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Dogs and cats are the inspiration behind several superheroes on the big screen. Whether it’s in the superhero’s appearance or their cat or dog-like powers, these two pets have been the main feature of many superheroes.
From a cat’s agility and flexibility to a dog’s strength and speed, our pets can make great superheroes and be an inspiration in some of the most popular films and comics. In this article, we’ll discuss the 10 superheroes inspired by our canine and feline companions.
The 5 Superheroes Inspired by Dogs
Canine superheroes are in some of the best and most-loved comics and movies.
1. Dynomutt
Dynomutt (Dog Wonder) was featured in an animated television series from 1976 to 1977 as Blue Falcon’s assistant. Dynomutt is a mechanical blue dog with a green cape and boots. 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 crime. When fighting against evil, Dynomutt can extend his robotic limbs, but 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 an excellent doggy superhero.
3. Hong Kong Phooey
Hong Kong Phooey is an animated superhero dog who uses The Hong Kong Book of Kung Fu and a mixture of martial arts to fight crime. The show aired from 1974 to 1975 as a television series featuring Hong Kong Phooey and his feline sidekick.
The duo have 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 became a live-action movie in 2007. 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 varies. 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 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 gave him great superhero abilities.
After receiving the injection, Rex gained 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 humanoid form or as actual cats with powers.
1. Black Panther
Black Panther became a hit in 2018 after Marvel Studios made it into two live-action motion pictures. T’Challa is the king of Wakanda, and he wears a black panther suit. He has 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 DC’s Catwoman. 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. He is an orange superhero cat from Marvel Comics, originally a typical cat named Niels.
Once Hairball came into contact with a source of energy in another dimension, he and his owner got superpowers that allowed 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, superhuman strength, 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, he is an orange cat with a red cape. Streaky is a “super cat” 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.
Summary
Dogs and cats make excellent superheroes, and most of the superheroes in these films 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.
See also:
- 10 Famous Dog Statues From Around the World
- 20 Famous Dog Actors in Hollywood: Facts & FAQ (With Videos)
Featured Image Credit: Anton27, Shutterstock
