My Adventures with Superman’s first season simultaneously aired and streamed in 2023 (same year Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 came out) on Adult Swim and Max. It received positive reviews from critics, fans and streamers alike. Season 2’s also streaming right now. A third season
Now that the DC Extended Universe is done, James “JG” Gunn’s rebooting the series as “DC Universe.” “Creature Commandos” is the first TV show that’ll kickstart other DC related shows on the small screen. JG’s filming Superman as the first film with David Corenswet taking over Henry Cavill’s role. Both of ’em are tied to the first chapter of the upcoming franchise “Chapter One: Gods and Monsters.” The equivalent of Marvel’s phases. Before JG’s future projects come out on December 2024 & July 11, 2025, I wanna share my thoughts on “My Adventures with Superman.”
Today’s review contains no SPOILERS.
Mighty & Weak Aspects
Mighty: Jack Quaid did a superb job as the titular character.
Animation has an anime aesthetic giving it a Weekly Shonen Jump feel. It’s funny, because Superman influenced Goku from “Dragon Ball Z” & All Might from “My Hero Academia.”
Action Sequences display Supes’ battles with powerful opponents.
Humor has some funny moments.
Dominic Lewis (Bullet Train, The Fall Guy) orchestrated the soundtrack.
Chemistry between Clark, Lois & Jimmy plays a huge part.
The Tone retains Supes’ bright and uplifting personality. He’s not mopey and emo like Henry Cavill’s version. That’s Batman’s shtick.
Unlike most Superman adaptations, Lois & Jimmy managed to figure out both Superman & Clark are one and the same. A breath of fresh air on Superman’s lore. Let’s be honest, it doesn’t take a pair of glasses and messing up your hair to make you unrecognizable. All it takes is a mask and heavy prosthetic make-up.
Lois isn’t portrayed as a nagging feminist know-it-all. She’s a three-dimensional character who learns from her mistakes, treats Clark & Jimmy with respect. Shame, Kathleen Kennedy, Paul Feig (Ghostbusters 2016) & Frank Marshall ruined strong female characters in action movies. They promote offensive stereotypes like men are dumb and women as nagging feminist know-it-alls who think they’re better than men.
Jimmy runs a social media account under “Flamebird.” He doesn’t use it to promote people with A.D.D. or people on TikTok with short attention spans. Jimmy uses it to capture Superman’s heroic duty. Flamebird really comes in handy.
Weak: Besides Lois & Jimmy, Perry White and other citizens can’t put two and two together around the fact Clark & Superman are the same person. Wearing a pair of glasses doesn’t work in real life. It takes a mask and heavy prosthetic make-up to full the public.
Episodes 1-2 – Adventures of a Normal Man
Clark & Jimmy become interns at the Daily Planet. They also meet Lois who’s also an intern. The three investigate stolen military technology.
Not really a spoiler. We’re fully aware of Clark’s origin story countless times. Clark learns a piece about his Kryptonian roots. He later dons the red and blue suit and becomes Superman.
Clark’s transformation into Supes pays homage to “Power Rangers” & “Sailor Moon.”
Superman fights Leslie Willis/Livewire. The latter made her first appearance in Supes’ ’90s cartoon.
Task Force X (Suicide Squad) led by Amanda Waller, hunt down Livewire.
Episode 3 – My Interview with Superman
Lois wants an interview with Superman.
A trio of incompetent bad guys equipped with stolen tech rob stores and banks. At least Gus Gorman (Richard Pryor’s character from Superman III) didn’t show up.
Episode 4 – Let’s Go to Ivo Tower, You Say
Clark, Lois & Jimmy are assigned to interview a shady businessman who’s not Lex Luthor.
Lois finds a clue regarding Clark. You knew this was coming from a mile away.
Superman fights the businessman who becomes Parasite.
Episode 5 – You Will Believe a Man Can Lie
Fifth episode’s title is a play-on-word of the 1978 movie’s tagline. “You’ll Believe a Man Can Fly.”
Superman fights Slade Wilson/Deathstroke & Task Force X. Way better than “Suicide Squad Kills the Justice League.” Rocksteady flopped big time.
Supes & Lois perform legit combo attacks while they’re handcuffed together.
Episode 6 – My Adventures with Mad Science
Clark & Lois search for Jimmy. They encounter robots standing in their way.
Jimmy meets a living brain in a jar and a highly intelligent French Gorilla. The latter isn’t related to The Flash’s foe, Gorilla Grodd
Clark learns he has a defensive ability.
Area 52’s named after Area 51 and the New 52.
Episode 7 – Kiss Kiss Fall in Portal
Interdimensional prankster, Mr. Mxyzptlk or Mxy for short, tricks Superman into stealing an artifact.
Clark learns he has another ability. He has a hard time adjusting.
Lois & Jimmy stumble upon alternate versions of Lois from different universes.
There’s a few Easter Eggs based on the lore.
Lois acquires a file tied to Superman.
Episodes 8-9 – Zero Day
The General recruits supervillains to capture Superman.
Superman has an intense battle with the bad guys.
Clark learns he has a new power.
A flashback shows Waller and the General’s early days on how they first encountered a Kryptonian.
One character says, “One bad day.” A reference to a line from “Batman: The Killing Joke.” All it takes is one bad day.”
Vicki Vale (one of Batman’s love interests) arrives in Metropolis to write a story about Supes.
Jimmy has an epic moment helping people assist Supes.
Episode 10 – Hearts of the Father
Clark invites Lois & Jimmy for Thanksgiving at his parents’ place.
Superman endures a Kryptonian robots controlled by a ship.
The General’s identity is revealed.
Final scene sets up Season 2.
The Final Verdict: A-
My Adventures with Superman’s first season is a great start for an anime inspired series. If you haven’t watched Season 1, give this one a shot.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 