Popeye: Born to the Sea

[doc]

I seem to recall that somewhere in the 90's there were two issues of a Popeye comic where they tried to establish a "real" origin for him and his cronies. The artwork was more "realistic" than the usual fare, but it was still very obviously Popeye.

Does anybody else recall these issues? Does anybody know who out them out? Was there supposed to be more than just the two issues? Am I imagining this whole thing?

GW

[bluto]

You're not crazy, Doc! There were two issues of a Popeye comic book from the Ocean company that featured art that tried to portray Popeye and company in a less cartoony, more realistic manner. The stories, including Popeye's origin, were also somewhat more realistic. They angered Segar purists because they changed things from the Segar "canon." As an example, in the comic books Wimpy and Popeye were pals together in the Navy. But the plots were Segar-like, if one could imagine Segar doing a more realistic adventure strip. I enjoyed the comic books for what they were, an attempt to re-introduce Popeye to today's audience and to have some fun with the characters. The second issue featured a story of Popeye, Bluto, and Brutus (Bluto's twin brother) visiting Australia. There's a love interest in the story who isn't called Olive Oyl, but who is drawn to look like the "Parlez Vous Woo," Famous Studios version of Olive Oyl (drawn more realistically) wearing shorts and a safari outfit. Hubba, hubba, hubba!

I don't know if more than two issues were ever planned, but that's all that ever were released. Years later, Ocean did the Popeye wedding one-shot, but with a different artist and a different writer. The art in it wasn't exactly Seagr/Sagendorf-ish, but was inspired by those gents and it was more cartoony than the earlier Ocean efforts. The story was more outlandish as well.

[doc]

Wimpy in the Navy?? Not likely; it would be too much like work!

I remember the wedding issue, and I probably have it stashed away somewhere. Now it's just a matter of finding the other two issues.

Hey, did the first issue have a scene with Popeye as this gorgeous baby and Poopdeck commenting on how it was the ugliest baby he'd ever seen? I seem to recall that bit.

GW

[bluto]

doc said:

Wimpy in the Navy?? Not likely; it would be too much like work!

I remember the wedding issue, and I probably have it stashed away somewhere. Now it's just a matter of finding the other two issues.

Hey, did the first issue have a scene with Popeye as this gorgeous baby and Poopdeck commenting on how it was the ugliest baby he'd ever seen? I seem to recall that bit.

GW

Indeed it did, Doc! Actually, Popeye isn't all that bad looking throughout the comic book, though people say he's ugly.