Warning: contains spoilers for Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen’s Boss Perry White #1!
A new collection of stories featuring Clark Kent’s editor Perry White, titled Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen’s Boss Perry White, just revealed a surprising aspect of Superman’s history. Though the character has always been known simply as Perry White, it turns out the Daily Planet editor-in-chief has had a secret identity of his own this whole time.
Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen’s Boss Perry White opens with a new short story, 'Metropolis Saves Superman.' In the story, Perry reminisces over his time in journalism, reflecting on how his role at the Daily Planet has changed and evolved since Superman’s arrival in Metropolis. While thinking back on the start of his career, Perry recalls the first time he saw his words in print, long before the days of Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Lois Lane joining his staff. In remembering a story covering a canceled dog race, Perry simply states, “I was hooked for life.” However, a small detail in the panel reveals a new detail to Perry’s history: his full name. Despite appearing in 1940's Superman #7, fans only knew Perry by a nickname until now.
'Metropolis Saves Superman,' created by the team of Matt Fraction and Steve Lieber, is the only new story in the Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen’s Boss Perry White collection, which features several stories starring Superman’s longtime boss. The duo of Fraction and Lieber also created the Eisner-winning miniseries Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen: Who Killed Jimmy Olsen? in the same vein. Though the introduction of Perry’s full name is played for a sight gag, the idea that he's always been called "Pericles White" is a fantastic addition to the lore of Metropolis.
In many ways, the name Pericles fits the Daily Planet editor, as White shares several similarities with the ancient Greek politician of the same name. The Greek Pericles notably advocated for the importance of arts and literature throughout his home of Athens. This is reflected in Perry White’s staunch commitment to the truth and the freedom of the press, attempting to turn Metropolis into the kind of educational hub that Pericles made Athens. Similarly, Pericles - a promoter of populist ideals - came into conflict with the wealthy Cimon, who spread his wealth to gain political favor and was later accused by Pericles of treason. This gives Perry another parallel, as he pushes Daily Planet reporters to speak out against Lex Luthor. While Luthor has most of Metropolis in his pocket, the Daily Planet stands in direct opposition to the billionaire’s treasonous crimes, often portrayed as the first publication in the city to do so.
It's quite possible that the parallels to the historical Pericles are simply a happy accident when giving Perry a fun byline. After all, the duo of Fraction and Lieber use a number of silly names for the Jimmy Olsen family tree (Jimmy’s ancestor Jimberly Jimmington Olsen comes to mind.) Still, 'Metropolis Saves Superman' giving Perry White a full name is a fun detail that answers one of the oldest questions in Superman's history - the full name of his Daily Planet boss.
Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen’s Boss Perry White #1 is available from DC Comics now.