Thursday, August 18, 2011

JIMMY OLSEN #1 by Paul Salvi



Paul says: "Why Jimmy Olsen?
"I'm struggling to explain my reasoning after the fact, since I didn't put much thought into my submission -- I knew immediately who and what I would draw.

"I've been fond of (obsessed with) Superman for most of my life, after being exposed in rapid brain-altering succession to the Smithsonian Superman exhibit, the Superboy television series (which, not-coincidentally, prominently featured Bizarro and Metallo), the Ruby Spears Superman cartoon series and a full run of John Byrne revamp issues my father obtained under shady circumstances. Superman III, IV, and Supergirl (featuring, not-coincidentally, Jimmy and Lucy Lane) were all rerun to death throughout my formative years as well, and in my head that stuff is all smooshed into a sort of mini-canon by which all other incarnations of Superman are measured. Most fall short, usually in the "fun" department.

Sandra Lanz, who is busy with the upcoming Luci's Let Down, colored this submission despite having little-to-no knowledge of or affection for these characters. That she agreed to do it and did it so well is a testament to her overall awesomeness as a person and an artist. Sandra also does the art for PSAs From Panels, an offshoot of Agreeable Comics' The Rack. (While you're there, stop by The Line, which is drawn by me.)

Jimmy Olsen was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.

9 comments:

  1. I've been vocal about getting a Jimmy Olsen series into the DCU again for a while now, and Paul definitely "gets" it.

    Would read? You betcha.

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  2. The world really does need a Jimmy Olsen solo series and Paul would be perfect for it. Great submission, Paul!

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  3. Thank you gentlemen!

    Hate to quibble, but Jimmy Olsen wasn't created by Siegel and Shuster, he was created by random radio-writer guy(s). Random Dead Radio Folk, I salute you!

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  4. I really like how the my eyes are drawn toward the bottom corner where Jimmy is hunkered down.

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  5. Paul: Good point, but the creators of record are S&S, for whatever reason...

    Anyway, I love this piece.

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  6. Thank you, Jon! And thank you again for putting all this together.

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  7. I would really love an on-going Jimmy series. Many fun one shots/specials/minis/back-up have already proven it could work in the long run.

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  8. Agreed!

    Something I can't believe I forgot to mention in the commentary: my first comic EVER was World of Metropolis #4, which has Jimmy on the cover, is called "Suicide Watch" and is about Jimmy and his signal watch. How 'bout that? : )

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