Superman #712

Kurt Busiek Writer
Rick Leonardi Penciller
Jonathan Sibal Inker
Present ...

Lost Boy: A Tale of Krypto the Superdog

Brad Anderson Colorist
Comicraft Lettering
Nachie Castro Associate Editor
Matt Idelson Editor
Carlos Pacheco, Jesus Merino, and Dave Stewart Cover
Stanley "Artgerm" Lau Variant Cover
Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster

Our cover is a simple, yet beautiful image of Krypto flying in the moonlight in Smallville. The moon might be a bit on the big side, but it's a great cover, paying tribute to an often overlooked, yet beloved character.

Our variant cover tries to capture that same emotion of the main cover, but just can't quite reach it. Mainly because the texture of Superboy and Krypto is so odd. It's an uplifting, optimistic image that's sadly short-changed by how strange our characters look.

The beginning of this story has an editor's note, apologizing for the delay in the Grounded storyline, and dubs this as a "lost classic" set shortly after Superboy died in Infinite Crisis. I expect this was a filler issue written long ago and just sitting around until somebody missed a deadline. Anyway, our story begins with Krypto sadly sitting on the porch, remembering a stirring game of fetch he played with Superboy and a manhole cover.

As the poor dog remains motionless all day and night, he thinks back on the battle with Superboy-Prime. It was Wonder Girl who scooped up the injured Krypto, assuring him Conner will be fine, while Robin and Kid Flash tended to Superboy.

The next day, Krypto perks up at the sight of a bird, then a plane, then a scent. He pushes the button on his collar to release his cape, then follows the scent to Titans Tower, where Superboy was brought to recover from his injuries after his initial encounter with Prime. Seeing Conner isn't here, Krypto promptly takes off, leaving a confused Beast Boy and Raven to wonder what that sound was.

Krypto returns to the Kent farm and investigates the barn, still smelling the effects of Conner and Cassie's love-making session. Krypto then tracks Conner's journey with Nightwing to the Fortress of Solitude. He investigates the remains of Alexander Luthor's golden tower and smells the blood left in the snow, reliving the massive battle that took place here. Krypto finally realizes that Superboy died, and he lets out a long, mournful howl that can be heard in some northern cities miles away.

Unable to find Superman, either, Krypto sadly fetches his manhole cover and takes it up to an asteroid to await the return of his masters.




This was a nice, quiet story. A welcome relief from the frantic pre-Flashpoint stuff we're currently in the middle of. And although this was a sad story, it's not too sad because we know there is a happy ending to it. But on one hand, it does sadly remind me of better times at DC. Yeah, there's been some good stuff since Infinite Crisis, but not as much.

Next time, we'll return to Teen Titans #96.