The debate over who would win in a fight between Goku from Dragon Ball and Superman from DC Comics has raged on for years. Both characters are incredibly powerful and share a strong sense of morality when it comes to defending the Earth. While the question remains unanswered, the new show, My Adventures with Superman, cleverly combines the two characters to create an endearing shonen anime-inspired spin on the superhero genre that remains faithful to the original.
One of the common criticisms of Superman is that he is too powerful and “too good” to be interesting. However, in the world of shonen stories, where characters battle monsters with the power of friendship, this isn’t seen as a problem. My Adventures with Superman embraces this framework, with Jack Quaid of The Boys fame playing a youthful and optimistic version of Clark Kent. Clark, along with his best friend and roommate Jimmy Olsen (played by Ishmel Sahid), embarks on an internship at the Daily Planet, where they meet the more experienced intern Lois Lane (Alice Lee). Together, they form a tight-knit trio reminiscent of the relationships seen in Dragon Ball or the Arrowverse’s Team Flash. This shift allows for deeper character development, relationship drama, and complex fight scenes that rely on teamwork, such as Superman fighting a group of robots while Lois discovers a way to disable them remotely.
By presenting Superman as relatively underpowered, the show highlights the strengths of his allies. Lois is depicted as a brilliant investigator with combat and survival skills inherited from her military father. Her relationship with Clark feels instantly believable due to their mix of competence and awkwardness. Jimmy, on the other hand, starts off as a character focused on conspiracy theories about aliens and Atlantis (which, in the DC Comics world, happen to be true), but his endearing quirkiness and genre savvy grow on you over time. Just like the popular ensemble shows Evil and Lockwood & Co., My Adventures with Superman proves that having two protagonists with romantic chemistry and a quirky third wheel can be a winning formula.
The show primarily focuses on the trio’s work at the Daily Planet, where they search for stories that frequently lead them into dangerous situations. This portrayal of journalism is among the best ever seen in a Superman adaptation. Perry White, the perpetually exasperated editor-in-chief, and a cast of supporting characters, including the obnoxious sports writer Steve Lombard and the preening lifestyle writer Cat Grant, provide antagonism that only threatens the heroes’ professional lives. This workplace dynamic adds an extra layer of realism and excitement to the series.
My Adventures with Superman also delves deeper into the lore surrounding Superman’s origins and purpose on Earth. While shows like Smallville and Superman & Lois explored the idea of Kal-El being sent to Earth to conquer it for Krypton, this new series takes that concept even further. In its first seven episodes, the show introduces strange futuristic technology flooding Metropolis, which has a direct connection to Superman. This narrative device allows for a parade of unique villains and builds excitement as the central mystery surrounding Clark’s identity and powers is slowly unraveled.
The portrayal of these adversaries isn’t always equal in quality. Some, like the fusion of mad scientist Anthony Ivo with Parasite, or the lackluster versions of Intergang members Heat Wave and Silver Banshee, feel forced and shallow. It seems as though the writers were more focused on checking off names from a list of minor DC villains rather than crafting compelling characters. Fortunately, the show shines brightest when it takes risks and goes for the weirder villains. For example, the inclusion of superintelligent gorilla Monsieur Mallah and the disembodied mind known as the Brain adds a hilariously absurd yet emotionally resonant plotline that taps into Clark’s perpetual feelings of being an outsider.
The creative team behind My Adventures with Superman clearly has a deep appreciation for the source material, which translates well on-screen. Stylistic changes, such as reimagining the interdimensional trickster Mr. Mxyzptlk as a catlike, blue-skinned imp, are done in a way that pays homage to the comics. The series draws inspiration from Alan Moore’s Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow? by quickly transitioning the character from a teasing nuisance to a genuinely threatening adversary. The iconic Deathstroke makes an appearance as well, presented initially as a charming but ruthless archetype before donning his dual-katana-wielding costume. While Lex Luthor is still absent (though hinted at), the show introduces a strong lineup of recurring enemies for Superman and his friends to face.
The anime influence in My Adventures with Superman is evident in the visual aesthetics, particularly in the charming touch of giving Superman a magical girl-like transformation sequence when he puts on his costume for the first time. When he pushes his powers to the limit, he crackles with blue energy, resembling Goku and indicating that the show may explore a more intricate explanation for his abilities. Despite these changes, this iteration of the Last Son of Krypton feels like a natural successor to the compassionate Superman portrayed in Bruce Timm’s Superman: The Animated Series and Justice League. By incorporating anime tropes that resonate with younger viewers, My Adventures with Superman has the potential to capture the hearts of a new generation of fans.