Superman has long been one of the most iconic figures in popular culture, inspiring numerous adaptations over the years. One of the recent additions to his legacy is My Adventures With Superman, the animated series created by Jake Wyatt, Brendan Clougher, and Josie Campbell.
As the show gears up for the second season, the creators of the show recently reflected on the inspirations for the show, as he revealed that Richard Donner’s 1978 classic film Superman served as the foundational influence for the animated show.
Richard Donner’s Superman Heavily Inspired My Adventures With Superman
My Adventures With Superman follows Clark Kent, building his secret identity as Superman, along with his shared adventures with Louis Lane and his best friend, Jimmy Olsen. The series has received an overwhelmingly positive reception, with fans praising the show exploring the character’s origins and its animation style.
In a recent conversation with Bleeding Cool, the creators of the show were asked which Superman stories served as an inspiration for the TV show. Showrunner Jake Wyatt revealed that Richard Donner’s classic film Superman was the “foundational” inspiration for the show.
“The foundational one was the [Richard] Donner film. That was spiritually the center where we wanted to go,” he said. Directed by Donner and starring Christopher Reeve in the titular role, Superman was the first installment in the four-part film series.
Reeve’s performance as the DC superhero is still considered one of the best Superman portrayals for his definitive performance, charismatic presence, and physical transformation among many things, leaving a lasting impact.
The film was a huge hit, making $300 million at the box office and earning a special Academy Awards achievement for Best Visual Effects. Its success led to two Superman sequels along with a spin-off following Supergirl.
The new animated series has also earned praise for its refreshing take and capturing the essence of the beloved superhero. Following a successful first season, My Adventures With Superman Season 2 is set to premiere later this month.
My Adventures With Superman Takes Inspiration from Several Classics
Along with Richard Donner’s Superman, John Waytt shared that every member of the creative team had a different comic book that served as a personal touchstone. “Everybody had a different comic book that they were like, ‘This is my comic book.'” he told the outlet.
He further shared, “Josie, if I remember correctly, yours was Byrne?” Co-creator and producer, Josie Campbell, shared that comic book writer John Byrne’s work along with comics such as The Death of Superman served as a major inspiration for her.
She told Bleeding Cool,
Yeah. John Byrne. That was the comic that got me into Superman, and then I got to ‘The Death of Superman’ when that was coming out. I was like, “We got to do the 90s, guys. Best Superman time!
They also highlighted the diverse influence of 90s classics, and the acclaimed graphic novel All-Star Superman, along with acknowledging the significant impact Donner’s classic film has had on the animated series. “Yeah, we love that stuff,” Wyatt said, emphasizing the collective influence on the animated series.
My Adventures With Superman Season 1 is available to stream on Max.
My Adventures With Superman Season 2 is set to release on May 25, 2024.
