Automoderated users, Autopatrolled users, Bureaucrats, Comment administrators, Confirmed users, Moderators, Rollbackers, Administrators
213,951
edits
m (Mass update links) |
(added Category:Character) |
||
(9 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown) | |||
Line 1:
{{
[[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 (
An anonymous character who looked like Jimmy turned up as early as ''
Jimmy works as a photographer for the ''Daily Planet'', which is an excuse for him to accompany the [[Intrepid Reporter|intrepid reporters]] Lois and Clark in their adventures without being one himself. However, he has absolutely no problem getting into far more trouble and sent on far more bizarre adventures than he seeks out, and his unique status, which since ''[[Crisis
Jimmy became so popular he actually starred in his own comic book series, the humorous ''Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen''
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
Jimmy's series lasted into
▲Jimmy's series lasted into the [[The Seventies|1970s]], when, as with Lois, DC tried to make him a more modern, believable character. He got a new set of clothes (loooong after Archie had stopped using his own similar set) and had adventures that didn't involve Superman or zany plots. He even picked up the nickname "Mister Action" (despite not starring in DC's Action Comics). Ironically, the weirdness came back with a vengeance when, of all people, [[Jack Kirby]] came along to write and draw the series. Kirby, fresh off [[Marvel Comics]], decided to take this series as there was no assigned staff at the time, so he wouldn't cost anyone his job. With the clean slate, Kirby used the series to launch his [[New Gods]] saga (which means that, yes, [[Darkseid]] debuted in ''this'' title!) Kirby also used the series to bring back his own, older creations, the Newsboy Legion (both as adult scientists AND as their teenage clones) and the superhero The Guardian. On top of that, he also invented the DNA Project (known now as Cadmus) that would later have an impact on characters such as [[Superboy]] with their cloning techniques. Oh, and in case you think he forgot about Jimmy, he added one more transformation to the character's collection: "Homo Tremendus", i.e. Jimmy as a berserking caveman!
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. ▼
▲However, Jimmy recently got his own mini-series, starting as a co-feature in Action Comics, before getting canceled, and later reprinted with the storyline complete. In fact, it was praised as one of the best series' of the year, and deeper delving into Jimmy's character, particularly his Genre Savviness about his cosmic plaything status, has yielded surprisingly solid results.
This renewed interest in the character just goes to show
▲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.
----
{{creatortropes}}
* [[Ambiguously Gay]]: A few times, and hilariously so in ''[[All
* [[Adaptive Armor]]: His powers during "Countdown" were triggered only when he was in actual danger.
* [[Action Hero]]: As Mr. Action.
* [[Attractive Bent Gender]]: Jimmy looks pretty darn fetching as a woman, and in one story, a mobster falls for the disguised Jimmy.
* [[Badass Normal]]: Pre-Crisis, Jimmy did some pretty heroic things, mostly to avoid the inevitable debris of hanging around the planet's most powerful being, on top of providing exposés of crime rings for public viewing.
** Technically, this is mostly a case of [[Depending
** Sadly, ''post''-Crisis Jimmy stayed a [[Status Quo Is God|complete and total putz until a few years ago]].
* [[Baleful Polymorph]]: Some of the forms Jimmy was turned into include:
Line 49 ⟶ 48:
* [[Canon Foreigner]]: Introduced in the radio show, though some claim an (unnamed) copy boy in an earlier Superman comic was supposed to be Jimmy.
* [[Captain Ersatz]]: Superman and Jimmy Olsen become ''[[Batman]]'' and ''[[Robin]]'' [[Expy|Expies]] Nightwing and Flamebird in the bottled city of Kandor, allowing Jimmy to fight crime alongside a depowered Superman (since Kandor is under a red sun.)
* [[Cloning Blues]]: The Newsboy Legion. Pre-[[Crisis
* [[Cosmic Plaything]]: Jimmy didn't need to know Superman or even do anything extraordinary for things to *just happen* to him.
** [[Fridge Brilliance]]: That may be ''why'' he's Superman's best friend.
Line 65 ⟶ 64:
* [[Weirdness Magnet]]: Holy ''crap''.
* [[Wholesome Crossdresser]]: Oh, he also disguised himself as a woman on occasion as part of a mission. Makes you wonder...
** Played, er, "straight" in ''[[All
* [[Written Sound Effect]]: His signal watch's: ''Zee! Zee! Zee!''
* [[Zany Scheme]]: Jimmy either made one, or got involved in one.
{{reflist}}
[[Category:DC Comics Characters]]
[[Category:DC Comics Series]]
Line 77 ⟶ 75:
[[Category:The Great Depression]]
[[Category:Jimmy Olsen]]
[[Category:
[[Category:Character]]]
|