My Adventures with Superman: Season 1
Written by: Josie Campbell, Brendan Clougher, Jake Wyatt, Cynthia Furey, Aman Adumer, M. Willis, Angela Entzminger, Paul Chang, and Serena Wu
Starring: Jack Quaid (Clark Kent/Superman), Alice Lee (Lois Lane), Ishmel Sahid (Jimmy Olsen), Darrell Brown (Perry White)
I will watch basically any TV series that features Superman prominently. He's one of my all-time favorite comic characters, and I love watching just about any iteration of him throughout the years.
Super Friends: *peeks in the door*
Me: 👀
Me: *nudges door closed*
Super Friends: *whispers* we'll be waiting
Me: *confirms door is locked*
In all seriousness, I was really excited to hear news of My Adventures with Superman (MAWS) because it was the first DC animated series to be announced after Young Justice's cancelation. Also, while Young Justice deeply plumbed comicbook material as far as obscure characters and attention to detail in powers and lore, it also took a very dark, mature tone, unafraid to dive into violence, political intrigue, and very complex arcs. I loved all of that, but there's more to DC than just dark intensity. (And granted, YJ had plenty of levity.)
MAWS is taking a different but equally wonderful and comic-accurate approach: where YJ embraced darkness, MAWS is leaning into Superman's optimism and genuine good-hearted nature. This Superman loves life and people (but not obnoxiously), isn't afraid to show it, and just wants to help. Similar can be said of equally prominent characters Lois and Jimmy. Lois is as fierce a journalist as ever (well, intern at this point), but she's also incredibly supportive and full of life. She'll burst into Perry's office, tell him what assignment she's going to report on (not the other way around), and then burst back out of the room before he could get a word in to fire her. Jimmy, the third in their explosive trio, burns with his own energy to keep up with them. His fire is for conspiracy, and he's bent on proving the existence of Big Foot and *ahem* aliens.
Each of them on their own would be enough to liven up a party, and their unique differences help keep their individual character arcs alive and interesting. But the show wouldn't work without their difference and need for each other. Since this is a younger iteration of all of them, Clark is just discovering his alien powers and origins, Lois is hell-bent on discovering this new super-figure who's anonymously trying to save the world, but she's also trying to earn Perry's respect, and Jimmy is chasing after cryptids for the blog he runs. Luckily, Jimmy lives in the DC universe, and that world is chock-full of them (he might even be working with one).
The dynamics of the three of them are infectious and heartwarming, but what makes the show truly succeed is its tone. The show takes a page from Studio Ghibli's pastel colors and warm, glowing backgrounds, but the characters' demeanors really bring it home. There's a moment in one of the earlier episodes when Clark is just discovering his powers and beginning to save people. I think he saves Lois' life and pops away before she can notice it's him. But then, as he's out of her sight and drifting away just above her, he looks back down at her and just smiles. It's a simple, dorky smile that sums up his thoughts in the moment and what many people love about Superman: "She's safe. Everything is okay now. This is what I work for: just to make sure she's safe. That's it."
I think that trait holds true of Superman in every iteration I've seen, from the Justice League animated series to the Snyderverse, but it's especially evident in MAWS. His demeanor, reactions to situations, and focus in battles really point to the fact that he just wants to be there to help out. He's not looking for praise and he doesn't see himself as any kind of god. When one adversary wants to battle for glory and power, he stands down and refuses to fight. When another adversary points to evidence that his people have attacked Earth in another world or timeline, he breaks down in tears. This is the most truly endearing, unjaded Superman I've ever seen, and it brings me so much joy.
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That shockwave of power just makes me so happy. You can feel it while watching
I also love the relative lack of miscommunication and secrets in it. Smallville's entire B-plot hinged on Clark hiding his identity from Lana, which I absolutely never understood, not from season 1. Season 1 of Lois and Clark: The New Adventures revolved around the same with Lois. In MAWS, Lois deduced Superman's identity within a single episode from when Clark came out with it himself, and that was around halfway through the season, ushering a refreshing sense of openness for the remainder of the series. Similarly, in the CW's Superman & Lois, Lois had known about Clark since before their marriage, and Clark comes out to his kids in the series premiere. I understand keeping identities secret to an extent, but not to the people who matter most.
Anyway, I could probably keep singing praise about this show, but I'll wind it down here. The season finale premiered today, and while there hasn't been an official season 2 announcement, the show's producers have stated that the network (HBO) ordered them to work on the first two seasons simultaneous, so the second's ready to go. Just waiting on that official renewal. And I'm hoping for five more!!
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