Without pets, life on Earth would be a very lonely, very sad ordeal. There’s nothing like coming home from a rough day and having a pet greet you. They love us unconditionally and ask for nothing in return except for our care and attention (and our food, from time to time.) Some pets are fuzzy, some pets are scaly. Some pets are big, while others are of the creepy-crawly variety (hey, all animals deserve love and care.)

In comics, some pets completely outshine their owners. Whether they have superpowers or they’re just plain animals, comic pets often become the backbones of their series. Some pets are even the stars of their own series, too, becoming more famous than their human counterparts. These are some of the best pets in comics, whether because of their fantastic feats or simply because they’re adorable and deserve all the love in the world.

10 Lockjaw

The Inhumans

The loyal canine member of the Inhumans, Lockjaw is a giant, slobbery dog that is equal parts lovable and fearsome. Possessing the powers to teleport himself and others to any location on either Earth or the moon, super powerful strength in his jaws, and the ability to track energy signatures across various dimensions, Lockjaw is a supremely gifted dog. Being the official dog of the Inhuman royal family is also pretty cool too.

But Lockjaw’s true appeal is his unwavering love and loyalty to his family and friends. Regardless of the danger at hand, Lockjaw has always been at the forefront of the fray, putting himself on the line to defend those he loves. If only he didn’t live on the moon (and if he was a tad bit smaller for hugs) he’d be higher on the list.

9 Zabu

Ka-Zar and Shanna the She-Devil

The last living sabertooth tiger in existence, Zabu is the Savage Lands’ most ferocious hero. After rescuing the boy Kevin Plunder (who would later become the powerful Ka-Zar, one of Marvel’s earliest heroes), Zabu became fast friends with him. As a sabertooth tiger, Zabu is an apex predator of the highest order, but a mutation he suffered also granted him human-level intelligence.

He’s strong, he’s fast, he’s smart, and best of all, he’s a giant cat. Zabu has it all. Well, everything besides the fact that he lives in the Savage Land. If Zabu lived in a little less extreme environment and was more accessible to the rest of the world, then he might rank a little better. He’s still a good cat, though, and that’s what’s important.

8 Streaky the Supercat

Supergirl

It wouldn’t seem like tossing a random piece of Kryptonite out of your window would be a good idea, but luckily for Supergirl, it was! After trying to neutralize the ill effects of the alien space rock, Supergirl became frustrated with her failure and tossed it outside. Unbeknownst to her, her pet cat Streaky discovered it and became imbued with Kryptonian powers.

Just like Superman and Supergirl, Streaky possesses super strength, speed, flight, and heat vision. It isn’t every day you see a common housecat keeping up with the mightiest of Kryptonians, but Streaky puts in the work. Streaky is often overshadowed by the more famous Krypto, but a good pussycat is a good pussycat and Streaky is 100% a good pussycat.

7 Lucky, the Pizza Dog

Clint Barton and Kate Bishop/Hawkeye

With no superpowers to speak of and no wildly crazy origins to his name, Lucky is just a dog, plain and simple. When Hawkeye was busy fending off a group of criminals in New York City, he became friends with a dog of theirs. Deciding to protect Hawkeye instead of its original criminal owners, Lucky was beaten by the thugs and tossed into traffic.

Luckily, Hawkeye managed to save the poor pooch, but Lucky unfortunately lost his left eye due to his injuries. This setback never kept Lucky from loving Hawkeye and Kate Bishop, though, and he has proven his loyalty and commitment to them time and time again. He also really loves pizza, hence his nickname. If only he had some nifty pizza-based superpowers then he’d rank up higher.

6 Dex-Starr

Red Lantern Corps

Perhaps the unluckiest and angriest cat in the universe, Dex-Starr is a little cat who got dealt a terrible hand. After being adopted from off the street, Dex-Starr and his owner were attacked by a gang of thugs. His owner was killed and Dex-Starr was put into a sack and thrown into a river. Unfortunately for the atrocious humans that committed these crimes, Dex-Starr’s rage became so great that he became deputized by a Red Lantern Ring on the spot.

Dex-Starr possesses super strength, speed, flight, and invulnerability. It’s hard to imagine it, but this simple Earth cat wields as much power as some of the most potent Green Lanterns. While technically a member of the Red Lantern Corps, Dex-Starr has a very close relationship with his leader, Atrocitus, the closest he’s come to being a pet again. He’s an angry kitty, but he still deserves all the love.

5 Lockheed

Kate Pryde/Shadowcat

Not all pets need to come from Earth! A steadfast member of the X-Men, Lockheed is as unique as they come. When Kitty Pryde and the rest of the X-Men were kidnapped by the evil Brood, Kitty discovered the small dragon-like creature. Forming a fast friendship, Lockheed was able to free the X-Men. He caught a ride with them back to Earth where he has lived since.

Even though he’s technically an alien, Lockheed looks and acts the part of a dragon, being able to breathe searing flames and fly. He and Kitty have become inseparable over the years, and it only goes to show how bonds of friendship can overcome any divide. He’s a little more conspicuous than a cat or a dog which makes it difficult for him to head out on his own.

4 Devil

The Phantom

Not as famous as some other comic book dogs, but no less loyal and amazing, Devil is a classic comic pet. The proud companion of The Phantom, Devil is as loyal as they come. A lethal grey wolf, Devil’s father was an even more dangerous wolf named Satan. When his mother was killed by hunters, The Phantom rescued him and took him in.

The Phantom and Devil quickly became the best of friends and loyal partners. Devil possesses no superpowers but makes up for that by never being afraid of putting his life on the line. It takes courage to face danger every day, but besides The Phantom, there’s nothing Devil would ever back away from. Unlike another super dog on this list, Devil’s feats are a little less superheroic and more mundane (even though he’s still a good dog.)

3 Krypto

Superman

Krypto is the most famous of all the super pets in the DC Universe. A fellow Kryptonian like Superman, Krypto’s first appearance was explained that when Jor-El first began experimenting with the rocket technology that would later carry his son to Earth, he sent a prototype rocket out with Krypto inside. His trajectory was knocked off course, and Krypto arrived on Earth years after Superman, meeting the young Superman well after childhood.

Being exposed to Earth’s yellow sun and gravity granted him similar powers as the Man of Steel. Krypto possesses immense super strength, speed, and flight plus all the impressive powers of smell and sight that he possesses as a dog. Krypto is loving, kind, and loyal which are all the things a partner should be. He is the definition of a good dog and is simply the best boy.

2 Garfield

Jonathan Q. Arbuckle

Garfield is the OG of comic book pets. Garfield is an icon. Garfield is a celebrity. He has movies, books, video games, and countless toys to his name. Garfield has become as famous as the most iconic of Marvel and DC heroes. Garfield’s allure lies in his simplicity. He’s a cat who hates Mondays and loves lasagna.

Garfield is the incarnation of happy laziness. Sharp as a tack and devious to a fault, Garfield is the cat of all cats. He may be a tad unruly to his owner, Jim, but deep down, he cares for him and his friend Odie. Between the Garfield phones of the ’80s and the suction cup Garfield window toys of the ’90s, few comic pets have achieved the stardom Garfield has.

1 Snoopy

Just like Garfield, few comic characters are as instantly recognizable and beloved as Snoopy. A global icon and celebrity in his own right, Snoopy is a prime example of how a comic pet has become the true star of his series (sorry Charlie Brown.) Snoopy is always cool and relaxed and always down for a good time.

Snoopy spends most of his time lounging on his doghouse with his best friend, Woodstock; together, the two friends share countless jokes, stories, and the occasional adventure. Snoopy also has his alter ego, the Red Baron, a fearless fighter pilot. Peanuts may have established itself as an indispensable piece of Americana, but Snoopy established himself as the timeless star of the series.