Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen #3
DC Comics
Written by: Matt Fraction
Art by: Steve Leiber
Colors by: Nathan Fairbairn
Letters by: Clayton Cowles
The increasingly dangerous and impossible adventures of Jimmy Olsen continue to play out in this issue where forces around him and the people close to him will not get away unscathed.
In the past, the feud between Jimmy and Lex’s ancestors heats up and in the present, Lex inherits a time capsule that has to potential to spark it again.
Jimmy continues his risky stunts without being aware that he has become the target of an assassin. The conspiracy to kill Jimmy continues to grow and even Superman can’t keep him safe. When an unfortunate accident in a lab brings Jimmy a perfect copy of himself, his decoy’s murder finally prompts Jimmy to act.
Iterations of this series have always been on the light and comedic side and this one is no different. What makes this series unique is Matt Fraction’s take on the character and the world he inhabits. Even with the stakes getting higher, Jimmy manages to maintain a childlike whimsy that is equal parts endearing and annoying. Fraction straddles that line well with this story and the way the story jumps from moment to moment gives the reader a broader view of Jimmy as a person and the unique world he inhabits outside just being Superman’s pal.
Steve Leiber complements the story and the tone of this issue by keeping the art light and fun as well.