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Mild Mannered Reviews - Classic Pre-Crisis Superman Comics

Jimmy Olsen #136

Jimmy Olsen #136

Cover date: February 1971

"The Saga of the D.N.Aliens"

Writer: Jack Kirby
Penciller: Jack Kirby
Inker: Jack Kirby
Superman and Jimmy heads: Murphy Anderson
Cover: Neal Adams

Reviewed by: Charlie Niemeyer

Click to enlarge


Picking up from the end of of last issue, the Newsboys bust in to see The Guardian battling Giant Olsen while Superman lies unconscious and Jimmy watches on. While Jimmy catches the youngsters up on what's going on, Guardian and Giant Olsen continue to exchange blows until the monster gets the upper hand and knocks Guardian down. Seeing this, Jimmy runs over to try to revive Superman, but before Superman can get up, the giant grabs Jimmy. Seeing that they look alike, the giant goes on another rampage thinking that this is some kind of trick. Superman uses his super-strength to tilt the floor, knocking the giant off-balance and causing him to drop Jimmy. Then Superman flies at super-speed to catch Jimmy (which actually should have seriously hurt Jimmy, but doesn't). Guardian goes to take down the giant, but before he can land a blow, there is a sudden explosion from the giant's head. That's when the micro-paratroopers (almost microscopic clones of Scrapper) make themselves known and cover the now unconscious giant in liquid nitrogen.

Back at the Evil Factory, Darkseid scolds Simyan and Mokkari for their failure and tells them that their next mission must be a success. However, the only other clones that are available are simple "beasts of burden." Then they remember the samples that were developed in an atmosphere of beta gas. Unfortunately, they have been unable to observe their progress because these clones have encased themselves in egg sacks.

Back at the Project, the original Newsboys, who had somehow been held back by security (more on that later), fill in their young clones on the origins of this new Guardian while Superman and Jimmy watch the giant get sealed into a cryogenic capsule. Then Superman continues Jimmy's tour of the project. We learn that then entire staff are clones, such as the communications division being staffed by clones of Gabby. Superman reveals that he has known about the Project since its inception and that his were the first cells to be grown. We then learn of the 3 types of humans grown at the Project: Normals (like the Newsboys), the Step-Ups (like the Hairies) and the Aliens. As an example of the Aliens, Superman introduces Jimmy to Dubbilex.

Back at the Evil Factory, Simyan and Mokkari witness one of the eggs "hatching," with 4 arms breaking through the shell.

To be continued...

3Story - 3: Not bad, but there were a lot of things about this issue that just don't sit right with me. First of all, please keep in mind that I have never read these issues before, and I am reading them as I go along with these reviews, so if I complain about something that is possibly explained later, forgive me.

First of all, at the end of last issue, the older Newsboys were with Jimmy and the Guardian heading towards the battle while the younger Newsboys were still with the guards. In this issue, the youngsters are alone and show up at the fight, Jimmy and Guardian are already there and the adults are missing because they'd been held back by the guards. How did that happen?

Also, I am still having a hard time with any version of Superman (other than those in imaginary stories, Elseworlds, etc.) not having a problem with all the cloning going on in secret. Now, he mentions that his cells were some of the first grown at the Project. Could this mean this is a Superman clone? Although, I don't know when they would have traded places. Still, this seems like a colder version of Superman.

3Art - 3: OK, Kirby's art had been growing on me, but this issue just seems a bit rushed. There are instances where some characters had abnormally large hands (see page 2 where Guardian's fist is as big if not bigger than his head). Also, Flippa-Dippa looks so different on page 16 that it could almost be a different character if it wasn't for the unneeded scuba gear. Plus, there are instances where Kirby forgot to draw in Giant Olsen's boot lines, even though the big guy has no toes. Also, Murphy Anderson's art style does not mesh well with Kirby's at all.

3Cover Art - 3: I usually love me a Neal Adams cover, but this one is just meh. First, Giant Olsen is off-model since he is missing the boots entirely. Also, there is just something weird about the Giant Olsen that I can't quite put my finger on. The colors are a little jarring as well. There just should not be that much yellow on a cover without much of a background.

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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