Space Canine Patrol Agents
Encyclopedia
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a non-profit animal welfare organization originally founded in England in 1824 to pass laws protecting carriage horses from abuse. SPCA groups are now found in many nations, where they campaign for animal welfare, assist in cruelty to animals...
), is a group of fictional anthropomorphic extraterrestrial
Extraterrestrial life in popular culture
In popular cultures, "extraterrestrials" are life forms — especially intelligent life forms— that are of extraterrestrial origin .-Historical ideas:-Pre-modern:...
canine
Dog
The domestic dog is a domesticated form of the gray wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties. The dog may have been the first animal to be domesticated, and has been the most widely kept working, hunting, and companion animal in...
superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
es that appeared in stories published by DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
.
History
The SCPA first appeared in SuperboySuperboy
Superboy is the name of several fictional characters that have been published by DC Comics, most of them youthful incarnations of Superman. These characters have also been the main characters of four ongoing Superboy comic book series published by DC....
(volume 1) # 131. Several of the dogs were given alliterative names which also described their powers: i.e. Paws Pooch was able to increase its number of limbs, Prophetic Pup could predict the future using his "crystal ball cranium", Tail Terrier had an elastic tail, etc.
The team was something of a parody of the Legion of Super-Heroes
Legion of Super-Heroes
The Legion of Super-Heroes is a fictional superhero team in the 30th and 31st centuries of the . The team first appears in Adventure Comics #247 , and was created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino....
, with enemies such as the "Phanty Cats".
Their battle cry and sacred oath, with which they began all meetings, was
- Big dog, big dog, bow, wow, wow!
- We'll stop evil, now, now, now!
The first line parodies the Yale chorus: "Bulldog, bulldog, bow-wow-wow".
They are presumed to have been wiped out of existence after the Crisis on Infinite Earths
Crisis on Infinite Earths
Crisis on Infinite Earths is a 12-issue American comic book limited series and crossover event, produced by DC Comics in 1985 to simplify its then 50-year-old continuity...
. They have appeared once in a superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
limbo
Limbo (DC Comics)
Limbo refers to a fictional location in books published by DC Comics. Limbo first appeared in Ambush Bug #3 , and was created by Keith Giffen.-History:In Ambush Bug Limbo refers to a fictional location in books published by DC Comics. Limbo first appeared in Ambush Bug (vol. 1) #3 (August 1985),...
in Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
's Animal Man
Animal Man
Animal Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . As a result of being in proximity to an exploding extraterrestrial spaceship, Buddy Baker acquires the ability to temporarily “borrow” the abilities of animals...
"Deus Ex Machina", where characters that have been written out of continuity reside. While visiting here, Merryman of Inferior Five
Inferior Five
The Inferior Five are a parody superhero team that premiered in the DC Comics title Showcase #62 . Created by E. Nelson Bridwell and Joe Orlando and Mike Esposito , the group was intended as a parody not only of the Fantastic Four, but of all the superhero teams whose members had such great...
stated to Animal Man that even if some of these characters may be brought back, times have changed where the Space Canine Patrol Agents (as some of the other animals) will not likely return.
However, with Krypto's status as the El family dog from Krypton restored, it remains to be seen if they'll ever be reintroduced into the mainstream continuity or even alluded Krypto ever joined them.
Membership
- Tail Terrier: Has an elastic tail that can be used as a rope. "Top Dog" of the SCPA.
- Mammoth Mutt: Can inflate to many times his size. Died in his first appearance.
- Hot Dog: Pyrokinetic
- Tusky Husky: Can turn one of his canine teeth into a long tusk, which is used as a lever.
- Bull Dog: Can grow horns.
- Paw Pooch: Can grow additional limbs.
- Chameleon Collie: Shapeshifter
- Prophetic Pup: Clairvoyant
- KryptoKryptoKrypto, also known as Krypto the Superdog, is a fictional character. He is Superman's pet dog in the various Superman comic books published by DC Comics. Krypto's first appearance was in a Superboy story in Adventure Comics #210 in March 1955...
: Similar powers to SupermanSupermanSuperman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
. - Mammoth Miss: Mammoth Mutt's girlfriend, with the same powers.
- Beam Beagle: Possessed "searchlight eyes". Died in the line of duty.
It was never confirmed which of them is the leader.
In other media
A version of the team appears in the 2000s Krypto the SuperdogKrypto the Superdog
Krypto the Superdog is an American animated television series produced by Warner Bros. Animation, based on the DC Comics character Krypto. The show premiered on Cartoon Network on March 25, 2005 and aired on Kids' WB! in September 2006...
animated series under the name the Dog Star Patrol. This version includes:
- Tail Terrier: He can use his tail as a lasso. He speaks with a Southern accent.
- Mammoth Mutt: She can inflate herself like a balloon. A female version, possibly based on Mammoth Miss.
- Hot Dog: He can breathe fire. His powers are triggered by his anger. In the episode "Bones of Contention" he started to control his anger.
- Tusky Husky: He has a long tooth used as a drill. He speaks with a French-Canadian accent.
- Bull Dog: He can grow bull horns out of his head. He speaks with a CockneyCockneyThe term Cockney has both geographical and linguistic associations. Geographically and culturally, it often refers to working class Londoners, particularly those in the East End...
British accent. - Paw Pooch: He can grow multiple limbs.
- Krypto: His powers are similar to Superman's.
- Drooly: An original character, he has the power of super-drooling, able to create streams of saliva, using it as projectiles or rope. He only appeared in one episode: His powers were considered unimpressive at first, but after he saved the team, he was made a reserve member.
- The team is led by Brainy Barker (an original character similar to Marvel Comics' Professor XProfessor XProfessor Charles Francis Xavier, also known as Professor X, is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superhero known as the leader and founder of the X-Men....
, she may be loosely based on Prophetic Pup). She possesses powerful psychic abilities, and rides on a pillow instead of walking. - Streaky the SupercatStreaky the SupercatStreaky the Supercat is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Streaky first appeared in Action Comics #261 , and was created by Otto Binder and Jim Mooney.-Fictional character biography:...
(despite being a cat) and Ace the Bathound were also made members later in the series.