SUPERMAN’S PAL JIMMY OLSEN 011 (1956)
By Otto Binder & Curt Swan
Sadly this isn’t the cover story. A cover where Superman carries around Jimmy Olsen with a dog harness would be… something.
The story begins with Superman who brings to his close friend a souvenir: dust that radiates x-rays.
And cancer, I suppose.
The dust comes from a meteorite that Superman blew up using his x-ray vision, which in this period was interchangeable with heat vision.
Jimmy, as usual very grateful to receive a potentially deadly souvenir, immediately trips on his feet and breaks it.
As a reminder: when he gets serious about his journalistic career, his nickname will be “Mr. Action”. I suppose tripping is technically an action.
And of course, being exposed to x-ray dust gives him x-ray vision.
Jimmy soon gets the opportunity to use his new power for good…
…which he blows. Because of course he does.
Apparently he decides his new power is better suited for parlor tricks, looking into Lois Lane’s purse to check how much money she carries around. But when he tries it with Clark…
…he bails and gets worried.
“X-rays can be dangerous”, but giving Jimmy dust that emits x-rays was fine?
And if you’re thinking “how bad could Jimmy Olsen with x-ray vision be”, remember that in this period it can also SET THINGS ON FIRE.
Also: “the boy newshawk” is a MUCH better nickname than “Mr. Action”.
Luckily Superman has a really good idea: lead goggles to block Jimmy’s x-ray vision.
Then he has a TERRIBLE idea: if Jimmy can’t use x-ray vision, it means Superman can’t either!
So… Superman and Jimmy can’t use x-rays on each other or they would cause an explosion?
Even if that’s true, here’s an idea Supes… JUST DON’T BE AROUND JIMMY OLSEN WHILE USING X-RAY VISION!!!
We clearly need an expert’s opinion.
Sounds legit. I knew we should’ve have asked an optometrist how to deal with x-ray vision.
Jimmy has an idea too!
I probably don’t need to point out that it’s a stupid idea.
Although he seems to be slightly more efficient with his powers now.
Maybe that’s because he can’t trip if he’s flying.
(was candy wrapping really made of LEAD FOIL in the fifties!?)
The next investigation is to look for a stolen idol, where Jimmy finds a clue: a red hair.
Which is all Superman needs to find the criminal!
Uhm… shouldn’t there be, like, thousands of people with red hair in Metropolis!?
Jimmy gets to the criminal before Superman, and he’s able to save himself because x-rays can melt lead even if they can’t see through it.
A-HA! I knew it! Superboy 98 still makes no sense!
I swear I didn’t plan reviewing this comic immediately after that one.
Conveniently enough, this has completed exhausted Jimmy’s power.
Historical significance: 0/10
As usual, completely forgotten to time.
Silver Age-ness: 4/10
Conveniently acquired and conveniently lost super-powers is pretty low Silver Age-ness for a DC comic of this time.
Does it stand the test of time? 6/10
It’s a completely harmless story, helped by the shortness.
Stupid Jimmy Olsen moment
The dog harness. Superman isn’t even blind in the story, WHY would he need this!?
Superpower count: 3
In addition to flight from Jimmy Olsen #2, we now have x-ray vision. I’m also counting heat vision because today we would consider it a separate power.
The other stories in the book aren’t particularly interesting, although they include Superman defacing Mount Everest:
And Jimmy knocking out a gorilla.
Sadly it’s just part of a scam and Jimmy doesn’t really have super-strength.
Yet.