Jimmy Olsen
Jimmy Olsen is a male comic character that features in DC Comics.
Contents |
Biography
Pre-Crisis, Golden Age
Jimmy Olsen
His father was noted for being a professor who went on archaeological missions. (Adventure Comics v1 #216)
Pre-Crisis, Silver Age
Jimmy Olsen was born and raised in Mapleton. Olsen believed that his parents had died in a train wreck when he was a boy, and he practically raised himself. (Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen v1 #123) He was later reunited with his still-living father, archaeologist Mark Olsen. (Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen v1 #128)
One day, Jimmy discovered a bottle of green, phosphorescent liquid which was contained inside of a large chest that Superman had brought back with him from outer space. Fearing that the contents may be composed of Green Kryptonite, Jimmy opened the bottle outside of Superman's immediate presence. While attempting to dispose of the fluid, Jimmy tripped and accidentally spilled it all over himself. The strange liquid altered the boy's body chemistry granting him amazing powers of elasticity. He immediately set upon finding a cure, and joined a carnival side-show in the hopes of that he might one day return to normal. After several misadventures, Jimmy discovered that exposure to Kryptonite could permanently cure him of his stretching abilities. (Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen v1 #31)
Lana Lang's uncle, Professor Phineas Potter created a special stretching serum, which when imbibed, would grant the consumer fantastic stretching abilities. Jimmy and Clark Kent both accidentally drank the formula, and Jimmy became Elastic Lad once again. (Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen v1 #37)
The effects of Potter's formula were only temporary, however, and before long, Jimmy resumed his normal physical shape. On one occasion, Jimmy traveled to the 30th century where he used Professor Potter's formula to become Elastic Lad once again. As Elastic Lad, Jimmy applied for membership in the Legion of Super-Heroes. Although he never became an active member of the team, the Legion considered him an honorary Legionnaire. (Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen v1 #72)
Post-Crisis
Following the Crisis of Infinite Earths, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events. James Bartholomew Olsen
Jimmy told his mother he was ready to live on his own again, and asked for her blessing. He rented an apartment without realizing he'd been laid off from the Daily Planet by Foswell because of cutbacks. (Superman: The Man of Steel v1 #1) Olsen later applied for a job at Newstime, but only kitchen staff jobs were available, but he took it to pay rent. He made friends with a woman named Babe in the kitchen and they helped get people to safety when Cerberus fire-bombed the building. They realized they had probably both be out of a job, so they went off to find fun. (Superman: The Man of Steel v1 #2) Jimmy submitted a story to the rag The Tattler, but it was rejected. Jimmy had hardly any money in his bank account, and was in danger of being evicted. (Superman: The Man of Steel v1 #4) He would come to take a job as a janitor at the Daily Star printing plant, but hoped to write an expose about the poor working conditions. A fight between Superman and the Atomic Skull spilled over into the plant, and the Skull atomized Jimmy's camera, which had all his incriminating photos of the plant. When his boss recognized him as a former reporter he fired him. (Superman: The Man of Steel v1 #5) Jimmy was evicted, and while gathering his possessions from the street after his landlord tossed them there he ran into Lucy Lane. He was too embarrassed to admit he was homeless and told her he was changing his lifestyle and couldn't see her anymore. He asked his friend Babe if he could move in, and she agreed, but Jimmy realized he'd never get sleep with her rock band practicing 24-7. (Superman: The Man of Steel v1 #7) Jimmy celebrated the Christmas season with Bibbo and his friends, and decorated Bibbo's bar and put up a Christmas tree. (Superman: The Man of Steel v1 #8) Olsen located Husque, who tried to switch places with Emil Hamilton, but because his calculations were off he returned to Exile World and brought the fiery monster Flashpoint to Earth. Flashpoint was feared and hunted, and fell in with arsonists Arnie and Freddy, who used him to pull jobs. Flashpoint burned a cab stand, and Superman kept the damage contained. At the same time Husque and Hamilton returned to Earth, teleporting Flashpoint and Arnie to Exile World. (Superman: The Man of Steel v1 #11) Jimmy was visiting Lucy Lane in the hospital when he ran into Babe, who was donating blood. She kissed Jimmy on the cheek, not helping Jimmy's efforts to make up with Lucy. (Superman: The Man of Steel v1 #13) Lucy was attacked by the vampire Ruthven, so Jimmy strapped on combat gear, and armed with holy water, garlic and a stake went after the villain. He ran into Robin, who was also pursuing Ruthven, but the vampire nearly killed them before Jimmy activated his signal watch. Superman flew Ruthven above the horizon line, and he disintegrated. Ruthven's disembodied voice told Superman he was still alive. (Superman: The Man of Steel v1 #14)
Later on, he came to learn about the death of Joker's Daughter Duela Dent and went to see the Red Hood Jason Todd to ask him about the incident. Todd revealed that he saw Duela had been killed by a mysterious alien figure. Looking for more clues, he journeyed to Arkham Asylum in order to speak to the Joker about his daughter. However, the Clown Prince of Crime revealed that he had no daughter and instead said that she was a 'doppelganger' leaving Olsen with even more questions. (Countdown v1 #50) Whilst at the Asylum, Killer Croc came to escape from the guards and attempted to eat Jimmy where he surprisingly manifested elastic powers. This helped knock Croc back long enough for the guards to apprehend the villain. At first, Olsen dismissed these powers as simply being a trick of the moment and did not give them much thought. (Countdown v1 #49)
He was then abducted by the new Forager who requested his aid in helping her investigate the death of the New Gods and finding their killer. (Countdown v1 #28)
Post-Flashpoint
Following the Flashpoint, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events.
Overview
Personality and attributes
The actions of Emperor Joker once transformed Jimmy Olsen into one of his minions in the Joker League of Anarchy where he went by the name of Gravedigger Lad. (Emperor Joker v1 #1)
He had a ginger haired sister named Janie Olsen who was a playwright. (Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen v2 #5) The pair also had a brother named Julian Olsen who became a noted businessman where he was known as Mr. Metropolis to the people. (Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen v2 #1)
He was once attracted to the female Forager from New Genesis with the two sharing a kiss. (Countdown v1 #19)
Powers and abilities
He developed a number of short term superpowers and identities that included:
- Speed Demon :
- Radioactive :
- Super-Brain :
- Monstrous beard growth :
- Gorilla :
- Elastic Lad :
- Human Porcupine :
- Steelman :
Darkseid later turned Olsen into his cosmic vessel with Jimmy unaware of an implant placed within his brain. This machine could generate random superpowers for Jimmy but he had no conscious control over his abilities with these typically manifesting in the face of danger. The implant itself if attacked could generate anti-bodies to attack anything attempting to damage it. Darkseid had controls in place allowing him to take command of Olsen's body but if the implant was damaged then it could lead to him being free. (Countdown v1 #3)
Notes
- Jimmy Olsen was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster where he had a cameo in Action Comics v1 #6 (November, 1938) but debuted Superman v1 #13 (November/December, 1941).
Alternate Versions
In other media
Television
- In the DC Animated Universe, Jimmy Olsen made multiple appearances in the shared continuity setting.
- In Superman: The Animated Universe, Jimmy Olsen appeared in the animated television series where he was voiced by actor David Kaufman. Jimmy first met Clark Kent at the Daily Planet, the two of them striking a quick friendship. He officially met Superman while the latter had been captured by Parasite, to be kept as a prisoner while Parasite drained his powers. Jimmy was able to track Parasite by realizing he flew to the same place every 12 hours or so. Upon arriving at S.T.A.R. Labs boiler room, Jimmy found Superman imprisoned. While Jimmy loosened up the chains, Superman was able to escape and engaged Parasite, defeating him. At one point, Jimmy complains to Lois that he wants to join in on the Intergang investigation. Lois refuses to let him tag along, and Jimmy decides to investigate himself. Supergirl, who is visiting the Daily Planet under the guise of Clark's cousin 'Kara', overheard this conversation and seeing a chance to prove herself, decides to join him. The pair eventually finds the right place and sneak into Intergang's hideout, but get caught by Granny Goodness, who is using an asteroid magnet to draw a comet to Earth. Supergirl and Superman manage to move the comet out of Earth's atmosphere, saving the day. At the Planet, Jimmy proudly admires his front-page story on Supergirl's debut. As his co-workers eagerly crowd around for more details, he points out the window, where Kara flies around Metropolis, proud of her achievement and confident that Earth has a new heroine.
- In The Batman, Jimmy Olsen appeared in the animated television series where he was voiced by actor Jack DeSena.
- In Supergirl, Jimmy Olsen appeared in the live-action television series where he was portrayed by actor Mehcad Brooks.
Films
- In Superman, Jimmy Olsen appeared in the live-action film where he was was portrayed by actor Marc McClure.
- In Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Jimmy Olsen appeared in the live-action film set in the DC Extended Universe where he was portrayed by actor Michael Cassidy.
Video games
- In Superman: Shadow of Apokolips, Jimmy Olsen appeared in cutscenes in the setting of the video game set in the DC Animated Universe continuity where he was voiced again by actor David Kaufman.
- In DC Universe Online, Jimmy Olsen appeared as a supporting character in the MMORPG where he was voiced by actor Brandon Young.
Appearances
- Action Comics v1: (1938)
- Superman v1: (1941)
- Countdown v1:
- 52 v1:
- Superman:
- Action Comics v2:
- Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen v2:
External Links
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