In the pantheon of comic book greats, there are few names as legendary and monolithic as Jack “The King” Kirby. Breaking into the industry in the ‘30’s, Kirby would work alongside creators like Joe Simon, Steve Ditko, Stan Lee, and more, revolutionizing the superhero genre and ushering in the “Marvel Age” of comics. While his work at Marvel saw the creation of countless iconic characters, and garnered record sales and critical acclaim, Kirby’s lack of creative control and authorship credits soured his relationship with the company. Kirby would ultimately leave for DC Comics in 1970, with the publisher heralding his arrival in ads across their line. It’s here that Kirby would finally debut a saga he’d been forming for years, with its first steps arriving in an unlikely, but fitting place…Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen
jimmy olsen
Matt Fraction, American Fiction, and Jimmy Olsen! (Pt. 2 of 2)
Editor’s Note: In Part 1 of this series, Ritesh explored Matt Fraction, Steve Lieber and team’s DC Comics series Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen, which led to an exploration of Fraction’s “American Fiction” trilogy released over the last few years. Today, the journey concludes with Adventureman, the Pulps, and circling back to the comedy of Jimmy Olsen!
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Matt Fraction, American Fiction, and Jimmy Olsen! (Pt. 1 of 2)
I made Casanova and I’m telling you, I could never match the psycho-sexual Jungian underpinnings of Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen as presented by Mort Weisinger. By wife-beating, child-hater Mort Weisinger. – Matt Fraction
I must confess at this juncture:
I’ve never particularly been a Jimmy Olsen fan.
Now, now, put your pitchforks down, folks. I like the goofy ginger as much as the next person, always have. But he was never a character I was particularly obsessed with or enthralled by. You get me? He was fun. He was cute. He was charming. And you know what? That was enough. I didn’t think he necessarily needed to be more. [Read more…] about Matt Fraction, American Fiction, and Jimmy Olsen! (Pt. 1 of 2)
Best Comics Ever #43: Best Comics of 2019 (So Far) Pt. 1
I’m joined by John Galati to discuss our picks for best comics of the year to date!
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[Read more…] about Best Comics Ever #43: Best Comics of 2019 (So Far) Pt. 1The Essential Jimmy Olsen Comic Book Stories
Jimmy Olsen is one of the most recognizable supporting characters in comics, and for my money, the most famous pal in history. The red-headed bow-tie wearing Daily Planet photographer is up there with Archie and Dennis the Menace as fictional presences interwoven in the modern American mythology. [Read more…] about The Essential Jimmy Olsen Comic Book Stories