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Toar is a character first introduced in E. C. Segar's Thimble Theatre comic strip in 1935. A massive brute thousands of years of age, he possesses eternal youth from having drunk from the "Pool of Never Die", although he could still be killed in combat. He and Popeye met and fought as enemies, but have since become close friends and allies.
Character history[]
Creation and development in Thimble Theatre[]
Toar was created by E. C. Segar, making his on-panel debut on February 1, 1935 during the Thimble Theatre storyline "The Pool of Youth". Initially depicted as the violent, brutish lackey of the Sea Hag's sister, Toar would, following a climactic confrontation with Popeye, gain an affectionate friendship with the sailor, compelling him to, at the storyline's conclusion in April, accompany Popeye home as opposed to returning to his fellow, similarly-immortal cavepeople. Now cohabiting with the sailor (often to inconvenient results, given his enormous size, strength and appetite), Toar became a recurring character and a trusted friend and ally to Popeye, who he would refer to as "Poo-Poo". Despite his reformation (and resultant kindlier demeanor), however, Toar nonetheless maintained a degree of moral ambiguity, rapidly turning against Popeye on a spy's command in the 1935 storyline "You Can't Make April Showers from War Clouds" and directly confessing, during the 1937 storyline "Mystery Melody", that he would remain or revert to a villain without the sailor's influence.
While a relatively prominent secondary figure within the Thimble Theatre of the mid-1930s, Toar would increasingly fade into obscurity following Segar's death in 1938. Following a notable role within a 1940 storyline, Toar would remain absent for the majority of Tom Sims and Bela Zaboly's run, appearing in only one more prominent role (in 1945) before the introduction of Lummox - who, despite his significantly more sedate demeanor, effectively occupied Toar's prior role as a large, archaic human or humanoid ally of Popeye's - three years later, effectively sealing Toar's demotion permanently. While Toar would return for a guest role in 1954 (having allegedly joined the circus alongside Eugene the Jeep, thus explaining his prolonged absence) and served as a primary (and title) character within the 1989 Bobby London-authored storyline "Heavy Metal Toar", he never regained full-time prominence within the main strip.
Toar would return as a recurring character in the 1948 comic book series by Segar's former assistant Bud Sagendorf, where he would usually pay a visit to Popeye and his friends or join them on their adventures. His comic book appearances would continue for decades until the title's end in 1984.
While having been a prominent character in the comics, Toar never got to appear in theatrical Popeye cartoons.
Popeye's first TV series[]
Toar made his screen debut in the 1960s Popeye animated television series, this time as the Sea Hag's minion. He would appear in a few shorts, but not as many as other characters. Some episodes also portrayed him as having gray skin.
Revivals[]
Toar would re-appear in IDW Publishing's revival of the Popeye comics in 2012 as a major recurring character, often appearing alongside Alice the Goon in issues and aiding Popeye when needed on either his adventures or taking care of Swee'Pea. These comics also touch upon Toar's desire to gain official citizenship in the USA.
Biography[]
Pre-History[]
Over 20,000 years ago, Toar was a simple-minded caveman who would be one of the few souls to discover the legendary "Pool of Never Die" (otherwise known as "The Fountain of Youth"). Since then, he has lived for many millennia. One day, he would be unfortunate enough to cross paths with the Sea Hag.
Gallery[]
External links[]
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