My Adventures with Superman is a very different take on the lore, and for fans of high school style anime, there’s lots to like. It’s being animated by South Korean Studio MIR, and that’s okay. As for those who watched Bruce Timm and Paul Dini’s material, it’s not as sexy. However, I will keep looking for that silver lining. That’s because Lois Lane’s persona is more inspired from the classic Japanese Animation young independent stereotypes, instead of a hard-nosed reporter. To see her and Clark often blush is not to my liking. As a result, this North American icon is hardly that anymore.
Here, all the characters are beginning their careers at the Daily Planet as interns and none of them have earned their wings. Instead of fostering Clark Kent (voiced by Jack Quaid) and Lois Lane’s (Alice Lee) relationship, the two are crushing on each other like teenagers. In regard to Jimmy Olsen (Ishmel Sahid), whom I thought would be the focus, he’s barely the star. Thus, had the story perspective been more about this cub photographer, then I’d get why this latest from Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment is called My Adventures…, rather than My Secret Identity as Superman.
Here, this series is in a universe all its own than be part of any continuity. One example includes how Lois Lane treats Clark Kent. I wanted to hear her call him Smallville, but that didn’t take place until episode three. This character is nothing like past interpretations, and if I had to rank performances, she’d be at the bottom of the barrel.
As for the real star, the showrunners are handling Supes origin story in a fresh new approach. Instead of flashbacks, there are trackbacks as Kal El tries to figure out where he came from. Instead of getting a clean cut origin story as seen in the live action movies or animated takes, he has to learn on the fly. That also includes honing some of his super powered abilities, like his laser eyes. This story arc will no doubt be stretched throughout the series, and the real hook is in how he’ll learn Kryptonian. The debut episodes show him at a disadvantage, since he has no knowledge of his heritage encoded into his genes.
As for reinventing Superman’s rogues gallery, Livewire is the first to get reinvented. Her origin story is okay, and as for who else will get introduced in due time will have some fans asking if Lex Luthor or Brainiac are allowed to appear. Both have specific pasts with the Man of Steel and there’s only so much room the writers can do without totally rewriting their background. Mind you, that never stopped Zack Snyder in his take, but for fans of the latter villain, it’s tough to rewrite his source code.
3 Stars out of 5
My Adventures With Superman Trailer
