When Jimmy turns on Kal-El, the consequences are pretty steep: murder, torture, the unmasking of Clark Kent. But Superman is the Ashton Kutcher of this relationship. Whenever he turns on Jimmy Olsen, it's almost, well, a mild-mannered punking. "Sorry, Jimmy, you have to live in a slum. Ha ha!" "Sorry, Jimmy, someone else is my best pal now." No death, no torture...just a (relatively gentle) tweaking.
Which brings us to:
My oh my.
Allow me to assure you, this scene actually happens. Really. 100% accurate. I'm in heaven!
Now, I'm not going to go into too much depth about this story. I don't think we need a deep examination of the story's...um...outdated views of Africans. Suffice it to say:
- Once again the Daily Planet has an apparently unlimited budget, as they send both Clark and Jimmy to "cover the background story" of a "jungle epic" that is being filmed in Africa.
- The local tribesman worship Bruna, the ape, as a goddess.
- After viewing King Kong, Bruna is inspired to save Jimmy and take him as a mate.
- Whenever Jimmy tries to get away, Bruna goes berserk.
- After witnessing Superman's strength and flight, the villagers decide that "with such powers, he must be the greatest witch doctor in the jungle!"
- The local witch doctor is sick, so the chief asks Superman to perform the wedding ceremony for Bruna and Jimmy.
- By getting Bruna to view another movie, wherein a gorilla throws a man off a cliff, they trick her into throwing her off a cliff, and Superman catches her, and everyone goes home. LOL!
So that's it. Lame, occasionally offensive, and fairly inconsequential. But "The Bride of Jungle Jimmy" (or at least the cover they chose to use) reinforces this dichotomy: when Superman acts out, he's just a prankster older brother. When Jimmy acts out, he's a selfish homicidal maniac.
Which leads to tomorrow: MURDER MOST FOUL!!!
Spine-meltingly great cover from Jimmy Olsen #98, December 1966. Remember, if you marry a monkey, get a pre-nup. Jungle lawyers are tough.
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