Popeye issue #1. Cover art by Bud Sagendorf.
There have been several Popeye publications since the character first appeared among the cast of Thimble Theatre, starting with hardcover bound collections of the daily strips throughout the 1930s. This format continued in early issues of the Four Color comic book series by Dell Publishing, before evolving into new stories and art by Bud Sagendorf, formerly the assistant of Popeye creator E. C. Segar. These issues were followed by the first and most famous Popeye comic series in 1948, published by Dell, also with the talent of Bud Sagendorf. Many other editions by several publishers have been released over the years as well.
The Dell series was first simply called Popeye. It was later titled Popeye the Sailor, as it continued with Western Publishing under the brand Gold Key with issue #66 in 1962. This title was kept by the publishers that followed.
This comic book series mostly dealt with self-contained tales (unlike the original, serialized comic strip), usually featuring a longer lead story starring Popeye and a few shorter backups headlined by either Popeye or other characters. Sagendorf even introduced new backup series such as Axle and Cam or Sherm! and equally used Segar's complement to the daily strip, Sappo, as the supporting feature in the book. Short text stories would also be included, as well as the later Popeye's Physical Fitness Program, with the format changing through the years.
Sagendorf eventually retired from the series, leaving his duties to artists such as George Wildman, while the series was picked up by Charlton Comics with issue #94 in 1969. Wildman stayed on when the series was once again picked up by Western Publishing, under the brands Gold Key and Whitman, until the final 171st issue in 1984.
This series is currently being reprinted by IDW Publishing under the brand Yoe Comics, which began in 2012. IDW also ran another series titled Popeye from 2012 to 2013, as well as a Mars Attacks Popeye special in 2013.
In Japan, a Popeye manga series was published by Shōnen Gahōsha from 1961 to 1965.[1]
Publications[]
| Title | Publisher(s) | Issue Numbers | Publication Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thimble Theatre Starring Popeye | Sonnet | #1 - #2 | 1931 - 1932 |
| Popeye Paint Book | McLaughlin Bros. | N/A | 1932 |
| Popeye Cartoon Book | Saalfield | #2095 | 1934 |
| Popeye | David McKay | #1 - #2 | 1935 |
| King Comics | David McKay | #1 - #155 | 1936 - 1949 |
| King Comics | Best Books | #156 - #159 | 1950 - 1952 |
| Popeye/Popeye and Wimpy | Four Color | N/A | 1942 - 1949 |
| Popeye/Popeye the Sailor | Dell, Western, King Features, Charlton | #1 - #177 | 1948 - 1984 |
| Popeye (manga) | Shōnen Gahōsha (Shōnen Gaho supplement) | N/A | 1961 - 1965 |
| Popeye | Saalfield | #9212 | 1969 |
| Popeye [Bold Detergent Giveaway] | Charlton | N/A | 1969 |
| Thimble Theater Starring Popeye the Sailor | Nostalgia Press | N/A | 1971 |
| Popeye | King Features | #E1 - #E15 | 1972 |
| Popeye [Giant Comic Album] | Modern | N/A | 1972 |
| Popeye | King Features | #L2 | 1974 |
| Popeye "Getting Better Grades" | King Features | N/A | 1974 |
| Popeye | King Features | Add | 1975 |
| Popeye Kite Fun Book | Western | N/A | 1977 |
| Thimble Theatre, Introducing Popeye | Hyperion Press | N/A | 1977 |
| Thimble Theatre, Introducing Popeye | Hyperion Press | N/A | 1977 |
| Popeye The First Fifty Years | Workman | N/A | May 1979 |
| Popeye the Sailor | Nostalgia Press | N/A | 1979 |
| Thimble Theatre Starring Popeye | Tempo Books | N/A | 1979 - 1980 |
| Popeye and the Jeep | Tony Raiola | N/A | 1982 |
| Prophetic Allegory: Popeye and the American Dream: Two Classics by E. C. Segar | American Life Foundation and Study Institute | Paper Back | 1983 |
| Thimble Theatre, Starring Popeye | Berkley Books | Gallery | Feb 1984 |
| The Complete E.C. Segar Popeye | Fantagraphics | N/A | 1984 - Nov 1990 |
| The Complete E.C. Segar Popeye (collection of daily and Sunday strips) | Fantagraphics | N/A | 1984 - 1990 |
| Popeye Special | Ocean Comics | #1 - #2 | Summer 1987 - Sep 1988 |
| Mondo Popeye | St. Martin's | N/A | 1989 |
| Popeye Summer Special | Harvey | #1 | Oct 1993 |
| Popeye | Harvey | #1 - #7 | Nov 1993 - Aug 1994 |
| The Wedding of Popeye & Olive | Ocean Comics | #1 | 1999 |
| Popeye [E.C. Segar's Popeye] (collection of daily strips) | Fantagraphics | #1 - #6 | Sep 2006 - Feb 2012 |
| E. C. Segar's Popeye: Plunder Island | Fantagraphics | N/A | 2008 |
| Popeye Halloween Mini-Comic | Fantagraphics | #1 | 2009 |
| Popeye: The Great Comic Book Tales by Bud Sagendorf | IDW | N/A | Feb 2011 |
| Popeye Classics | IDW | #1 - ? | Aug 2012 - Present |
| Popeye | IDW | #1 - #12 | Apr 2012 - Apr 2013 |
| Popeye | IDW | #1 - #3 | Dec 2012 - Jul 2013 |
| Mars Attacks Popeye | IDW | N/A | Jan 2013 |
| Classic Popeye | IDW | N/A | Feb 2013 |
| Popeye Classics | IDW | #1 - ? | Feb 2013 - Present |
| Thimble Theatre Presents Popeye | IDW | #1 | Mar 2014 |
| Eye Lie Popeye | Comics Kingdom | Vol. 1 | 2023 |
Last Updated: 6/1/2023