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[[File:Jimmyolsentransformations_1447.jpg|frame|Either Jimmy is freaking out over his transformations or he's [[Pstandard Psychic Pstance|trying out his new mental powers]] out on you.]]
'''Jimmy Olsen''' is "[[Superman]]'s best friend" and the second best known character from the hero's [[Regular Character|supporting cast]]. He was created for the [[The Adventures of Superman (radio)|Superman radio show]] in 1940, mainly as someone for Superman to talk with (besides [[Lois Lane]], who was both a woman/[[Love Interest]] and [[Straw Feminist|sometimes rather contrary]]) so he could [[The Watson|explain things to the audience indirectly]]. Jimmy was [[Canon Immigrant|later introduced in the comics themselves]].
An anonymous character who looked like Jimmy turned up as early as ''Action Comics'' #6 (November, 1938). But the first actual comic book appearance for Mr. Olsen was ''Superman'' #13 (November-December, 1941). Presumably, he was also created as an [[Audience Surrogate]] for the show's fans, who were mostly young boys. Jimmy also has some resemblance to [[Archie]] (who was also very popular at the time) in that both were impulsive but well-meaning red-haired, freckled teenagers. They even dressed alike, including wearing bowties!
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Jimmy became so popular he actually starred in his own comic book series, the humorous ''Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen'', which lasted for 163 issues, from September, 1954 to March, 1974. This series is better remembered today for the amount of bizarre transformations Jimmy underwent in many of its stories. However those were only part of the wackiness featured in the series, which ranged from romantic problems with his girlfriend Lucy Lane (Lois' sister) to temporarily adopting his own superhero identity (several different ones in fact.)
The description of the [[Superpower Silly Putty]] trope features
Jimmy owned a supersonic wristwatch that he used to summon Superman whenever he wanted (only Superman could hear its iconic "Zee...zee...zee..). The hero must have regretted giving it to him, as Jimmy either called him to ask mundane favors, or needed help from problems he constantly got himself into (including trying to arrest criminals on his own) on the assumption that Superman would come and save him. Maybe it was because of this that, like Lois, Jimmy often was a target of Superman's [[Super Dickery|surprisingly mean sense of humor]]. And yet, Superman never took the wristwatch away. (
Jimmy's series lasted into
After Kirby's departure, Jimmy's title was combined with Lois' to create ''Superman Family'' in which Jimmy's stories became more realistic urban crime adventures. In them, the crooks are usually [[Genre Savvy]] enough to remove his signal-watch, forcing him to rely more on his own wits. Fortunately, Jimmy is more than up to the task as a two-fisted [[Intrepid Reporter]].
Jimmy's role has since waned over the decades; while he still appears in most versions of ''Superman'', his role as best friend has effectively been taken over by Lois, as she not only is more agreeable, but is now
However, Jimmy recently{{when}} got his own mini-series, starting as a co-feature in ''Action Comics'', before getting
This storyline also finally introduced the popular [[Smallville]] character Chloe Sullivan into official DC Comics continuity, and paired the two fellow [[Canon Immigrant|Canon Immigrants]] (Chloe from ''[[Smallville]]'', Jimmy from the radio serials) together.
This renewed interest in the character just goes to show Jimmy is likely to remain a part of the Superman Mythos forever.
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{{creatortropes}}
* [[Ambiguously Gay]]: A few times, and hilariously so in ''[[All-Star Superman]]''.
* [[Adaptive Armor]]: His powers during "Countdown" were triggered only when he was in actual danger.
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[[Category:Jimmy Olsen]]
[[Category:Superman]]
[[Category:Character]]]
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