the character and world they inhabit. – Brian
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There’s definitely an invisible Stupid Stick. It seems to be receding into the distance with the bit about Steel looking for a solution, but that’ll likely mean boring and clunky armour comes into the picture.
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Ugh. Two issues with modern Krypto back to back. Here at least Slott acknowledges Krypto not getting the super brain part of the Kryptonian power set makes him a menace. Probably my last issue of this as well. As much as I dislike a super powered dog with no inhibition of its dog impulses, I also dislike Superman stories that act like Clark Kent doesn’t exist except in cameos.
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Slott may be stuck in Marvel habits, with no interesting secret identity stuff ever. I should go and ask him….
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