SUPERMAN’S PAL JIMMY OLSEN 012 (1956)
By Otto Binder & Curt Swan
Time for another superpowered Jimmy Olsen!
As it’s often the case, we begin with Jimmy Olsen checking out the invention of a crazy scientist that he’s certain won’t work.
It allows to step into the 4th dimension, which basically means turning invisible.
Unfortunately the scientific genius is a moron: he “forgot” that he doesn’t know how to turn the effect off.
Jimmy waits around for three whole days in the scientist’s office. But since it’ll take months or years to turn him visible again, Jimmy decides to go to work anyway.
During these three days, Jimmy has been reported missing.
It’s a problem because a side effect of the machine is that nobody can hear Jimmy’s voice.
Jimmy’s solution? Lift the paper.
Somehow, seeing a floating newspaper doesn’t make Perry White think that an invisible Jimmy Olsen is nearby.
Next he tries something else with Lois Lane.
Somehow, seeing a floating blanket an a floating nameplate doesn’t make Lois think that an invisible Jimmy Olsen is nearby.
Next he tries to warn someone else working at the Daily Planet.
Somehow, seeing his money fly out of his wallet doesn’t make “Freddy” think that an invisible Jimmy Olsen is nearby.
Next he tries to write a message to Clark Kent.
Somehow THIS WASN’T JIMMY’S FIRST PLAN DESPITE WORKING AT A NEWSPAPER!!!
Also Clark says that Jimmy is intangible… but this is the only point of this story where this happens, so I’m not going to list intangibility among Jimmy’s powers.
Yet.
And that’s the moment when the mob decides to attack Clark because he exposed their crimes with one of his articles.
Jimmy helps by scaring one of the criminals, making him believe he’s being burned by… touching him with an ice cube!?!?
Sounds legit.
Hilariously, Jimmy’s interference make the crooks suspect that Clark Kent is Superman, even if he’s not using his powers.
Also, Jimmy convinces them that Clark is bulletproof by making the shot miss.
How doesn’t the guy feel his hand is being pushed away!?
Now that it’s been dealt with, it’s time to save Jimmy Olsen BY PULLING HIM OUT OF THE 4TH DIMENSION WITH GIANT FORCEPS:
How does THAT work!? Who knows!!!
Historical significance: 0/10
As usual, completely forgotten to time.
Silver Age-ness: 6/10
It was pretty low until Superman randomly solves everything by rescuing Jimmy in an utterly ridiculous way.
Does it stand the test of time? 5/10
If you come up with a reasonable way for Jimmy to return to normal (say, the effect turns out to be temporary or the scientist does come up with the formula), it could easily be adapted.
Stupid Jimmy Olsen moment
Despite being perfectly capable of interacting with matter, Jimmy doesn’t think about writing a message until his 4th attempt to communicate.
Superpower count: 4
So far the list of Jimmy Olsen’s powers include flight, x-ray vision, heat vision and now invisibility.
The other stories include Jimmy working as a clown (unfortunately the Joker doesn’t show up) and one about an island with dinosaurs.
The most interesting thing about it is this panel.
Don’t believe it can still be a boring story? This is the reason behind the robot:
