Original Art from Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #133 (1970) Page 7 Pencils by Jack Kirby, Inks by Vince Colletta
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from Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen (1954) 133
1970 DC
A great panel page from a landmark issue! After breaking away from the Marvel Universe he created, Kirby moved to DC (and LA) to begin his legendary Fourth World saga which still informs the DCU to this day. This issue of Jimmy Olsen was Kirby's first work for DC since his vaunted tenure at Marvel and he hit the ground running introducing Morgan Edge and Intergang and, as we see on this page, bringing back the Newsboy Legion and giving them a futuristic Whiz Wagon to speed around in as the series circled its full introduction of the Fourth World to the DCU.
Infamously, DC editorial asked longtime Superman artist Al Plastino to redraw Superman/Clark Kent and Jimmy Olsen in most pages of this issue in order to keep the iconic characters "on model" which reportedly infuriated The King. You can see a clear example of this here as Clark's face in panel two features precisely none of the hallmark's of Kirby's art, though Jimmy's face in panel five seems like it may have passed muster thanks to the helmet and faceguard.
What can't be hidden or redrawn is Kirby's singular sense of design and pitch perfect storytelling abilities. The fantastic shot placement in the first panel, the sleek glimpses of the Whiz Wagon in motion, and the the first person POV sixth panel are all pure Kirby! Pencil and ink on art board. 10 3/4" x 15 3/4".
