The new Adventures with Superman animated series
A new Adventures with Superman animated show has premiered, and while it's not without its fair share of flaws, it's also completely charming and surprisingly engaging. The show's first season focuses on character development rather than immediately plunging into saving the world, and the result is an entertaining, slice-of-life romp featuring some of the most adorable versions of Superman and his pals you'll ever see.
“My Adventures With Superman” is a rebranding of the previous “Young Justice: Outsiders” show, now focusing on Clark Kent, Lois Lane, and Jimmy Olsen as they attempt to uncover the truth and report on the strange and mysterious goings-on in Metropolis.
The show has a cutesy and adorable interpretation of the characters and stories, with an anime-esque aesthetic that makes for a very pleasant viewing experience. If you're someone who doesn't have much of an interest in Superman or the DC Universe in general, this show might be a good way to get into it – and that's coming from someone who isn't a fan of the character.
The main character is portrayed by Jack Quaid, who might be recognized from his role in “The Boys,” and he brings a clumsy yet hopeful demeanor to Clark Kent. The show starts off with Clark as an intern at The Daily Planet, still hiding his powers and trying to navigate being a journalist without the advantage of super-senses.
Quaid's performance is almost instantly lovable, with the show's writers really fleshing out Clark's character and allowing him to make mistakes as he learns the ropes. There are also a lot of heartwarming scenes on the family farm where Clark bonds with his parents and uncovers the spaceship that brought him to Earth. It's lovely stuff.
Lois, meanwhile, is portrayed as spunky, flirtatious, and hopeful. The writers really drive home the romantic relationship between Clark and Lois, to the point where it almost feels like an animated ad for fangirl ships. If you're a hopeless romantic, you can't help but fall in love with this.
Adventures does have a habit of sacrificing world-building and logic for romantic and dramatic moments, and the dialogue can be a bit hamfisted at times. Still, the characters are so fun to watch, and the show has a nostalgic love for Superman's legacy that is hard to resist.
The first season also incorporates some clever references to Japanese animation – as a big anime fan myself, I appreciated the nods to some of my favorite shows. It's clear that the creators have a lot of love for the genre and Superman's history, and I'm excited to see how the rest of the season plays out.
While we're still waiting for news on a second season of Young Justice, Adventures with Superman is a perfect way to keep your Superhero fix going. You can watch it on DC Universe.
