Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton #5: Finally Home

Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton #5 concludes the heartbreaking story of the last days on Krypton through the eyes of Superman’s four-legged friend. After crash landing on Earth, Krypto has experienced abuse at the hands of Lex Luthor, has been lost in the woods, and has lost so many friends. After his new stray friend is killed by an unknown robot, Krypto runs away and finds himself in Smallville. He hears a call for help and springs into action. Will he find his real family?  Find out in this heart-warming final issue filled with love, heroism, and heartwarming moments.

Ryan North has knocked it out of the (dog) park with this series thus far, but man is this one sad issue. I’m glad that it comes with a content warning because it is a lot for readers. This book is definitely not for young readers. While the first issue was a delightful and heartwarming comic that brought a fresh perspective to the Superman mythos through the eyes (and paws) of his loyal canine companion, this issue is absolutely heartbreaking. However, North gives us insight into the heroism of the Man of Steel’s best friend as he fights through his own hunger to save a lost girl. There is little to no dialogue in this issue, yet North is able to capture so much emotion in this issue. The writing is so strong and feels exactly like how a dog would see the world. I may be a little biased as I just got a new puppy at home, but this issue really broke my heart. It made me give my dog a hug after reading. This issue brings all the emotions and strikes the perfect balance between lighthearted fun and genuine heroism. The writing is playful yet sincere, offering clear morals, clever humor, and enough action to keep things exciting. It’s a testament to how much character and emotion can be conveyed without the main character speaking any lines.

This book is stunning. Mike Norton and Ian Herring have created a comic that is colorful, bold, and accessible. The art leans into an animated style that suits the tone perfectly, full of energy and charm. The panels are easy to follow, which makes it ideal for younger readers or those new to comics. Each page feels alive, inviting the reader to linger just a little longer. There is little to no dialogue in this issue, so the art really helps convey the emotion and plot of the story. It’s an incredible feat to tell this story mainly through the art. Krypto also just looks adorable, and seeing him go through painful things makes this issue even more heartbreaking.