Review by Frank Plowright

The New Gods decide there ought to be a catalogue of the wondrous beings in the universe, and at Orion’s suggestion it shouldn’t just be a book, but a book that can fight. However, to avoid temptation this book should be guided to the care of someone wholesome and virtuous. Welcome to Jimmy Olsen’s Supercyclopedia.

It’s the fighting aspect that’s key to what develops. Gabe Soria’s clever concept is a primer to the DC universe for younger readers, featuring index card-sized information packages about assorted people and places, but also an imaginative adventure using them all. When the Supercyclopedia is borrowed and copied for mischievous purposes Jimmy must deal with the consequences, but because he’s been deemed worthy he can bring avatars of people to life from the book and guide them to do what’s right. Over ten chapters he visits wildly differing places in the company of Rip Hunter and Linda Park, who’s rather the anomaly, seemingly added to ensure a woman is represented, but not having a great role. This Jimmy Olsen is African-American, so if using the multiverse why not just have a female Rip Hunter operating the necessary Time Rider?

Soria filters in the Jimmy Olsen of old, Superman’s pal who becomes mixed up in the strangest experiences, but he’s wily enough to avoid Jimmy transforming into something ridiculous, instead providing the humour via other means. This is the place to see a Legion of Super-Heroes dance contest and Captain Carrot and his Amazing Zoo Crew face off against Titano the Super Ape.

As this is a wide-spanning tour of the DC universe Sandy Jarrell’s art has to cope with some very different environments, but he nails them all, able to adjust his exemplary cartooning to reflect assorted moods and locations. Homages provide highlights, one chapter including not only Mike Sekowsky’s nutty designs for three demons who once troubled the Justice League, but also a glorious representation of the stiff 1940s Doctor Fate and a Neal Adams-style Spectre. Jarrell’s only mis-step is a strangely underwhelming Superman, but he only appears briefly.

This is aimed at young readers, but anyone who loved the DC of the 1960s should love it as well.