COUNTDOWN # 33: "FACTORIES AND FRICTION BY FREE STEVE CHUNG Last week, we saw Jimmy Olsen being offered access to the resources and facilities at Cadmus Labs. The cub reporter has been to Cadmus before, but what is it about the labs which makes the visits unforgettable? For that answer, we do the timewarp to the '70s and a past Jimmy Olsen adventure ....
Superman, his pal, and clones of the Newsboy Legion are watched as they pass through the tenth checkpoint at the Project. The Man of Steel has arrived to check out the trouble at the replica section. He warns his young friends about the nature of the work being done at the Project.
As his voice check is confirmed, Superman leads the others towards a pair of steel doors, and they are greeted by four familiar figures. The current Newboy Legion meet with their adult counterparts.
As the clones meet with their "fathers," Jimmy asks his pal for an explanation. He learns that they are currently within a vast underground complex.
The Project has succeeded in breaking the genetic code and learning the secrets of DNA. Human beings can now be produced from a single cell. The gene can also be shaped into a predetermined pattern. As he and his pal walk down a corridor, the cub reporter sees something familiar about the soldier on sentry duty. He is Jimmy Olsen #43, a popular model in the duplication section. The sentry is delighted to meet Jimmy Olsen #1.
When Number One is asked about his job, his pal informs the soldier that he's hear to investigate the miniature replication files. In an office, the cub reporter asks the Man of Steel how he was duplicated. He learns that when he took his last examination at the Daily Planet dispensary, a tissue sample was taken. Samples were also taken from Superman and the Newsboy Legion. Under the guise of a routine medical procedure, the cell pool for replicas was being established. By using a magno-microscope, Jimmy sees what looks to be dust motes at first. Under more intense magnification, he sees that they are miniature duplicates of himself.
Unbeknownst to Superman and his pal, another experiment in duplication is taking place. A giant subject is experiencing the finishing touch to his own physique. The two scientists from Apokolips have successfully synthesized Green Kryptonite, converting it to a fine spray, and covered their specimen from head to toe. In a battle with the Man of Steel, their giant should emerge victorious.
Simyan transmits his report to their leader. The stern image of Darkseid appears on the view screen. He knows that in order to overcome the heroic Kryptonian, they must pit an uncontrollable biological creature of destruction. The two scientists bow their heads and kneel before the image of their leader, confident that they have not lost control of their experiment. The giant has been well trained and is merely waiting to exercise the lessons learned.
In their zeal, Simyan and Mokkari almost notice too late that their prize has escaped from his reinforced home. With their equipment about to be destroyed, Mokkari fires the Z-Ray gun at the rampaging hooded creature. The agile Simyan knows that the gun will have no effect. Their leader was correct in his assessment of their experiment being a biological killing machine. Even a scientist from Apokolips can lose his composure when confronted with an escaped test subject.
Reaching the penetrator beam, an instrument which enabled them to invade the Project, Simyan prepares to send their giant there now. ZZZSSSH His molecular structure is broken down and converted into a ball of energy. There are no barriers which can prevent the streaking sphere from reaching its goal.
Upon its arrival, the ball of energy converts back into its original form and structure. Superman and his pal witness firsthand how the duplication section was first invaded. The giant's killing mission has begun, with Jimmy Olsen standing right in its path. The Man of Steel rushes the emerald giant in an effort to block its assault. He tells his pal to alert the others, then learns to his dismay that the giant's strength is more than a match for his own.
Superman puts his all behind a left-handed punch, but the blow succeeds only in removing the giant's head mask. The face behind the mask is enough to cause the Man of Steel to pause, and enables his opponent to strike back. The combination of the savage attack and the giant's Kryptonite makeup is enough to bring Superman to his knees. The eyes of the giant gleam with sinister intent. He sports the face of Jimmy Olsen, but there are no signs of friendship from this would-be destroyer.
SSAMMMASHH The renegade giant made in Jimmy's image continues to smash its way into the other sections. Watching on close circuit TV, the real Jimmy Olsen is startled to see the giant's true face. The former Newsboy Legionnaires seem unsurprised by that particular revelation.
They came together to work at the Project. Gabby as a teacher, "Big Words" as a geneticist, Scrapper as a social worker, and Tommy as a medical doctor. Although they as mortal men cannot save the day, they know who might. The adults have kept a secret of their own. The replica was one of them. A good man who died in battle against crime, but not before Tommy was able to take a tissue sample from the wounded man.
Within the life chamber, a costumed figure may be seen. The cub reporter remembers him as being more than a policeman, and more like a super hero. Sensing danger, he is prepared to carry out his mission, and protect the Project from harm. Jimmy watches as the subject raises a shield to his hand.
The differences are slight, but the overall result is the same. He is fearless, powerful, and intelligent. Now, the Golden Guardian prepares for his battle with the renegade replica in a clash of the DNAliens!
This story originally appeared in Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #135 (January, 1971).
"Evil Factory" was written and drawn by Jack Kirby. Inks were by Vince Colletta.
Printer-friendly view of this topic
