Mild Mannered Reviews - Classic Pre-Crisis Superman Comics

Jimmy Olsen #134

Jimmy Olsen #134

Cover date: December 1970

"The Mountain of Judgement!"

[Reprinted in Jimmy Olsen: Adventures by Jack Kirby Vol. 1 and Jack Kirby's Fourth World Omnibus Vol. 1]

Writer: Jack Kirby
Penciller: Jack Kirby
Inker: Vince Colletta
Superman and Jimmy heads: Al Plastino
Cover: Neal Adams

Reviewed by: Charlie Niemeyer

Click to enlarge



Jimmy, the Newsboys and the Outsiders prepare to go after the Mountain of Judgement. Superman again tries to stop them, but is again attacked with a Kryptonite weapon that knocks him out. While Superman is taken away, the others take off for the zoomway. First they encounter an "ill-kept" road, then a steep incline, then an underwater course, then a very slippery road, then a "nightmare of kaleidoscopic form and color" which is ironically just yellow, black and white.

Back at Habitat, Superman wakes up and goes after Jimmy and crew. He catches up to them just as they are about to be overcome by the Mountain of Judgement. Superman picks up the Whiz Wagon before it can be crushed, but they are all sucked into the Mountain's eye. Once they land, the Hairies introduce themselves before finding an Alpha-Bomb hidden inside the the Whiz Wagon's video camera. After Superman detonates the bomb, he admits to Jude, the leader of the Hairies, that he has seen their Top Secret file and he knows what they are doing. All that anyone will admit to Jimmy and the Newsboys is that they are a new, mobile scientific society, and reside in the Mountain of Judgement to avoid their enemies.

Meanwhile, in his office in the Galaxy Communications building, Morgan Edge is told by his master, Darkseid, that he has failed and to await further orders.

To be continued...

3Story - 3: On its own, this is a pretty solid issue, but as part of a multi-part story, the pacing goes a little wonky here. Just look at my review for the previous issue to see how much Kirby packed into that issue and compare it to this one. Granted, there was a lot of excitement and action, but it kind of seemed like padding after last issue. On the other hand, most, if not all, of the concepts introduced in this issue would remain unchanged for decades, which is pretty cool. Also, at first I thought it was annoying when Flipper Dipper announced himself, but basically it's the same as "This looks like a job for Superman!", so I'll forgive it.

5Art - 5: The Kirby stuff is great. Again though, Plastino's Superman and Jimmy heads (and most of Superman's S-Shield) look out of place. I do feel bad that he doesn't get a credit, but I guess that would have taken away from the Kirby mystique. In any event, the art looks good this issue.

5Cover Art - 5: On one hand, I'm wondering why Neal Adams is doing this cover instead of Kirby. On the other hand, I love Neal Adams' covers so there is no complaining. Plus it is basically a different take on an event that actually occurs in the issue. Just awesome!!


Pre-Crisis Superman Comic Book Reviews

1938-1949

1950-1959

  • Superman #76 (May/June 1952) - “The Mightiest Team in the World”
  • Superman #80 (January/February 1953) - “Superman's Lost Brother”
  • Superman 3D (1953) - “The Man Who Stole the Sun”, “Origin of Superman” and “The Man Who Bossed Superman”
  • Superman #87 (February 1954) - “The Prankster's Greatest Role”
  • Superman #88 (March 1954) - “The Terrible Trio”
  • Superman #89 (May 1954) - “Captain Kent the Terrible”, “Superman of Skid Row”, and “One Hour to Doom!”
  • Superman #91 (August 1954) - “The Superman Stamp” and “Great Caesar's Ghost”
  • World's Finest #88 (May/June 1957) - “Superman and Batman's Greatest Foes”
  • Superman #115 (August 1957) - “The Midget Superman!”
  • Superboy #65 (May/June 1958) - “The Amazing Adventures of Krypto Mouse”
  • Action Comics #242 (July 1958) - “The Super-Duel in Space”
  • Superman #123 (August 1958) - “The Girl of Steel”
  • Superman #127 (February 1959) - “Titano the Super Ape”
  • Action Comics #252 (May 1959) - “The Menace of Metallo” and “The Supergirl From Krypton”
  • Superman #129 (May 1959) - “The Girl in Superman's Past”
  • Superman #130 (July 1959) - “The Curse of Kryptonite!”, “The Super-Servant of Crime!”, and “The Town that Hated Superman!”
  • Jimmy Olsen #40 (October 1959) - “Jimmy Olsen, Supergirl's Pal”

1960-1969

1970-1979

1980-1986

Compilation Volumes

Miscellaneous

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