5 Awesome Comics with Animal Protagonists that Will Warm Your Heart
- Eve Andrews
- Mar 8, 2022
- 3 min read
As time goes on, creators continue to demonstrate how well a human story can be told through the eyes of an animal. Disney and Pixar are some of the most mainstream experts in this. But hell, even George Orwell has done it! So it’s no surprise really that the trope has bled its way into comic books - and we’re here for it! So here are some of our favourite comics that feature awesome animal protagonists.
This gut-wrenching tale follows an anxious dog named Sophie, who wakes up in a mysterious new home after getting her shots at the vet. She doesn’t know how she got here or why, but she can’t shake the feeling that something terrible has happened. Created jointly by Tony Fleecs and Trish Forstner, with its dark script and graphic panels acting as an eerie juxtaposition to the cutesy art style, this five-issue thriller will fill you with a bizarre blend of suspense-filled heartache. TW: there are some explicit scenes of abused pets in this one, so read at your own discretion.
Since the dawn of fiction, anthropomorphic animals have been a massively popular facet of fantasy worlds. Being featured in comics and manga the world over, Marvel also jumped on the animal bandwagon with the appearance of Spider-Ham in 1983, who went on to get his very own series in 1985. Following the mad misadventures of Peter Porker (Mr Parker’s adorable swine counterpart), Spider-Ham is a fun and wacky alternative to the much loved web-slinging hero. While the exploration of more serious subject matters in comic books can be deeply compelling, sometimes we just need a bit of light-hearted humour. And if that’s what you’re craving, then the universe of Peter Porker is the place for you!
A somewhat more experimental piece from DC Comics’ Vertigo imprint, Pride Of Baghdad is quite the stomach-wrenching tale. Based loosely on true events, this gorgeously illustrated graphic novel offers a fictionalised perspective of the four lions who escaped from Baghdad Zoo after an American bombing that occurred in 2003. We see the small, displaced pride struggle to survive in the wartorn metropolis of Baghdad, during which time each one of them grows to embody conflicted viewpoints shared by human society regarding the Iraq War. With the stunning visuals of Niko Henrichon paired with the subtle craft of Brian K. Vaughan’s script, this profoundly moving graphic novel is a unique work of art. It’s the kind of story you’ll still be thinking about several weeks after finishing it.
Yes, that’s right; Clarke Kent has got his very own canine! Most kids who grew up in the Western world will remember this little super pooch. Whether you met him through the comics or the cartoon series (or both), this natty Kryptonian canine holds a special place in the hearts of many. While his origins vary, Krypto is essentially the Scooby-Doo of the DC universe - though perhaps a little less nervy. Making his first appearance in 1955 in Adventure Comics #210, Krypto has since been a recurring character alongside Clarke Kent, even stealing the limelight at one point with his own animated series, which ran from 2005 to 2006.
Speaking of Krypto, the Superdog isn’t just limited to the side of Clarke Kent. In 1962, we were introduced to the Legion Of Super-Pets! First appearing in Adventure Comics #210, the original pet-powered team consisted of Krypto the Superdog, Streaky the Supercat, Beppo the Super-Monkey and Comet the Super-Horse. It later featured new team members such as Ace the Bat-Hound and Detective Chimp. A fun addition to the DC Universe, these guys aren’t just epic in their own right but are a great bunch for lightening the mood. Hey, sometimes watching humans punching each other can get a bit tiresome - you feel? We want to see the criminals caught by the majestic Bat-Cow!
What’s your favourite animal-focused comic? Is there a character we missed that you think deserves a mention? Let us know in the comments below!
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