Krypto #19: Secret Origins (False Start)

From: Superboy #79 (March 1960)

Superboy invents a mind probe ray that boosts his super-memory to recall even subconscious or repressed information so Ma Kent can write his Kryptonese biography. Buy the book when it comes out folks. All I'm interested in at this juncture is Krypto as a puppy. And he figures prominently!

It's not just boy and his dog hijinks, though there is some of that. In a world where Baby Kal-El is saved by an automated net when he falls out of his crib, they sure do let him play with some dangerous backyard equipment.

But as we know, Jor-El's been making calculations and figured out Krypton will blow within the year, and he needs to test his rocket with SOMEthing before placing his toddler inside. And that thing is Krypto.

Oh man, doomed to an eternal orbit, he's gonna die up there and his family will never again be able to look up at the stars without choking up! Jor-El made his baby cry! And his wife leave him! Whoa! This really is untold stuff! That oxygen mask is pretty upsetting, I agree. Here it is in close-up (from the splash page).

Oh man. Code approval pending.

So Lara takes off with Kal-El to live with her mother, but she's not there, so she brings her son to robot exhibits and monster battles and a replica of Smallville with wax dummies of the Kents... It's Krypton, stop asking questions. While on their Science-Fictional Mystery Tour, they also hear an outdoor presentation claiming Krypton will live forever and Jor-El is a big putz for believing otherwise. To celebrate a billion more years of prosperity and crazy scientific achievement, they're launching a rocket into orbit with a giant flag everyone can enjoy, but there's something in the way. It's Krypto's orbital tomb! No Baby Kal-El, don't touch that button!!!

Through Kal-El's interference, Krypto's craft is brought down. Lara, having defended her husband to those Science Council douches, regrets having left him and returns, just in time for Krypto's rescue.

But don't worry, our super-pup will be sent on another voyage from which there is no return one day. We know how this story ends.