PREVIOUSLY ON JIMMY OLSEN, LIFE WRECKING IDIOT…
In my previous two installments, I talked about how much Superman’s pal Jimmy Olsen is a life wrecking idiot. We talked about how he’s really gullible and how he’s literally a toxic person. What more can we say about Jimmy? Well, I’m glad you asked!
JIMMY OLSEN IS A STALKER
We all know now, by the title of the comic at least, that Jimmy Olsen is Superman’s Pal. All outward appearances, it appears the Jimmy Olsen is a fucking clutz and constantly requires saving. Outwardly it looks like Jimmy’s friendship is one-sided considering that Superman always having to go out of his way because Jimmy is doing something stupid. In fact, it seems to be more trouble than it’s worth. However, I believe that there is something more sinister lurking under this whole relationship. Deep under the cover of “friendship” is a layer of creepiness that I find very unsettling about our pal Jim. Looking up the definition of what a stalker is, it’s hard not to see that he follows some of the pattern behavior. If Jimmy showed this level of obsession to anyone but Superman he’d probably have plenty of restraining orders piled up. Don’t believe me? Well let’s get into this shall we?
“THE MAN OF STEEL’S SUBSTITUTE” – FROM SUPERMAN’S PAL JIMMY OLSEN #1
In this story, Superman had given a bunch of bum’s a job working for a construction company. When Superman can’t appear to help determine if the steel guides are faulty the workers threaten to leave their jobs. Jimmy decides to use his vast collection of Superman souvenirs to help save the day by making it look like Superman has made an appearance. The story basically showcases Jimmy’s collection of Superman memorabilia. Let’s do an inventory, shall we?1.) At the beginning, this story Jimmy is fielding Superman’s calls, and determining what are important issues for Superman to address.
2.) Jimmy has an entire room full of pictures and newspaper clippings of Superman, as well as a life-sized Superman doll.
3.) Jim has film and audio recordings and seems rather capable of splicing and putting them together to suit his needs.
4.) Jim has himself a tailor-made Superman costume, that he masquerades around in.
Just when you think that Jimmy takes things too far and that he’s going to get into trouble with Superman he usually pulls a stunt like this after:
“DISAPPEARANCE OF SUPERMAN!” – FROM SUPERMAN’S PAL JIMMY OLSEN #4
Superman is missing, and Jimmy goes to some very huge lengths to try and find out what happened to his pal, it’s almost endearing that he puts in all the effort he goes through to try and find out what happened to his friend. Almost. It turns out that Superman was trapped in a mine with a chunk of Kryptonite. Jimmy tracks Superman down and rescues him and Superman then brings the crooks who trapped him in there to justice.
NEXT TIME ON JIMMY OLSEN, LIFE WRECKING IDIOT…
We’ve got four more examples to go! Each one more telling than the last. In the next article, we take a look at what sort of egomaniac Jimmy Olsen truly is!