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Reviews and commentary by Tony Isabella
"America's Most Beloved Comic-Book Writer & Columnist"
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TONY'S ONLINE TIPS
for Saturday, May 14, 2005
The response to the PATSY WALKER "Alpha/Omega" covers I ran in the April 29 edition of TOT was so overwhelmingly positive I had to do it again...and with another red-haired comics legend.
SUPERMAN'S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #1 [September-October, 1954] made a headliner of the popular supporting character. The cub reporter had been appearing in Superman comics for over a decade, but it was Jack Larson's portrayal of him in the live-action Superman TV show that inspired DC to give Jimmy his very own comic book, albeit one in which Superman would maintain a strong presence.
This premiere featured three stories written by Otto Binder, who was probably best known for his hundreds of Captain Marvel and Marvel Family stories but who was becoming a key writer for editor Mort Weisinger. However, it should be noted that Whitney Ellsworth was the editor-of-record in this issue's indicia.
All three stories were pencilled by Curt Swan and inked by Ray Burnley. Swan would emerge as one of the most popular, if not the most popular, Superman artists of all time.
The stories themselves are - more or less - crime stories with super-hero overtones. Jimmy is a loyal friend to Superman, always willing to help others. He's a courageous reporter whose youthful eagerness often gets him into trouble. Which makes it a good thing this first issue introduced the special signal-watch which allowed Jimmy to summon Superman. The watch would figure in nearly every issue throughout the 1950s and most of the 1960s.
The Flying Newsroom, the helicopter used by the Daily Planet, also made its first appearance in JIMMY OLSEN #1, along with pilot Jumbo Jones. My reading of the early issues of the title is spotty at best, but it appears Jumbo was never developed beyond his being Jimmy's ride. Eventually, Jimmy started flying the chopper himself and Jumbo was never seen again.
Jimmy was brave and clever in Binder's early stories, but he could also be used to humorous effect. However, the true wackiness of Olsen's crazy schemes, cross-dressing, and weird transformations was still several years away.
JIMMY OLSEN was a wild ride during its Silver Age prime, but the title was getting more serious even before Weisinger departed his editorial office. His successor was Jack Kirby, who loaded the book with crazy-mad thrills and turned Jimmy into a slightly older version of his Kirby's kid gang heroes of the 1940s. I loved this feisty Olsen, but it proved to be an impossible act to follow for subsequent editors Joe Orlando and Murray Boltinoff.
The wacky days were gone, they weren't coming back, and no one could do Kirby as well as Kirby. The post-Kirby issues were a mix of crime, mystery, and super-hero stories.
SUPERMAN'S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #163 [March, 1974] was the final issue, though its numbering would continue in THE SUPERMAN FAMILY. The new book rotated new stories of Jimmy, Lois Lane, and Supergirl with reprints of whichever two characters didn't have a new tale in the issue. In 1977, FAMILY switched to an 80-page "Dollar Comic" featuring all-new stories of its three stars and other supporting characters from the Superman titles. In this format, it continued for another five years, ending its run in 1982.
To be as kind as possible, the post-Kirby JIMMY OLSEN stories are not memorable. Orlando emphasized crime and super-hero tales, the latter influenced by assistant editor E. Nelson Bridwell trying to tie the book into the Superman continuity. Boltinoff's issues went heavier on supernatural elements, reminding me of the kind of stories I used to see in the DC mystery comics of previous decades, tales which starred Mark Merlin or a plethora of non-recurring but sturdy scientists and adventurers.
JIMMY OLSEN ended its run with two stories by veteran Superman writer Leo Dorfman. Both were drawn by Kurt Schaffenberger, whose wholesome-but-sexy depictions of Lois and Supergirl were beloved by the comics readers of the day.
Where is Jimmy Olsen today? He's still appearing in various Superman titles, but my reading of those comics is so erratic that I couldn't tell you what he's like in them. He seems to be more a photographer than a reporter...and doesn't appear to have much of a personality...but, again, I'm not really up on those titles so my Olsen impressions may be way off the mark.
I remember the early Jimmy Olsen, as well as the Weisinger and Kirby versions, with considerable fondness. We'll likely never see those exact incarnations again, but it'd be nice if someone came up with something equally entertaining for the character. I'd buy a new JIMMY OLSEN comic like that. Wouldn't you?
Thanks for spending a part of your day with me back. I'll be back tomorrow with another "Alpha/Omega" feature.
Tony Isabella
<< 05/13/2005 | 05/14/2005 | 05/15/2005 >>
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THE "TONY" SCALE
ZERO: Burn your money before buying any comic receiving this rating. It doesn't *necessarily* mean there's absolutely nothing of value here - though it *could* - but whatever value it might possess shrinks into insignificance before its overall awfulness.
ONE: Buy something else. Maybe I found something which wasn't completely dreadful in the item, but not enough for me to recommend it when there are better comics available. I only want what's best for you, my children.
TWO: Basic judgment call. I found some value, but not enough to recommend it. My review should give you enough info to decide if you want to take a chance on it. Are you feeling lucky today, punk? Well, are you?
THREE: This denotes something I find perfectly respectable. There are better books out there, but I wouldn't regret buying this item. Based on my review, you should be able to determine if it's of interest to you. Let the Force guide you.
FOUR: I recommend anything earning this rating. Unless you don't like the genre, subject matter, or past work of the creators, I believe you'll enjoy this item. Isn't it uncanny how I can look right into your soul that way?
FIVE: Anything getting this rating is among the best comicdom has to offer. You should buy/read this, even if the genre/subject matter doesn't appeal to you. It's for your own good. Me, I live for comics and books this good...but not in a pathetic "Comic-Book Guy" sort of way.
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