Jimmy Olsen

Revision as of 11:44, 22 February 2005

Jimmy Olsen. The fledgling journalist and friend of Superman who is the junior colleague of Clark Kent and Lois Lane on the Metropolis Daily Planet. First introduced in the chronicles in November-December 1941 only as Jimmy, an "office boy" at the Daily Planet with a heartfelt longing to become "a real reporter" like his idol, Clark Kent (S No.13/2), Jimmy is first referred to by his full name, Jimmy Olsen, in March-April 1942 (S No. 15/1) and continues to be referred to as the Daily Planet's office boy for a number of years (Act No. 71, Apr 1944: "Valentine Villainy!"; and others) until he is finally accorded the status of "cub reporter" in January 1954 (S No.86/2: "Jimmy Olsen...Editor!"). Although Jimmy's real name is James Olsen (Act No.203, Apr 1955: "The International Daily Planet!"; and others), he is almost always referred to as Jimmy.

In the early texts in which he appears, Jimmy Olsen is portrayed as a youngster about ten years of age (WF No. 6, Sum 1942: "Man of Steel versus Man of Metal!"; and others), but by April 1944 the chroniclers have begun to portray him as a boy of about twelve or thirteen (Act No. 71: "Valentine Villainy!"). More recent texts depict him as an adolescent somewhere in his late teens.

In the course of his first two decades in the chronicles, Jimmy's hair is variously portrayed as blond (S No.13/2, Nov/Dec 1941; and others), honey blond (S No.13/2, Nov/Dec 1941), red (S No.15/1, Mar/Apr 1942; and many others), light red (Act No. 188, Jan 1954: "The Spectral Superman!"; and others), and brown (S No.40/3, May/Jun 1946: "There Is No Superman!"; and others). Since mid-1958, however, it, has been consistently rendered a bright red. Jimmy's freckles have been a standard feature of his appearance since 1942 (WF No.6, Sum 1942: "Man of Steel yersus Man of Metal!"; and many others).

Even during his apprentice years as an office boy, Jimmy Olsen is consumed by a burning ambition to become a real reporter. In November-December 1941 he gets his first byline, when he writes up an account of Superman's capture of the ruthless extortionist known as "The Archer" (S No. 13/2).

"You're an observant lad!" remarks Clark Kent admiringly after Jimmy has given him an important news tip in Summer 1942. "I hope to be a top-notch reporter like you some day!" beams Jimmy. "Any time you need help, feel free to call on me!" (WF No.6: "Man of Steel versus Man of Metal!").

Despite his eagerness, however, and his irrepressible ambition, Jimmy Olsen remains the Daily Planet's office boy for twelve full years (Act No. 71, Apr 1944: "Valentine Villainy!"; and others), although Lois Lane does refer to him, in one early text, as "Jimmy Olsen, office boy, who sometimes pinch-hits as cub reporter, and may some day be big stuff!" (WF No.13, Spr '44: "The Freedom of the Press!").

From January 1954 onward, Jimmy Olsen is regularly referred to as a "cub reporter" (S No. 86/2: "Jimmy Olsen ...Editor!"), a designation that continues to be applied to him through at least the mid-1960s (S No. 180/1, Oct 1965: "Clark Kent's Great Superman Hunt!"; and many others), although, more and more in recent years, the texts have tended to refer to him simply as a "reporter" (Act No.311, Apr 1964: "Superman, King of Earth!"; and many others), elevating his status to one at least approaching that of Lois Lane and Clark Kent. "Throughout the world," notes Superman No. 181/1, "Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane are known for their courage and ingenuity in getting scoops" (Nov 1965: pts. I-II—"The Super-Scoops of Morna Vine!"; "The Secret of the New Supergirl!"). Perhaps Action Comics No. 238 describes his latter-day status best when it refers to him as the "star cub reporter of the Daily Planet" (Mar 1958: "The Super-Gorilla from Krypton").

Indeed, despite his youth, Jimmy Olsen has acquired experience and responsibility far surpassing that of most cub reporters. When Metropolis celebrates Boy's Day in January 1954, for example, Jimmy takes over the Daily Planet's managing editor's desk for twenty-four hours, performing his duties with remarkable professionalism. "That boy will be a good newspaperman someday!" remarks Clark Kent proudly (S No. 86/2: "Jimmy Olsen ...Editor!"). A year later, when the Daily Planet launches its new international editions, Jimmy Olsen is appointed editor of the Daily Planet's London edition (Act No.203, Apr '55: "The International Daily Planet!").

In the texts, Jimmy Olsen is described as "observant" (WF No. 6, Sum 1942: "Man of Steel versus Man of Metal!"), "irrepressible" (Act No. 71, Apr 1944: "Valentine Villainy!"; and others), "conceited" (Act No.269, Oct 1960: "The Truth Mirror!"), "impulsive," and "happy-go-lucky" (S No.187/3, May 1965: "When Jimmy Olsen Stole Krypto from Superman"). Particularly when in pursuit of a hot news story, Jimmy is inclined to be "very curious and impulsive," a combination of traits which, notes Superman No. 173/3, "has often landed him in hot water!" (Nov 1964: "The Triumph of Luthor and Brainiac!"). Jimmy also tends to be egotistical and boastful, often to the point of stretching the truth—bragging about his friendship with Superman, claiming as personal accomplishments things that happened by accident (Act No. 253, Jun 1959: "The War Between Superman and Jimmy Olsen!"; and others), often altering his account of events so as to place himself in the best possible light (S No. 171/3, Aug 1964: "The Nightmare Ordeal of Superman"; and others).

Jimmy Olsen is a close friend of Superman, although he does not know that Superman is secretly Clark Kent (S No. 145/1, May 1961: "The Secret Identity of Superman!"; and others). The texts repeatedly refer to Jimmy Olsen as Superman's "pal" (Act No.198, Nov 1954: "The Six Lives of Lois Lane!"; and others), his "young pal" (Act No. 231, Aug 1957: "Sir Jimmy Olsen, Knight of Metropolis"; and others), and his "best pal" (S No.131/3, Aug 1959: "The Unknown Super-Deeds!"; and others). Action Comics No. 210 counts him, along with Lois Lane and Perry White, among Superman's "close friends" (Nov 1955: "Superman in Superman Land"), and other texts list him among Superman's "best friends" (Act No.243, Aug 1958: "The Lady and the Lion"; and others).

"The Thinker" has described Jimmy Olsen as "Superman's best friend" (S No. 93/2, Nov 1954: "Jimmy Olsen's Double!"), and Jax-Ur has referred to him as Superman's "best pal" (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: "Secret of Kryptonite Six!"). Jimmy himself has referred to Superman as "my best pal" (Act No. 302, Jul 1963: "The Amazing Confession of Super-Perry White!") and "my best friend" (S No. 178/2, Jul 1965: "When Superman Lost His Memory!").

"Superman has a warm spot in his heart for many people," notes Superman No. 93/2, "--but an especially warm one is reserved for his young pal, Jimmy Olsen!" (Nov 1954: "Jimmy Olsen's Double!").

Jimmy Olsen is fiercely loyal to Superman, retaining his faith in his "super-idol" even when, for the moment, the Man of Steel's motives are suspect or his actions unpopular (Act No. 312, May 1964: "King Superman versus Clark Kent, Metallo"; and others).

Over the years, Jimmy has built up an extensive (S No. 111/1, Feb 1957: "The Non-Super Superman"; and others)—and valuable (S No. 115/2, Aug 1957: "Jimmy Olsen's Lost Pal")—collection of Superman trophies and souvenirs, a collection to which Superman continually adds with exotic gifts from distant planets and other exciting memorabilia (WF No. 147 , Feb 1965: "The Doomed Boy Heroes!" pts. I-II—"The New Terrific Team!"; "The Doom of Jimmy Olsen and Robin!"; and others).

In addition, Superman has dedicated a room to Jimmy Olsen in his Fortress of Solitude (Act No. 241, Jun 1958: "The Super-Key to Fort Superman"; and others) and has provided him with a "special wristwatch" with which the young reporter can "set off [an] ultrasonic signal"—audible only to Superman' s super-hearing—to summon the Man of Steel to his rescue. Even if Jimmy activates the ultrasonic signal on a distant continent, Superman can hear the signal and race to Jimmy's aid (Act No. 238, Mar 1958: "The Super-Gorilla from Krypton"; and many others). The ultrasonic signal broadcast by the "signal-watch" will not, however, travel through outer space (Act No. 262, Mar 1960: "When Superman Lost His Powers!").

Jimmy Olsen's friendship with Superman has had the effect of making the young journalist something of a celebrity (Act No. 210, Nov 1955: "Superman in Superman Land"; and others). The Jimmy Olsen Fan Club meets monthly in Metropolis (Act No. 286, Mar 1962: "The Jury of Super-Enemies!"; and others), and Jimmy has, on at least one occasion, been mobbed by well-wishers and autograph seekers (Act No. 210, Nov 1955: "Superman in Superman Land"). In addition to relishing the attention he receives as the result of being Superman's pal, Jimmy clearly envies Superman his super-powers and wishes he had them, at least in part because he feels that having super-powers would be likely to make him more successful with women (Act No.283, Dec 1961: "The Red Kryptonite Menace!").

Jimmy Olsen lives alone in a Metropolis apartment (S No. 144/1, Apr 1961: "The Super-Weapon!"; and others). On one wall is a collection of large pictures illustrating Superman's origin (see Superman [section 2, origin]), including the explosion of the planet Krypton and the infant Superman's escape to Earth in a tiny rocket (S No.123, Aug '58: chs. 1-3—"The Girl of Steel"; "The Lost Super-Powers"; "Superman's Return to Krypton").

Over and above his skills as a journalist, Jimmy Olsen is an avid bowler (Act No. 317, Oct 1964: "Superman's Rainbow Face!"), can pilot a helicopter (Act No. 290, Jul 1962: "Half a Superman!"), and is fluent in Kryptonese, the language of Krypton, which is now spoken only in the bottle city of Kandor (S No. 158, Jan 1963: "Superman in Kandor" pts. I-III—"Invasion of the Mystery Super-Men!"; "The Dynamic Duo of Kandor!"; "The City of Super-People!"; and others). Jimmy's principal romantic involvement has been with Lucy Lane, the lovely blond sister of Lois Lane (S No.147/1, Aug 1961: "The Great Mento!"; and others).

In addition to the various undercover identities that he has concocted with the aid of the "trunkful of disguises" he keeps in his apartment (WF No. 144: Sep 1964: "The 1,001 Tricks of Clayface and Brainiac!" pts. I-II—no title; "The Helpless Partners!"; and others), Jimmy Olsen has a pair of important, alternate identities: as Flamebird, he functions as Superman's partner on those occasions when he and Superman, employing the name Nightwing, undertake adventures together inside the bottle city of Kandor (S No.158, Jan 1963: "Superman in Kandor" pts. I-III—"Invasion of the Mystery Super-Men!"; "The Dynamic Duo of Kandor!"; "The City of Super-People!"; see also WF No.143, Aug 1964: "The Feud Between Batman and Superman!" pts. I-II—no title; "The Manhunters from Earth!"). As Elastic Lad, Jimmy serves as an honorary member of the Legion of Super-Heroes (S No.172, Oct 1964: pts. I-III—"The New Superman!"; "Clark Kent—Former Superman!"; "The Struggle of the Two Supermen!"; and others). Interestingly, Jimmy is also, by virtue of his ancestry, the rightful king of the once-proud ancient kingdom of Vumania, although all that remains of Vumania in modern times is a barren desert island (Act No. 231, Aug '57: "Sir Jimmy Olsen, Knight of Metropolis").

Occasionally, Jimmy Olsen and Superman undertake adventures with Batman and Robin, with Jimmy aiding Superman much as Robin aids Batman. In May 1964 Jimmy Olsen and Robin establish a secret headquarters together in an abandoned observatory which they dub the Eyrie (WF No.141: "The Olsen-Robin Team versus 'The Superman-Batman Team!'"). The Eyrie is intended to serve as their base of operations on those occasions when they undertake joint adventures as the so-called "Robin and Olsen team" (WF No. 147, Feb 1965: "The Doomed Boy Heroes!" pts. I-II—"The New Terrific Team!"; "The Doom of Jimmy Olsen and Robin!"). In September 1964, as his way of rewarding Jimmy for being "such a loyal friend" to Superman, Batman entrusts Jimmy with the secret of his dual identity, pulling back his batlike cowl to reveal the face of millionaire socialite Bruce Wayne (WF No. 144: "The 1,001 Tricks of Clayface and Brainiac!" pts. I-II—no title; "The Helpless Partners!").

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