Jimmy Olsen 148 p.1 by Jack Kirby, Vince Colletta and Murphy Anderson
Artists: Jack Kirby (Penciller) , Vince Colletta (Inker) , Murphy Anderson (Inker)
26 Comments - 2,829 Views - 6 Likes
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DescriptionThis page is a tribute to my father, the late Francis Joseph Finney. His friends and family called him Frank and he bears a great responsibility for instilling my love of comic books.I really have no memory of it, but the story goes that, as a toddler, I loved the children's book, "Wynken, Blynken, and Nod" and demanded that it be read to me every night repetitively. Then one day, I know not when for sure, but I was probably still three, WB&N was mysteriously replaced by something new and wonderful called a comic book and that was about it, really. I'm, as of this writing, 45, and I still read them. As I got older, dad told me that when he was growing up, he had all the first appearances of all the major superheroes, from Action #1 on up. Naturally, his mom put them out in paper drives and what have you, depriving my descendants and me of one of the greatest comic book collections of all time. My own collecting in those early days was haphazard, depending on how many quarters I had in my pocket and what covers caught my eye at the local drug store, but Jack Kirby was fairly well-represented with issues of FF, Cap, a Thor or two, and Kazar (I loved Kazar for some reason). One day, when I was still seven, I came home and found a new comic that I had not picked out myself. It was Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #148. I had never bought a Jimmy Olsen or Lois Lane comic and I thought it was strange to find it in my room. It turned out that dad had bought it. Why? Three words: The Newsboy Legion. Soon my dad informed me about this wonderful team called Simon & Kirby. I was regaled with stories of Captain American, Boy Commandos, Manhunter, and Sandman. However, he informed me that the Newsboy Legion and the Guardian were probably his favorites (well, aside from Will Eisner’s The Spirit). So, the good news, as it turned out, was that Kirby decided to bring them back and put them into his run on Jimmy Olsen which he had begun earlier. The bad news was that #148 was his last issue. When I next saw Jimmy Olsen on the stands, Kirby was no longer at the helm and there were no more S&K reprints in the back. (It would be several years before I tracked down the other issues via the back-issue market.) Nevertheless, my education regarding Jack Kirby had begun. Slowly, I put together the artist with other books in my "collection" which I kept in my "pirate's chest" (a hand-me-down from a grandfather who died before I was born). I learned he was "the King" and as the years went by, I learned (and continue to learn) just how true that nickname was. In time, my father passed away, but his love of comics and comic art lives on in me. Later, as I moved into collecting art, Jack Kirby's name was at the top of the want list. But not just any page would do. When prices of Kirby art started to climb, I thought I'd missed my chance. Then one day, I happened onto Albert Moy's site and saw the original art for Jimmy Olsen 148, page 1. It was pretty damn expensive for me, so I had to bide my time and wait until I had a little extra money. Fortunately, not everyone was as excited about this page's existence as I was, and it was still there when I was ready. Albert agreed to a trade and some time payments to help make it less painful. Maybe one day, I'll be able to afford that mind-altering Kirby/Sinnott FF page of my dreams, but if that day never comes, I am content. I have a Kirby splash page! (For those inclined to do so, you can complain about Vinnie's inking or Murphy Anderson's facial alteration of Jimmy all you want; I will not). As my pen pal, Suat, noted, Kirby's unique style makes his splashes stand out from any other illustration art. The fact that this outstanding splash is also from a comic book that has deep nostalgic meaning to me makes it even more special in my eyes. Hail to the King! And thanks, Dad. Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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J L
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 8/5/2009
Timothy---first of all, that was a great description of why this splash means so much to you. Gave me goose bumps when I finished reading it. Congrats on acquiring it and really, I don't think you need a Kirby FF page at all. It seems you got your perfect Kirby example right here. 8 )
Will K 
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 8/5/2009
Even though you don't say it's a grail, you did every thing but use the word itself. Congratulations on acquiring such a meaningful piece.
Felix Lu
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 8/6/2009
Great write-up, one of the best ones I've read on CAF. Nothing like getting a personally meaningful piece (dare I say...grail?)...congrats!
JONATHAN MANKUTA
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 8/6/2009
A beautiful splash, and an even better background story to go with it...a wonderful tribute! Congrats!
Bill Thomson
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 8/6/2009
Congrats on getting a nice piece with such tremendous sentimental significance, Timothy! My collection is all about nostalgic memories too, so I can relate to your excitement (and collecting restraints). Thanks for sharing the great story, Timothy, and congrats!
J. Hiroshi Morisaki
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 8/6/2009
Your posting encapsulates everything I love about this site, fandom and comic art in general. That is a terrific splash made all the better by your own story behind it. Thanks for sharing both.
Satya Chetri
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 8/6/2009
Tim, I kept coming back to the piece to read your description multiple times today. Feeling very happy for you, and not just because it's a Kirby splash!
Bryan Simmons
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 8/6/2009
Tim, I've read your description several times, just today. It's the best write up I've seen on this site, hands down. Thanks for sharing such an emotional story.
Lars Teglbjaerg
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 8/8/2009
Captivating story and splash. The King was still at the top of his game here.
Ron S
Member Since 2007
1 - Posted on 8/9/2009
A great story, and an equally great piece. It's the stories that make this hobby so special. Thanks for sharing both with us.
Yoshi M. (REP. Japan Comic Art Expo)
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 8/14/2009
So this is the piece you were talking about? Big congrats to you! And thanks for sharing your personal memory and info on this piece. Shame on me, but I did not even know Jimmy Olsen had his own solo seriese.
M,B The collector
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 8/19/2009
Dear TImothy, Woooooww!!!!! This page is really marvellous a real jewel !!! congratulation !!! ;-)
Crees Tyler
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 1/6/2012
Amazing title splash, Amazing story... ! Congratulations
Michael Haack
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 10/28/2013
I still remember liking this page a lot when I first read Kirby's Fourth World books! Great splash!
David Grisez
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 7/1/2014
A great splash and a great story. Well done sir! Long live the king!
Tommy Kohlmaier
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 9/26/2014
Sick title splash from the King's first DC series in the 1970s, congrats !
Brian Jones
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 8/28/2015
Great back story that makes this Kirby splash even more special. Congrats and Hail to the King!
Jovi Neri
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 10/24/2015
Thanks for sharing your story. Every piece of art has a story and comic art collecting brings the nostalgia in all of us. No better artist to have than Kirby! Great page!
Bill J
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 8/27/2020
Fantastic story and fantastic art to go with it! Thanks for sharing!
Harry M
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 11/24/2020
Yeah, both incarnations of the Newsboy Legion were great. What a treasure of a splash. Congrats.
LB Jefferies
Member Since 2003
1 - Posted on 12/18/2020
My father had a lot of good points but championing my love of comic books was certainly not one of them. Yours is a wonderful story and I'm so pleased you own this splash.
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