Review: Superman A Friendship Unleashed

We are one week away from the Superman movie. Look for me at the 7:15 show in the IMAX theater. I am pretty excited to see it.

In what has to be one of the most brilliant cross-promotions ever, Milk Bone has thrown Krypto the Super-Dog on their boxes. And even better, if you order the limited edition Krypto box from their website, you get a Krypto comic book with the treats.

So it is with sheer delight I get to give you some of the highlights of the short but very sweet 8 page comic Superman A Friendship Unleashed.

A Friendship Unleashed was written by Ivan Cohen with art by Travis Mercer. And while most normies who get this free book won't catch them, it is filled with some nice flourishes for us long time fans. I like that the creators took the time to add them.

It starts in space with Superman and Krypto saving the planet from a massive asteroid about to hit.

It reminds me very much of Silver Age fun with Superboy and Krypto playing fetch in space.

Krypto deserves some fun so off to the dog park to play super-fetch with Superman. 

There they meet Curt and his dog Otto. Of course Milk Bones as a treat or reward are well represented in this commercial comic.

But Curt and Otto?

Has to be a nod to Otto Binder and Curt Swan, the creators of Krypto's first appearance.

An explosion occurs in a Metropolis lab and to make matters crazier, the fire truck responding blows a tire and crashes into the dog park.

The super-buddies divide and conquer. Superman brings the firetruck to the disaster. And Krypto gathers the scattered dogs and mends the park fence.

I just love seeing a 'smarter than the average dog' Krypto. And Mercer does a great job showing how playful the pooch is.

Not surprising for a comic, it is a science experiment gone awry that blew up. So Superman needs to fly up to the top floors for a rescue.

He makes sure to check in with the first responders including Chief Farrell!

For sure this is a nod to Fireman Farrell, the star of Showcase Comics #1. That's a deep cut!

Flying up to the lab, Superman melts the window with heat vision and floats outside asking the scientists if they would 'care to step outside?' 

Yet another blast from the past. Of course, Superman said that to General Zod in Superman II, the movie. I mean that line was even homaged on the Supergirl television show! How cool is that!

And it is a true team effort as Krypto shows up to fly in and rescue one of the scientist's therapy dogs.

All the doggies get some good treats for being brave and helping.

Look, I know it is an 8 page commercial for Milk Bones. But this was a ton of fun. And throwing in those comic references for us long term fans was pure bonus.

I am buying a box for all the doggies in my life. They deserve a super-treat.