Rescue Dog Became Krypto the Superdog on TV's Titans (Superhero) Show

As a dog dad, dog rescuer AND a huge superhero fan (especially loving Superman's dog, Krypto), this is a moving story of a rescue dog at death's door was saved by the producers of one of my favorite superhero television programs. This dog was given the chance to become Krypto.

Here's the story from Comicbook dot com

(Photo: Krypto and Superboy in the Titans TV series. Credit: DC Comics) 

Titans' Krypto Has a Heartbreaking Real-Life Origin Story 

Before Pepsi landed the role of Superboy's sidekick Krypto on DC's Titans, the dog was on the verge of being euthanized.

BY MATH ERAO, Comicbook.com March 1, 2021

Like many superheroes, the real-life dog behind Krypto on Titans has a heartbreaking origin story.

Animal trainer Melissa Millett spoke with Kansas' WKRG about finding Pepsi, the white dog that plays the role of Superboy's sidekick on DC's live-action Teen Titans TV series. Originally, the dog was discovered in Missouri as a puppy, clinging to life in the cold. He had heartworms and was up for being euthanized at the crowded shelter in Leavenworth, KS, that he ended up in.

"They took him to the shelter, and there’s just too many dogs, so he was at risk for euthanasia," said Millett, who trains animals for TV and movies. Luckily, Pepsi looked the part of the comic book canine. "The dog has to look like the comic book character, and Pepsi is the closest that we found to that original comic book character look," Millett continued.

As it turns out, it was something Kansas-specific that helped Pepsi stand out. "He was wearing a Kansas City Chiefs collar, and it looked like a superhero collar," Millett said. "So we took that as a sign, so we were just rooting for them in the Super Bowl. It’s amazing."

(Image: Krypto the Superdog, by Alex Ross)

Like in the comics, Krypto has superpowers similar to all Kryptonians on Earth. And Season 3 of the show will feature even more of the powerful pup.

"It’s an extremely popular show, and [Krypto] has all of Superboy’s powers. He can fly. He has human intelligence. He’s got laser eyes, just it’s really cool. I knew I wanted him to be a movie star, so all of his training is geared towards being a movie star," Millett concluded.

Season 3 of the show will feature even more characters from comic book lore. Starfire will have to contend with her sister, Blackfire. And with Dick Grayson now Nightwing and Jason Todd becoming Red Hood, Tim Drake's Robin will make his live-action debut.

Who is Krypto the Superdog?

Rob's favorite image of Krypto

As a superhero fan, and a dog dad, it's likely no surprise that Superman's dog Krypto is one of my favorite characters! If you don't know who he is, you will once you read this blog!

WHO IS KRYPTO? When Superman (Kal-El) was an infant on the planet Krypton, Krypto was his family dog. As explained in his first appearance, Krypto was originally the toddler Kal-El's dog while they were on Krypton. Superman's father, 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. Krypto is a DC Comics character.

WHAT DOES HE LOOK LIKE? Krypto is a white dog of generic pedigree. 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.

Krypto 1st appearance (w/Superboy) Adventure Comics #210 (1955).  

SUPER-POWERS: Due to the environment (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); the comics expressed this via the use of thought balloons indicating what Krypto was thinking.

FIRST APPEARANCE: Krypto's first appearance was in a Superboy story in Adventure Comics #210 where he was created by Otto Binder and Curt Swan.

Krypto even got his own comic book for a short time in 2006!