JIMMY OLSEN 158 (1973)
“The Jaws of the Jaguar” by Leo Dorfman & Kurt Schaffenberger
“The Kiss-Off for Mr. Action” by David George & Kurt Schaffenberger
cover by Nick Cardy
These last issues of the series (before it’s renamed Superman Family) are all about restoring Jimmy to his classic pre-Kirby self.
And what’s more classic Jimmy than random superpowers?
Also for some reason the 70s believe that Jimmy is some kind of martial artist because he’s beating up people every single issue.
This time the random crime he solved has some importance, because it’s the return of his father.
Remember that old absurdity? If not, the comic handily reminds us.
With a backstory like THAT, it can’t have been a regular mugging. In fact, the culprits have left behind a very subtle clue.
The villains are going to be the Jaguar Cult, and they are after the McGuffin that gave Jimmy super-powers in #129.
You might remember that the medallion is supposedly useless now. I certainly didn’t, because that story sucked, but the point IS addressed in this one.
Don’t get your hopes up for the Jaguar Cult. They are… well… they make the original Cheetah look dignified by comparison!!!
Yes. This is definitely what “terror” looks like.
Well at least they can’t be a threat to Superman, right?
Right?
Maybe the Cheetah comparison was more spot-on than I imagined. Are we SURE these are not Wonder Woman villains!?
Remember that Jimmy’s father said the Jaguar Cult might be able to fix the medallion with super-science? That might’ve been interesting, but nope! The comic just says “f#ck it, let’s make the previous story even more nonsensical”!
In a shocking display of intelligence (!!!) Jimmy realizes that just because he suddenly has super-powers doesn’t mean he knows how to use them better than Superman.
Too bad Superman is just too lazy to help.
Having Superman tag along without his powers might be something interesting, so we can’t have that!
The medallion gets restored, and we learn that the Jaguar Cult is actually… full of good people!?
That makes no sense: the story began with the cultists mugging Jimmy’s dad and beating him up.
So… what’s the moral here?
Yeah, sure, whatever.
It took 15 pages to get to that point, people. FIFTEEN.
The second story is credited to David George, even though my other sources give Leo Dorfman.
It would make zero sense for Dorfman to use a pseudonym but I couldn’t find information on a “David George”… that’s weird.
I’ll admit my ignorance, but my research on that name came up short.
Whoever David George is, he treats Jimmy’s importance as a journalist the way I like it.
The mysterious old lady who’s behind the nuisance knew that Jimmy is the only journalist useless enough to be assigned this non-story.
Well what do you know, the crazy dog lady is not crazy after all.
Then Jimmy and Not Aunt May are attacked by an escaped criminal who Jimmy helped convict.
See what I meant about the 70s treating Jimmy like some sort of awesome martial artist?
The dogs distract the criminal long enough for Jimmy to knock him out and call Superman.
While keeping the stolen money!!! Well, it’s for Not Aunt May and her dogs, but still I highly doubt this is even remotely legal.
And so we end with the revelation that Not Aunt May is someone Jimmy is supposed to know.
The story will continue in the following issues, but my first thought is that I might have been too quick to say that the crazy dog lady is not crazy.
Historical significance
First story: 0/10
Despite bringing up Jimmy’s dad, this has not impact whatsoever.
Second story: 7/10
It’s not immediately apparent, but once we learn who Not Aunt May is that’s going to make this bunch of stories significant.
Silver Age-ness
First story: 10/10
Second story: 2/10
Does it stand the test of time?
First story: 0/10
Second story: 6/10
Suprisingly decent!!!
Stupid Jimmy Olsen moment
First story: during his THREE pages with super-powers, Jimmy manages to stop the wrong boat believing that’s where the cultists are hiding. 
Second story: while it’s a sweet gesture, giving the stolen money to the old woman would probably get her into huge trouble.
Superpowers count: 46
No addition to the list since this is a repeated transformation. Come on Jimmy, give me at least ONE new superpower before the end of this run!!!