A Forgotten DC TV Show Features the Strangest Version of Krypto

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As a die-hard fan, I’m buzzing about the latest chatter surrounding Superman – it’s James Gunn’s inaugural DC Universe movie that’s got everyone excited! Unlike previous portrayals, this Superman exudes optimism and loves to have a good time. Yet, life isn’t always a walk in the park for him; he encounters numerous obstacles, such as his arch-nemesis Lex Luthor, who’s always scheming. And then there’s Krypto, his loyal canine companion, who seems to find trouble wherever the Fortress of Solitude is concerned! But when push comes to shove, Krypto stands by Superman’s side and aids him in vanquishing evil forces.

It’s quite intriguing to know that Krypto, Superman’s canine companion, appears in four different live-action adaptations of the character. His roles in ‘Smallville’ and ‘Superman & Lois’ make sense given their focus on the Man of Steel and his kin. However, it might not be so surprising for some that his third live-action portrayal comes from a show that is sometimes overlooked when discussing popular DC TV series.

Titans Had a Very Different Take on Krypto

During the same period when The CW was consistently airing series within the Arrowverse in the late 2010s, Warner Bros. launched their own streaming platform, DC Universe. The marquee show on this service was Titans, a hard-hitting and intense adaptation of the young DC Comics team. This portrayal made The Dark Knight Trilogy seem almost innocent in comparison. Characters like Robin frequently used profanity, and numerous gory deaths were depicted; however, while the Bat-Family received some attention, it was Superboy who truly shone. After escaping from Cadmus Laboratories, he joined forces with the Titans. Interestingly, he wasn’t alone in his journey as he also saved a dog from Cadmus, who possessed powers similar to those of Superman.

In the TV series Titans, Krypto’s origins deviate from the original story. Instead of being born on Krypton, he is a genetic experiment conducted by Cadmus, utilizing Superman’s DNA to create a powerful canine. While Krypto was useful in certain scenarios, his character lacked depth and often seemed more like an extension of Superboy rather than having his own distinct personality. The series had numerous characters to focus on, which may have contributed to Krypto taking a backseat. However, there was potential for the dog hero to develop further. Fortunately, the DC Universe will avoid repeating this mistake with its portrayal of Krypto.

Krypto Is Already One of the DCU’s Biggest Stars

It’s tough to dispute that the version of Krypto belonging to Superman isn’t the top one. Even though he can be a bother, he’s an endearing bundle of energy that draws everyone’s focus. Contrary to his previous appearances, he won’t spend all his time in the DCU playing a minor role. In fact, Superman uncovers a significant secret about Krypton’s past, making it likely that Krypto will be central to the larger narrative. Additionally, Krypto shares a link with Supergirl, who is set to star in her own movie in 2026. It’s reasonable to expect that Krypto will feature in that film as well.

Looks like things are looking up even further, as there’s chatter about a Krypto animated spinoff potentially being developed (according to MovieWeb). James Gunn has been keeping tight-lipped about it on social media, and although it doesn’t appear to have official approval just yet, given the response to Superman, it seems unlikely that we won’t see this series on HBO Max down the line. The specifics of the show are still unknown, but with Gunn involved, they might draw inspiration from the popular Cartoon Network series that aired from 2005 to 2006, where Krypto teamed up with other superhero pets like Ace the Bat-Hound to combat crime. Regardless of how the DCU decides to portray Superman’s canine companion, it’s safe to say it will surpass the treatment given by Titans, where Krypto was reduced to little more than a lab rat.

Titans is streaming on HBO Max.

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2025-07-16 21:11