Isn't this a lift from Morrie's Absolute Superman?
I don't mind the idea of some new moneyshot power which causes him to be weakened afterwards, and thereby able to be defeated by lesser foes. It gives the writers some flexibility. Facing Metallo? High octane Superman. Facing Toyman? Oh dear, recovering from solar flare power surge thing, can't use super-speed and heat vision to catch and fry the fucker.
More importantly, as the article says, is turning Jimmy Olsen into an Alfred clone. That's a unique step in the Super-mythos and I think a very interesting and natural one.
