When people talk about the greatest superhero shows of the 2000s, they usually pivot to the heavy hitters. Justice League Unlimited. Teen Titans. Maybe The Batman. But honestly? There is this weirdly charming, bright-eyed corner of the DC Universe that often gets ignored because it looks "too kiddy." I’m talking about the Krypto the Superdog cast and the show that premiered on Cartoon Network back in 2005.
It’s easy to dismiss a show about a dog in a cape, but if you actually sit down and listen—really listen—to the voice work, you realize it wasn't some throwaway project. It was a masterclass in Canadian voice acting talent. Most fans don't even realize that the voices behind these super-pets are the same legends who voiced your favorite anime villains and Saturday morning staples.
The Canine Lead: Sam Vincent as Krypto
Basically, Sam Vincent is the glue here. If his name doesn't ring a bell, his voice definitely will. He’s the guy who gave us "Double D" (Edd) in Ed, Edd n Eddy. Bringing that same earnest, slightly worried but ultimately heroic energy to Krypto was a genius move.
Krypto isn't just a dog with powers; he’s a refugee from Krypton trying to navigate Earth. Vincent manages to make Krypto sound authoritative when he’s fighting Mechanikat, yet completely vulnerable when he’s just trying to be a "good boy" for his human friend, Kevin Whitney. It’s a delicate balance. If the voice was too deep, he’d just be a furry Superman. Too high, and he’s just a puppy. Vincent hit that sweet spot right in the middle.
The Human Element: Alberto Ghisi
Kevin Whitney, the nine-year-old kid who "adopts" Krypto (with Clark Kent's permission, of course), was voiced by Alberto Ghisi. Honestly, child actors in animation can be a hit or miss. Sometimes they sound like 30-year-olds trying to squeeze their vocal cords, but Ghisi brought a genuine, grounded quality to Kevin.
He didn't stick around in the industry as long as some of his co-stars, but his chemistry with Vincent’s Krypto felt real. You actually believed this kid was keeping the world’s biggest secret in his backyard.
The Supporting Paws: Ace and Streaky
You can’t talk about the Krypto the Superdog cast without mentioning the dynamic duo of Streaky the Supercat and Ace the Bat-Hound. This is where the show really flexed its voice-acting muscles.
- Scott McNeil as Ace the Bat-Hound: Scott McNeil is a god-tier voice actor. Period. If you grew up on Beast Wars, he was Dinobot, Rattrap, and Waspinator. In Dragon Ball Z, he was the original Piccolo (Ocean Dub). In this show, he voices Ace with a dry, gravelly seriousness that perfectly mirrors Batman. He also voices Ignatius, Lex Luthor's spoiled lizard, showing off a vocal range that is frankly ridiculous.
- Brian Drummond as Streaky: Then you have Brian Drummond. Most people know him as the "Over 9000!" Vegeta. Hearing the prince of all Saiyans voice a goofy, orange cat who gets powers from a stray kryptonite beam is a trip. Streaky is the comic relief, the lazy contrast to Krypto’s boy scout persona, and Drummond plays the "accidental hero" vibe perfectly.
The Villains and the Dog Star Patrol
The show didn't just stop at the main trio. They built out a whole cosmic hierarchy.
Mark Oliver voiced the primary antagonist, Mechanikat. He gave the cyborg feline a cold, calculating ego that made him a legitimate threat. It’s that classic "stuck-up cat" trope turned up to eleven.
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Then there was the Dog Star Patrol. This was a deep cut for DC fans.
- Ellen Kennedy voiced Brainy Barker, the telepathic leader.
- Kelly Sheridan (the voice of Barbie for nearly a decade!) played Mammoth Mutt.
- Terry Klassen, a legendary voice director and actor in his own right, voiced Tusky Husky.
The fact that they pulled in such a high-caliber roster for a 22-minute kids' cartoon says a lot about the production value Warner Bros. Animation was aiming for at the time.
Why This Cast Worked So Well
It’s about the "Ocean Group" vibe. For those who aren't voice-acting nerds, the Ocean Group is a Vancouver-based talent pool. Most US-based DC shows used LA talent (think Kevin Conroy or Mark Hamill). By going to Vancouver, Krypto the Superdog got a totally different sound.
It felt fresh. It didn't sound like Justice League. It had its own identity—bouncy, energetic, but still respectful of the source material.
The Legacy of the 2005 Cast
Interestingly, when DC League of Super-Pets hit theaters in 2022, they went with A-list celebrities like Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart. Don't get me wrong, they did a fine job for a blockbuster movie. But for a lot of us who grew up with the 2005 series, Sam Vincent and Scott McNeil are Krypto and Ace.
There’s a nuance in professional voice actors that movie stars sometimes miss. A professional VA knows how to "smile" with their voice or convey a wagging tail through a microphone.
Quick Cast Reference
- Krypto: Sam Vincent
- Kevin Whitney: Alberto Ghisi
- Ace the Bat-Hound / Ignatius: Scott McNeil
- Streaky / Kevin's Dad: Brian Drummond
- Andrea Sussman: Tabitha St. Germain
- Brainy Barker: Ellen Kennedy
- Mechanikat: Mark Oliver
What Most People Get Wrong
People often assume this show is just for toddlers. It's not. The writing team included Paul Dini and Alan Burnett. If those names sound familiar, it’s because they basically created Batman: The Animated Series.
Because the writers were so elite, the actors had actual meat to chew on. They weren't just barking; they were performing scripts written by some of the best in the business. This is why the Krypto the Superdog cast delivered performances that still hold up today. It’s why you can go back and watch an episode like "The Dark Hound Strikes" and actually enjoy the banter between Ace and Krypto.
How to Revisit the Series Today
If you’re looking to dive back into this version of the DCU, the show is often available on streaming platforms like Max (formerly HBO Max) or for purchase on Amazon. It's 39 episodes (78 segments) of pure nostalgia.
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If you want to appreciate the work of this specific cast further, check out the behind-the-scenes credits of other Vancouver-produced shows from the same era. You’ll see the same names popping up in Transformers: Cybertron or Death Note. It was a golden age for that specific group of actors, and Krypto was their chance to play in the superhero sandbox.
Next Steps for Fans:
Start by watching the pilot episode, "Krypto's Scrypto." Pay close attention to the shift in Sam Vincent's tone when Krypto realizes he's no longer on Krypton. It’s a surprisingly heavy moment for a kids' show. Afterward, look up Scott McNeil's filmography—it will blow your mind how many of your childhood heroes (and villains) he actually voiced.