Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen # 148 1972 VG+

Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #148 (April 1972) is a highly significant Bronze Age comic book from DC Comics. It marks a historic milestone as the final issue written and illustrated by the legendary Jack Kirby during his groundbreaking run on the title.

Kirby notoriously used this unconventional title as the unexpected launchpad for his sprawling, revolutionary Fourth World saga.

Main Story: "Monarch of All He Subdues!"

• The Plot: Superman, Jimmy Olsen, and the youthful Newsboy Legion face off against a grandiose new villain named Victor Volcanum (sometimes spelled Volcanium).
• The Conflict: Volcanum is a megalomaniacal despot operating from a subterranean stronghold, aiming to conquer the surface world. He traps the Newsboy Legion inside a massive metal cage. Superman must navigate Volcanum's high-tech defenses and deadly traps to break the cage and save the young heroes.
• The Artwork Quirk: In line with DC Comics' editorial policies of the era, while Jack Kirby drew the masterfully dynamic action layouts and backgrounds, artist Murphy Anderson was brought in to redraw the faces of Superman and Jimmy Olsen to ensure they maintained the company's traditional "DC house look".

Features and Backups

As a "Giant Size" 25-cent issue containing 52 pages, this book features several short vignettes and historic reprints:

• "Tales of the DNA Project: Genetic Criminal": A fascinating two-page backup feature written by Kirby and inked by Mike Royer. It focuses on the lore of the Project (later known as Project Cadmus), following a clone of a condemned murderer who helps capture an enemy spy.
• "The Meanest Man on Earth!": A Golden Age vintage reprint originally published in Star-Spangled Comics #14 (November 1942). It features the original Newsboy Legion and their adult protector, The Guardian, created by the classic duo of Jack Kirby and Joe Simon.