Development
In May 2021, it was announced that a two-season order had been placed for My Adventures with Superman, with the series initially planned to air on Cartoon Network and stream on HBO Max. It was revealed that Jack Quaid and Alice Lee would voice Clark Kent / Superman and Lois Lane respectively.[17] Jake Wyatt and Brendan Clogher were onboard as co-executive producers, and Josie Campbell was a producer. Sam Register was also an executive producer.[18] Wyatt, Clogher, and Campbell served as showrunners.[19] No major updates were given until March 2023, when it was announced that the series would no longer air on Cartoon Network, but rather on its nighttime block Adult Swim, despite the series not necessarily being produced to target an adult demographic.[20] Following the formation of DC Studios, the production crew showed the series' opening sequence to co-CEO James Gunn, who reportedly "liked" the series and allowed it to continue production without interference.[21]
Writing
The team behind the show wanted to explore the early years of Clark, Lois, and Jimmy Olsen and their jobs at the Daily Planet, something that Campbell felt had rarely been touched in previous Superman media. Campbell described the three characters as the heart of the show, adding that their bond and time with each other drives "the series and the character arcs for both season one and two." She also expressed the romance between Lois and Clark as being very important to the team and something that would unfold as the series progressed.[22] They also wanted to emphasize on Superman's humanity by exploring his personal relationships.[19]
Campbell cited the original Richard Donner Superman (1978) film as a huge influence for the series, especially for the interplay between Margot Kidder's Lois and Christopher Reeve's Superman: "We loved their chemistry; we loved how smart and feisty Lois was, and loved the heart and altruism of Reeve’s Superman / Clark Kent. The movie was clever, fun, and modernized Superman in a way that felt organic to the time period, while also respectful of what came before. It truly is one of our favorite pieces of Superman media." Just like the film, they sought for My Adventures with Superman to have a "wide co-viewing audience, where kids, teens, and adults can all sit down and watch together."
Animation and design
The series features anime-influenced animation provided by Studio Mir in Seoul. Additionally, Superman's transformation sequence is inspired by Pretty Cure, specifically Cure Mermaid from Go! Princess PreCure, as series director Diana Huh noted on social media.[23][24] Campbell later acknowledged this in an interview with Crunchyroll, saying the show's creative team agreed with storyboarder Jessica Zammit's suggestion to add a magical transformation sequence and she later, in Campbell's words, saw it was "like Pretty Cure" and the creative team agreed to put it into the series, expressing their support. She also told the Crunchyroll interviewer that the series was inspired by shounen anime, and series such as Neon Genesis Evangelion, Gurren Lagann, and Shin Godzilla.[25]
Casting
Producer Josie Campbell greatly enjoyed working with Jack Quaid. Campbell said that Quaid had great comedic timing as Clark but was also able to "sell the kindness, strength, and dignity of Superman."[22]
In June 2022, Michael Emerson announced that he would play Brainiac.[26] In April 2023, it was confirmed that Ishmel Sahid would play Jimmy Olsen.[27]
