Beppo the Super-Monkey Returns: A Twist on a Classic Sidekick in Superman Unlimited #12
Superman has had various sidekicks throughout his history, including friends like Jimmy Olsen and pets like Krypto. Recently, DC Comics brought back another classic sidekick in the DC All-In era, but with a significant twist. In Superman Unlimited #12 by Dan Slott and Lucas Meyer, a subplot unfolds in Metropolis involving a secret lab experimenting with Kryptonite solutions on test animals. One of these animals, a monkey known as Subject #06638, escapes and is discovered by Superman's friend Bibbo Bibbowski, who names the monkey "Beppo" after a mix-up with its ID bracelet.
Beppo the Super-Monkey first appeared in 1959 and was originally portrayed as a mischievous character who stowed away in Superman's rocket from Krypton. Over time, Beppo matured under Earth's yellow sun and even formed a Legion of Super-Pets with other super-powered animals. Despite being absent from canon Superman comics for many years, Beppo has remained a beloved character in DC's Super Pets series and other kid-friendly books.
The reintroduction of Beppo in Superman Unlimited #12 pays homage to the character's past adventures while giving him a fresh update. Bibbo's role in finding and naming Beppo parallels his involvement in bringing Krypto, Superman's dog, back into the spotlight during the Death of Superman storyline. Unlike Krypto, Beppo possesses superpowers without being of Kryptonian origin, adding a new dynamic to the classic character.
Fans can now pick up Superman Unlimited #12 at their local comic shops to discover the latest chapter in Superman's ever-expanding universe.