Space Canine Patrol Agents

The Space Canine Patrol Agents, or SCPA is a group of fictional anthropomorphic extraterrestrial canine superheroes that appeared in stories published by DC Comics.[1]

For the schools whose acronyms are also SCPA, see the Cincinnati School for Creative and Performing Arts or the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts

History

The SCPA first appeared in Superboy (volume 1) #131 (July 1966).[2] 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, 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. They have appeared once in a superhero limbo in Grant Morrison's Animal Man "Monkey Puzzles", where characters that have been written out of continuity reside. While visiting here, Merryman of Inferior Five 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.[3]

However Krypto's status as the El family dog from Krypton has been restored and The Sandman: Overture issue #3 included a cameo appearance of the "Space Canine Patrol Corps".

Membership

The Space Canine Patrol Agents roster has included:[4]

  • 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
  • Krypto: Similar powers to Superman.
  • 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 Superdog animated series under the name the Dog Star Patrol. Their battle cry resembles the Space Canine Patrol Agents, but goes:

Dog Stars, Dog Stars, bow, wow, wow!
Bark for justice, now, now, now!

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, 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 Cockney 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.
  • Stretch-o-Mutt: Stretch-o-Mutt was originally a guard-dog for a Star-Labs chemical storage facility. When chasing his ball he fell into a vat of an unknown chemical, but was quickly rescued by Krypto. It was later found that his DNA was merged with the elasticity of his ball giving him the ability to contort his body in to whatever he desired. He later saved the Dog Star Patrol from Mechanikat and became a reserve member.
  • The team is led by Brainy Barker (an original character similar to Marvel Comics' Professor X, she may be loosely based on Prophetic Pup). She possesses powerful psychic abilities, and rides on a pillow instead of walking.
  • Streaky the Supercat (despite being a cat) and Ace the Bat-Hound were also made members later in the series.

Note: The original seven Dog Stars (Brainy Barker, Tail Terrier, Mammoth Mutt, Hot Dog, Tusky Husky, Bull Dog, and Paw Pooch) are never seen as a group of seven on the show. Instead the Dog Stars seem to be on a rotation, usually Brainy Barker and five or fewer of the other dogs.

References
  1. Greenberger, Robert; Pasko, Martin (2010). The Essential Superman Encyclopedia. Del Rey. pp. 369–370. ISBN 978-0-345-50108-0.
  2. Eury, Michael (2006). The Krypton Companion. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 36. ISBN 9781893905610.
  3. Movie Poop Shoot's look at Animal Man Archived 2009-01-07 at the Wayback Machine
  4. Korte, Steve (2014). DC Super Pets Character Encyclopedia. Curious Fox. p. 12. ISBN 978-1-78202-102-5.
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