Krypto the Superdog, produced by Warner Bros. Animation debuts March 25th, 2005 on Cartoon Network, exactly 50 years after his comic debut. Continue below for a review.
Krypto Makes Great Fun For Kids
(and Grown-Ups Too)
Review by Zach Demeter
Before I begin, let me say this: Krypto is a show for children. You’d have to be pretty wanged in the head to hold it to the same standards as its more complex animated brethren. I seriously doubt many readers on Toon Zone (or even on the Internet) will make it a point to spend their mornings watching this show. It’s simply not aimed at older audiences, which makes reviewing it something like reviewing the latest episode of Seasme Street.
But I did enjoy it. I honestly and truly did. It reminds me a lot of Duck Dodgers, with some witty humor that you don’t normally find in children’s cartoons, and it can even be honestly entertaining at points. The first episode introduces us to an adult Krypto on a search for his former owner (Superman, of course!). After Krypto makes a crash landing on Earth, he meets an enraged squirrel who is later scared witless by Krypto’s powers. Krypto runs off after this encounter, trying to find an owner. Insert Kevin, a new resident of Metropolis who is having a hard time meeting new friends.
The rest of the episode is pretty easy to see coming: the two become friends and Krypto is taken into Kevin’s family and quickly becomes a permanent member. The second cartoon (each half-hour features two stories) deals with Krypto’s superpowers and his rescue of a ship-wrecked boat filled with animals. It even includes an appearance by the Big “S” himself.
Once you get past the theme song (can even kids enjoy that?), the rest of the show is par for its type. The episodes feature some nice voice talent and pretty decent animation. I wasn't really looking for much in a children’s cartoon, but what’s in here is solid and doesn’t waver. A crisp and bright color palette brings Metropolis to life and gives everything a smooth look.
Obviously an adult wouldn’t want to watch this show on a regular basis, but when it comes to being “stuck” watching a cartoon with your younger sibling or child, the show is kept on a level that everyone can enjoy if necessary. A surprising and perfectly innocent line of dialogue involving a squirrel and his nuts made me laugh out loud and immediately connect Paul Dini to the project. Jokes for the adults that will soar over children's heads are a sure sign of his presence.
Fans will want to check it out simply to see another incarnation of Superman (looking much like his Justice League Unlimited self, but with a slightly different face and a different voice), but I doubt they’ll stick around. As I've said over and over, it's meant for children first and foremost, and there’s simply no getting around that. I can say that if this show had been on twelve or fifteen years ago, I definitely would’ve watched it.
