My Adventures with Superman has endeared itself to fans, with its light, humorous approach to the Superman legend and its reinterpretation of classic Superman stories.
The animated series is presented as a romantic comedy that focuses on the romance between Clark Kent/Superman (Jack Quaid) and Lois Lane (Alice Lee), as well as his friendship with Jimmy Olsen (Ishmel Sahid). However, the second half of the season took the plot into darker emotional territories. Challenges in Clark and Lois’ relationship, the end of their breakup, a rift with Jimmy, and the public’s fear of superpowers make Clark feel even more alone.
Give glory to the one who has everything.
In the episode “The Death of Clark Kent”, Clark and his long-lost cousin Kara Zor-El (Kiana Madera) switch roles. Kara confronts the villain after discovering how he used Kara to conquer other planets and build the “new kingdom of Kryptonia”. Brainiac, unrepentant, confirms that Kara has been brainwashed over and over again and has no intention of stopping his brutal invasion. Although Kara destroys Brainiac’s robotic body, he already has a contingency plan in place. A portion of Brainiac’s consciousness enters Clark’s mind using a device called “Black Mercy”, altering his memories and making him his servant.
The use of Black Mercy ties the show back to the classic Superman story of “the man who has everything.” Written by Alan Moore with art by Dave Gibbons, this plot was published in 1985 in Superman Annual #11. The story begins with Bruce Wayne/Batman, Jason Todd/Robin and Diana Prince/Wonder Woman arriving at Clark’s Fortress of Solitude to celebrate his birthday. When they go inside, they find Clark with Black Mercy, a strange plant in the comics, covering his body. Bruce quickly realizes that the plant has taken over Clark’s mind in a fantasy where Krypton is never gone and he lives happily with his wife Lila Leroll and their children.
Impact on the DC Universe
In the real world, Bruce, Jason and Diana are attacked by Mongul, Clark’s old enemy. Mongul confirms that he sent Black Mercy to trap Clarke before he can take revenge and take over Earth. Bruce and Jason try to free their friend as Diana fights fiercely against Mongul. Clark begins to suspect that something is wrong with the vision and Bruce manages to remove the plant before Clark wakes up and says goodbye to his imaginary son. After the Black Mercy is taken away from Clark, his father is attached to Bruce, who appears to be fighting the attacker who killed him and his mother.
Although the use of Black Mercy initially seemed like a nod to fans, the series takes the story in a different direction. Brainiac gives Clark a more direct view of the “everything man.” Clark defeats Brainiac and thinks he’ll return home happily, but when he meets his parents, it’s revealed that he’ll embrace his biological family on a surviving or rebuilt Krypton. This allows Brainiac to take complete control of Clark’s body in the real world, turning his suit into military armor.
Brainiac takes advantage of Clark’s instability
This series’ Clark, young and still learning about his legacy, is feeling lonely. Brainiac cleverly includes Lois’s true memories of her breakup with the men who were attached to him, which complicates his pain and makes him question reality. This version of Clark, facing his insecurities and feelings of isolation, finds solace in the illusion of Kryptonian family acceptance.
However, at the end of the episode, Lois decides to put on the armor to free Clark. This sets the stage for an emotionally challenging confrontation for our hero, who must remember that Krypton is not perfect and is loved by his human family.