Fantagraphics Books Inc.
Available: 08/15/06
11 x 17 · 200 pages
978-1-56097-779-7
CDN $32.95 · cl

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Popeye Vol. 1

Elzie Chrisler Segar

In the tradition of The Complete Peanuts, the brilliance of E. C. Segar and his most famous sailor are introduced to a new generation in the first of six volumes to be released.

In this first volume, covering 1928 to 1930, Popeye’s initial courtship of Olive Oyl takes centre stage, while Olive’s brother Castor Oyl discovers the mysterious Whiffle Hen. The entire thimble theatre gang meets the Sea Hag for the first time in their pursuit of the Mystery House, marking Segar’s first extended narrative starring his venerable sailor man. Meanwhile, Castor Oyl attempts to turn Popeye into a boxing champion in a series of hilarious Sunday strips.

Segar blended complex narrative, slapstick traditions, brilliant characterization and an inimitable cartooning style to create the most exciting humour of its era, rivaling even the great film comics of that time, such as Charlie Chaplin and the Marx Brothers. For the first time, a new generation of comic fans will be able to experience one of the greatest accomplishments in comic strip history.

Elzie Chrisler Segar was born in 1894. Following his premature death in 1938, Popeye and Olive Oyl continued on, but without the same ingenious and provocative edge they had under Segar’s vision.