My Adventures With Superman Ep 7 Review

Superman, Lois, and Jimmy have been through a lot in the short span of time they’ve known each other. They’ve dealt with supervillains, mad scientists, psycho robots, and trust issues. Lots and lots of trust issues. However, they’ve managed to come out on top and their relationship’s stronger than ever. Which only makes what happens in this episode an even bigger wake-up call. Not only does this episode introduce the multiverse far sooner than in most big superhero shows, but it’s proof. Proof that this show was written by nerds for nerds. 

Also, Ferb is voicing the villain!

All Clark Wants is a Perfectly Normal Date

Now that he doesn’t have to lie to Jimmy and Lois about being Superman, Clark is free to do what he wants: ask Lois out! And she happily accepts, putting the bo on cloud nine. In a humorous turn of events, his desire to create the perfect date proves that he’s just obsessive as Lois is. It’s one of those dorky treats that only serves to make him even more endearing, though. Jack Quaid was a great pick for Clark Kent/Superman. 

Too bad for Clark, when you’re a superpowered alien, normal is but a fantasy. Enter Mr. Mxyzptlk, played to perfection by David Errigo Jr., AKA Ferb from Phineas and Ferb. By far the best part of this episode, this incarnation of Mr. Myx is every bit the embodiment of chaos he’s known for, but with a decidedly anime influence. He’s younger, more impish and snarky; in other words, a troll. He also provides the best call-back of the episode by turning Clark into different past incarnations of Superman, including the Fleischer and DCAU Superman. 

It’s this impish mischievousness, though, that only makes all the more terrifying when he, predictably, proves to be a villain. He dupes Clark into helping him rob a warehouse owned by a league of alternate Lois’.

The Alternate Lois’ Suck!!

Yes, you read that right. While the concept of an alliance of alternate versions of the same character is not a new concept, this might be the first time it involves Lois Lane or Jimmy Olsen. While Lois’ trying to get ready for her date, the duo are approached by alternate versions of themselves who are after Mr Myx…and now Clark. And unlike them, they’re far more hostile to Superman.

A recurring theme in this show is the fact that so many people can’t understand that Superman’s helping people for the sake of it, and that he’s not evil. However, that line of cynical thinking has done more harm than good. It’s made the General think that Superman’s an enemy when he isn’t, and it makes the League of Lois’ attack Clark without even hearing them out.

To add to the wound, Lois discovers a sad truth: many of these alternate versions of herself are more successful than she is, and at much younger ages. Imagine how bad this could be for one’s self-esteem. 

In the end, things blow up when Mr Myx manages to get his hat/crown of power back, leading to a suitably shonen battle, but Lois and Clark manage to come out on top. Our Lois and Clark. Then they bail back to their universe before the other Lois’ and Jimmy’s can’t follow.

Too bad Mr Myx escapes right away.

Mr Myx Makes Best Episode Yet

This was, by and far, the best episode of the show to date. The villain was amazing, the lore was great, and the call-backs to the animated history of Superman were top-notch. If this doesn’t win the show an Emmy, then what will? 

However, not everything’s sunshine and roses. While the episode cements Clark and Lois as an item, Lois also learns a dark truth: not every Clark Kent out there will be good. And with Superman’s powers…we’ve seen Injustice, right? At the same time, the episode also introduces the trio to Kryptonite, and it’s deadlier than ever. This could spell a lot of problems going forward. Not to mention the fact that Mr Myx is still out there, and, having taken a special interest in this Lois (he calls her “the fun one,”) he’s going to be a problem.

Regardless, this was still the best episode of the series to date. 

I Give “Kiss Kiss Fall in Portal” a 5/5

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My Adventures With Superman Ep 6 Review

Last time on My Adventures With Superman, Clark Kent’s life fell apart. Lois forced him to admit that he’s secretly Superman and was livid for not telling her. Jimmy felt neglected by his friends, and that drove him to set off on his camping alone. As a result, he got captured by some kind of gorilla monster! If that wasn’t strange enough, though, it gets even stranger in this episode. A brain and a talking gorilla, a government conspiracy, and a lot of issues come into play in this episode, and it’s glorious! They’re Mallah! They’re Mallah and the Brain, Brain, Brain, Brain, Brain, Brain, Brain!

Having to Make Things Right for Jimmy

The episode starts off with Lois and Clark not on speaking terms since the former’s livid over the latter lying to her. However, they have more immediate concerns regarding Jimmy, who went off on their camping trip alone. Since he’s not answering their calls or texts, they fear the worst (and they’re right). Thus, the two put aside their issues (well, it’s mainly Lois with the issues) to help Jimmy.

Right away, the episode makes the issues that Lois and Clark have take center-stage rather than keep them on the back burner. The change in dynamic’s evident, with Clark now openly using his powers in front of Lois, which doesn’t help her ill feelings towards him. By the episode’s midpoint, Lois makes it clear why she feels so hurt by Clark’s secret-keeping. She’s fallen for him, and she thinks he fell for her; now she’s worried that his feelings were a cover to throw her off.

Put yourself in Lois’ shoes. Imagine thinking that the person you like may not feel the same way. Now imagine that they’re pretending they do to manipulate you. For someone who hates lies so much, that’s the most painful thing imaginable. In other words, cut Lois some slack, Twitter! 

Silver lining: Clark gets to show firsthand that his heroism isn’t an act. He’s the real deal. That, and Lois gets to see Clark without a shirt.

Jimmy, Mallah, and the Brain

Meanwhile, Jimmy Olsen finds himself at the mercy of the gorilla that kidnapped him. However, despite everyone expecting it to be a version of Gorilla Grodd or some other evil primate, the show subverts expectations. While his captors are known as villains, in this universe, they are not. At best, they’re paranoid about being found.

This is Monsieur Mallah and the Brain. Unlike the versions I grew up with in Teen Titans (or most versions), Mallah and the Brain aren’t evil in the show. They give off mad scientist vibes, but are more like an old, married couple, with it being explicitly stated they’re an item. They only take Jimmy prisoner because they think he’s a threat, but once he treats them with excitement rather than hostility, they start warming up to him. As previously mentioned, they’re not evil; just rightfully paranoid about being found by the Government, having once worked for them under Project Cadmus.

Surprisingly, the Project Cadmus in this show wasn’t the morally-grey organization it’s known for being. Instead, that goes to its infamous counterpart, Task Force X; AKA the ones led by Slade, Waller, and the General. They tried wiping Cadmus out when they refused to make weapons, with Mallah and the Brain being the only survivors. Jimmy sympathizes with their plight, comparing how they were ignored by others to what he’s going through with Clark and Lois.

Jimmy is Smarter than We Gave Him Credit

In addition to this, when finally reunited and Clark tries to tell Jimmy the truth, the latter drops a bombshell by revealing he’s always known the truth. He just kept quiet about it out of respect for Clark, rightfully seeing it as something he didn’t want to talk about. This is yet another great moment for not just Jimmy, but for the series as a whole. It’s taking a look at the classic tropes of the old comics, like Superman being able to hide his secret identity by excuses or everyone being oblivious and subverting that. That would seem stupid in the modern day. 

Reconciling the Trio as New Threats Emerge

Ultimately, the Daily Planet Trio manages to work out their issues, with Clark gaining Lois and Jimmy’s forgiveness by admitting he just wanted to be treated normal. As for Mallah and the Brain, they manage to build a wormhole to take them to another dimension where they can be safe from Task Force X. Here’s hoping that they turn up again in the future, albeit not evil like many of their counterparts.

There’s just one problem: Task Force X now has all of Cadmus’ tech, and they’re more determined than ever to bring down Superman. Worse, the General recruits Dr. Ivo to help them, which anyone should recognize as a being a horrible decision. So while Clark’s social life is improving, the threat against Superman’s greater than ever.

The show’s first season is now halfway over at this point. While there are a few problems with the pacing, it’s still incredibly entertaining. The sense of mystery surrounding Task Force X and Superman not knowing what he is gives a new spin on an old tale. That, and the main trio remain as fun as ever. This wasn’t the most exciting episode, but sometimes you need to go slow to help develop the characters. Here’s hoping we see more of Mallah and the Brain.

That, and I loved the references to Gurren Lagann!

I Give “My Adventures With Mad Science” a 3.5/5

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