Clarkrypto

Clarkrypto is the friendship between Clark Kent and Krypto from the DC Comics fandom.

Canon
Krypto is Superman's pet dog from his childhood on Krypton before it was destroyed, making the dog a fellow survivor of the planet and Clark's birth family. The two of them originating from Krypton and are living on Earth is why the white colored canine has the same powers and weaknesses as his owner. Making him the dog counterpart of Superman, since dogs are said to reflect or resemble their loving owners. Superman normally keep Krypto at his fortress as its guard dog, but there have been times he has brought Superdog to the farm he was raised on to play, watch over his parents when danger is near them or has the Kryptoian dog assist him in his hero duties. Krypto is also known as Superman's best friend. Along with the dog being Clark's first fellow Kryptoian ally he paired up with, before reuniting with his young cousin, becomes close with his young clone and became a father. Since it allowed Clark to form ties with someone who is similar to him, in powers, and has originated from the same planet.

Comics
Krypto first appears in 1955 through the #210 issue of the Adventure Comics, “The Super-Dog from Krypton!”. Back when Clark went by "Superbog" he comes across a white coted dog with super powers like him, at first Superboy saw the dog as trouble and didn't know why he was following him, until he was brought to the crashed rocked the dog was in and learned that the Super-Dog is connected to Krypton. Through the Kryptonian written letter that was in the rocket, he learns that when he was a baby he had a pet puppy called Krypto that his infant self loved very much. With the danger of the planet exploding, however, Jor-El felt that he needed to use Krypto as a last minuet test subject for the rocket he and his wife plan to put their son in. When the rocket was hit by a meteor it got lost in space, until it cracked on Earth with a grown up Krypto. Realising that the dog is Krypto and that he is in fact his dog, he felt that fate had brought when back to together after all those years. While thinking that it would be fun to have a pet dog like a few other people do. Even though there have been times Krypto has been trouble and became too much to handle from being a superpowered dog who loves to play any chance he gets, he was sad when the dog took off to roam space like it was a "backyard" to play in, while hoping that Krypto would return to say hello once in a while.

When Clark became Superman and moved to the city, Krypto continued to help him keep the people of his home city safe, as well as helping him to keep his owner's girlfriend safe. Like when Clark disguised Krypto as a black coated dog to make it look like the ice scream Lois was about to eat was poison, in order to scar her off detective work, for her own good. At the huge cellar Clark congrats Krypto on a job well done as he cleans the black paint off him with blow torch.

In the fifth issue of Superman: Red & Blue, "Fetch" it has a young child Clark reunite with puppy Krypto. The Kent couple could tell that Clark wasn't himself and been sulking of late, before the boy's super sight caught a glimpse of something falling out of the sky and went to see want it is, with his parents following behind him. Clark waited for his parents to arrive before he opened the rocket that was similar to the one that brought him to earth, to find a white colored puppy. Seeing the puppy being super strong and fast pleased him as Clark went after the little guy, while the Kents learn from a recording of Jor-El reveals that the puppy was a test subject that a baby Kal-El became close with and had named him Krypto, on Krypton. The Kents allowed Clark to keep the super-puppy from how happy Krypto made him. They realise that Clark was feeling lonely, no matter how many friends or family members he has in his life on Earth, he was too different from them and there was no one like him. Until the little puppy came back into his life, as it gives young Clark to connect with someone who is similar to him. Along with the fact that every kid needs a dog.

Krypto the Superdog (cartoon)
Like in the original comics, a puppy Krypto was used as a test subject for the rocket the Els plan to place their son in for when their planet gets destroyed, but the Kryptonian puppy pulling at the wires put him to sleep and for the rocket to drift in space before landing on Earth. Where a grown up Krypto learns about a superhero who wears the El family crest on his crest, while having no idea that Superman is Kal-El. Krypto's rocket had drawing Kal had done before they were separated. Krypto was happy with the family and boy who take him in, but he missed his original owner and was happy when they finally found each other. As much as Superman was happy to see his dog again, he could tell that Krypto would be more happier with Kevin. From how Superman doesn't have much time to take care of Superdog, while Kevin and his family will be able to look after him on his behalf. Kevin was happy that he gets to keep Krypto and gives Superman his old childhood drawing of him and Krypto, so a part of his dog would still be with him.

There have been occasions when Krypto goes to Superman for help that only he can provide him and Kevin. Like fixing and reprograming Robo dog, that Superman's father build to play with Krypto in the rocket. Krypto also mentions Superman and the rest of the El family from time to time as well.

Smallville
Teenage Clark in the Smallville series does get his own Krypto in season four episode fourteen, as the two form the similar type of bond that their original comic book counterparts share. Just as Clark was happy to befriend those who have powers like him, he feel that he can be his true self and use his powers without worry around Krypto. Even though this version of Krypto went by "Shelby" for a large part of the series and his power faded away, the dog is still seen as Krypto. That is also referencing another dog the Kent family had years before Superman/boy and Superdog found each other. Hence why the dog goes by a different name and doesn't look like the original Superdog.

The two meet when Clark came across the dog Lois brought back with her, Clark asks his father if they can keep him while saying that having a dog would be fun. Clark even felt confinable to use his powers in front of the dog and that he doesn't have to worry about keeping them a secret from him. After he chained the dog to a tractor that the dog was able to pull up to the house, Clark realises that he isn't the only one with secrets. Clark didn't like the idea of naming the dog "Clarkie," either did the dog. Once Clark learns that his new canine friend was a lab animal when they went to the sheriff to find his original owner, he went to see Lex who tells him that his father has injected meteor rock into dogs. Despite his father thinking that the dog is dangerous and would most likely be put down because of it, Clark could tell that his new canine friend is a good dog and wishes to help him from the people who are using him to commit acts of theft. With Lois's help Clark was able to find the dog he bonded with and when he got exposed to green kryptonite, the dog frees him from the cage Clark was put in. Clark then saves him from the burning truck. After words Clark decides to name his canine savior "Krypto," from how he seems so cryptic and is willing to take his chances with Krypto's loyalty. When he tells Lex that he is keeping him. Along with his parents allowing Clark to keep him from how they once had a dog like him, Clark didn't tell them the name he came up for him and went with their subjection to call the dog, "Shelby." The fourth season episode, "Krypto" ends with Clark playing with Shelby.

DC League of Super-Pets
The 2022 film opens with puppy Krypto and baby Kal-El playing before the little baby's parents take him away from the puppy, in order to place him in a crystal looking pod ship that would take him away from the doomed planet. Krypto followed the Els to the pod and when he tried to jump into it to be with his little owner, Jor-El stopped the puppy from doing so. The sight of the baby reaching out to his four legged friend, however, motived the puppy to escape his grapes and manages to get in the pod before it sealed shut. Jor was about to get Krypto out of it, but Lara Lor-Van stopped him by saying that their son will need a friend. Knowing that his wife was right, Jor-El asks Krypto to watch over their son. Krypto silently promised that he would do so, before the pod lunched into space. After Krypton was destroyed and the two become orphans, baby Kal-El began to cry until Krypto snuggled up to him as the two drift off to sleep together. Landing on Earth together had them growing up together in Smallville, before moving to the city of Metropolis. Where they serve as its protectors, Superman and Superdog. Unlike his owner who allowed others into his life, Krypto saw Superman as the only friend he needs and didn't bother to form ties with other animals or the humans Superman has become close with. Like Lois Lane and the Justice League.

Krypto was happy with the way life was for them and wanted it to stay that way. The two of them together, saving the day as a team and having pet and owner fun off and on the job. The Superdog had failed to notice that Superman would like some space in order to spend time with Lois, as he plans to ask her to marry him but hadn't got round to inform Krypto of this. Lois liked the way that her boyfriend is Krypto's friend, but has noticed that the Superdog was probably feeling left out since they got together. While Krypto's jealousy had him worrying that Superman would replace him with Lois, after a pair of dogs told him that owners dating leads to "bye, bye dog." To help Krypto not feel left out and wanting his dog to make other friends, Clark takes Lois's advice to get a second pet to serve as that friend. Clark had wanted it to be a surprise, but seeing Krypto not getting along with another dog put those plans on hold. Along with Krypto learning what his owner tried to from Ace, who almost became that friend. Back at their apartment, Clark was seen reading a book on how to help his dog bond with other animals, while Krypto refused to believe that his owner tried to get him to befriend someone else. From being happy to only have one best friend within his owner. When Superman called the rest of the Justice League his friends, Krypto viewed them as his owner's work friends than "friends" friends. From how he doesn't like the idea of "sharing" Superman with others. While the rest of the League have trouble understanding the bond Superman has with his dog.

On what was meant to be Bake-off night for Krypto and his owner, he was shocked to learn that Clark would rather go on a date with Lois than to watch their favourite together. Just as Clark called Krypto a bad dog for the way he was acting, Krypto angrily calls Clark a "bad owner." Being upset with his owner led to Krypto putting on a pair headphones and eating tubs of ice-creams, while Superman was being attacked by Lulu the super powered guinea pig. By the time Krypto learns this, he had already ate the piece of cheese that secretly held a shard of Kryptonite, making him powerless to save his injured owner as Lulu takes him away. Knowing that he can't save Superman on his own, Krypto enlists the help of other superpowered pets, who were still learning how to use their others. When the powerless Krypto tried to face Lulu on his own and demanded to know where she is keeping his owner, she shows him the ring Superman planned to give Lois. The news shocked Krypto and was worried that he was loosing him, but Ace helps the Superdog to understand that loving someone means letting them go despite the hurt. This helps Krypto to continue his mission to find and recuse his owner. Thanks to Lois's broadcasts, Superman was able to learn the stand that his dog was in, he was a worried for his dog from how the news showed him to not have his powers and the struggles that the other animals were having with their new powers. Krypto's history with other animals also had him worrying that his dog wouldn't be able to work with them. Luckily the news showed the aftermath of their battle with Whiskers and Superman was happy to learn that his "baby" has manged to make friends with them. Giving him and the other captured heroes hope.

Moments
The Adventures of Superboy (1966)
 * Krypto helps Superboy to break up a storm. After words Superdog led his owner to the one who has been creating the storms.

Superman: The Animated Series
 * Baby Kal-El was seen playing with puppy Krypto.

Justice League Unlimited
 * In Superman's hallucination he comes across an adult Krypto that is the pet dog of his son, Van-El.

Justice League Action
 * Superman is shown to have Superdog serve as the guard dog of his fortress in "Best Day Ever." When he sees Krypto with a torn piece of the Joker's clothing in his mouth, he congrats him on a job well done by calling him a "good boy" before giving him a belly rub.

Superman/Batman: Apocalypse
 * Superman assumes that Krypto being mean to Kara was due to the dog being over protective of his owner.

Fanon
DC fans who enjoy the human and cantina type of friendships feel drawn to the bond Superman shares with his Superdog. Who they like to think of as his canine counterpart, along with including Krypto in Superfamily fan art. Since Krypto as been featured in Supefam moments in the DC comics, that has fans consider Superdog as a member or mascot of this DC superhero family that wears the iconic red S. Attention on this DC friendship gained more attention through the new 2022 film, DC League of Super-Pets from how it focuses on the bond between Krypto and Superman, in both sides of their double lives. Because Superdog isn't seen very much in DC Animated Universe, beside his owner, the friendship isn't featured in the DCAU fandom. Just as it isn't featured in the DC Super Hero Girls fandom, from how both versions of the series has Kara take her cousin's place as Krypto's owner.

On AO3, there are only 6 gen fanfics on the two. Along with Tumblr having a few posts on them, like fanart, strips from the DC comics and gifts or screengrabs from films and TV shows they have appeared in together.

Fandom
FAN FICTION

TUMBLR

Trivia

 * In Superman: The Animated Series, Bizarro ends up with his own Krypto that came in the form of a alien creature, that he names "Krypto." A homepage to the original Superman's Superdog from his childhood on Krypton.