DC Comics’ Animal Sidekicks and Super Hero Pets
Pets are the absolute best, right? They love us, cuddle us, and keep us company. Our animal friends are intelligent and adoring creatures, able to provide for us and protect us. And all they ask for in return is some food and belly rubs!
Of course, humans aren’t the only animal lovers.?DC Comics?is full of metahumans, Amazonians, aliens, and more who have animal sidekicks and super-pets. So join us below as we look at the DC Comics heroes — and villains! — who have been accompanied by their “pawsome” furry friends over the years.
Krypto the Superdog
Like his owner?Superman, Krypto the Superdog is the goodest boy in DC Comics.?Krypto?was used to test the rocket technology that would carry baby Kal-El to Earth. However, Krypto’s rocket got blown off course, eventually arriving in Kansas during Clark’s teenage years. The two have gotten along famously since then. Krypto even accompanies the Man of Steel on missions! Possessing heat vision, super strength, and other Kryptonian physiology, the super-canine is both a valuable asset in battle and a loving companion at home.
Ace the Bat-Hound
Ace the Bat-Hound is?Batman?and?Robin’s?dog, and the only canine member of the ever-expanding Bat-Family. Depending on the iteration of Ace, he resembles a German shepherd or a Doberman. This grumpy — but still good — boy also wears a mask/cowl to match his master. Pretty cute that Batman teases Superman for having Krypto, but puts his pup in a costume, too! (But don’t tell Bruce we said that. He’ll insist it is doggy body armor.)
Dex-Starr
Dex-Starr is a Red Lantern. He began life as a stray, abused and ostracized because of his blue fur. Then he was adopted and lived as a normal, happy housecat. However, disaster struck and his owner was murdered. Dex-Starr was therefore recruited to the Red Lantern Corps following his owner’s death, which filled him with unmanageable fury.
This evil kitty often accompanies the DC villain Atrocitus, a classic foe of?Green Lantern. While Atrocitus is consumed by his need to hurt others, Dex-Starr’s motivations are always skewed toward gaining vengeance for his dead human owner. However, the two Red Lanterns wreak havoc wherever they end up, and Dex-Starr isn’t afraid of getting his little paws wet … with blood.
Dawg
Make no mistake — this mutt isn’t?Lobo’s?dog! It just follows him around! And helps him win fights.?Dawg?looks like a normal bulldog, but has extraterrestrial origins, as evidenced by his ability to communicate. Not that he talks often. He and the Main Man can get their points across with a few grunts and glares. They’ve parted ways in recent comics, but we expect they’ll team up again soon.
Space Dolphins
Lobo doesn’t feel love. Unless it’s for the?Space Dolphins. These mysterious celestial cetaceans live inside the vacuum of space. They communicate through telepathic clicks, and Lobo calls them “fishies” sometimes. Because non-pets still need pet names! Despite this cutesy nickname, these Dolphins aren’t soft and sweet. Lobo’s buddy Lundgren, who often transports Lobo through the cosmos, shares the Main Man’s appetite for mayhem. The pair have shared a laugh at death and destruction many a time.
Bud and Lou
We had to include?Harley Quinn’s?babies on this list!?Bud and Lou?the hyenas are so smiley — just like their owner. When they aren’t clowning around with their mommy, they’re eating raw meat and laughing at?The Joker’s?misfortune. Bud and Lou are also highly skilled and intelligent, able to switch between roles as attack dogs to performers to playful pups in an instant.
Storm the Seahorse
We know what you’re thinking. Seahorses are minuscule! How could a person domesticate and ride one? Well, meet Storm. Storm is an oversized seahorse that has a close telepathic bond with?Aquaman. In some comics and in the?Aquaman?film, Storm looks and acts more like an underwater dragon. Which is pretty cool, if you ask us.
Jumpa the Kanga
Forget riding a horse into battle. The Amazons of Themyscira have elevated their fighting and scouting techniques by riding on a special species of flying kangaroo. Yes — flying kangaroos. As Paradise Island natives, these intelligent, amicable, and loyal “kangas” love their Amazon pals. Obviously, then, Jumpa loves?Wonder Woman. Because she wants to explore, Jumpa takes Diana all across the island — with only mild complaints that the pair can’t fly the whole way!
Comet the Super-Horse
Comet’s story is a bit complex. Once a centaur named Biron, Comet was accidentally transformed into a horse. The sorceress Circe gave him magical powers akin to pan-Hellenic deities: the might of Jove, the speed of Mercury, the wisdom of Athena, and the telepathic powers of Neptune. But Biron’s powers couldn’t save him from being trapped in an asteroid for years … until Supergirl’s rocket destroys it! Thus Biron happily follows his savior to Earth.
After a few trades with animal trainers and ranches, Comet — renamed by?Supergirl?— is able to remain by Supergirl’s side. He helps her fight off an alien invasion. When he’s given the temporary ability to transform back into a human, he even seeks out Kara’s friendship once more.
Streaky the Super-Cat
Kara Danvers’?furry family is never-ending! The Girl of Steel has a heart big enough to hold a dog, a horse, and a cat. Streaky the Super-Cat gained his powers through exposure to X-Kryptonite. This friendly feline’s abilities include flight, super-strength, super-speed, invulnerability, and enhanced vision. To distinguish him as a member of the Legion of Super-Pets as well as Kara’s pet posse, he wears a red cape with the House of El insignia.
Who are you favorite superhero pets from?DC Comics? Connect with other fans in our?Local Comics Society Facebook Group, and don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!