Superhero Side-kicks Trivia Quiz

Answer: Jimmy Olsen

The comic book "Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen" was published by DC Comics from 1954 until 1974. Marvel Comics' Peter Parker is, of course, the Amazing Spider-Man. Robbie Reed was the original possessor of the super-powers-granting dial in "Dial H For Hero" [DC Comics]. "Superman's Girlfriend, Lois Lane" was published by DC Comics from 1958 until 1974.

Answer: Jimmy Olsen

From "Superman" #158 [DC Comics: 1963]; an evil Kandoran scientist convinces the inhabitants of the bottled-city that Superman wants to keep them prisoners in the bottle because he wants to be the only super-powered Kryptonian. Jimmy and Superman go undercover as Nightwing and Flamebird and discover a movement to enlarge the city...despite the danger that, within 3 hours of enlargement, the city and its inhabitants could/would disintegrate.

In the year that the story appeared, Lois Lane is Superman's "girlfriend", Lana Lang is Superboy's "girlfriend", and Supergirl is Superman's cousin.

Answer: Jimmy Olsen

Jimmy first became Elastic Lad in "Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen" #31 [1958]. Ralph Dibney, the Elongated Man, served as a part-time side-kick to the Flash [Barry Allen]. Woozy Winks was Plastic Man's rotund comic accomplice. Reed Richards, the ductile Mr. Fantastic, is the leader of Marvel Comics' Fantastic Four.

Answer: Rick Jones

Rick Jones first appeared in "The Incredible Hulk" #1 [1962]. When the evil Asgardian Loki took over the Hulk's body, Rick Jones turned to Iron Man, Thor, and Ant-Man [with the Wasp] for help; the heroes, along with the Hulk, stayed together as "The Avengers" [#1 - 1963]. Bucky Barnes was Captain America's original side-kick during World War II, Sharon Carter was Captain America's love interest in the 1980's, and Roy Harper was the Green Arrow's side-kick aka Speedy.

Answer: Speedy

Green Arrow and Speedy first appeared in "More Fun Comics" #73 [1942]. Will Scarlett was the side-kick of the original archer/hero, Robin Hood. As an adult, Speedy [Roy Harper], took on the identity of Arsenal. "Quiver" was the Kevin Smith storyline re-introducing the no-longer-deceased Green Arrow to the DC universe in 2002.

Answer: Toro

Toro's first appearance was in "The Human Torch" #2 [Timely Comics: 1940]; he was a young circus performer with an immunity to fire and the natural ability to "flame on". Firestorm is DC's atomic-flame-headed super-hero, Spark [Lightning/Light Lass] is the twin sister of Live Wire [Lightning Lad] and a member of DC's Legion of Super-Heroes, and Scorchy was the female side-kick to the Sizzler [of the Seven Sentinels] from "Top Ten" comics #12 [ABC Comics].

Answer: Snapper Carr

Snapper Carr first appeared with the Justice League in "The Brave And The Bold" comics #28 [DC Comics: 1960]. He was later given super-powers by aliens and became the leader of the space-jamming Blasters super-team. He became advisor to the Hourman of the future [85,271 A.D.] and has also served as an advisor to the kid super-heroes of "Young Justice". Ma Hunkle [the original Red Tornado] was the first woman to take on a guise as a super-heroine, pre-dating Wonder Woman by about a year. Pete Ross was Clark Kent's best friend and knew his secret identity was Superboy, but never revealed what he knew. Jarvis is the Avengers' butler.

Answer: Sandy

Now known as Sand, the former chairman of the re-formed Justice Society of America, Sandy first appeared in DC's "Adventure Comics" #69 [1941] as Wesley Dodd's "adopted" ward. The nephew of Dodd's slain girlfriend [Dian Belmont], whom she had been raising, the wealthy Wesley took over raising Sanderson "Sandy" Hawkins and allowed him to become his crime-fighting partner. Tige was the dog that lived in the shoe with Buster Brown in the advertisements for, of course, Buster Brown shoes.

In the DC universe of the 1940's, Wing was the Asian side-kick of the Crimson Avenger. Sleepy is best remembered for his role as Snow White's side-kick, along with his six other dwarf brethern.

Answer: Minute Mouse

Bob Kane's spoof of his most famous creations, Batman and Robin, debuted in 1960 and ran for 130 episodes before going into re-run syndication through the 1980's. Ignatz was the brick-throwing rodent foil/paramour of Krazy Kat from the 1910's - 40's King Features Syndicate comic strip which begat the 1930's-40's cartoons that reached cult cartoon status in the 1960's . Dynomutt was the dog-wonder side-kick of the Blue Falcon from the 1976-77 Saturday afternoon cartoon series. "Squeak The Mouse" [1985-86] was an ulta-violent XXX-rated Italian comic book that featured a cat and mouse rivalry very similar in look and style to the Simpsons' Itchy and Scratchy characters, who came along a year later.

Answer: the Teen Titans

Robin, Wonder Girl, Speedy, Kid Flash, and Aqualad first teamed up as the Teen Titans in "The Brave And The Bold" comics #58 [DC Comics: 1964]. "Young Justice" was the DC new millenium teen-team comprised of Impulse, Superboy, Robin [III], Wondergirl, and Arrowette. "L.E.G.I.O.N." [DC: 1989] was a space-based group of super-heroes led by Vril Dox II, featuring Mon-El [Valor], Lobo, and Captain Comet, among others.

The Junior Justice Society of America was made up of the junior partners of Justice Society members; in 1942, an advertisement asking readers to "enlist" [for a 15 cent membership fee] in the JJSA appeared in "All-Star Comics" #12.