Written By: Jason Owsley
Apple pie. Fourth of July. A red caped hero flying in the sky.
That most iconic of superheroes, Superman, returns in the new animated series, My Adventures with Superman.
Although there have been acclaimed animated series based on the Man of Steel in the past, this new adaptation provides some welcome updates to a character who recently celebrated 85 years of pop culture fandom in April.
My Adventures with Superman is a serialized, anime-inspired adventure series that explores the early years of Superman.
The core cast consists of Clark Kent, Lois Lane, and Jimmy Olsen. The trio are early 20-something interns at The Daily Planet. Clark and Jimmy are roommates who are paired with Lois, and faster than a speeding bullet, a bond is formed.
Hoping to make a name for themselves as journalists, the three chase dangerous stories and leads. All of this is much to the chagrin of their boss, Perry White, who in classic form, tries to rein them in. Lois gets in on the action as the daring risk taker, while Jimmy is the high energy, conspiracy theorist who is sure aliens walk among us.
Meanwhile, Clark has quite a bit more to deal with than just an internship. As he learns more about his past and explores his ability to protect the city in the present, his journey to the hero he’s destined to become is filled with trials, uncertainty, and, of course, villains.
While viewers can expect plenty of action, there’s a nice mix of humor and romance involved. The relationship of the three is a central component of the series, and it sets it apart from the previous adaptations. While the superhero antics are in fine form, this is a series about friendship. The serialized storytelling effectively mirrors a comic book, inviting viewers to get invested in these characters and their arcs.
Diversity in Metropolis has also grown. Lois Lane is Asian American, and both Jimmy Olsen and Perry White are Black. Behind the scenes boasts representation as well. The production features acclaimed women in television animation producing and directing the 10 episodes featured this season.
One of the primary criticisms of Superman is that he’s a one-dimensional, powerful character without any flaws (although if one were to explore decades of Superman comics, this myth would be dispelled…but I digress).
Here, we see a Superman we can identify with — one who is discovering who he is and who he wants to be. He can be a tricky character to pull off. My Adventures with Superman successfully remains true to the character’s roots, while making him contemporary in the best ways.
Jack Quaid, Alice Lee, and Ishmel Sahid star.
My Adventures with Superman airs on Adult Swim on Fridays and streams on Max the next day.
