‘My Adventures with Superman’ Season 3 Episode 5 Review: A Beloved Voice Actor’s Rage Unleashed
‘My Adventures with Superman‘ has dedicated two and a half seasons to crafting a found family dynamic among Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, and eventually Kara Zor El. Their chemistry has been the driving force behind episodes that could have easily relied on spectacle alone. Season 3 takes this formula to new heights by introducing Jon Kent, a time-traveling version of Superman’s future son, who carries secrets he is reluctant to reveal.
Episode 5 finally pays off the tension that has been building throughout the season. Titled “The Death of Superman,” it draws from one of the most iconic storylines in the character’s history, signaling its intent to earn that title rather than merely using it for shock value.
What unfolds is a genuinely tense hour centered around Hank Henshaw’s complete transformation into Cyborg Superman, showcasing the strongest action sequence the show has delivered. Watching Clark face an opponent who is not only powerful but also personally enraged creates real emotional stakes, elevating the fight beyond mere noise. The animation team clearly understood the assignment, depicting Hank and Superman battling through skyscrapers, an airplane, and a train with a scale rarely achieved in the series.
Jon’s storyline also finds its footing here. His previous avoidance of Kara receives a satisfying explanation as we discover their close bond in his original future. This emotional connection adds depth to the fight scenes, making them matter beyond just the outcome.
Kara shines in this episode, refusing to be sidelined and insisting on joining the fight, even when Jon tries to keep her out for her safety. This small character moment aligns with the show’s ongoing commitment to giving Kara agency, rather than relegating her to a supporting role.
However, the episode does stumble slightly by attempting to cover too much narrative ground in just thirty minutes. Between the main battle, Jon’s flashbacks, Lois and Jimmy’s parallel storyline with Lex Luthor, and the closing time jump revealing a darker future, the pacing occasionally feels rushed, particularly in how quickly Hank’s arc resolves after his backstory is unveiled.
Nonetheless, the decision to make Hank’s conclusion genuinely tragic rather than just a typical villain defeat is one of the show’s smarter choices this season. His final moments embrace pathos instead of spectacle, presenting him as a character whose grievances, though expressed violently, stem from a real place rather than pure malice.
The episode’s closing moments, which leap forward into a noticeably bleaker future featuring a version of Jon fans have yet to see, effectively reset the stakes for the remainder of the season without undermining the events in Metropolis. Adult Swim programming chief Michael Ouweleen has indicated that the show is performing well enough for the network to want to continue it, a sentiment he shared during a panel at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. This episode strongly supports that confidence.
Overall, this episode showcases the series firing on nearly all cylinders it has developed over three seasons, utilizing its cast, stakes, and willingness to change the status quo to deliver one of its most satisfying episodes yet. Despite the occasional pacing issues, I left this episode feeling energized rather than exhausted, which is precisely what a mid-season turning point should achieve. I am giving it 8.5 out of 10.
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