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Dogs and cats are the inspiration behind many superheroes that we see on the big screen. Whether it’s in the superhero’s appearance or the superhero’s powers are cat or dog-like, these two pets have been the main feature of many superheroes.
From the agility and flexibility of a cat to the strength and speed of a dog, our pets can make great superheroes and be an inspiration in some of the most popular films and comics.
Let’s get into the 10 superheroes that were inspired by our canine and feline companions.
The 5 Superheroes Inspired By Dogs
Canine superheroes make some of the best and most loved comics and movies, and they seem to be in their true canine form, but with special powers.
1. Dynomutt
Dynomutt (Dog Wonder) was featured in an animated television series that aired from 1976 to 1977 as Blue Falcon’s assistant. Dynomutt is a blue dog with a green cape and boots, although he is a mechanical dog.
As a superhero, Dynomutt goes into Falcon’s lair where they switch to their superhero identities when they receive a report from the television. They then go into the Falcon car and fight off the crime or evil that they have been alerted to. When fighting against evil, Dynomutt can extend his robotic limbs, although they seem to malfunction most of the time resulting in some funny outcomes.
2. Lockjaw
Lockjaw is a giant bulldog from the popular Marvel comics created by Stan Lee. He was featured in the live-action Marvel movie in 2017 while being part of the Pet Avengers. Lockjaw has unique abilities and functions as the Inhuman Royal family’s protector, with the ability to teleport.
Unlike a normal dog, Lockjaw can do many things that make him a powerful member of the Inhumans and a great doggy superhero.
3. Hong Kong Phooey
Hong Kong Phooey is an animated superhero dog that uses The Hong Kong Book of Kung Fu book with a mixture of martial arts to fight crime. The show aired between 1974 to 1975 as a television series, that features Hong Kong Phooey along with his feline sidekick.
Together the two-fight crime in the area as a cat and dog duo has been deemed heroes by the citizens, but not to Sergeant Flint, who sees Hong Kong Phooey as an irritation to police who gets in the way.
4. Underdog
Underdog (Shoeshine) is a popular comic that was later turned into a live-action movie back in 2007, created by General mills as a sponsor. The underdog has all the great qualities a dog needs to fight evildoers, with x-ray vision, super breath, and the ability to fly, so there’s “no need to fear” as he would say.
The reason why Underdog has his superhero abilities vary, and in the 1960 comics, underdog got his abilities from the super energy pills, whereas in the live-action remake Underdog got his superhero abilities after he was exposed to the DNA of different animals.
5. Rex The Wonder Dog
In 1952, the fictional super dog named Rex The Wonder Dog was created in the DC Comics universe. Originally a white shepherd dog, Rex first belonged to the K-9 Corps before becoming the test subject for a new serum that ended up giving himself great superhero abilities.
After receiving the injection, Rex got increased speed, strength, and stamina with higher intelligence, allowing him to become a crime fighter and beloved “super dog.”
The 5 Superheroes Inspired By Cats
Cats have become the inspiration for many superheroes, whether in a humanoid form or as an actual cat with powers.
1. Black Panther
Black Panther became a hit in 2018 after being made into two live-action motion pictures by Marvel Studios. T’Challa is the king of Wakanda, and he wears a black panther suit with the superhero ability to lift heavy objects with increased speed and better hearing than any human.
2. Catwoman
One of the most famous feline villains and occasional superheroes is Catwoman from the DC comic books that have been inspired by cats. In some movies, Catwoman is portrayed as a superhero, saving the city from crime against her, while in others she is considered a villain, and she can have both good and bad qualities. Catwoman’s superhuman abilities include increased flexibility, balance, and stamina, and she almost always lands on her feet, just like a cat.
3. Hairball
Hairball is a comic-based superhero first featured in 1988. Hairball is an orange superhero cat from Marvel Comics, originally a normal cat by the name of Niels.
Once Hairball came into contact with a source of energy in another dimension, he and his owner got superpowers that allow him to create a sort of force field around himself and absorb kinetic energy, allowing him to dodge the bullets of his enemies. As a cat with superpowers, Hairball makes an excellent superhero.
4. Puma
Puma was featured in American comic books from Marvel Comics, and he is a type of humanoid version of a mountain lion with a feline-like costume. Pumas’ abilities include enhanced reflexes, and superhuman strength, along with better coordination and higher intelligence, much like a cat. Along with razor-sharp claws and a yellow and red suit, Puma is a strong and agile superhero featured in an edition of the Amazing Spider-Man in 1984.
5. Streaky The Supercat
The comic book feline hero Streaky first appeared in DC comics in 1966, and he is an orange cat with a red cape. Streaky is a “super cat” that is owned by Supergirl, and he is featured in a series with superpowered animals.
He got his powers from a form of kryptonite that gave him the ability to fly, along with supervision, speed, and higher levels of intelligence with solar energy absorption. Streaky then goes on to become Krypto’s sidekick, Superman’s dog.
Conclusion
Dogs and cats make excellent superheroes, and most of the superheroes in these films had their debut in became a hit with the audience. It is clear that people seem to love when movie and comic book characters have similar characteristics to our feline and canine companions, and there’s no doubt that they make excellent superheroes.
Featured Image Credit: Anton27, Shutterstock
