The Daily Planet needs better health insurance. So much chaos could've been avoided if Jimmy didn't have to resort to the local mad scientist for free healthcare.
To be fair, most insurance plans don’t cover experimental treatments (or if they will, it requires a lot of arm twisting and legal wrangling) so he’s somehow paying for this out of pocket. Either that or Jimmy is *way* too good at navigating the bureaucracy. Or he’s visiting a lot of back alley shady mad scientists that probably pay him in small dollar gift cards. 😂
🚫🇺🇸The USA Suck!. Except for artists like the ones that make Superman happen, those people make me wanna stop wishing a nuclear eradication of “Americans” (Usonian or United Statesmen would be less offensive for us, people in the rest of the CONTINENT). God!, I really struggle with this love-hate relationship I have with you people!.
*When Mr. Fantastic gets stretch powers*: This is great! *When Jimmy gets stretch powers*: My life is ruined *When Spider-Man gets extra arms*: My life is ruined. *When Jimmy gets extra arms*: This is great!
yeah but jimmy has like the opposite of body dysmorphia. he wakes up completely different, and as long as he gets paid and laid, he has no shits to give. zero shame is his real power.
Lucy: “Our children might have TWELVE ARMS!” Well, genetically speaking, it might be more likely that they’d have four arms, and then maybe their grandchildren would just be completely normal, unless there are other factors involved, and I’ve just realized that I’m way overthinking this
Even that assumes that the space fruit altered his DNA right down to his sperm cells, rather than it just inducing a radically different phenotypical expression of his normal genetic structure. I could imagine an alien ecosystem where adaptive expressions like that could be externally induced by ingesting a chemical trigger of some kind, although where he got the extra body mass to grow new limbs overnight is...oh, right. Overthinking it. Regardless, Lucy is dumb and failed high school bio.
Perhaps extra arms is a recessive gene and the Lanes have some questionable heritage... I mean we've seen General Sam Lane but I can't off the top of my head picture Lucy & Lois' mother...
the logic of thm having 12 arms is the same as superman's son being more powerful than him for being a hybrid, same happened to gohan in dbz, also, in real life the hybrid between lions and tigers have a mutation that makes them grow exessively, so there's that
Needs that asshole Steve Lombard (the 70s version, anyway - he got marginally better later on, and was downright brave during that post-Crisis workplace shooting thing). Every office needs an asshole.
YES! It could be named Superman's workplace: The Daily Planet. Superman shows up doing superhero stuff sometimes, but it mostly stays on the B-plots, while we see everything from the perspective of the Daily Planet employees.
I got to see Mark Waid speak at a convention panel once, and he summed up Jimmy this way: "Jimmy Olsen has all of Superman's adventures, but none of Superman's responsibilities". You can definitely see that here -- Jimmy never really learns his lesson or suffers any long-term consequences for his actions. If he did, he wouldn't be as fun!
11:27 I just imagined Clark at his desk, drinking coffee and looking outside : "Hum, what a beautiful day we have here... I wonder what I'll have for dinner... I am Superman."
I would LOVE a series starring and All-Star-Superman-style Jimmy where he goes on fun, campy sci-fi adventures using his random souvenirs, maybe something that lets him turn into his different transformations, etc.
My favorite part of Jimmy's relationship with Ilona was when Superman showed up and saw her harem and said something like, "Vala, you old space rat, what are *_YOU_* doing on Earth?"
I have a fondness for the Elastic Lad transformation because the first time I saw it was in Alan Moore and Curt Swan's "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?"
I absolutely loved this video, Sasha! It helped me get through a very difficult hospital shift tonight. Thank you! There are so many transformation stories that I love that weren't included. Radioactive Jimmy, Invisible Jimmy, Super Spy Jimmy, Superboy Jimmy, Invulnerable Jimmy, Congorilla Jimmy, Speedster Jimmy, Jungle Boy Jimmy, Robo-Exo Suit Jimmy, Blob Jimmy, Beatle Jimmy, Explosive Jimmy, Super-Swordsman Jimmy, Thor's Sidekick Jimmy... My favorite though is actually from Jimmy Olsen #23, though, with Bearded Jimmy. Yes, seriously, Jimmy having a beard was treated like a full-on transformation. He was given a beard by a group of nefarious bearded scientists called the "Beard Band" who sought to legitimize beard fashion in Metropolis by giving Jimmy hormones to grow one and this publicize it for the public to see. When that fails due to Jimmy's clumsiness, they then plan to dump their hormones in the Metropolis water supply. It ends with Superman giving them chemicals that make their hair fall out. It is a bizarre and hilarious issue. The Beard Band almost feels like villains from Freakazoid, the Tick or Grant Morrison's Doom Patrol (Beard Band vs. Beard Hunter, perhaps?). You should definitely check it out, it's a wild ride. Edit: Also, I always hated Superman in the human octopus issue. He deserved everytime Jimmy accidentally exposed him to kryptonite.
Jimmy Olsen transforming, these stories are always… More than meets the eye lol Werewolf and Giant Turtle Jimmy will always be my favorites, I hope James Gunn somehow works them into the DCU
I remember post-Crisis when Jimmy's transformation was triggered by aerobics. There was also an aerobics bit in Superman IV. And Supergirl was killed wearing an aerobics headband. Coincidence?
Meanwhile, being Green Lantern's best friend only got poor Tom Kalmaku transformed into a bird for a brief time. Not even a super birdman or anything - just a bird.
My favorite is Porcupine Jimmy because it looks like it took the least amount of effort to draw and I respect that. It’s like the artist was on a deadline or nursing a hangover so instead of a Lion Jimmy he just drew Jimmy with little lines all over him.
Well, bear in mind Jimmy could have been a lion in this story. And as Superman points out, at least he didn't turn into a skunk (though I'd totally read a story where Jimmy has skunk powers!)
As a fan of both Jimmy and elasticity powers, I hope one day he just gets to keep them. Doesn’t even need to be a full time superhero, if he just uses them however he wants or to help with photography or something, that would be fun 🤭 Would also be fine with him just being a side superhero all on his own. Could use a better costume though maybe >.>
Peter is at the DMV. He hears a perfect (or nearly so) imitation of his own voice and he stretches his spider-sense across the room and he sees an orange head of hair bobbing in the line. Peter steps up to Jimmy. "Are we related?" one asks.
Jimmy’s misadventures are the perfect example of silver age shenanigans. Temporary super powers, transformations, and elaborate pranks and misunderstandings. Reminds me of some of the better live action Disney shows from the 2010s.
Superman definitely considers Jimmy his best friend. In the same pseudo-diminutive way that Batman relates to Gordon and GL to Pie-face. But you could also say that Batman is Superman's best friend and Barry is Hal's.
Superman eye beams can't melt lead? It melts at 327.5 degrees celsius. A campfire has a temperature of 900 degrees celsius. Wouldn't this be the Nobel Prize for biology? When he transforms him to bizarro Jimmy. I'm still a big fan of Giant Turtle jimmy as he mixes the battleship into the volcano. Top notch story telling.
Thank you for revisiting the weird transformations of Jimmy Olsen that I remember from the Silver Age. The length of the video was just right for me to enjoy as I ate the box lunch that Professor Potter packed for me. Now to wash it down with some soda… erk… umph. What the? Holy cow!
A real Silver Age extravaganza! Thanks, Sasha. My favorite was Elastic Lad, since he reappeared in Legion of Super Heroes stories. Although so many of them giving him serums makes me wonder ...
When I was growing up, comics were a common way to keep us little kids busy while my family was "visiting" and Jimmy Olsen as the turtle man was one of the issues at my cousin's. I had forgotten about that until watching this video! Those DC comics from the 50s/60s were wacky and fun.
I like the latter day Jimmy transformations, like when Kirby took over the book (he specifically chose this title when he moved to DC because it was about to be cancelled otherwise so he could take it without putting another writer out of a job). He'd never read it so asked around about it when he was about to start and was told "I guess people like when he turns into stuff", so he added one or two transformations/Cadmus clones amidst his Fourth World set up stuff, just to give old school Jimmy fans what they liked. Then in the late 80s - as mentioned - when the whole Elastic Lad thing became a legitimate long running plot point tied to the Eradicator. Then in the early 90s he got a job dressing up as "Turtle Boy" after Sam Foswell fired him. Then in the imaginary silver-agey timeline that Dominous trapped Superman in. Then in All Star Superman... "Humility doesn't get you your own building, Jimmy." Words to live by...
My favorite transformation was the initiation of Jimmy to the Legion of Superheroes, loved it. I honestly enjoyed the video and would love to see ones about jimmy’s powers and different clothing/costumes. Didn’t care one bit that it was a long video. Thanks for making these videos, love learning about characters and their stories.
I wonder if Jimmy inspired " Dial H for Hero". This also reminds me of shows like " Bewitched" where Darrin is always being transformed into things by his witch in- laws.
I love this "labor of love" video. You created another classic, Sasha! "Sounds like they should be in a movie together." "I wonder if that was also common slang back in the day." The most risque video in Casually Comics history!
I never knew about the Professor before this video but I do kinda want a retrospective on him and also a mininseries of just him and Jimmy transforming. That would be a fun buddy comedy.
Loved this video, a longer form video from Casually Comics is always very welcome. I'd absolutely love to see a video about the many times Jimmy goes undercover in drag. Some of the stories seem to even lean in to the fact that cross dressing was completely unnecessary for his plans. They're also a lovely example of how potentially problematic stories from the past can be reclaimed and appreciated, on different levels, by queer people and other marginalised groups. A trans woman and two older drag performers I know have all told me that seeing these comics as a child and/or adult was both hilarious and inspirational, regardless of authorial intent. Much like Rupaul loving Bugs Bunny in drag as a child. Can't wait to see a possible future video about Jimmy getting powers and his various disguises.
as a kid the first superman villain from my comic obsession that made a big impression on me was Mister Mxyzptlk.. i have as many collectables of him then i do of superman and i am a big fan of superman and dc comics in general..
I just read Superman VS. Lobo and they had Jimmy transformed into a turtle. And Cat Grant made fin of him because of the many times he gets into trouble. AMAZING video Sasha. Please do more.
Amazing, as always. Of course, the ultimate Silver Age Superman moment is there in the opening segment: "Whew. What luck! He's forgotten everything... my secret identity is safe!" Not one but TWO exclamation marks! And whatever that collection of lines are called around the Whew. Stop planetary destruction? WHAT ever... my SECRET IDENTITY is SAFE!
Thank you so much for this hilarious and fun retrospective! Turtle Jimmy is iconic, but Superman's reaction to 6-armed Jimmy just shows the ugly side of Silver Age Superman. LOL.
Valentine's Day me expecting a video on a Jimmy Olson one issue marriage along with pointing out why a silver age relationship is incredibly toxic Sasha: Jimmy Olsen turning into things
Like a boss. Meanwhile in the 30th century Saturn Girl dresses in a pink bikini even in deep space, getting off on the lecherous thoughts of friends and foes alike. Free tap into every brain, making the team easy to lead and enemies easy to defeat. Also like a boss.
Yeah. I've been waiting for more Jimmy. I wish he'd return in mainstream stuff, maybe have a unknown meta gene that makes him susceptible to transformations
Great video! I almost skipped it, thinking this was several previously published Jimmy/transformation reviews edited together, so I was pleasantly surprised to discover it's actually all new material. And the longer format works for me, by the way. Some might prefer a 2-part review, with the segments closer in length to the usual format, but I loved getting the in-depth look in a single piece. This is connected to the previous articles on Jimmy Olsen shenanigans anyway, so who knew there was so much material to explore? Not me, but I'm looking forward to more!
Wolfman Jimmy is my fave always, but I have a newfound respect for Octopus Jimmy. That overwhelming positive attitude despite everyone trying to tell him how he "should " feel, inspiring! Peter Parker could learn a thing or two. Omg! They're both working at a newspaper lol I need a crossover in that universe where dc and marvel exist together ( the one from superman meets spider-man) I want Octopus Jimmy meets Six armed Spider-man, they could team up to fight Doppelganger lol Sidenote: Why have they never done " Olsen on Infinite Earths " lol The cover has Wolfman Jimmy howling whilst holding and outstretched and dying Elasti-lad in his arms, I'd buy it lol
I LOVE The SILVER AGE! Why? It didn't take itself too seriously. It was just FUN and I feel as if FUN is what is missing a lot in our comics these days, save for Dark Knights Death Metal and The War of The Realms. Those two crossovers are a blast and so much fun to read. The Golden Age was also fun. Not like the Silver Age, but still a lot of escapism to be found in the Golden Age.
This look over of Jimmy's history just reminds me of how much I love Lucy Lane being a terrible person. I'd say I want that version of her back, but it would probably be used as an excuse to turn her into a villain and that would just take away the fun of her jerkiness.
@Will N Yeah, but it's such a waste. Lucy and Jimmy were just dysfunctional, like Supes and Lois, but making her evil has been such a waste. i still remember when she was caught smuggling while a flight attendant in a Lois book, and I think that was the pivotal point for the character.
This definitely deserves a Bronze Age sequel where Jimmy got buff and became known as Mr. Action and had a new girlfriend named Meg. Lucy had problems of her own when she became expose to fumes in the Amazon (I think) that aged her into an old crone. In those days, I read every Superman title in circulation (though not every issue of every title).
For some reason, I didn't realize that Elastic Lad predated the Elongated Man. I thought he took Gingold like Ralph Dibney to become Elastic Lad. I loved that DC Comics Presents issue with Superman and the Elastic Four! Lots of fun.
Thanks so much for making 45 minutes of bonkers Jimmy Olsen transformations, absolutely fantastic! Loved your comic narration too, it made it even more fun to re-experience these!
LONG LIVE MR. ACTION! My favorite transformation was when he became Aladdin and Spartacus, even though they were elaborate hallucinations Jimmy got from some weird jewel, which nearly drove him insane. These stories were toward the end of Jimmy's book.
Silver age Jimmy had better be glad that silver age Batman did not have post the Dark Knight Returns attitude, not talking old man Bruce , just the attitude most writers gave him after DKR….Because Bruce would have told Clark that Jimmy belongs in some place like Arkham ( not that it would hold him long) for not only society but his own good ( definitely Clark’s) …Please more deep dive videos, Keep Up The Outstanding Work Sasha 🖖🏾
Jimmy The Wolfman and Jimmy The Human Porcupine inspired Two Dark Multiverses Counterparts, Olsen and Spinner from The Unseen teams from Sideways* Wish we can see the Unseen more often.
it's probably just me...but Jimmy Olsen reminds me of Archie. both ginger-redhead, freckled, Dobie Gillis-level infatuations. the transformations are next level tho. and I'm here for Giant Turtle Jimmy. not only was it a strong look, but Jimmy turned into a funny simpleton.
It's obvious that Professor Potter has the hots for Lucy Lane, who is into older guys, like him. All these "accidental" transformations are Potter's way to eliminate Jimmy as a romantic rival! Make this canon, DC!
This is the most Legion content I've ever seen in one of your videos, Sasha! Please, I'm begging you for an all-Legion video! Who do I write the cheque to? ;) You have no idea how ripe they are for your kind of video content! Cosmic Boy's 70s costume alone could warrant a video.
I just realized it makes zero sense for Colossal Boy to have given Jimmy an "Enlarging Potion" at 33:40. Gim's powers don't come from a potion. All Legionnaires have to have innate super-powers.
