Beppo (comics)
| Beppo | |
|---|---|
 Beppo on the cover of Superboy #76, art by Curt Swan. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Superboy #76 (October 1959) |
| Created by | Otto Binder (writer) George Papp (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Species | Kryptonian monkey |
| Place of origin | Krypton |
| Team affiliations | Legion of Super-Pets |
| Notable aliases | Super-monkey |
| Abilities | See list
|
Beppo is a monkey superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, primarily those featuring Superman.
Publication history
[edit]Created by Otto Binder and George Papp, he first appeared in Superboy #76 (October 1959).[1] He made sixteen appearances in Superman comics during the Silver Age of Comic Books.[2]
Fictional character biography
[edit]Despite his resemblance to an Earth monkey, due to convergent evolution producing analogous species to fill similar ecological niches, Beppo is from the planet Krypton.[3] He was originally one of Jor-El's test animals. Luckily for him, Beppo decided to stow away aboard baby Kal-El's rocket to Earth and was thus saved from its destruction. Upon landing, Beppo hopped out unseen and went off on his own for some months. Beppo lived in a jungle and handled himself quite well, since as a Kryptonian monkey he had the usual array of super-powers.[4]
One day Beppo, using his telescopic vision, spotted Kal-El, now a toddler living in Smallville with the Kents. Beppo quickly flew to Smallville and, being a monkey, secretly caused all sorts of havoc. Ma and Pa Kent initially blamed baby Clark for Beppo's super-powered monkeyshines, but they soon discovered the truth. The Kents fretted that Clark's secret might be exposed by the super-antics of the Simian of Steel but, as it turned out, their worry was needless. It wasn't long before Beppo accidentally set off some 4th of July fireworks stored in the Kent garage. The explosions spooked Beppo, who took off into space. The panicked Beppo kept on going when he saw a passing comet, which he thought was more fireworks chasing him. When Beppo failed to return, the Kents presumed he'd gotten lost out there somewhere. Beppo's origin is related in "The Super-Monkey from Krypton!", the cover story in Superboy #76 (October 1959). At the end of the story, which is told in flashback by teenaged Clark, the reader is informed that Beppo made his way back to Earth before too long.
Many years later, Beppo encountered Supergirl, who introduced him to Krypto the Superdog and Streaky the Supercat. Beppo went on to join the Legion of Super-Pets.[5]
Beppo was retconned out of existence following the Crisis on Infinite Earths limited series. He was briefly returned to existence by the Psycho-Pirate during the 2005-06 storyline Infinite Crisis, and then appeared in Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds #5.
He later appeared in the 2024 comic Ape-Ril Special #1.
Powers, abilities, and equipment
[edit]Beppo possessed the same powers and abilities as a Kryptonian adult, although his physical abilities were proportionate to his smaller size and species.[6]
Other versions
[edit]- An alternate universe incarnation of Beppo appears in Kingdom Come #1.
- An alternate universe incarnation of Beppo appears in Tiny Titans.
- In the canon of Smallville, Christopher Beppo is a reporter investigating LuthorCorp.[7]
In other media
[edit]- A Beppo toy appears in the Batman Beyond episode "Rats".
- Beppo appears in Krypto the Superdog #6.[8] This version previously lived in Africa after landing on Earth, but was ostracized by other animals. After encountering Krypto, Beppo comes to Metropolis, but unintentionally causes havoc and is subsequently taken to the 30th century to become a hero.
- Beppo appears as a character summon in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.[9]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Fleisher, Michael L. (2007). The Original Encyclopedia of Comic Book Heroes, Volume Three: Superman. DC Comics. p. 15. ISBN 978-1-4012-1389-3.
- ^ Schelly, William (2013). American Comic Book Chronicles: The 1950s. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 215. ISBN 9781605490540.
- ^ Greenberger, Robert; Pasko, Martin (2010). The Essential Superman Encyclopedia. Del Rey. p. 26. ISBN 978-0-345-50108-0.
- ^ Eury, Michael (2006). The Krypton Companion. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 36. ISBN 9781893905610.
- ^ Rovin, Jeff (1991). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Cartoon Animals. Prentice Hall Press. p. 24. ISBN 0-13-275561-0. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
- ^ "Are Kryptonian dogs really just called "dogs"? Did the Kryptonians just coincidentally choose the same name for them as humans?". Quora. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
- ^ Smallville: Justice & Doom Part II
- ^ "Krypto the Superdog #6 - Houndin' the Mail Carrier (Issue)". Comic Vine. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
- ^ Eisen, Andrew (October 2, 2013). "DC Characters and Objects - Scribblenauts Unmasked Guide". IGN. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
External links
[edit]| Superboys | |
|---|---|
| Supporting characters | |
| Enemies | |
| Publications | |
| In other media | |
- 1959 comics debuts
- Animal superheroes
- Characters created by Otto Binder
- Characters created by George Papp
- Comics about animals
- Comics about monkeys
- Comics characters introduced in 1959
- DC Comics characters who can move at superhuman speeds
- DC Comics characters with accelerated healing
- DC Comics characters with superhuman durability or invulnerability
- DC Comics characters with superhuman senses
- DC Comics characters with superhuman strength
- DC Comics extraterrestrial superheroes
- DC Comics male superheroes
- DC Comics animals
- Fictional characters with X-ray vision
- Fictional characters with nuclear or radiation abilities
- Fictional characters with air or wind abilities
- Fictional characters with ice or cold abilities
- Fictional characters with energy-manipulation abilities
- Fictional characters with fire or heat abilities
- Fictional monkeys
- Kryptonians
- Superman characters
- Superboy
- Legion of Super-Pets