Source: Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #2 (1954)
Type: Imaginary story
In the very first issue of Jimmy's own series, he could be seen dressing up as Superman. But the first time we see him in his own superheroic identity - and traditionally green togs - is in the second. "The Flying Jimmy Olsen" gives us a peek at Jimmy's collection of Superman souvenirs, and you'd think he would have poured over every inch of each object, but no. In fact, he's damn sloppy with his curating if THIS somehow escaped him:
The bottle's alien script has been translated by Superman who, on the label, wrote: "He who drinks will gain great powers for one day by Formula XA94L2Z." Way to decode that last bit, Superman. Jimmy downs it on the spot and whatever it is, it's also a super-roofie.
Jimmy gains anti-grav powers and starts flying around, soon joining a circus that's lost its best act and saving it from bankruptcy. That's what I'D do with my ONE day of super-powers. Sarcasm aside, Jimmy's dream is to have a thousand eyes on him.
But his crazy aerial stunts are soon interrupted by Superman who, by force of habit...
Jimmy shoos him away, and Supes returns to his seat, between Clark Kent and Lois Lane--wait--what?! Did they have Superman robots in 1954? (Answer: They were still 4 years away.) Jimmy returns to his act, flying circles around lions and tigers when suddenly, a gunshot! And with the sword swallower's spit-shined blades...
Well, THAT'S a little more than anti-gravity. But perhaps the potion gave him super-reflexes as well. By the time Superman shows up to collar the crooks, Jimmy's incapacitated them anyway by cutting their suspenders. I kid you not. However, a stray bullet hit someone near and dear to us:
While we're left to ponder the mystery, Superman takes Clark to the hospital and Jimmy gets himself locked in a water tank for the audience's pleasure. But no! His powers are fading! Probably because the days on that alien planet weren't as long as ours! Oh twist of fate! Our boy Jimmy is going to drown--oh wait.
That's right, in addition to not seeing the bottle in the sand box, Jimmy didn't notice there was something written on the back of the label. Somebody needs to get that boy some glasses. And that explains everything. Presumably. The powers, Clark and Superman being seen together... Everything. Not quite. It is never actually revealed that Superman WITHOUT THE SHADOW OF A DOUBT put that bottle in there to troll Jimmy. Just goes to show Superman was a super-dick well before the Silver Age...
Type: Imaginary story
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