DC is finally set up to have the best adaptation of Cyborg Superman, 31 years after Hank Henshaw became the formidable villain in the comics. A recent image from San Diego Comic-Con 2024 for My Adventures With Superman season 3 highlights the villains that will appear, including a bald Lex Luthor, Waller, Mr. Mxyzptlk, Deathstroke and numerous others who were previously not seen. This seems to include Cyborg Superman, who will be featured in the upcoming season following his tease in season 2, episode 1.

The series has already brought in a decent number of villains throughout its first two seasons, and bringing in Cyborg Superman for My Adventures With Superman season 3 feels right. Hank Henshaw first appeared in My Adventures With Superman season 2, episode 1, as a S.T.A.R. Labs employee and Lois Lane’s old college friend. Henshaw appeared again in episode 5, as one of the contestants on the dating show the episode revolves around. Henshaw makes his position clear on how he views Superman, ending his speech and storming off with the words, “Earth is for earthlings, Superman.”

My Adventures With Superman Season 3 Is Set To Bring Its Cyborg Superman Teases To Life

Hank Henshaw’s speech during My Adventures With Superman season 2, episode 5, perfectly positions the character to become Cyborg Superman in season 3. He dislikes Superman, and maybe even outright hates him. This is an extreme change from when he was established earlier in the season. This gives My Adventures With Superman the opportunity to explore what leads to him being outright xenophobic towards Superman, which will only continue to fester until the point of no return.

My Adventures With Superman season 2 has already laid the groundwork for Hank Henshaw to become Cyborg Superman. The biggest question mark for season 3 is if the show outright adapts Henshaw’s villain origin story, or if they change it to better fit the story they are trying to tell. In his comic origin, Henshaw, his crew, and their space shuttle are hit by a solar flare and mutates them in horrific ways. Hank blames Superman for this incident and his hatred for him begins to grow from there.

Cyborg Superman Has Had Two Divisive DC Show Adaptations

My Adventures With Superman will be the third time DC has adapted Cyborg Superman to television. His first was in the Legion of Superheroes episode, “Message in a Bottle.” In the show, Cyborg Superman is a robot caretaker for a future version of the Fortress of Solitude. The only thing resembling the character in this adaptation is his appearance. Otherwise, Cyborg Superman feels like a wholly different character, not an antagonist to Superman, but rather a servant.

His second adaptation was on the CW television series, Supergirl. “Hank Henshaw” is one of the main characters of the series, but his actual identity is revealed to be the Martian Manhunter who disguised himself to blend into Earth after his home planet was destroyed. Eventually, the real Henshaw comes to the show and becomes Cyborg Superman. Unfortunately, Supergirl’s adaptation of the character left a lot to be desired and was too convoluted for its own good.

Why My Adventures With Superman Could Be The First Show To Do Cyborg Superman Full Justice

My Adventures With Superman could finally be the show that gives DC a great adaptation of Cyborg Superman. He has already been quietly built up throughout his few appearances in season 2, and having an arc of him fully becoming Cyborg Superman could be perfect for season 3. My Adventures With Superman hasn’t been shy about doing different takes on iconic Superman characters before, but it always seems to get to the core of what makes these characters so great.

My Adventures With Superman is at its strongest when exploring character relationships, especially between Clark and Lois. The added dynamic of being an old friend of Lois can give the story arc even more emotional weight when she has to reckon with the fact that the Hank Henshaw she knew is something completely different now. Expanding on who Hank Henshaw is before he fully becomes Cyborg Superman could really allow My Adventures With Superman’s take on the character to truly shine.

My Adventures With Superman has successfully adapted a number of villains throughout its first two seasons, allowing fresh, new takes on iconic characters, and leaning hard into the DC show’s anime inspiration. Cyborg Superman could greatly benefit from the same sort of treatment, as his adaptations to this point have been more lackluster than anything. Now that he looks to appear in season 3, Cyborg Superman might finally get his chance to shine in My Adventures With Superman.