by Chantal Ashford, Contributing Writer
One of my favorite animated series has finally returned after a two-year hiatus, and My Adventures with Superman definitely raises the stakes for Season three. What started as this colorful, lighthearted interpretation of Superman continues to grow alongside its characters, and this season proves there is still plenty of story left to tell with the Man of Steel.
Following Brainiac’s defeat, Clark Kent/Superman (Jack Quaid) is ready to slow things down and settle into farm life with his girlfriend, Lois Lane (Alice Lee). The problem? Lois isn’t exactly ready to settle down. She’s focused on becoming the best reporter she can be and figuring out what she wants from her career. Meanwhile, Jimmy Olsen (Ishmel Sahid) and Clark’s cousin Kara Zor-El/Supergirl (Kiana Madeira) are attempting to navigate their increasingly complicated feelings for one another. All of this is happening while the “Superfamily” continues protecting Metropolis from a new collection of threats—including Cyborg Superman.
What I appreciated most about this season is how much it focuses on everyone figuring out what they actually want from their lives. Clark and Lois love each other, but they’re beginning to realize that love doesn’t automatically mean you’re heading down the exact same road. Clark is thinking about settling down while Lois is thinking about everything she still wants to accomplish. Watching them navigate that conflict without making either person completely wrong gives their relationship some necessary maturity.
Kara is also finally coming into her own after everything she experienced last season. She’s learning who she is outside of Brainiac’s control while simultaneously trying to understand her feelings for Jimmy. And Jimmy is right there with her, equally confused about what they are to each other while still wanting to establish an identity beyond simply being “Superman’s best friend.”
Some of my favorite moments this season involve Kara and Jimmy trying to make each other jealous by going on dates with other people. It’s childish, ridiculous, and incredibly cute. Their dynamic brings some of the season’s funniest moments while Clark and Lois provide the more mature relationship drama.
The season itself remains solid throughout. It starts with the lighthearted humor, colorful action, and goofy antics I’ve come to expect from the series, but somewhere around the halfway point, the tone noticeably shifts. Things become darker and surprisingly scary at times. Suddenly, you’re genuinely worried about what might happen to this Superfamily because it feels like the entire world is constantly finding another reason to turn against them. By the final stretch, there’s a bittersweet feeling hanging over everything, especially during one particular moment where you can practically feel the inevitable coming.
The voice cast continues to be one of the show’s biggest strengths. Jack Quaid remains one of my favorite interpretations of Clark Kent/Superman. His Clark is awkward, funny, charming, compassionate, and completely believable as someone still learning how to carry the responsibility of being the Man of Steel. Quaid understands that Superman’s greatest strength isn’t necessarily what he can lift—it’s how much he cares.
Alice Lee remains great as Lois, especially when portraying all of her internal conflicts about her career, relationship, and future. Kiana Madeira continues to be solid as Kara, even if her performance doesn’t necessarily stand out as much for me this season.
Ishmel Sahid, however, remains my favorite as Jimmy Olsen. His comedic timing is fantastic, and Jimmy continues to be the comic relief without becoming just the comic relief. He’s funny, loyal, occasionally ridiculous, but also someone trying to figure out where he belongs when his best friend is literally Superman and the woman he likes is Supergirl.
The DC universe continues to find success with Superman, which is impressive considering how familiar this character and his story have become. I genuinely thought there would eventually come a point where I’d become tired of another Superman interpretation, but My Adventures with Superman continues finding ways to keep Clark, Lois, Jimmy, and now Kara fresh and interesting.
With no official word yet on Season 4, I’m hoping we get that confirmation sooner rather than later. There is still so much potential here, and after three seasons, I’d easily consider My Adventures with Superman one of the best small-screen interpretations of Superman we’ve gotten.
Please don’t leave my Superfamily hanging.
Rating: Love It
My Adventures with Superman Season 3 is currently streaming on HBOMax.
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