663 – Jimmy is an Orphan?

A panel from Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #30, June 1958
A panel from Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen #30, June 1958

In Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen #30 (June 1958), it is established that Jimmy Olsen is an orphan, so apparently something must have happened to his father since Superboy rescued him years ago. In this story, Superman decides to become Jimmy’s foster father. Wish fulfillment ensues, including Jimmy getting a chance to visit the Fortress of Solitude for the first time.

Jimmy visits the Fortress of Solitude in Jimmy Olsen #30, June 1958
Jimmy visits the Fortress of Solitude in Jimmy Olsen #30, June 1958

However, soon after, Superman starts treating Jimmy very poorly, acting strict and making Jimmy miserable. Jimmy reaches his tipping point and goes to the court to break off the adoption. It turns out Superman misunderstood his “electronic oracle” that predicted he would destroy his own “son” on a certain date, so he pretended to hate Jimmy. In reality, the computer predicted Superman would destroy a “sun” he created, so he races across the galaxy, which takes him a day, and discovers the son he created had burnt out. His solution is to “push” another star into place.

Superman moves a sun, in Jimmy Olsen #30 June 1958

This may be the single biggest god-like thing that Superman has done so far.

Anyway, in typical episodic fashion, the courts refuse to re-instate the father-and-son relationship and neither Superman nor Jimmy decide to fight that.