{"id":32763,"date":"2025-05-03T08:00:21","date_gmt":"2025-05-03T08:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/?p=32763"},"modified":"2025-05-02T17:03:43","modified_gmt":"2025-05-02T17:03:43","slug":"dc-finest-superman-family-the-giant-turtle-man","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/2025\/05\/03\/dc-finest-superman-family-the-giant-turtle-man\/","title":{"rendered":"DC Finest: Superman Family – The Giant Turtle Man"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"
\nBy Jerry Siegel<\/strong>, Otto Binder<\/strong>, Robert Bernstein<\/strong>, Jerry Coleman<\/strong>, Leo Dorfman<\/strong>, Curt Swan<\/strong>, Jim Mooney<\/strong>, Kurt Schaffenberger<\/strong>, George Papp<\/strong>, Al Plastino<\/strong>, John Forte<\/strong>, Sheldon Moldoff<\/strong>, Stan Kaye<\/strong> & various (DC Comics)
\nISBN: 978-1-79950-110-7 (TPB)<\/p>\n

This book includes Discriminatory Content<\/strong> produced in less enlightened times.<\/em><\/p>\n

On April 18th<\/sup> 1938 when the Man of Tomorrow debuted in Action Comics<\/strong> #1, he was instantly the centre of attention. However, even then the need for a solid supporting cast was apparent and cleverly catered for. Glamorous daredevil reporter Lois Lane<\/strong> premiered right beside Clark Kent<\/em> and was his constant companion and foil from the outset. Although unnamed, a plucky red-headed, freckled kid started working alongside Lois & Clark from issue #6 (November 1938) onwards.<\/p>\n

His first name was disclosed in Superman<\/strong> #13 (November-December 1941), having already been revealed as Jimmy Olsen<\/strong> to radio fans as he was a major player in The Adventures of Superman<\/strong> show from its debut on April 15th<\/sup> 1940. As someone the same age as the target audience: on hand for the hero to explain stuff to (all for the listener\u2019s benefit), Jimmy was the closest thing to a sidekick the Action Ace ever needed. He\u2019s remained a sporadic yet amazingly popular one ever since.<\/p>\n

When the similarly titled TV show launched in the autumn of 1952, it was again an overnight sensation and National Periodical Publications began cautiously expanding their revitalised franchise with new characters and titles. First to get a promotion to solo-star status was the Daily Planet\u2019s impetuously capable if occasionally conveniently naive \u201ccub reporter\u201d. His addictively charming, light-hearted escapades began in Superman\u2019s Pal Jimmy Olsen<\/strong> #1 (September\/October 1954): only one of many spin-off stars in the Caped Kryptonian\u2019s ever-expanding entourage.<\/p>\n

Nevertheless, despite characters burgeoning on the pages of Superman\u2019s titles it took three years for cautious Editors to tentatively extend the franchise again. In 1957, just as the Silver Age of Comics was getting underway, try-out title Showcase<\/strong> – which had already launched The Flash<\/strong> in #4 and Challengers of the Unknown<\/strong> in #6 – followed up with two issues entitled Superman\u2019s Girl Friend Lois Lane<\/strong> (#9 & 10). Also conveniently na\u00efve when a story demanded it, the \u201cplucky News-hen\u201d was awarded a series of her own. Technically it was her second, since in the 1940s she had commanded a regular solo-spot in Superman<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In previous reviews I\u2019ve banged on about the patronising, parochial – and to at least some of us – potentially offensive portrayals of kids and most especially women during this period, and although some fairer, more affirmative instances were starting to appear, those warnings still bear repeating. Read with eyes open and social conscience primed please…<\/p>\n

At that time, hers was one of precious few titles with a female lead, and, in the context of today, one that causes many 21st<\/sup> century fans understandable qualms of conscience. Within the confines of her series the valiant, capable and determined working woman careered crazily from man-hungry, unscrupulous paranoid bitch through ditzy simpleton to indomitable and brilliant troubleshooter – often all in the same issue. The comic book was clearly intended to appeal to the family demographic that made I Love Lucy<\/strong> a national phenomenon, and many stories were played for laughs in the same patriarchal, parochial manner: a \u201cgosh, aren\u2019t ladies funny?\u201d tone that appals me today – but not as much as the fact that I still love them to bits.<\/p>\n

That they\u2019re mostly sublimely illustrated by the wonderfully whimsical Kurt Schaffenberger softens the repeated blows, but really, at my age I should know better\u2026<\/p>\n

For the close Superman Family<\/strong> and extended cast the tone of the times dictated a highly strictured code of conduct and parameters: Daily Planet Editor Perry White<\/em> was a stern, shouty, elder statesman with a heart of gold, Cub Reporter Jimmy was a brave, impulsive, unseasoned fool – with a heart of gold – and Lois was brash, impetuous, unscrupulous and nosy, obsessed with marrying Superman, despite being – deep down – another possessor of an auric aorta. There were also more people with blue or green skin than brown or other human shades, but as I\u2019m trying to plug this book\u2019s virtues I\u2019m just shutting up now.<\/p>\n

While I\u2019m at it though, this stunning compilation is another DC Finest editions: full colour extensions of their monochrome Showcase Presents<\/strong> line, delivering \u201caffordably priced, large-size (comic book dimensions generally around 600 pages) paperback collections\u201d highlighting past glories. Sadly, as yet they\u2019re unavailable digitally but we live in hope\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

Somehow, even with such byzantine editorial mandates in place the talented writers and artists assigned to detail these wholesomely uncanny exploits crafted tales both beguiling and breathtakingly memorable\u2026 and usually as funny as they were thrilling.<\/p>\n

By today\u2019s standards, Superman\u2019s Pal Jimmy Olsen<\/strong> wasn\u2019t quite as contentious, but still far too often stories meant to amuse portrayed the bright, bold boy in demeaning if not downright cruel situations and experiencing humiliating physical transformations. Even so, a winning blend of slapstick adventure, action, fantasy and science fiction (in the gentle, insidiously charming manner scripter Otto Binder had perfected 15 years previously at Fawcett Comics on Captain Marvel<\/strong>) made the series one of the most popular of the era. Again, originally most yarns were played for laughs in a father-knows-best manner and tone which can again appal me today, even though I still count them amongst some of my very favourite comics. Confusing, ain\u2019t it?<\/p>\n

This cinematically timely, intriguingly chronologically comprehensive compendium collects exploits starring the Man of Steel\u2019s mates and kin (and pets) as first seen in Action Comics<\/strong> #266, 277 & 278, Adventure Comics<\/strong> #287, Superman<\/strong> #142,143 & 147, Superboy<\/strong> #87, 90 & 92, Superman\u2019s Girlfriend, Lois Lane <\/strong>#19-28, and Superman\u2019s Pal Jimmy Olsen<\/strong> #47-56, cumulatively spanning July 1960 to October 1961: a period of infinite wackiness and outrageous absurdity, but heralding the inevitable dawning of a more serious milieu for the Action Ace and those close to him.
\n\"\"
\nThis particular series of ethical conundrums commence with \u2018The World\u2019s Mightiest Cat!\u2019<\/em> by Jerry Siegel & Jim Mooney, as the Supergirl<\/strong> story in back of Action Comics<\/strong> #266 finds her secret identity of foundling Linda Lee<\/em> endangered by a fellow orphan at Midvale Orphanage who thinks her ginger cat Streaky<\/strong> has super powers…<\/p>\n

Our perpetual lady-in-waiting follows in 3 yarns limned by Schaffenberger as Superman\u2019s Girlfriend, Lois Lane <\/strong>#19 (August 1960) opens with Robert Bernstein\u2019s \u2018The Day Lois Lane Forgot Superman!\u2019<\/em> Here, devoted sister Lucy<\/em> convinces her perennially heartbroken elder sibling to try hypnosis and get past her destructive obsession. Sadly, when it works, Lois finds time to pester Clark so much he has no time to save the world\u2026<\/p>\n

When an accident seemingly catapults Lois into history she becomes enamoured of Samson<\/em>, a hero with a secret identity and \u2018The Superman of the Past!\u2019<\/em> This quirky yarn by Binder segues into a new occasional series from Siegel & Schaffenberger. \u2018Mr. and Mrs. Clark (Superman) Kent!\u2019 <\/em>was the first of a poignant tragi-comedy feature depicting the laughter and tears that might <\/em>result if Lois secretly married the Man of Steel. Although seemingly having achieved her heart\u2019s desire, she is officially only married to dull, safe Clark, and must keep her relationship with Superman secret: unable to brag or show pride and forced to swallow the rage she feels whenever another woman throws herself at the still eligible bachelor hero\u2026<\/p>\n

For an artefact of an era uncomfortably dismissive of women, there\u2019s actually genuine heart and understanding in this tale, and a minimum of snide sniping about \u201csilly, empty-headed girls\u201d. Perhaps it was the influence of the tailored-for-adults Superman newspaper strip Siegel was simultaneously scripting leaking into the funnybook line\u2026.
\n\"\"
\nSuperman\u2019s Pal Jimmy Olsen<\/strong> #47 sees Jimmy in over his head, impersonating escaped convict Winky McCoy<\/em> and trapped as \u2018The King of Crime!\u2019 <\/em>in a cracking thriller by Bernstein, Curt Swan & John Forte, before the impatiently underage lad transforms into a husky 30-something thanks to another Professor Phineas Potter<\/em> potion in \u2018Jimmy Grows Up!\u2019 \u00a0<\/em>Here Binder sagely proves maturity isn\u2019t everything, before Siegel wraps up the issue with a rousing romp as alien producers who previously made horror movies starring Superman & Jimmy return to Earth seeking sequels. It soon transpires that the robot reporter they use to replace Jimmy doesn\u2019t like the prospect of being junked at shooting\u2019s end, and tries to do away with the original in \u2018The Monsters from Earth!\u2019<\/em>\u2026<\/p>\n

SGLL <\/strong>#20 (October 1960) opens whimsically with \u2018Superman\u2019s Flight from Lois Lane\u2019 <\/em>(Siegel & Schaffenberger), as the Man of Steel escapes into his own past to see if a different life-path might result in a civilian existence unencumbered by \u201cnosy snooping females\u201d. Disc jockey Clark soon learns his inquisitive assistant Liza Landis<\/em> makes Lois look positively disinterested and gladly ends the experiment, after which \u2018The Luckiest Girl in Metropolis!\u2019 <\/em>(Bernstein & Al Plastino) finds Lois targeted by a Machiavellian mobster seeking to destroy her credibility as a witness, prior to Siegel & Schaffenberger revisiting the Imaginary Mr. & Mrs.<\/strong> scenario with \u2018Lois Lane\u2019s Super-Daughter!\u2019<\/em> wherein attempts to adopt Linda Lee lead to heartbreak and disaster\u2026<\/p>\n

That same month in all-Swan & Forte Jimmy Olsen<\/strong> #48, anonymously scripted \u2018The Story of Camp Superman!\u2019 <\/em>presents heartwarming mystery as the cub works as counsellor to troubled kids – one of whom knows entirely too much about Superman – whilst \u2018The Disguises of Danger!\u2019 <\/em>revisits undercover Jimmy\u2019s acting gifts to get close to a cunning crook. Binder\u2019s \u2018The Mystery of the Tiny Supermen!\u2019 <\/em>sees the Kryptonian Bottled City Kandor\u2019s miniscule Superman Emergency Squad<\/em> harass Olsen in a devious ploy to prevent his accidentally exposing the Man of Steel\u2019s civilian identity\u2026<\/p>\n

All-Schaffenberger Lois Lane<\/strong> #21 delivers a double length epic by author unknown wherein the Anti-Superman Gang<\/em> utilise explosive toys to endanger the pesky reporter in \u2018The Lois Lane Doll!\u2019<\/em> It compels the Action Ace to hide her in his Fortress of Solitude, but even that proves insufficient and she finds refuge – and unlikely romance – \u2018Trapped in Kandor!\u2019 <\/em>Siegel then pens a classic yarn of bitter rivalry as the two women most dear to Superman gain incredible abilities and duke it out like men in \u2018The Battle Between Super-Lois and Super-Lana!\u2019<\/em>
\n\"\"
\nSPJO<\/strong> #49 leads with \u2018Jimmy\u2019s Gorilla Identity!\u2019 <\/em>as the luckless lad meets DC stalwart Congo Bill<\/strong> and gets his personality trapped in the hunter\u2019s occasional alter ego – giant golden ape Congorilla<\/strong>. Next, Prof. Potter is blamed for – but entirely innocent of – turning the kid into \u2018The Fat Boy of Metropolis!\u2019 <\/em>in a daft but clever crime caper, prior to Siegel playing with contemporary trends as Jimmy impersonates a rock \u2018n\u2019 roll star to impress Lucy Lane in \u2018Alias, Chip O\u2019Doole!\u2019\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

In Superman<\/strong> #142 (January 1961), Schaffenberger limns Binder\u2019s \u2018Lois Lane\u2019s Secret Helper!\u2019<\/em> wherein faithful super dog Krypto<\/strong> cunningly plays matchmaker to secure a comfy future for himself, before SGLL <\/strong>#22 – another all Schaffenberger affair – starts with a Red Kryptonite experiment afflicting the Metropolis Marvel with a compulsion to repeatedly pop the question to dubious and suspicious Lois in Siegel\u2019s \u2018The Day When Superman Proposed!\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

Bernstein\u2019s \u2018Lois Lane\u2019s X-Ray Vision!\u2019<\/em> sees irradiated sunglasses create a tidal wave of problems for Superman, before making her the \u2018Sweetheart of Robin Hood!\u2019 <\/em>in another time-shift dream seeing the reporter courted by a very familiar-seeming Defender of Truth, Justice and the Nottinghamshire Way\u2026<\/p>\n

In SPJO<\/strong> #50, Siegel, Swan & Sheldon Moldoff\u2019s \u2018The Lord of Olsen Castle!\u2019 <\/em>sees Jimmy as potential heir to a Swedish castle and title. All he must do is accomplish a slew of fantastic feats and defeat an ogre, utterly unaware Superman and a host of Kryptonians are secretly pitching in. \u2018The Weirdest Asteroid in Space\u2019<\/em> (Binder, Swan & Moldoff) then offers a bold monster mystery before another Potter experiment shifts all Superman\u2019s might into his teen pal in \u2018The Super-Life of Jimmy Olsen!\u2019 <\/em>(by an unknown author and illustrated by Plastino).<\/p>\n

Superman<\/strong> #143 (February 1961 by Siegel & Forte) celebrates \u2018Lois Lane\u2019s Lucky Day!\u2019<\/em> as the courageous reporter busts up a crooked carnival with some unsuspected Kryptonian help, before Lois Lane <\/strong>#23 opens with Binder & Schaffenberger\u2019s riotous romp \u2018The 10 Feats of Elastic Lass!\u2019 \u00a0<\/em>Here our impetuous journalist borrows Jimmy\u2019s stretching serum to track down mad bomber The Wrecker<\/em>, before debunking \u2018The Curse of Lena Thorul!\u2019<\/em> (Siegel): exposing a bewitching beauty\u2019s incredible connection to Lex Luthor<\/em> and leading into another Seigel Imaginary visit to a possible future wherein \u2018The Wife of Superman!\u2019<\/em> is worn to a frazzle by twin super-toddlers and yearns for her old job at the Daily Planet\u2026<\/p>\n

Jimmy Olsen<\/strong> #51 discloses \u2018Jimmy Olsen\u2019s 1000th <\/sup>Scoop!\u2019<\/em> (Bernstein, Swan & Forte), with the prospective milestone repeatedly delayed by Superman for the best possible reasons, after which a sultry alien takes an unlikely shine to the lad. Unfortunately, \u2018The Girl with Green Hair\u2019<\/em> (Binder, Swan & Forte) is the result of a scheme by a well-meaning third party to get Lucy to be nicer to Jimmy and it all goes painfully, horribly wrong before \u2018The Dream Detective!\u2019 <\/em>(Swan & Kaye) finds the callow cub inexplicably develop psychometric abilities and unravel mysteries in his sleep…<\/p>\n

In Superboy <\/strong>#87, Bernstein & George Papp reveal \u2018When Lana Lang First Suspected Clark Kent!\u2019<\/em> proving that even when he was a kid, pesky smart girls kept trying to expose his secret identity even as \u2018Krypto\u2019s First Romance!\u2019<\/em> (Siegel & Papp) finds the star -spanning superdog falling for Kolli<\/em> – a comely canine shot into space by nasty humanoids on planet Mogar as part of their war preparations. Tragically, Krypto<\/strong>\u2019s brief fling is doomed from the start and he has to make an appalling decision and sacrifice…<\/p>\n

\u2018The Super-Surprise!\u2019<\/em> opens Lois Lane<\/strong> #24: an anonymously scripted thriller sending Lois undercover as a platinum blonde, to scupper a plot against Superman, and superbly rendered by Schaffenberger, as is Bernstein\u2019s \u2018The Perfect Husband!\u2019<\/em>, wherein a TV dating show leads Lois into a doomed affair with a he-man hunk almost the spitting image of Clark. Almost\u2026<\/p>\n

The issue closes on Bernstein & Forte\u2019s \u2018Lois Lane\u2026 Traitor!\u2019 <\/em>with her in the frame for murdering the King of Pahla<\/em>… until the incredible, unbelievable true culprit comes forward. Also available that month, Superman\u2019s Pal Jimmy Olsen<\/strong> #52 featured Leo Dorfman, Swan & Kaye\u2019s \u2018The Specter of the Haunted House!\u2019 <\/em>as a gang of cunning thieves use supernatural sceptic Olsen as a patsy for a robbery scheme, before \u2018The Perils of Jimmy Olsen!\u2019 <\/em>(Swan & Forte art) sees the laid-up apprentice scribe use a robot double to perform feats of escalating daring… and stupidity. \u2018Jimmy Olsen, Wolfman!\u2019 <\/em>(Siegel, Swan & Kaye) then delivers a welcome sequel to an earlier tale wherein Superman\u2019s Pal is again afflicted by lycanthropy thanks to the pranks of 5th<\/sup> dimensional imp Mr. Mxyzptlk<\/em>\u2026<\/p>\n

In Lois Lane <\/strong>#25 Siegel & Schaffenberger\u2019s Imaginary series reaches a bittersweet high point in \u2018Lois Lane and Superman, Newlyweds!\u2019 <\/em>as the severely sidelined spouse convinces hubby to announce their relationship to the world… and faces shocking consequences. The brilliant reporter side is highlighted in Bernstein\u2019s diabolical thriller \u2018Lois Lane\u2019s Darkest Secret!\u2019 <\/em>with the daring investigator risking her life to draw out a mesmeric master criminal before \u2018The Three Lives of Lois Lane!\u2019 <\/em>(uncredited, with Forte illustrating) sees her surviving a car crash, only to be subsumed into the personalities of dead historical figures Florence Nightingale<\/em>, Betsy Ross<\/em> and Queen Isabella of Spain<\/em>. Here, Superman can only stay near and try to limit the damage her episodes create\u2026<\/p>\n

SPJO<\/strong> #53 opens with Siegel, Swan & Kaye\u2019s \u2018The Boy in the Bottle!\u2019<\/em> as Jimmy suffers future shock whilst trapped in Kandor, after which sheer medical mischance results in Siegel, Swan & Forte\u2019s now-legendary saga of \u2018The Giant Turtle Man!\u2019 <\/em>and an oddly casualty-free monster rampage before \u2018The Black Magician!\u2019 <\/em>(unknown writer, Swan & Forte) finds Olsen banished to King Arthur\u2019<\/em>s court by spiteful Mr. Mxyzptlk. Action Comics<\/strong> #277 then offers a truly delightful Supergirl yarn crafted by Siegel & Mooney. \u2018The Battle of the Super-Pets!\u2019<\/em> finds Streaky typically envious after she pays attention to shameless ingratiating mutt Krypto. When Superman suggests they compete for her attentions to prove who\u2019s best (no, really!), they select the most unlucky locale of all for their arena…<\/p>\n

Superman\u2019s Girlfriend, Lois Lane <\/strong>#26 delivers three more Schaffenberger classics, starting with Siegel\u2019s \u2018The Day Superman Married Lana Lang!\u2019 \u00a0<\/em>In this imaginary tragedy, the Action Ace finally settles down with his childhood sweetheart, but lives to regret it, whilst \u2018Lois Lane\u2019s Childhood!\u2019 <\/em>(Siegel) reveals how the lives of Kal-El <\/em>on doomed Krypton and baby Lois on Earth were intertwined by fate and providence, before Bernstein\u2019s \u2018The Mad Woman of Metropolis\u2019 <\/em>closes the comics cavalcade on a stunning high. Here, Lois foils a diabolical plot by criminals to murder Clark and drive her insane, whilst for SPJO<\/strong> #54, Bernstein, Swan & Kaye\u2019s \u2018Elastic Lad\u2019s Wrestling Match!\u2019<\/em> finds Jimmy incensed after deducing that the grappling game is fixed and fake (shocking, no?). \u00a0The outraged fan uses his occasionally empowered alter ego to expose the institutionalised shenanigans, after which he comes into possession of Mr. Mxyzptlk\u2019s magic wishing hat and – through a succession of whacky happenstances – saves Superman as \u2018King of the Giant Ants!\u2019 <\/em>An unrecorded writer then employs Swan & Kaye\u2019s gift for comedy to catalogue the horrors of literal infantilisation after the impetuous boy reporter accidentally transforms himself into \u2018Baby Jimmy Olsen!\u2019<\/em>
\n\"\"
\nAction Comics<\/strong> #278 exposed \u2018The Super Powers of Perry White!\u2019 <\/em>(Jerry Coleman, Swan & Kaye) with the senescent editor suddenly gaining incredible abilities and an inexplicable urge to conquer the world, whilst in Superboy <\/strong>#90 another uncredited script – this time delineated by Papp – shares \u2018Pete Ross\u2019 Super-Secret!\u2019<\/em> as Clark\u2019s best friend discovers his alien alter ego. SGLL <\/strong>#27 follows, opening with Bernstein & Schaffenberger\u2019s \u2018Lois Lane\u2019s Super-Brain!\u2019<\/em> When Lois accidentally mutates herself into a creature with a colossal cranium she spends all her time and boosted intellect trying to hide it from Superman, before baffling mystery \u2018The Battle of the Sisters!\u2019<\/em> (Siegel Swan & Kaye) seemingly sees the Man of Steel ditch Lois for hot, blonde, younger sibling Lucy, prior to Bernstein & Schaffenberger relating \u2018The Last Days of Lois Lane!\u2019<\/em> as – believing herself fatally irradiated – the dedicated journalist resolves to risk what time she has left scoring the most dangerous scoops ever…<\/p>\n

One of the most consistent motifs in fiction is the \u201cDark Opposite\u201d or \u201cplayer on the other side\u201d: a complete antithesis of the protagonist often bearing many apparent similarities. Rock yourself to sleep at night if you wish, listing such deadly doppelgangers from Professor Moriarty<\/strong> to Gladstone Gander<\/strong>\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cImperfect\u201d Superman duplicate Bizarro<\/strong> either debuted as a misunderstood freak\/unwilling monster in Binder & Papp\u2019s captivatingly tragic \u2018The Battle with Bizarro\u2019 <\/em>(Superboy<\/strong> #68, October 1958 and not included here) or in the similarly titled Superman<\/strong> newspaper strip sequence written by Alvin Schwartz (episode 105, pages #6147-6242, spanning August 25th<\/sup> -December 13th<\/sup> 1958), with the latter scribe claiming he\u2019d thought up the idea months earlier. The newsprint version was certainly first to employ those eccentric reversed-logic thought-patterns and idiomatic speech impediment\u2026<\/p>\n

Although later played primarily for laughs, such as in his tenure in Tales of The Bizarro World<\/strong> (Adventure Comics<\/strong> #285-299 June 1961 – August 1962), most early comic book appearances of the dippy double were generally moving, child-appropriate tragedies, unlike here – Adventure Comics<\/strong> #287 – as \u2018Jimmy Olsen\u2019s Kookie Scoops!\u2019<\/em> reveal the backwards-living artificial beings kidnapping him to run their newspaper on their square planet Htrae…<\/p>\n

Next \u2018Krypto Battles Titano\u2019<\/em> (Superman<\/strong> #147, by Siegel & Plastino) after the Dog of Steel voyages back to the Age of Dinosaurs to romp, inadvertently saving humanity from alien invasion beside the Kryptonite-mutated giant ape. Then, SPJO<\/strong> #55 and Plastino plus unknown author introduce \u2018The Monster That Loved Aqua-Jimmy!\u2019<\/em> The odd coupling occurs after Olsen gains the powers of Aquaman<\/strong> and stands (swims?) in for him in the world\u2019s oceans. The rest of the issue offers tales from Bernstein, Swan & Kaye, beginning with \u2018<\/em>Jimmy the Red, Thor\u2019s Best Pal!\u2019 <\/em>wherein a magic tablet hurls the lucky lad back to ancient Scandinavia to befriend the god of thunder and help defeat Loki<\/em>, after which \u2018Jimmy Olsen\u2019s Secret Power!\u2019<\/em> exposes seeming betrayal as a strange new talent literally repels his best pal…
\n\"\"
\nPausing women\u2019s business for now, Superman\u2019s Girlfriend, Lois Lane <\/strong>#28 begins with \u2018The Lois Lane of the Future!\u2019 <\/em>as Siegel & Forte supervise the Man of Tomorrow being banished to the far future by Lex Luthor. There he meets – and is incredibly annoyed by – super-powered possible descendent Lois 4XR<\/em> until he finds his way home, prior to Schaffenberger & Siegel\u2019s \u2018Lois Lane\u2019s Super-Lesson!\u2019 <\/em>with Superman secretly aiding billionaire Rajah Bandhi<\/em> win her hand in marriage after she cruelly scorns and spurns him (!!) and concluding with Bill Finger & Schaffenberger\u2019s \u2018Lois Lane, Gun Moll!\u2019<\/em> as another Luthor scheme apparently turns her into the most vicious criminal in Metropolis…<\/p>\n

Cover-dated October 1961, Superman\u2019s Pal Jimmy Olsen<\/strong> #56 leads with Imaginary Story \u2018The Son of Jimmy Olsen!\u2019<\/em> by Siegel & Schaffenberger, as Superman & Lois\u2019 daughter elopes with the rash child of Jimmy & Lucy, culminating in catastrophic consequences. It\u2019s followed by a return to consensual Continuity and Siegel & Forte\u2019s mystery tale \u2018The Jinx of Metropolis!\u2019<\/em> as Jimmy suddenly becomes sudden death to anything metallic. This ushers us into Bernstein & Plastino\u2019s Hollywood glamour-soaked yarn \u2018Jimmy Olsen\u2019s Sweethearts\u2019<\/em>, wherein Lucy is outraged – and utterly baffled – to find Jimmy apparently two-timing her with every starlet in Tinseltown. Of course, all is not what it seems…<\/p>\n

This monumental memento to simpler, weirder times concludes with a shaggy dog tale from Superboy <\/strong>#92, where Coleman & Papp debuted \u2018Krypto\u2019s Arch-Enemy!\u2019<\/em> after teenaged Lex Luthor\u2019s canine companion Destructo<\/em> stumbles into a lab experiment and gains superpowers. Obviously, the Bad Boy (and his mighty dog) seek to settle old scores, but happily Krypto is too smart for them…<\/p>\n

As well as containing some of the most delightful episodes of the pre-angst, cosmically catastrophic DC, these fun, thrilling, deeply peculiar and, yes, occasionally offensive tales perfectly capture the changing tone and tastes reshaping comics moving from the smug, safe 1950s to the seditious, rebellious 1960s, all the while keeping to the prime directive of the industry: \u201ckeep them entertained and keep them wanting more.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite all the well-intentioned quibbles from my high horse here in the 21st century, I think these stories still have a huge amount to offer funnybook fun-seekers and strongly urge you to check them out for yourselves. You won\u2019t be sorry\u2026
\n\u00a9 1960, 1961, 2025 DC Comics. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Jerry Siegel, Otto Binder, Robert Bernstein, Jerry Coleman, Leo Dorfman, Curt Swan, Jim Mooney, Kurt Schaffenberger, George Papp, Al Plastino, John Forte, Sheldon Moldoff, Stan Kaye & various (DC Comics) ISBN: 978-1-79950-110-7 (TPB) This book includes Discriminatory Content produced in less enlightened times. On April 18th 1938 when the Man of Tomorrow debuted in … <\/p>\n

Continue reading “DC Finest: Superman Family – The Giant Turtle Man”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[351,133,388,76,290,344,373,311,345,225,127,107,310,121,9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-32763","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-apes-monkeys","category-aquaman","category-bizarro","category-dc-superhero","category-dinosaurs","category-jimmy-olsen","category-krypto","category-legion-of-super-pets","category-lois-lane","category-mystery","category-nostalgia","category-science-fiction","category-superboy","category-supergirl-graphic-novels","category-superman"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4AFj-8wr","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32763","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32763"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32763\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":32770,"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32763\/revisions\/32770"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32763"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32763"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32763"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}