Look at your screen, it’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s My Adventures with Superman, the first Superman solo cartoon series since Superman: The Animated Series ended in 1999 after three seasons. Superman has a long history of animation starting in 1941 with the Fleischer theatrical shorts, but in the last twenty years the character has only been a part of teams or a guest on other shows. Once this show was announced I was excited for big blue to get back into the starring role. Was my excitement warranted? Read on, Superfriends, but beware spoilers ahead.
I want to get this out of the way, I loved this two-part episode “Adventures of a Normal Man.” Any adaptation that has Superman save a cat stuck in a tree is a winner in my book—I also loved the second episode of Supergirl where she saves a snake named Fluffy stuck in a tree.
1. How to present Superman to a modern audience
It’s clear this is an anime influenced take on the Man of Steel. From the opening credits, with original song “Up and Away” by band Kyle Troop and the Heretics (that we did not get in these first two episodes), to the magical girl-inspired transformation, all the way to the ending credits, this show wears its influences on its sleeve. I think this is a fantastic idea. If this show wants to bring new fans to Superman they’ve got to meet fans where they are. Similar to how Smallville adapted the Superman story to an early aughts teen drama. This is a show My Hero Academia fans will get right away. Rather than trying to “modernize” Superman by making him grounded, realistic, and gritty, the show borrows stylistic shorthand that is well understood by a modern audience and drops a classic Superman story into it.
Superman’s costume doesn’t stray far from the comic book version. We do get a new stylized Superman shield befitting its Kryptonian origin. The suit isn’t only Kryptonian though, we get a mix of the “my mom made it” style when Martha adds the trunks and belt. It combines Clark’s alien heritage with his Kansas upbringing, which plays into the themes of the episode. While not a costume, I did love young Clark with the “cool S” on his shirt.
2. “Who am I?”
The main theme of this two-part episode is identity. We start with a young Clark (voiced by Kari Wahlgren, who also voices Ma Kent) trying to get a kite stuck in a tree. A car drives by at an unsafe speed and starts spinning out of control. The emergency awakens something in Clark and his eyes start to glow blue. He speeds to the car and with super strength stops it before it hits a tree. Emboldened by this feat he leaps into the air and grabs the kite he previously couldn’t reach. Now airborne after a moment of flight he stops and asks himself the question “Who am I?”
We flash forward to modern day and it’s Clark and Jimmy’s first day at the Daily Planet as interns. As he prepares for the day he continually tells himself to be a normal man, but Clark is not normal. He breaks his alarm clock, his shoes, and a door all before work. But more than that, his kindness is what makes him special.
After Clark is seen using his powers to save Lois and Jimmy for the first time, Lois — like in Superman: The Movie — asks “who are you.” Clark flies away and again asks himself “Who am I?”
Part two starts with another flashback. The Kents bring Clark to his spaceship to learn about his origins. Clark is introduced to his biological father Jor-El in a hologram, but cannot understand the Kryptonian language. Clark gives up on investigating the ship when Ma Kent is put in danger, but is left with the question once again, “Who am I?”
It’s Lois that pushes Clark to take the leap and begin to answer that question. Her desire to discover Superman’s identity reminds Clark that he doesn’t know who he is and he has the ability to find out.
Continued belowClark returns to the ship with his adoptive parents and again meets hologram Jor-El. While still unable to understand the language, Jor-El shows Clark the destruction of Krypton and baby Kal-El being put in the rocket to escape Krypton’s fate. But this doesn’t tell Clark who he is. It’s Martha who reminds Clark who he is. Clark is Martha’s son. When Clark emerges wearing the suit, he knows this. “I’m still me, Ma. I’m still your son.” She tells him of course he is, but he’s something else too. Superman.
Lois’s character arc mirrors Clark’s in a clever way. She knows exactly who she is, but it’s the rest of the world that doesn’t. She may be an annoying intern to editor-in-chief Perry White — played delightfully by Darrell Brown — but we know she’s ace-reporter Lois Lane. Rather than discover her identity, she needs to show it to the world.
Finally, our antagonist Leslie Willis also goes through an identity transformation throughout the two episodes. While she starts as a thief, her interaction with the stolen technology transforms her into something more. While we never hear the name, fans of Superman: The Animated Series will know her as Livewire.
3. Characters
The show does an excellent job of diversifying Superman’s supporting cast. They take some leads from Man of Steel and Supergirl in this department which I loved. The show isn’t afraid to give us original takes and from the previews we’ve seen; it doesn’t stop here.
We don’t get much Jor-El, but I’d be remiss if I neglected to mention his design is inspired by Big Boss. Looking at comic inspiration his look reminds me of a mix of Adam Kubert’s Jor-El from “Last Son” and the rebirth-era Mr. Oz eye patch look.
The first meeting of Lois & Clark is classic meet cute material. Despite being animated we can feel the chemistry between the characters as they flirt with each other constantly. Alice Lee and Jack Quaid shine in their roles. The youthful energy they bring to the love story is a major standout. A big part of Superman’s adventures is the relationship with Lois. It’s adorable and my favorite part of the show so far.
Would a Superman adaptation be complete without Jimmy Olsen? Ishmel Sahid gives us a Jimmy looking for conspiracies and aliens around every corner. His rapid fire dialogue gives us some of my favorite Easter eggs like the psychic starfish from Germany (Starro), a super intelligent gorilla from France (Monsieur Mallah), and even his streaming channel name Flamebird. Jimmy is Clark’s roommate and is also starting as a new Daily Planet intern, making them peers, both learning from the “old” intern Lois. While describing himself as having a keen eye for observation, Jimmy is almost hit by a garbage truck running a red light. As Clark pushes an oblivious Jimmy to safety he sees Leslie Willis driving the truck.
We get an updated version of Jack Kirby and Joe Simon’s Newsboy Legion in the Newskid Legion. Flippa Dippa becomes Flip their leader; along with new versions of Big Words, Gabby, and Scrapper—just called Patti now. These characters were a big part of the 90s triangle-era of Superman and it’s great to see them updated. Their job delivering newspapers makes them the perfect sources for Lois Lane and her investigation of some stolen robots. After dropping a couple of Easter eggs for the triangle-era fans (Bogdanove’s diner and Mrs. Jurgens) Flip mentions seeing some suspicious garbage trucks. Clark makes the connection to Jimmy’s almost hit and run earlier and their investigation is off.
Our Perry White is at his wit’s end with Lois. She’s trying to become a journalist and Perry wants her to be making copies and getting coffee. He rejects the blurry photos they bring him of Superman’s first appearance, but luckily doesn’t fire them. After Lois and Jimmy bring back clear photographic evidence of Superman, he gives the story to Cat Grant, Ronnie Troupe, and Steve Lombard. Three characters I hope we get to see before this season is up.
Lois at this point is lying to Jimmy and Clark. They both think they are helping her with the investigation with the permission of Perry, but they have gone rogue. When Perry calls Clark it gives us the opportunity to separate the group and put Lois and Jimmy in danger. They stumble on Leslie and her stolen robots alone.
Continued belowLivewire is an excellent choice for a first villain. Introduced in the last solo animated incarnation of Superman it makes for a nice passing of the torch. Her character doesn’t share many similarities to her original debut, she’s not a radio shock jock. It’s great to have Zehra Fazal voicing her. Fazal is responsible for many characters in Young Justice, among other great performances.
Quick note on our settings: we get a distance between Metropolis and Smallville. A sign we see in the first scene says the Kent farm is 4 miles from Smallville and 198 miles from Metropolis. Smallville the show and Superman & Lois sometimes fudge the distance so I like that it’s clearly defined here. Although, I wouldn’t take the signs as gospel since later in the show we see the time on Clark’s phone as 5:02am when it must be after 12pm. Not the best attention to detail.
4. Mechanical Monsters
Superman is spurred into action when Lois and Jimmy are attacked by Leslie’s stolen robots. Donning a quick disguise he barely defeats the robot chasing them. Leslie then unleashes all the robots to cover her escape. Watching Superman cut loose on giant robots never gets old. Animated Superman has been doing it since the 40s and it always feels right.
Superman struggles to keep up with the fight until Lois comes to his rescue. Lois disables them one by one, until the last robot destroys its own controls. Like at the beginning, seeing someone in danger sparks something in Clark and his eyes again light up in blue. He has newfound strength which he uses to dispatch the final robot.
The designs of these robots were straight out of anime mech suits. I got a strong Evangelion vibe, but that could be because it’s a favorite of mine.
5. Task Force X
After the robots are defeated Leslie is on the run. She assumes Superman is working with the government and searching for her. She’s attacked in an alley and after defeating her assailants uses their radio to set up a meeting at noon with whomever is looking for her.
While Clark is discovering his Kryptonian origins, Lois and Jimmy set out in search of Superman. To find him they first look for Leslie and her stolen tech. Lois and Jimmy follow the trail from the empty container ship straight to where Leslie is meeting with Slade Wilson.
We discover that Leslie stole the robots and other tech from the mysterious group Slade Wilson is working for. When Lois and Jimmy show up Leslie attacks assuming they are all black-ops government agents there to capture her.
Superman arrives in his new costumer to save Lois and Jimmy. Slade’s attacks have made Leslie’s stolen tech go haywire and Superman is the only one that can stop her. Clark tells Leslie—who seems fully out of control—that he isn’t here to hurt her, he’s here to help. Classic Superman stuff right here.
It is strongly suggested the tech Leslie steals is Kryptonian in origin. The power source of the robots is the same as the power source Leslie uses. When Clark touches it he sees a flash of a space battle and a portal to the stars in the shape of his shield.
After Superman stops Livewire, Slade takes her away to an undisclosed location to interrogate her. Task Force X is mentioned and we see Amanda Waller and an unidentified man (maybe General Lane) standing by. They want to know what Leslie knows about Superman.
Not content to leave the area a mess Clark cleans up to some triumphant orchestral Superman music. We get a glimpse of a billboard for Amazo Tech which I bet will pay off later.
Stop the presses! Superman is revealed to the world. What will be next for this young Superman? Tune in next week to find out!
