JIMMY OLSEN 147 (1972)
by Jack Kirby
cover by Murphy Anderson
This is the issue where Superman visits New Genesis and THIS is what you choose as a cover!?
Last issue Jimmy had a whole complex explode on his head… but he’s fine. Wait, WHAT!?
Care to explain how, Kirby, or SUDDEN MONSTER!!!
Big Words is already drawn exactly like X-Men’s Beast. You don’t need to show his acrobatics.
The dialogue is pure Kirby atrociousness. Jimmy comments on Angry Charlie eating a chair; ANYONE ELSE would’ve replied with something like “he probably likes it” or something, but no, Tommy has to come up with this absurdity:
It feels unnatural, plus it makes no sense whatsoever: why would the medics have ANY IDEA WHATSOEVER about the fact that the genetically engineered monster likes the chemicals used to build the chair and not, you know, THE CHAIR!?
Moments like this are why I just can’t stand those praising Kirby as a writer. As a penciler and a creator, sure, of course, he was the king. But his writing? Come on!!!
And I am not done! Would Jimmy ever say “here comes the local constabulary”? Can he even spell that!?
*groan*
Moving to the actually interesting part of the issue, we have Superman following a boom tube.
The guy in the colorblind Galactus cosplay is named Magnar.
Considering this is a series where major characters are called Flippa Dippa and Big Words, finally someone with a sensible name.
Superman ends up on New Genesis, while the locals think he’s from Apokolipse. Nice to see that the supposedly enlightened super-gods are still reckless idiots.
These might be super-gods, but he’s still Superman…
…which naturally means he gets his ass whooped.
I get the feeling the people of New Genesis don’t know much about Earth. Which makes the fact they sent some people to thrash the basement of a disco even more confusing.
Meanwhile Jimmy and the Newsboy Legion randomly run across a volcano while they’re headed back to Metropolis, thanks to some shenanigans by Angry Charlie.
Behold the least practical landing platform ever imagined!
That’s when the idiots are captured by Celestials robots.
The idiots get captured by what will be the villain of next issue: Victor Volcanum.
So I guess we’re back to stupid names.
Nobody can come up with over-the-top supervillains like Kirby.
This is a weird moment, even by Kirby standards. The Golden Age existed inside the comics too? Who starred in them? Did they actually publish a Newsboy Legion comic book INSIDE the actual books? My brain hurts.
Meanwhile Superman is feeling kind of useless on a planet where everyone is super.
Not gonna lie, that was actually funny and kind of sweet.
The premise is rather intriguing, with Superman at the same time tempted to stay on a planet he doesn’t have to constantly save, while at the same time feeling humbled by the experience and wanting to go back to Earth.
Too bad he has to share the scene with the most boring character in comic book history, Highfather.
Who is basically a walking deus ex machina, resolving Superman’s problem instantly.
And the story is already over, with Highfather sending Superman to help the idiots.
Next issue will be the last Kirby story, and since it’s all set on Earth means we will get no answer whatsoever about what the hell happened at the disco.
Why am I not surprised?
Historical significance: 1/10
Superman has been to New Genesis once before, on the pages of Forever People, but this is the first time he spends some real time there.
Silver Age-ness: 10/10
It doesn’t get much more Silver Age than Victor Volcanum.
Does it stand the test of time? 4/10
There is a hint of a good story there: what happens when Superman is stuck on a place where everyone is super. Unfortunately the answer is that he gets kind of sad for a couple of panels and then he’s sent home!
Most Kirby panel
The second panel is only for context.
Most WTF panel
Yes I’m still going on about that stupid panel! Does it mean that Angry Charlie has already eaten OTHER chairs as well?
Interesting letters: future writer Bob Rozakis points out one of my major problems with the Kirby run, and indeed the vast majority of his solo projects.
We never get enough time to appreciate whatever cool new thing he’s invented because he’s already created ten more things!
