WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for the Titans Season 2 episode "Conner," streaming now on DC Universe.
When the post-credits of Titans' Season 1 finale showed Superboy (Joshua Orpin) and Krypto breaking out of CADMUS, many couldn't wait to see more of their adventures in the second season and exactly how they'd link up with Dick Grayson and the rest of the team. And while they do all meet up thanks to Superboy saving Jason Todd, albeit with dire repercussions, it's not the Boy of Steel who's turning out to be the show's MVP as many assumed he would be. In fact, as awesome as Dick or Jason are, it's not them either, because that mantle goes to the super-powered pup.
We finally get the full debut of Superboy in this episode, with him taking the name "Conner" from some coveralls as he escapes CADMUS. With Krypto in tow, they leave the cold confines of the lab and head off to Smallville. However, this journey of self-discovery acts as a trip to the past as the duo end up, not at the Kents' farm, but at Lionel Luthor's. As the hybrid of Lex Luthor and Clark Kent's DNA, Conner retains both their childhood memories and this leads to him getting information on Lex's past from his dad.
However, after a confrontation over why Lionel abused Lex, CADMUS' soldiers ambush Conner. Superboy's quick to surrender but when he sees Lionel being violently reprimanded, he's spurred into action, beating down the gunmen. With his super-strength, super-speed, super-breath and bulletproof skin, they're no match for Conner. And while it's an action spectacle, we did expect all this from Superboy, throwing us back to Tom Welling's Clark in Smallville. However, the standout of this scene is Krypto, who first uses his heat vision to burn up a gun one of the soldiers points at Superboy. But it's his next move which proves he's by far the star of the show.
A soldier from outside fires a rocket at the house and Superboy's confused, unsure how to react. Luckily, Krypto knows how to as he grips it with his teeth, flipping around, and then directing the missile right back at the soldier who fired it. Of course, the soldier's blown to smithereens, leaving an unassuming Krypto with blood on his paws. Hey, it's self defence and we've seen the Titans do this throughout many of their battles. They don't intend to kill but we're pretty sure after the aggression and hurt they inflict, it's more than just sore bodies, bruises and broken bones. Even Superboy might have killed people here so we're not going to chastise Krypto. He was being a loyal boy to his master and it's very much what we've seen with the pooch in the Superman mythos.
Created for Adventure Comics #210 in the '50s, Krypto was a dog from Joe-El's household who landed on Earth before finding his way to the Man of Steel. In the New 52, the dog was given powers after Superman had to heal it following a rescue mission from the Phantom Zone. Krypto even accompanied Conner on his dates. But since then, DC Rebirth has shaped the alien canine as a Kryptonian sentry, fighting tooth and nail for the House of El, literally. And so, should the Titans save an injured Conner following Mercy Graves pumping him with Kryptonite bullets, many are eager to see how he and Krypto are integrated into the fold.
The heroes haven't given any indication they want a pet but it's clearly a two-for-one deal once they take in Conner. It'll also be interesting to see how Krypto and Garfield/Beast Boy react to each other as well, but what'll be most intriguing is while the rest of the vigilantes are hard-asses and pretty much sourpusses, Krypto and Conner are innocent and childlike, which could brighten up Dick's team and provide much-needed balance.
Streaming now on DC Universe, Titans Season 2 stars Brenton Thwaites as Dick Grayson, Anna Diop as Kory Anders, Teagan Croft as Rachel Roth, Ryan Potter as Garfield Logan, Curran Walters as Jason Todd and Conor Leslie as Donna Troy, with Minka Kelly as Dawn Granger, Alan Ritchson as Hank Hall, Joshua Orpin as Superboy, Chelsea Zhang as Rose Wilson, Chella Man as Jericho, Drew Van Acker as Aqualad, Esai Morales as Deathstroke and Iain Glen as Bruce Wayne.