‘My Adventures With Superman’ Episode 9 Review: Superman Returns

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This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.

It looks like the world has finally turned its back on Superman. So far, the whimsical adventures of Clark Kent (Jack Quaid), Lois Lane (Alice Lee), and Jimmy Olsen (Ishmel Sahid) has led them to troubles from their reality to the multiverse. Though their journeys may have been fun, this two-parter event has led the trio down a darker road as the General (Joel De La Fuente) has finally intervened. Now, the question remains: will Clark emerge from these depths as the hero he’s always been?

By now, My Adventures With Superman‘s ever-expanding story has managed to capture an essence of the character that’s never really been closely touched on. As I’ve watched this season progress, these characters have been some of the most charming renditions within the DC Universe. Though the first part of this “Zero Day” event may have felt incomplete, I’m mostly satisfied with how this episode wraps up the more lore-driven arc of the show.

Spoiler Warning ahead for My Adventures With Superman episode 9.

My Adventures With Superman Episode 9 and the First Zero Day

With the General finally taking down Clark, we can finally know what made the General into the contemptuous, yet merciful man he is here. During the first Zero Day, he and Amanda Waller (Debra Wilson) helped to defend Earth from this extraterrestrial Kryptonian threat. While a lucky chance spared the General and Waller, the Kryptonians slaughtered the defending force before a mysterious thing intervened and stopped the chaos. Perhaps it was by this chance that Waller, the General, and Task Force X made the stolen weaponry seen and used throughout the show.

Much to my surprise, this scene helped to add a lot of substance behind the General’s character. Throughout this show, he’s been morally ambiguous figure with little personality material to build upon. Watching his interactions during the first Zero Day with Waller and hearing him actually care for his wife and daughter made me just a little bit more sympathetic towards him. As a way to emphasize his empathy towards the innocent (as seen in episode 5), the writers did a solid job inserting this touch of realism.

When Clark learns about this, it finally drives him to a state of self-hatred. Raised to foster and protect the good and innocent, Clark, a universally beloved hero, has always seen himself as a selfless, respected figure without ulterior motives. After watching how his own people act violently, it’s impactful because now, he only sees himself as a destroyer. Even when Lois and Jimmy talk to him later on, he still can’t let this fact go and it’s all the more intriguing to watch play out.

Back to the Comics Norm in My Adventures With Superman Episode 9

And so, in the midst of all the fighting, this episode reverts things back to the norm. Although some may have believed that villains like Livewire (Zehra Fazal), Silver Banshee, and more would make up Task Force X, it seems like Waller has different plans in mind. In addition, with the failure to contain the Parasite (Jake Green), the General gets demoted with one last chance to redeem himself by killing Superman.

It’s interesting how the show has developed its villains mostly through Waller and the General’s stolen technology. Though each villain, from Livewire to this smaller Intergang, has had their time to shine, this event has begun to sideline them in favor of the main trio and the General. There is one cool sequence in this episode with that being Livewire zapping Deathstroke’s (Chris Parnell) eye, giving him his iconic look, but outside of the action, these villains just make their quick escape.

Adding to this, the General’s removal from his position signifies that he isn’t the real villain at play. Moreso, he’s become an influential pawn in the grand scheme of things. With this change of power, this could signify the General’s turn from being the bad guy who hunted Superman into being someone more sympathetic. With one more episode to go, who knows what the General has in store for our trio?

The Man of Steel Inspired By the Man of Tomorrow

And now comes the grand finale of the show’s Zero Day event with none other than a large-scale bout between Parasite and Superman. With everything in these two episodes leading to Clark’s eventual heroic return, this final battle between these two characters feels heavily inspired by Superman: Man of Tomorrow. Luckily, My Adventures With Superman puts a spin on this action sequence with its own visual and story-wise details.

The anime-inspired visual designs also make this battle feel more energetic and quick-paced. Whereas Man of Tomorrow‘s Parasite was more organic and bestial, the show’s Parasite, fully automated by Dr. Ivo, is a lot more in control and more dangerous. As Clark faces off against Parasite, it’s an intense bout with Parasite trying to wrap him with his tendrils as Clark uses his super strength and laser eyes. It definitely tries to emulate that sense of excitement and it works.

In addition, this kaiju-esque battle between Superman and Parasite may feel somewhat familiar for Tomorrowverse viewers. However, unlike having Martian Manhunter by his side, the show’s Clark has Lois, Jimmy, and the rest of Metropolis behind his back. In doing so, it provides a much more personalized fight as Lois and Jimmy help Clark by using Jimmy’s Flamebird to alert the rest of the city, utilizing a better flow plot-wise. By rebuilding the relationship between Clark and Metropolis through this fight, it adds a nice sense of hopeful optimism that maybe, everything will be just fine with Superman in the picture.

Overall, My Adventures with Superman‘s Zero Day event has been a solid bridge to cross for Clark, Lois, and Jimmy as their adventures slowly wind to an end. With one episode to go before the season wraps up, hopefully the show can end on a high note that everyone’s anticipating. Fortunately, with all the pieces that are in play, it looks like that big ending for our trio might just pay off.

★★★★

Check out our overarching review for My Adventures with Superman here!

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