My Adventures with Superman Review (Season 1)

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Superman has often been done better in television than in films. He debuted on TV, and after the immense success of Richard Donner’s first two films, the character has somewhat struggled on the big screen. This is why any time there is an announcement of a Superman TV show, I’m immediately excited. I liked Smallville, I liked Tyler Hoechlin’s iteration in the Arrowverse, and I really love Superman & Lois. After seeing production commence on James Gunn’s Superman movie, I couldn’t help but look frantically for something that would help me tolerate the long wait for the movie, and then I came across an Adult Swim show that perfectly captures the essence of DC’s greatest superhero.

My Adventures with Superman, as expected, is another excellent adaptation of the classic DC hero, offering a new take on the familiar with stellar animation, design, and performances.

The animated series explores Clark’s early years in Metropolis as a journalist and Superman. The series puts the focus on his relationship with Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen, and it’s the energetic dynamic between the three that propels the narrative in each episode. It takes inspiration from classic shonen, and wears its earnestness on its sleeves, giving us a wholesome show that the world really needs right now. Just check out this awesome intro and tell me you're not itching to binge it in one weekend!

There are plenty of things that are different in this iteration - his suit, the suit’s crest, Kryptonians presented as a truly off-world civilization with their own language and customs, and Clark actually wanting to be a good journalist. That latter part is key, because too often have we seen modern Superman media focusing on his god-level powers and the destruction it can cause. There’s an episode where Superman really just wants to have a normal date with Lois, and another where the guy gives up fighting the bad guy to avoid collateral damage. He may have the power to destroy planets, but can’t stop himself from saving cats out of a tree on his way to a job interview. Clark is a salt-of-the-earth farmboy, who can’t help but radiate positive energy.

It’s good stuff, but perhaps the show’s biggest win is Lois’ fiery drive to become the best journalist she can, by hook or crook. Lois has always been a stubborn character, always willing to break the rules to get to the truth, and that’s the opposite of Clark’s approach. That’s what makes their relationship shine, taking clear inspiration from Donner’s 1978 movie. Alice Lee does a phenomenal job imbuing her with an energy that can outshine Superman’s laser vision.

I’ve always found Jimmy to be an outdated archetype, but he shines here, mostly due to Ishmel Sahid’s endearing performance. Jimmy can be seen as the unnecessary third wheel in Clark and Lois’ relationship but the show tackles that subject with sincerity. Jimmy’s insecurities don’t take a backseat to Clark’s, with the show even dedicating an entire episode to it. It’s that kind of attention to detail that makes the show stand out, by prioritising the human element. The same goes for events that on the surface seem grand, like the multiverse, but it always boils down to the effects it has on Clark’s immediate relationships, not the fate of the DC universe.

The issue then, as is usual with a lot of Superman stories, comes down to the villains. There’s a bunch of bad guys that Superman fights throughout the season, some known, some obscure. The show follows a freak-of-the-week structure until its final episodes which bring together some loose ends, but don’t quite knit them tightly. Task Force X is comprised of an oddball group of baddies, but the show does manage to make each of them work by building each member up in individual episodes.

Where it stumbles is the motivations behind its central antagonist or rather the lack of empathy he displays when it comes to taking down Superman. The villains aren’t the most complex bunch, with some of them having the thinnest backstories that only exist to give them their abilities, and that’s fine by me.

Being an early Superman story, it follows the Smallville formula of slowly unveiling Clark’s powers to his surprise. He doesn’t even know if he’s bulletproof but will stand in front of an array of machine guns in an instant to protect his friends. Taking inspiration from Donner’s films, Jack Quad’s performance as a bumbling Clark is adorable. It’s this side that is sorely lacking from modern Superman media, always intent on showing what happens when he goes evil.

But Clark’s not a complete Boy Scout either, which shows when the situation gets dire. For the most part, the show’s presentation does the heavy lifting that makes the familiar story beats more tolerable. Yes, Clark is still the last son of Krypton, but the planet’s representation in the show is far more alien than anything we’ve seen before.

Score: 8/10

My Adventures with Superman is a welcome addition to the DC universe, instantly standing on its own with its quirky personality and presentation, and is a worthwhile watch for any DC fan.

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My Adventures with Superman is streaming on Adult Swim and Max.