Unveiling the Epic DC Secrets: 19 Astonishing Easter Eggs & References in My Adventures With Superman Episodes 1 & 2!

The first two episodes of My Adventures With Superman are jam-packed with Easter eggs and references to DC Comics, as the show aims to introduce a fresh perspective on the classic Superman mythology. Interestingly, the series also pays homage to classic animation and Anime.

In the two-part premiere, titled "Adventures of a Normal Man, Parts 1 & 2," My Adventures With Superman establishes a unique beginning to Superman's story, deviating from previous portrayals. This version of Clark Kent is a newcomer to Metropolis, unaware of his extraterrestrial heritage. Working as an intern at The Daily Planet instead of a reporter, Clark is propelled into action by his ambitious colleagues, Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen. Despite this altered take on Clark Kent's character, as he grapples with his powers and tries to keep a low profile, there are plenty of nods for Superman enthusiasts to enjoy, including various Easter eggs from the DC Comics universe.

19 Starro The Conqueror

18 Merpeople and Atlantis

The Jimmy Olsen of My Adventures With Superman is a conspiracy theorist who rambles about all manner of unlikely beings hiding on Earth.

The Jimmy Olsen character in My Adventures With Superman serves as a conspiracy theorist, often delving into speculations about various improbable creatures concealed on our planet.

The irony is that for all of Jimmy's talk about aliens living in secret on Earth, he is completely unaware that his roommate is an alien.

Ironically, despite his persistent discussions about covert extraterrestrial life on Earth, Jimmy remains oblivious to the fact that his own roommate is, in fact, an alien.

Another point of ironic comedy is that many of Jimmy's more outlandish beliefs could be real in the DC Universe, such as his mention of a "psychic starfish from Germany."

Adding to the ironic humor, several of Jimmy's eccentric convictions, such as his reference to a "psychic starfish from Germany," could actually be plausible occurrences within the DC Universe.

This sounds like a description of Starro the Conqueror, who was the chief villain of The Suicide Squad and the first villain the Justice League of America faced in the comics.

This bears resemblance to the character Starro the Conqueror, who served as the primary antagonist in The Suicide Squad and was also the inaugural adversary confronted by the Justice League of America in the comic series.

In addition to his belief in Moth Man and sewer dinosaurs, Jimmy Olsen also acknowledges the existence of merpeople. While he may be mistaken about the latter two creatures, merpeople are indeed a part of the DC Universe. The underwater realms of Atlantis are home to various types of water-breathing humanoids, inhabiting the seven kingdoms. Therefore, the knowledge of Atlantis and Aquaman's presence is not widely known on Earth in My Adventures With Superman.

17 The Newskid Legion and Guardian

16 Louise Simonson and Dan Jurgens

Lois Lane sought more information about a theft at a local military base and turned to a group of four kids who work as newspaper carriers for The Daily Planet. Calling themselves the Newskid Legion, these young aspiring journalists not only distribute newspapers but also create their own publication. Big Words crafts engaging crossword puzzles, Gabby tackles thought-provoking op-eds, Patti brings illustrations to life with her cartoons, and Flip Johnson takes charge of editing. Their team spirit and dedication mirror that of the Newsboy Legion, who once assisted the Guardian, a vigilant defender based in Metropolis. In one of Patti's cartoons, the Guardian makes a brief appearance, proudly featured by Flip to showcase their newspaper's artistic talent.

In the first episode of My Adventures With Superman, a tribute is paid to two acclaimed Superman writers who collaborated on the Death of Superman storyline. The military base that Lois stumbles upon is mentioned to be in proximity to Mt. Simonson, a deliberate reference to Louise Simonson. Known for her influential eight-year run on Superman: The Man of Steel, Simonson also played a role in co-creating the John Henry Irons iteration of Steel. Later, while delving into the rampant rumors circulating in bustling Metropolis, Flip casually mentions the elopement of Mrs. Jurgens with the superintendent. This nod is aimed at the multitalented writer/artist Dan Jurgens, renowned for his extensive contributions to the Superman series as both a writer and illustrator, as well as for his creation of the time-traveling hero, Booster Gold.

15 Monsieur Mallah

While trying to decipher the meaning of a patch bearing the initials "PM," Jimmy speculates that it may be referring to Paranormal Meta-Sapiens, which he firmly believes are "the secret term for the highly intelligent gorillas that France has been concealing." Although the DC Universe is abundantly populated with various categories of highly intelligent primates, the mention of a French gorilla undoubtedly alludes to Monsieur Mallah. Originally created by the deranged mastermind known as The Brain to serve as a bodyguard, these two creatures eventually forged a romantic partnership, even as they posed a threat to the world and clashed with the Doom Patrol.

14 Max Fleischer's The Mechanical Monsters

In "Adventures of a Normal Man, Part 1," Clark finds himself in a fierce battle against an army of stolen military robots. This intense fight scene draws inspiration from Max Fleischer's iconic second Superman cartoon, known as "The Mechanical Monsters." Notably, this cartoon holds a significant place in animation history and has served as a recurring influence for Anime directors such as Hayao Miyazaki. Miyazaki pays homage to this classic cartoon in both his film "Castle in the Sky" and the Lupin III episode titled "Farewell My Beloved Lupin."

13 Livewire and a Dragonball Z Tribute

The person who leads the group of thieves that raided the military base is revealed to be a woman named Willis in "Adventures of a Normal Man, Part 1." In Part 2, it is disclosed that her full name is Leslie Willis. Fans of Superman: The Animated Series may be familiar with Leslie Willis as the alter ego of the electric supervillain Livewire, who was initially created for the show before making her appearance in the comics.

In the climax of "Adventures of a Normal Man, Part 2," Leslie Willis goes on a destructive spree while wearing an armored suit that grants her the ability to unleash electric blasts. The static electricity causes her hair to stand on end, and her eyes emit a glowing effect. These elements, combined with the overall design of the armor, bear a resemblance to a transformed Super Saiyan from Dragonball Z.

12 The Blue Energy Superman

In the midst of his battle against the military robots, a battered Clark Kent suddenly discovers a renewed energy upon realizing Lois is in imminent danger. With determination, he charges forward to confront the final robot, his body enveloped in a vibrant blue lightning. For a brief moment, a stylized Superman emblem flashes across his chest, resembling the Electric Superman form he briefly assumed in the late 1990s. During this time, Clark Kent transformed into a being of pure energy, possessing an entirely different set of powers.

11 It's a Bird…? It's a Plane…?

In "Adventures of a Normal Man, Part 2," Jimmy presents his streaming series logo, showcasing alien visitors to Earth. However, both Lois and Clark instantly find themselves perplexed by its interpretation. Lois amusingly suggests it resembles a plane, while Clark amusingly sees a resemblance to a bird. This playful reference pays homage to the opening scenes of the Max Fleischer Superman cartoons from the 1940s, where a crowd excitedly exclaims, "Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's Superman!"

10 Jimmy Olsen Is Flamebird

9 The Sailor Moon Transformation Tribute

Jimmy admits that his online username is Flamebird and proudly announces that his streaming show has attracted a total of five subscribers. (By the end of the episode, Lois follows him, becoming the sixth subscriber.) In the Silver Age Superman comics, Flamebird was a pseudonym assumed by Jimmy Olsen when he and Superman turned into non-superpowered crime fighters in the miniature city called Kandor. Subsequently, Superman would pass on his non-powered alter ego, Nightwing, to Dick Grayson when the latter decided to adopt a new identity after relinquishing the mantle of Robin.

Sent on a quest to uncover his origins, Clark reluctantly uncovers the very ship that transported him to Earth. Confronting a holographic projection that he soon realizes is his father, Jor-El, Clark is propelled into a remarkable metamorphosis. In a captivating homage to the iconic Sailor Moon transformation, Clark's mundane attire seamlessly morphs into a stunning ensemble resembling the esteemed New 52 Superman costume. As vibrant lights pulsate and the camera gracefully whirls, Clark's transformation becomes a spectacle that pays homage to the classic Sailor Moon metamorphosis sequence.

8 Superman's Brief Costume

Upon observing her son in his new Kryptonian attire, Martha Kent asserts that it requires "something extra" such as a belt or shorts. Perhaps anxious about her adopted son's modesty, she fabricates both, ultimately transforming her son's ensemble into a semblance of the iconic Superman costume. This compromise reflects both origins of Superman's attire in the comics, where it was either presented to him as customary Kryptonian clothing by Jor-El or fashioned for him by his mother.

7 Deathstroke

Leslie Willis encounters a government agent adorned in a striking combination of blue and orange armor, leading her to suspect his affiliation with the Marines and specialized training in covert operations, given his poised demeanor. While the agent remains unidentified, he remarkably outmatches Willis, armed solely with a pair of batons and a taser, despite her formidable electric power suit. Confirming this enigmatic figure as Agent Slade Wilson, commonly known as Deathstroke the Terminator, the closed captioning and closing credits ascertain his presence. Intriguingly, it appears that in the realm of My Adventures with Superman, Slade has yet to endure the loss of his right eye.

6 AmazoTech

The android capable of duplicating the superpowers of any individual, Amazo, appears twice in "Adventures of a Normal Man, Part 2." Initially, Amazo's name emerges on Lois Lane's murder board, depicted in an article that speculates about a potential collaboration between AmazoTech and the US Military. Subsequently, while tidying up the destruction caused by Livewire's rampage, Superman restores an advertising billboard promoting AmazoTech.

5 Cat Grant

As Lois Lane grumbled in frustration, Perry White, at long last, agreed to publish a story about Livewire's destructive spree. However, instead of featuring the efforts of Lois, Clark, and Jimmy, he entrusted the assignment to three seasoned journalists. Among them was Cat Grant, a well-known figure in the Arrowverse Supergirl series, serving as Kara Danvers' boss at CatCo Worldwide Media. Interestingly, in the comic books, Cat Grant began her career as a gossip columnist at The Daily Planet before transitioning into more substantial journalistic pursuits.

4 Ron Troupe

The next journalist, rather than the interns, entrusted with the opportunity to cover the Superman story is Ronnie Troupe. Known from the Superman comics, Ron Troupe was initially introduced as a competitor to Jimmy Olsen while both were searching for journalism positions beyond The Daily Planet. Eventually, Ron secured a position at The Daily Planet and later developed a romantic relationship with Lucy, Lois Lane's sister.

3 Steve Lombard

The Daily Planet assigned Steve Lombard, the third reporter chosen by Perry White, to cover Superman's debut. In the comic books, Lombard was previously a renowned football player, but due to a heroic act of rescuing a baby from a falling building, he suffered a career-ending knee injury. Thus, Lombard joined the newspaper as a sports writer and editor. Despite his reputation for arrogance and bullying, constantly flirting with female colleagues and teasing Clark Kent, Lombard possessed a fundamentally noble nature. He demonstrated his selflessness by risking his own life to protect his co-workers during various calamities.

2 Task Force X

1 Amanda Waller

In the climactic scene of "Adventures of a Normal Man, Part 2," Livewire finds herself under government custody, being interrogated by Agent Slade Wilson. He queries her knowledge regarding Nemesis Omega and Zero Day, which remain enigmatic. However, Agent Slade Wilson sheds light on Task Force X, the official designation for the United States government initiative widely recognized as the Suicide Squad. This program grants incarcerated supervillains a chance at redemption by granting them furloughs for displaying exemplary conduct upon accomplishing classified missions.

In the final scene of the My Adventures With Superman premiere, Agent Slade Wilson can be seen questioning Livewire alongside two other individuals. One of them bears a striking resemblance to Amanda Waller, the leader of Task Force X. As for the identity of the second person, it remains unclear, but there are indications that it could be General Sam Lane. This suspicion arises from the fact that General Lane, being a high-ranking military official, would be likely to be involved with a group like Task Force X in the comics. Furthermore, the character is seen donning a US Army dress uniform hat.

My Adventures With Superman releases Thursdays on Adult Swim and Fridays on Max.