Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #113

Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #113 (On Sale: June 11, 1968), AKA 80pg. Giant #G-50 has a cover by Ross Andru and Mike Esposito on the theme The Anti-Superman Issue!

We start with "The Super-Brain of Jimmy Olsen" from Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #22 by Otto Binder, Curt Swan and Ray Burnley. Inventor, Professor Potter, demonstrates his new evolution machine on Jimmy Olsen. The machine gives Jimmy a super-brain for 12 hours. During that time, Jimmy orders Superman to move several large objects around the Earth. If Superman refuses, he threatens to expose his secret identity. Superman complies, and eventually Jimmy's super-brain wears off. Jimmy has no memories of his evolved experience, but he left a note for Superman.

Next is "The Helmet of Hate" from Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #68 by Jerry Siegel, Curt Swan and George Klein. Jimmy borrows a Red Kryptonite gun and the Helmet of Hate from the Superman Museum. When he puts on the helmet, he becomes evil and lures Superman into a trap in which he uses the Red Kryptonite gun. Superman is transformed into a devil and begins helping the underworld.

Space criminals Boz and Grumm watch the events, and when Superman approaches them to form an alliance, they allow him onboard their ship.

This is followed by "The Outlaw Jimmy Olsen" from Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #27 by Otto Binder, Curt Swan and Ray Burnley. An evil duplicate of Jimmy Olsen is created by a ray made by Professor Potter. The evil Jimmy commits crimes and uses Kryptonite to learn Superman’s secret identity.

Next we have "The Betrayal of Superman" from Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #8 by Otto Binder, Curt Swan and Ray Burnley. Jimmy helps his sick friend Dick Crane by taking over a case as a private investigator. After agreeing to help, he learns the assignment is to learn Superman’s secret identity and expose it to Bart Gordon. Jimmy disguises himself and takes the case. However, he secretly works with Superman, so that when Gordon sees Superman is his secret identity, Superman’s back is turned, and Gordon can’t see his face.

Next is "Jimmy Olsen's Secret Power" from Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #55 by Robert Bernstein, Curt Swan and Stan Kaye. Jimmy is ordered by his editor to bring in some scoops, so he calls Superman for assistance. The Man of Steel offers to give Jimmy some scoops on his capture of the East Side Gang. After Superman captures one group of the gang, Jimmy visits Professor Potter, who has been replaced by a crook. The crook gives Jimmy a horseshoe which repels objects coming near it.

Later, Superman continues to try and gets scoops for Jimmy, but each time the crooks are not where a tip has told Superman they should be. The Man of Steel also sees Jimmy talking with gangster Nick Kaye. After several incidents Superman believes Jimmy is working with the gangsters, but he finds out the the horseshoe contains a radio that allowed the crooks to overhear Superman’s plans.

This is followed by "The Boy Who Killed Superman" from Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #28 by Otto Binder, Curt Swan and Ray Burnley. Jimmy is transported to the 60th century by accident. He learns that he is known throughout history as a villain because he killed Superman. Jimmy tries to hide, but the future authorities catch him and send him back to his own time. Superman meets him and explains that Jimmy didn’t kill him; it would be a hoax to trap some crooks.

Next is "Jimmy Olsen, Juvenile Delinquent" from Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #40 by Robert Bernstein, Curt Swan and John Forte. Jimmy Olsen goes undercover to expose a gang of teenage hoodlums known as the Kings. While gathering evidence Jimmy discovers that Perry White’s son, Hank, is a member of the gang. Jimmy feels bad when he tells Perry about his son, but Perry gives the go ahead for the story.

When Jimmy returns to the gang, they uncover his disguise and take him prisoner.

Rounding out the issue is "King of the Giant Ants" from Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #54 by Robert Bernstein, Curt Swan and Stan Kaye. Mr. Mxyzptlk returns to Metropolis with a plan to pester Superman. Unfortunately, a strong wind blows off his hat, which then ends up in the possession of Jimmy Olsen. The hat grants Jimmy wishes including giving him super powers.

Jimmy then flies off to handle an army of giant ants. The ants force Jimmy to work with them by threatening Superman’s life. After nearly defeating the ants, Jimmy is hypnotized by the leader, Mgoro.

Jimmy tries to kill Superman, but is then awakened from a dream. The ants were a part of the dream, it seems that Mxyzptlk’s hat contained Red Kryptonite so that when Jimmy asks for super powers, he became affected by it.

Edited by Mort Weisinger.

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