Ryan North and Mike Norton’s Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton #2 takes a surprisingly dark turn, continuing the story of Krypton’s most loyal canine. After his crash landing on Earth, Krypto finds himself in an unsettling predicament: becoming the “pet” of a young, troubled, and undeniably ambitious Lex Luthor.
This issue couldn’t be more different from the first. That one lovingly showed Krypto’s life with Jor-El and Lara on Krypton, giving us a heartfelt look at a beloved family pet. But #2 is a much darker reality, putting Krypto through the wringer with a pre-villainous Lex. The comic really doesn’t hold back, showing Lex repeatedly beating, starving, and confining Krypto. It’s a tough read for any animal lover, but it perfectly highlights Lex’s emerging sociopathic tendencies and his profound lack of empathy, even as a kid.
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Despite the difficult subject matter, North’s writing is sharp, and Mike Norton’s art, complemented by Ian Herring’s colors, is excellent. Norton masterfully conveys Krypto’s emotions and reactions through his body language, which is essential for a story where the main character can’t speak. The shift in tone from the first issue is striking, yet the art remains consistent in its ability to draw the reader into Krypto’s experience.
The majority of the issue is dedicated to showcasing Lex Luthor’s formative cruelty. He views Krypto not as a companion, but as a tool for his manipulative schemes. We see a young Lex planning an insurance fraud that would sacrifice his relatives, and Krypto, trapped and helpless, is caught in the middle. This harsh introduction to Earth and its inhabitants forces Krypto to realize the true nature of his first “master.”
While emotionally upsetting, the comic effectively builds a palpable sense of anger towards Lex, making you despise him in ways previous stories might not have. Framing Lex’s origin through Krypto’s eyes is a bold choice, and it pays off by creating a deeply unsettling and impactful narrative. The issue ends with Krypto running away, once again alone, setting the stage for his continued journey to find a place where he truly belongs.
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Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton #2 is a surprisingly deep and emotionally resonant comic. It effectively establishes Lex Luthor’s villainy early on and showcases Krypto’s unwavering spirit in the face of adversity. However, its canonicity raises some questions. Krypto’s lack of powers on Earth and Lex being his initial human interaction feel contrived, diminishing the potential for wonder. This issue might be better appreciated as an “Elseworlds” retelling of Krypto’s origins.
‘Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton’ #2 Review: A Dog’s Life Under Lex Luthor
Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton #2 is a surprisingly deep and emotionally resonant comic. It effectively establishes Lex Luthor’s villainy early on and showcases Krypto’s unwavering spirit in the face of adversity. However, its canonicity raises some questions. Krypto’s lack of powers on Earth and Lex being his initial human interaction feel contrived, diminishing the potential for wonder. This issue might be better appreciated as an “Elseworlds” retelling of Krypto’s origins.
