Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton #5 review

Krypto has found his way to Kansas, but the first people who make his super-ears perk up aren’t Jonathan, Martha and Clark Kent.

We don’t learn the victims’ names, just that they’re in trouble from a woman with a gun.

Bullets are no match for Krypto now his powers have kicked in. He does have a bit of trouble, but the father of the family’s handiness with a saucepan ensures the woman is taken out. As things calm down, Dad and kids thank their new friend.

The Superdog has sniffed out a very familiar scent. Enthusiasm and unfamiliarity with his powers mean that when he does reach the Kent farm, his landing isn’t soft.

Soon though, Jonathan Kent takes the friendly mutt into his house, and Krypto zooms straight upstairs.

Yes Clark, you can.

Finally! After three issues of misery, Krypto finds his way home, and given planet Krypton is dead, that’s wherever Kal-El is. And along with Kal-El, now Clark, come two of the most wonderful, wisest people in the universe.

With this run, writer Ryan North and artist Mike Norton have provided the perfect example of ‘it’s always darkest before the dawn’. Krypto loses his home. Krypto is locked up by abusers. Krypto is adopted by Lex Luthor. Krypto is stranded in the frozen wastes with a little girl. Krypto loses a new friend… at times I’ve wondered why I keep buying this series, rather than save money and read it via my DC Infinite app a month down the line.

Because it’s Krypto. I love Krypto, I have done ever since I was a little boy, when he’d show up regularly in Superboy adventures, and even in current day Superman tales. So of course I’m going to support his comic. I just don’t understand why 80% of the story has been tales of woe… surely DC editorial knew a new generation would fall in love with him from the recent Superman film, and would likely prefer a positive narrative.

The writing and art have been good always, North knows how to construct a pithy narrative, while Norton draws the best dogs in comics, and is terrific at scenery too. The colours of Ian Herring have beautifully reflected the seasons which give each issue its title – this finale is set in summer, which feels appropriate. Meanwhile, the unfussy, sharp letters of Lucas Gattoni suit Krypto’s down-to-earth dogginess.

The cover by illustrator Jae Lee and colour artist June Chung is lovely, even if Superdog and Superman sitting on a cloud is becoming a bit of a cliche. I do like that Superman is – presumably – pointing to where Krypton was, something the Dog of Steel likely knows.

I don’t know if this book has done well, but if we do get a sequel, let’s have four issues of joy with one sad chapter – and only then if absolutely necessary. Because Krypto the Superdog is made for joy, not sorrow.

2 thoughts on “Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton #5 review

  1. You’re right that this conclusion almost erases how dour the previous issues were. This felt more like the writer’s wonderful Squirrel Girl series than anything else I’ve read by him.

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