A former Superman is flying again, but there is a twist.
DC has a long history of adaptations, leading to several actors playing Superman across a wide variety of projects. In live-action, names like Christopher Reeve, Brandon Routh, Tyler Hoechlin, Henry Cavill, and more added to the character’s legacy before David Corenswet got to join the new DC Universe as its version of the Man of Steel. In animation, the hero has had just as important of a legacy, with Clark Kent appearing in a slew of animated movies and TV shows. The latter is how the DC hero returns, and it will include a surprise casting.
Collider has revealed that Darren Criss will play Conner Kent, aka Superboy, in My Adventures with Superman season 3. It had been previously announced that the character would debut in the DC TV show, which stars The Boys’ Jack Quaid as Superman. Season 3 is set to adapt the iconic “Reign of the Supermen” arc from DC Comics, which saw multiple replacements for the Man of Steel emerge after Superman died fighting Doomsday. While the animated series will not kill Superman to see the replacements rise, Superboy, Steel, and more will still appear. Criss’ casting is surprising for one reason.
Check out a new look at Darren Criss’ Superboy in My Adventures with Superman season 3 from Collider below:
Superboy falling in My Adventures with Superman season 3 in Collider’s preview
Criss is one of the actors who have voiced Superman in the Man of Steel’s long history, and it was not that long ago. The Glee alum first played the DC hero in 2020’s Man of Tomorrow, going on to reprise the role in several animated movies in the Tomorrowverse franchise. Criss’ latest appearance as Superman landed on July 16, 2024, before Gunn’s DCU released its first project, Creature Commandos, that December. That movie, Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths — Part Three, served as the finale of the Tomorrowverse, wiping the slate clean for something new to come after it.
As such, Criss is going from Superman to Superboy only a couple of years later, which is an interesting casting choice for My Adventures with Superman season 3. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, showrunner Jake Wyatt claimed that Superboy “was the writers’ and the artists’ favorite character for the season.” With Criss’ casting as the DC hero, that statement becomes even more relevant, as the former Superman actor will play an exciting and key role in the returning series.
Superboy’s suit looks similar to that of Quaid’s Superman, with a few changes that include red fingerless gloves, red on the sides of his suit, and no cape. Superboy’s My Adventures with Superman season 3 debut comes after season 2 introduced Kiana Madeira’s Supergirl, who was crucial to the show’s Brainiac arc. Kara Zor-El will also return in season 3, now trying to get used to her new life on Earth. It stands to be seen how Superman and Supergirl get along with Superboy.
My Adventures with Superman holds a rare perfect 100% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, with a high 80% audience score. Criss, Quaid, and Madeira will be joined by returning stars that include Alice Lee as Lois Lane, Ishmel Sahid as Jimmy Olsen, and more. My Adventures with Superman season 3’s Superboy casting raises excitement for the DC series’ next season.
My Adventures with Superman season 3 will debut on June 13 on Adult Swim’s Toonami anime/action block at midnight ET/PT and on HBO Max on June 14.
Release Date
July 7, 2023
Network
Adult Swim
Showrunner
Jake Wyatt