Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen: Who Killed Jimmy Olsen? The Deluxe Edition

by Matt Fraction, Steve Lieber (illustrator)

Genres: Comics

300 pages, Hardcover

Published August 12, 2025

About the author

"How he got started in comics: In 1983, when Fraction was 7 years old and growing up in Kansas City, Mo., he became fascinated by the U.S. invasion of Grenada and created his own newspaper to explain the event. "I've always been story-driven, telling stories with pictures and words," he said.

Education and first job: Fraction never graduated from college. He stopped half a semester short of an art degree at Kansas City Art Institute in Missouri in 1998 to take a job as a Web designer and managing editor of a magazine about Internet culture.

"My mother was not happy about that," he said.

But that gig led Fraction and his co-workers to split off and launch MK12, a boutique graphic design and production firm in Kansas City that created the opening credits for the James Bond film "Quantum of Solace."

Big break: While writing and directing live-action shoots at MK12, Fraction spent his spare time writing comics and pitching his books each year to publishers at Comic-Con. Two books sold: "The Last of the Independents," published in 2003 by AiT/Planet Lar, and "Casanova," published in 2006 by Image Comics.

Fraction traveled extensively on commercial shoots. Then his wife got pregnant. So Fraction did what any rational man in his position would do -- he quit his job at MK12 to pursue his dream of becoming a full-time comic book writer.

Say what? "It was terrifying," said Fraction, who now lives in Portland, Ore. "I was married. We had a house. We had a baby coming. And I just quit my job."

Marvel hired Fraction in June 2006, thanks largely to the success of his other two comics. "I got very lucky," he half-joked. "If it hadn't worked out, I would have had to move back in with my parents.

- 2009. Alex Pham. Los Angeles Times.

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an absolute delight. I was skeptical, historically SMPJO was always a hokey title, but I’m so glad I gave this a shot. I laughed out loud multiple times. It was a phenomenal book. Matt Fraction and Steve Lieberman and co deserve a commendation. This was a labor of love and a joy to read. Check it out!

[Utkarsh Bansal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is Matt Fraction the greatest comic book writer of the 21st century? Discuss.

Steve Lieber should draw more Superman.

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute unicorn of a comic book. Full to bursting with heart and weirdness. If you don’t love it, have someone hold a mirror under your nose.

[Zachary King · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a treasure, and it makes me giggle like a big dumb idiot.

[Anthony Rizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a truly outstanding and fun romp filled with heart and humor. If you are on the fence whatsoever, check it out!

[poier · Rating 5 out of 5]

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