13 COVERS: A JIMMY OLSEN Salute to JACK LARSON

A birthday tribute to the late actor…

I was never a big Jimmy Olsen fan. I know that’s heresy in some quarters (sorry!) but what can I tell you? On the other hand, I love the late Jack Larson’s portrayal of the Man of Steel’s pal in TV’s The Adventures of Superman.

Larson — who was born 94 years ago on Feb. 8, 1928 — not only had goofy charm and charisma, he had great comic timing, perfect for the show whether we’re talking the darker, earlier episodes or the lighter, later ones.

Anyway, I didn’t realize until I recently read 1975’s Amazing World of DC Comics #7 — the Superman issue — that the publisher decided to give Jimmy his own book in 1954 because of the show and Larson’s popularity.

So I’ve decided to put together a 13 COVERS gallery culled from the first 29 issues of the comics series, which are the ones that came out during the show’s life span. I also selected those that feel like they’d be right at home on the show.

Golly, that’s swell!

Curt Swan pencils, Stan Kaye inks

Swan pencils, possibly Kaye inks

Swan and Kaye

Swan and Kaye

Swan pencils, Ray Burnley inks

Swan and Kaye

Swan and Burnley

Swan and Burnley

Swan and Kaye

Swan and Kaye

Swan and Kaye

Swan and Burnley

Swan and Kaye

MORE

— The TOP 13 ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN Episodes – RANKED. Click here.

— GEORGE REEVES’ SUPERMAN: It Took Decades But I Finally Get What Made Him Great. Click here.

Author: Dan Greenfield

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2 Comments

  1. I love Jack Larson’s Jimmy too. He’s always Jimmy in my head canon. The story in issue #4 “King for a Day” was adapted into Adventures of Superman episode #65.

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