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Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen (comic)
Encyclopedia
Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen is an American comic book
series published by DC Comics
from October 1954 until March 1974, spanning a total of 163 issues. Featuring the adventures of Superman
supporting character Jimmy Olsen
, it contains stories often of humorous nature.
co-starred actor Jack Larson
, who appeared regularly as Jimmy Olsen. Largely because of the popularity of Larson and his portrayal of the character, National Comics Publications (DC Comics) decided to create a regular title featuring Jimmy as the leading character.
Many of the issues include Jimmy undergoing a transformation of some form. Some of these include:
When Jack Kirby
began working at DC in 1970, he insisted on this title since it was the lowest selling in the publishing line and without assigned talent at the time so he wouldn't cost someone their job. During his run, Kirby introduced many memorable characters, notably the Fourth World's New Gods
, Darkseid
, Project Cadmus
and Transilvane
. He also reintroduced the Newsboy Legion
and the Guardian
.
A few years after its debut, a second title was introduced, Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane
, which revolves around another supporting character in a similar fashion. Both titles ended in 1974 by merging into Superman Family
. The new series would continue the numbering from Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen.
A Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen Special one-shot was published in December 2008, following on from the "Atlas
" storyline, and leading into Superman: New Krypton
.
series Adventures of Superman
were hit by a snag as to how revive the now-canceled series after series star George Reeves
had died that summer from a gunshot wound. Jack Larson
, who played Jimmy in the series, was approached with the idea of continuing the franchise as a spin-off
for two new seasons of 26 episodes each to begin airing in 1960. Titled Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen, it would focus on a more serious angle of Olsen's rising career as a reporter and journalist with Larson reprising his role. In place of Reeves, stock footage
of Superman flying and a look-alike stunt double
to play the Man of Steel. Disgusted at the thought of the producers trying to cash in and make money over the death of Reeves, Larson rejected the proposal, and the project went unmade.
American comic book
An American comic book is a small magazine originating in the United States and containing a narrative in the form of comics. Since 1975 the dimensions have standardized at 6 5/8" x 10 ¼" , down from 6 ¾" x 10 ¼" in the Silver Age, although larger formats appeared in the past...
series published by DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
from October 1954 until March 1974, spanning a total of 163 issues. Featuring the adventures of Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
supporting character Jimmy Olsen
Jimmy Olsen
Jimmy Olsen is a fictional character who appears mainly in DC Comics’ Superman stories. Olsen is a young photojournalist working for the Daily Planet. He is close friends with Lois Lane, Clark Kent/Superman and Perry White...
, it contains stories often of humorous nature.
Background and history
The 1952 television series Adventures of SupermanAdventures of Superman (TV series)
Adventures of Superman is an American television series based on comic book characters and concepts created in 1938 by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The show is the first television series to feature Superman and began filming in 1951 in California...
co-starred actor Jack Larson
Jack Larson
Jack Edward Larson is an American actor, librettist, screenwriter and producer. He is best known for his portrayal of photographer/cub reporter Jimmy Olsen on the TV series Adventures of Superman.-Biography:...
, who appeared regularly as Jimmy Olsen. Largely because of the popularity of Larson and his portrayal of the character, National Comics Publications (DC Comics) decided to create a regular title featuring Jimmy as the leading character.
Many of the issues include Jimmy undergoing a transformation of some form. Some of these include:
- Speed Demon in #15 (1956)
- Elastic Lad in #37 (1959)
- Wolf-Man in #44 (1960)
- Giant Turtle Boy in #53 (1961)
- A human porcupinePorcupinePorcupines are rodents with a coat of sharp spines, or quills, that defend or camouflage them from predators. They are indigenous to the Americas, southern Asia, and Africa. Porcupines are the third largest of the rodents, behind the capybara and the beaver. Most porcupines are about long, with...
, in #65 (1962) - HippieHippieThe hippie subculture was originally a youth movement that arose in the United States during the mid-1960s and spread to other countries around the world. The etymology of the term 'hippie' is from hipster, and was initially used to describe beatniks who had moved into San Francisco's...
in #118 (1969)
When Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby , born Jacob Kurtzberg, was an American comic book artist, writer and editor regarded by historians and fans as one of the major innovators and most influential creators in the comic book medium....
began working at DC in 1970, he insisted on this title since it was the lowest selling in the publishing line and without assigned talent at the time so he wouldn't cost someone their job. During his run, Kirby introduced many memorable characters, notably the Fourth World's New Gods
New Gods
The New Gods are a fictional race appearing in publications by DC Comics, as well as the title for four series of comic books about those characters. They first appeared in New Gods #1 , and were created and designed by Jack Kirby....
, Darkseid
Darkseid
Darkseid is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #134 and was created by writer-artist Jack Kirby....
, Project Cadmus
Project Cadmus
Project Cadmus is a fictional genetic engineering project in the DC Comics Universe. It was created by Jack Kirby as the DNA Project in Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #133 , and was run by the former Newsboy Legion...
and Transilvane
Transilvane
Transilvane is a fictional small artificial planet with two horn-like protuberances in the . It was created by Jack Kirby in Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #142 and #143 by the mad scientist Dabney Donovan....
. He also reintroduced the Newsboy Legion
Newsboy Legion
The Newsboy Legion are fictional characters, a kid gang in the DC Comics Universe. Created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, they appeared in their own self-titled feature which ran from Star Spangled Comics #7 to Star Spangled Comics #64 .-Pre-Crisis version:A group of orphans, living on the streets...
and the Guardian
Guardian (DC Comics)
Guardian is a comic book fictional character, a DC Comics superhero, created by Jack Kirby and Joe Simon. He first appeared in Star Spangled Comics #7...
.
A few years after its debut, a second title was introduced, Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane
Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane
Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane was a comic book series published monthly by DC Comics focusing on the adventures of supporting character Lois Lane. The series began publication March/April 1958 and ended its run September/October 1974 with 137 regular issues and 2 80-page Annuals...
, which revolves around another supporting character in a similar fashion. Both titles ended in 1974 by merging into Superman Family
Superman Family
Superman Family was a DC Comics comic book series which ran from 1974 to 1982 featuring stories starring supporting characters in the Superman comics...
. The new series would continue the numbering from Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen.
A Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen Special one-shot was published in December 2008, following on from the "Atlas
Atlas (story arc)
"The Coming of Atlas" is a comic book story arc, from DC Comics, by writer James Robinson and artists Renato Guedes and José Wilson Magalháes, featuring Superman. This is Robinson's first story arc on the Superman title, as ongoing writer after Kurt Busiek's departure...
" storyline, and leading into Superman: New Krypton
Superman: New Krypton
"New Krypton" is a Superman story arc written by Geoff Johns, James Robinson, and Sterling Gates with art by Gary Frank, Alex Ross, Renato Guedes, Jamal Igle and Pete Woods and published by DC Comics...
.
Proposed TV series
In 1959, the producers of the action/adventureAdventure (genre)
The adventure genre, in the context of a narrative, is typically applied to works in which the protagonist or other major characters are consistently placed in dangerous situations...
series Adventures of Superman
Adventures of Superman (TV series)
Adventures of Superman is an American television series based on comic book characters and concepts created in 1938 by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The show is the first television series to feature Superman and began filming in 1951 in California...
were hit by a snag as to how revive the now-canceled series after series star George Reeves
George Reeves
George Reeves was an American actor best known for his role as Superman in the 1950s television program Adventures of Superman....
had died that summer from a gunshot wound. Jack Larson
Jack Larson
Jack Edward Larson is an American actor, librettist, screenwriter and producer. He is best known for his portrayal of photographer/cub reporter Jimmy Olsen on the TV series Adventures of Superman.-Biography:...
, who played Jimmy in the series, was approached with the idea of continuing the franchise as a spin-off
Spin-off (media)
In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...
for two new seasons of 26 episodes each to begin airing in 1960. Titled Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen, it would focus on a more serious angle of Olsen's rising career as a reporter and journalist with Larson reprising his role. In place of Reeves, stock footage
Stock footage
Stock footage, and similarly, archive footage, library pictures and file footage are film or video footage that may or may not be custom shot for use in a specific film or television program. Stock footage is of beneficial use to filmmakers as it is sometimes less expensive than shooting new...
of Superman flying and a look-alike stunt double
Stunt double
A stunt double is a type of body double, specifically a skilled replacement used for dangerous film or video sequences, in movies and television , and for other sophisticated stunts...
to play the Man of Steel. Disgusted at the thought of the producers trying to cash in and make money over the death of Reeves, Larson rejected the proposal, and the project went unmade.
Collected editions
- Jimmy Olsen: Adventures by Jack Kirby, Volume 1, ISBN 1563899841
- Jimmy Olsen: Adventures by Jack Kirby, Volume 2, ISBN 1401202594
- Superman: The Amazing Transformations of Jimmy Olsen, ISBN 1401213693
- Jack Kirby's Fourth World Omnibus, Volume 1, ISBN 1401213448
- Showcase Presents: Superman Family, Volume 1, ISBN 1401207871
- Showcase Presents: Superman Family, Volume 2, ISBN 1401216560
- Showcase Presents: Superman Family, Volume 3, ISBN 1401221881
- Countdown Special: Jimmy Olsen #1: Reprints Jimmy Olsen #136 and #147-148.