Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #72
☆ Be the first to review + Add to your collection — Join freeSuperman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #72 is the issue in which Jimmy Olsen — operating as his stretchy alter ego Elastic Lad — is formally inducted as an honorary member of the Legion of Super-Heroes, a status that tied the contemporary Superman family of titles directly to DC's far-future mythology and that subsequent Legion stories would reference for years. The lead story cleverly functions as both a retrospective celebration of Jimmy's gallery of outlandish Silver Age transformations and a proper initiation narrative, weaving together characters from across the Legion roster in a single tightly plotted eight-page adventure. Because it formalized Elastic Lad's place in the Legion universe, it served as a recurring story note well into the Bronze Age, referenced in Adventure Comics, Superman Family, and multiple later crossovers. Its cover — depicting the parade of monstrous Jimmy variants — is one of the more visually distinctive images from the Weisinger-era Superman line.
In "The World of Doomed Olsens!", Jimmy Olsen finds himself whisked away to the mysterious world of Gion-El, where he encounters countless versions of himself—each a past transformation brought to life. Written by Jerry Siegel and brought to vivid life by Curt Swan’s art and George Klein’s inks, this 1963 classic sees Jimmy face a surreal test that ultimately leads to his recognition as an honorary Legionnaire. The cover by Curt Swan and George Klein captures the eerie wonder of the journey, perfectly framing a moment that marks a pivotal step in Jimmy’s story.
In "The World of Doomed Olsens!", Jimmy Olsen finds himself transported to the surreal world of Gion-El, where he encounters countless duplicates of himself—each a past transformation he's undergone. As the illusions unravel, the truth emerges: this strange realm was a test, and the Legionnaires are ready to welcome him as an honorary member of the 30th-century Legion of Super-Heroes.
In "The Secret of Monster Island!", Perry White and Jimmy Olsen find themselves stranded on a mysterious, uncharted island teeming with bizarre and dangerous creatures. With only their wits and a broken radio to repair, they must survive the island’s perils while hoping the Flying Newsroom can locate them before it’s too late.
ComicBooks.com Value
Show all 17 grades ▾
This exact issue on ebay
Raw / ungraded ▾ $3.89–$19.95 5 listings
Read it digitally
Sell my copy
Have this issue — or a whole collection? Get a fair offer from us, skip the marketplace fees and the hassle.
We Buy Collections ▸History
The issue was published by National Periodical Publications (DC Comics) with a cover date of October 1963, going on sale September 30, 1963, as established by an advertisement in Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #44. The lead story, 'The World of Doomed Olsens!', was scripted by Jerry Siegel — co-creator of Superman — with pencils by Curt Swan and inks by George Klein, under the editorial oversight of Mort Weisinger, who presided over the entire Silver Age Superman line. The issue follows the standard three-story anthology format typical of the series at that time, with a cover and interior art on the lead story both handled by Swan, the series' principal artist throughout its first decade.
Trivia · 8 facts
- Cover date: October 1963; on-sale date: September 30, 1963; published by National Periodical Publications (DC Comics) at a cover price of 12¢.
- Lead story 'The World of Doomed Olsens!' is scripted by Jerry Siegel, pencilled by Curt Swan, and inked by George Klein — the same creative trio responsible for many key Superman-family stories of the era.
- Editor: Mort Weisinger, who oversaw the entire Silver Age Superman line; the cover and interior art are both by Curt Swan.
- Jimmy Olsen is formally inducted as an honorary member of the Legion of Super-Heroes in his Elastic Lad identity — the culmination of a Legion thread running through his solo title since at least issue #63.
- Mon-El disguises himself as the villain 'The Collector'; Colossal Boy, Bouncing Boy, Cosmic Boy, and Chameleon Boy impersonate Jimmy's past alter egos (Giant Turtle Man, Fat Boy Jimmy, the Human Porcupine, and Elastic Lad respectively); Proty II portrays Wolf-Man Jimmy. Jimmy deduces the hoax when the Collector flinches at a lead-containing microphone — lead being a known weakness of Mon-El.
- The issue also features cameo appearances by Shrinking Violet, Sun Boy, Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl, Triplicate Girl, and the Legion of Substitute-Heroes (Fire Lad, Polar Boy, Night Girl, Stone Boy) in the lead story.
- The issue contains three stories in its 36-page anthology format; the second story ('The Super-Test of Jimmy Olsen!') and a third monster-island story co-star Perry White and feature Professor Potter in flashback.
- The lead story has been reprinted multiple times: in Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #140 (1971), Adventure Comics #500 (1983), Legion of Super-Heroes Archives Vol. 2 (1992), Showcase Presents: Legion of Super-Heroes Vol. 1 (2007), Superman: The Amazing Transformations of Jimmy Olsen (2007), and Legion of Super-Heroes: The Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 1 (2017).
Cast · 40 characters
Full credits
Reprints
Reprinted in Five-Score Comic Monthly #69 (1964), Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #140 (1971), Adventure Comics #500 (1983), The Legion of Super-Heroes Archives #2 (1992), Showcase Presents: Legion of Super-Heroes #1 (2007), Superman: The Amazing Transformations of Jimmy Olsen #[nn] (2007), Legion of Super-Heroes: The Silver Age Omnibus #1 (2017)
Key issues in Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen
Reviews
Reader reviews
No reader reviews yet.