After a lengthy two-year hiatus, I can confirm that “My Adventures with Superman” season 3 starts a bit slow with a charming premiere that still delivers stunning action, new mysteries to solve and a formal sense of our favorite characters continuing to grow. The episode pushes its leads forward while they navigate love, future aspirations and the question of whether they’re good enough, planting seeds that look set to define the rest of the season.
The season opens with Kara/Supergirl, voiced by Kiana Madeira, and her cousin Clark/Superman (Jack Quaid) visiting the Fortress of Solitude to find closure on the Brainiac thread from the sophomore outing by saying goodbye to Brainiac (Michael Emerson), her adoptive and abusive father, who brainwashed her. The script and direction plant a sense of uneasiness that suggests this goodbye may not stick.
In patented Superman fashion, Clark, wearing his heart on his big red cape, quickly scrambles to leave as he feels the pain his cousin is grappling with, being a fish out of water while coming to terms with the fact that she was once raised to be a force of destruction and a tool under Brainiac’s thumb. Now possessing the freedom to make her own choices, the only decision Kara can make is to speed through the clouds, holding back tears, staring down at Earth and asking just like her cousin once did: “Who am I.” Standing by her side is Clark, as the moment blends into the series’ updated intro sequence, illustrating the world Clark has pieced together and the splendor Kara might one day experience, if she’s willing to.
From that opening sequence, the plot shifts to a small but frantic subplot showing tension between Clark and Lois as both try to advance as a couple. Problems ensue as Clark looks to rush while Lois (Alice Lee) longs to slow down, a reminder that not everyone is perfect on the outside. Both express similar thoughts through body language and small confessions, but it’s Lois who gains the audience’s empathy as episode writer Serena Wu reintroduces the sense of separation Lois feels from her family.
That theme runs parallel to Jimmy’s (Ishmel Sahid) fear that he isn’t good enough for Kara. He wants her to see more of the world before settling down, while Kara is still struggling to belong. The script works here because Wu lets that uncertainty take center stage, allowing the characters’ established motivations to feel genuine and tangible, even as the pace shifts to introduce Bizarro.
From there, the patented “My Adventures” anime and shonen twist is on full display. This incarnation of the Superman villain is written with motivation similar to Kara’s: a fish out of water shaped by the principles of nature versus nurture and the legacy of fathers. The story moves to a secret base resembling an internal nursery rather than the cage the group expects to find. Childhood drawings and memories flash on screen, revealing the character was Dr. George Otto Binder, a fun lore nod since Otto Binder is the writer who created Bizarro in the comics. The group finds his remains in a lab section overrun with alien wildlife, a creator killed by his own vision.
A few fights ensue, and as always, it’s pure spectacle. The vibrancy of the costumes and the timeless, expressive character designs continue to shine thanks to powerhouse animation studio Studio Mir, which appears to have received a larger budget this time around. Each frame is brought to life through soft backgrounds, pastel color palettes and delicate brush strokes.
The episode closes on Binder’s confession, telling his “son” to “choose to be kind” as he admits he won’t be in the world much longer. It’s a message of shared fatherhood that runs through the series’ DNA: Clark coming to terms with his lineage throughout season 1, Kara dealing with PTSD stemming from season 2, and Lois throughout both struggling to step out of someone else’s shadow. The script’s message is clear: choices matter, and origin doesn’t define your future.
It’s subtly genius that the episode ends with Bizarro longing for purpose, wandering the streets of late-night Metropolis as Binder’s voiceover echoes a theme Jor-El once told Clark: to help humanity. Bizarro stares up at an image of Superman in the sky, a smile of hope and optimism on his face, before the episode cuts to Lex Luthor and Deathstroke looking over the body of Hank Henshaw, who comic fans will recognize as Cyborg Superman.
It’s a strong note to close the episode on. The hope on display is about to be tested, and the danger still ahead is real in this sun-drenched landscape. This premiere does a solid job of reintroducing the story while staying honest about the maturity the series has grown into.
On to Episode 2!
All about season 3 of ‘My Adventures with Superman’
Clark has truly become Superman and made peace with his Kryptonian origins – he’s ready to settle down! But Lois, who has finally become the Planet’s star reporter, is NOT. Jimmy has evolved from freelance photographer to celebrity journalist—but he’s still intimidated by the romantic attentions of the newly arrived Kara Zor‑El, who’s trying to find her place on Earth.
In our latest action, comedy, and romance-packed season, this found family will have to confront powerful new enemies that challenge Superman, threaten their future, and test the bonds holding them together. Can our heroes save their tomorrow–before it destroys today?
Jake Wyatt and Brendan Clogher are co-executive producers and showrunners for “My Adventures with Superman.” The series is also executive produced by James Gunn, Peter Safran, and Sam Register, with Kimberly S. Moreau serving as producer
