Popeye

Popeye official logo.

Representation of Popeye

Popeye the Sailor Man is one of the most famous cartoon characters in history. He first appeared in 1929 in a comic strip called Thimble Theatre, created by E. C. Segar. Popeye is a short sailor with one eye who smokes a pipe and talks softly to himself. He did not go to school, but when there is trouble—usually to save his girlfriend, Olive Oyl, from his enemy, Bluto (or Brutus)—he eats a can of spinach and becomes super strong.

Over the years, Popeye has appeared in movie cartoons, comic books, video games, ads, and products like candy cigarettes and spinach. In 2002, TV Guide named him #20 on its list of the "50 Greatest Cartoon Characters of All Time".

Story and history

Popeye is an ordinary boy who becomes successful. Even though he first appeared in 1929, his story grew over many years of comics, cartoons, and movies.

Early life

Popeye was born during a big storm. His father, Poopdeck Pappy, was a rough sailor who left him when Popeye was young. Popeye spent much of his life searching for his father. He had to take care of himself, so he went to work at sea when he was 12 years old. Living at sea gave him a rough voice and a squinting eye.

Joining Thimble Theatre

At first, Popeye was not the main character. Olive Oyl’s brother, Castor Oyl, hired him as a helper on a boat trip.

Back then, Popeye did not get his strength from spinach. Instead, he got power and good luck by rubbing the head of a magic bird named Bernice the Whiffle Hen. But readers loved Popeye so much that he quickly became the main star and started eating spinach for strength instead.

The power of spinach

Popeye found out about spinach during his travels. In cartoons, eating spinach gives him instant power:

• Super pushes: He can punch through hard steel.

• Changing objects: He can hit things so hard they turn into something else (like turning a bull into meat).

• Safety: Bullets and trains cannot hurt him.

Important friends and enemies

Popeye’s life centers around his friends in the town of Sweethaven:

• Olive Oyl: His girlfriend.

• Bluto (or Brutus): His main rival who also likes Olive.

• J. Wellington Wimpy: Popeye's quiet best friend who loves burgers.

• Swee'Pea: A baby left on Popeye’s doorstep that he takes care of.

• The Sea Hag: A scary witch and pirate enemy.

Joining the Navy

In the 1940s, Popeye changed his black shirt for a white U.S. Navy uniform. His stories changed from funny fights to helping his country during the war.

Even with his power, Popeye remains a simple, everyday guy. His personal rule is: "I yam what I yam, and that's all that I yam".

How he looks

Strong arms

Popeye’s lower arms are huge compared to his upper arms. This shows that he does hard physical work. When he eats spinach, his arm muscles shape into anvils or tanks to show his power.

His face

Popeye looks like he has lived a hard life:

• One eye closed: Keeps one eye shut from working in the sea wind.

• Big chin: Shows he is tough and stubborn.

• Pipe: Smokes a pipe that he also uses as a tool or whistle.

Clothes

• Black shirt and red collar: Helps him stand out.

• Blue pants: Shows he is a sailor.

• White cap: A small sailor hat.

Smooth movement

Popeye’s body stretches and moves smoothly like rubber when he moves fast or fights.

Personality

• Fights for what is right: Popeye hates bullies and protects weak people. He fights to do the right thing, not for money or fame.

• Accepts himself: He knows how he looks and acts, and he does not apologize for it.

• Simple and kind: He does not care about being rich or fancy. He likes simple things: his boat, his pipe, and spinach.

• Loyal: He is very patient and caring with Olive Oyl, his friends, and his father.

• Short temper: Popeye tries to stay peaceful, but when he gets too angry, he says, "That's all I can stands, 'cause I can't stands no more!" and starts fighting.

Real life history

• Creation: Cartoonist E.C. Segar created Popeye on January 17, 1929.

• Spinach craze: When Popeye started eating spinach in the 1930s, many more people in the U.S. started buying and eating spinach.

• Cartoons: In 1933, Dave and Max Fleischer turned Popeye into animated cartoons, introducing his famous song "I'm Popeye the Sailor Man".

• Real person: The creator based Popeye on a real man named Frank "Rocky" Fiegel from his hometown, who was known for getting into fights and smoking a pipe.

Songs

Popeye has several famous songs:

• "I Yam What I Yam"
• "Swee'Pea's Lullaby"
• "Blow Me Down!"
• "Sailin'"
• "I'm Popeye the Sailor Man"