I thought I knew pretty much all there was to know about the Super Pets seen in the pages of Superman comics back in the Silver Age. Krypto was Superman's dog and Beppo was a test animal of Jor-El's who ended up on Earth. Streaky gained his powers from an radioactive experimental antidote to Kryptonite Supergirl was working on.
I always assumed Comet the Super-Horse was another animal refuge from Krypton that belonged to Supergirl before she made her escape. I just never bothered to look into Comet's history before now.It turns out that Comet is not from Krypton.
He first appeared in Action Comics #292 in 1962. Supergirl had been hit by Kryptonite rays and was falling to Earth. Out of nowhere came a white horse with superpowers that saved her life. It was in the next issue that we discover his true story.
== TEASER ==
Comet originally was a centaur named Biron who was in love with Circe. When he saved her life, she agreed to repay him. His wish was to become human. When she made an attempt, she gave him the wrong potion (it was actually switched by an evil-doer). Instead of a man, he was turned completely into a horse. There was no antidote but she was able to bestow super-strength, telepathy and immortality to Biron.
What about Supergirl making out with Comet?
Superman received a summon for help from Prince Endor of Zerox (who had helped Superman out in the past). Basically the prince needed a flying horse so Supergirl and Comet made the trip. Zerox was a sorcerer planet (of course) so as thanks, Prince Endor granted Comet a wish. Because magic had changed since he was first turned into a horse, he could reverse the spell...a little.
Comet would not have super-powers and would turn into a human on Earth when a comet passed through the solar system. Upon returning to Earth, a comet happened to enter the solar system. He gave himself the name "Bronco Bill" and soon met Supergirl in this form. And this is when she made out...with her horse.
"Bronco Bill" would make other appearances and apparently even had a brief romance with Lois Lane. Comet was in love with Supergirl but didn't want to tell her that he was also "Bronco Bill." Why did Comet not tell her? Because it would be weird, gross and illegal in most states.
As I put finishing touches to this article, my seven-year-old daughter walked in and I explained what was going on in the images. She had quite a perplexed look on her face and simply said, "That's weird."
This is one of the reasons why reading Silver Age comics can be a fun and interesting pastime. You never really know what to expect. It was a different take on one of the super-pets. It was good that they didn't all come from Krypton and somehow all land on Earth. Maybe Supergirl didn't really make out with her horse. She did but she didn't. The fact that Comet would trick Supergirl many times with this...shame on you Comet. Let's hope for Kara's sake she never comes across a white horse in the current continuity.