Season Review: My Adventures with Superman Season One

For being the most iconic superhero of all time, it’s been quite a long time since Superman has had an ongoing cartoon all to himself. And in that time, there’s been a lot of discussion and debate on what a proper portrayal of the Man of Steel should be like. Is Superman the mask for Clark Kent? Is it the other way around? Are his parents alive? Does he like Lois? And perhaps more important than all other questions: DOES HE WEAR THE TRUNKS? Well, after multiple decades, DC decided to have an actual stance on that again with the introduction of My Adventures with Superman. In another time, this probably would’ve aired on Saturday mornings alongside the latest season of Yugioh, but now has to settle for premiering at midnight on Adult Swim and then on Max. My point is that so many things have changed and been re-examined about both the animation industry and Superman himself since his last focused show, Superman: The Animated Series. As one could tell by the one piece of production art we had to go on for a couple years, My Adventures was going to go with an anime-esque style, similar to the 2003 Teen Titans show or, more specifically, Studio Mir, the studio that made it.

First off, let’s be clear about something: I do not think adaptations going in their own direction or interpretation is a bad thing on principle. I’ve seen so many adaptations of other media over the years that have decided to make their own mark on their respective properties, to the point that I actually look forward to seeing ones that make it more different. I go to adaptations to see what makes it unique, not what makes it the same as everything else. And My Adventures does quite a few things different than other versions of Superman. For one, it’s a softer artstyle for almost every character involved, lending itself to the more Shojo anime than Shonen, but that’s also not a version of Superman that I’ve ever seen before. It also, so far, seems to be setting up a somewhat different take on the Kryptonians, hinting at them being a conquering race somewhat similar to the Viltrumites from Invincible, a series that made its mark partially by commenting on Superman’s established tropes. It also majorly speeds up the usual progress between Clark, Jimmy Olsen, and Lois Lane so that they’re all on the same page. But for all these interesting choices, there are some of what I would consider missteps, such as a bit of samey style for all the villains of the week, who themselves kinda fall into the background pretty easily.

As for what it maintains from other portrayals, My Adventures makes sure to hold onto many of the core tenants of Superman, his supporting cast, and his general situation. He wants to help others, he’s not here to be a bully or a tyrant, but he also won’t sit back and let people be hurt if he can do something about, which he almost always can. In fact, the main focus seems to be on his saving the day, his pondering his alien heritage, and his developing romance with Lois Lane, all of which go over the major list of unskippable aspects about it. Clark is naive but optimistic about people, Lois is cynical and proactive, and the two learn from each other about how to help others as they fall in love. And as much as that seems to be the priority, other aspects like the villains fall by the wayside to an extent, though the show makes sure to give time to the idea that there are people inherently afraid of someone with Superman’s power, even if he always means the best of intentions.

At the time of writing, My Adventures with Superman has had a second season in production since before the first season aired, similar to what happened with Velma despite all that backlash. I’m personally looking forward to THIS second season, though I do hope they take steps in that and maybe even other future seasons to get a bit more bite in this adaptation. I really think this show has potential to be something really great, but it’s gotta fly a little higher to get there.