Popeye is one of the most enduring pop-culture icons of the past hundred years, as recognizable as Bugs Bunny, Mickey Mouse, Superman, or Irving Forbush. Once a simple walk-on character in the long-running Thimble Theater strip, Popeye quickly took over, growing into a juggernaut that included comics, cartoons, a live-action movie, and so much merchandise there are deeply rooted jungle tribes that have never seen an outsider’s face wearing Popeye Underoos.
Despite this, Popeye has been conspicuously absent on the action front. Mezco pumped out a few waves of extremely faithful toys, but that was way back in 2001 when the new century was young. Here it is 2015, and toys have made huge strides. We’re getting more properties in action figure than ever before, and toys are better than ever. What better time to give Popeye the comprehensive toy line he deserves.
When I say comprehensive, I mean it. While the Mezco line did an admirable job of delivering the mainstays, even Popeye’s pappy and Alice the Goon, along with Popeye in several different versions, I’d want all of that and more. I’d want Olive Oyl’s entire family, including Popeye’s frequent partner in the early days, Castor Oyl, brother of Olive. The rest of the Oyl family is welcome also.
Speaking of family, Popeye’s adopted “boykid” Swee’Pea is a necessity, of course, but he’d also need his nephews Peepeye, Pupeye, Poopeye, and Pipeye. Because four identical little versions of Popeye running around is probably the scariest thing ever, but it would make the perfect 4-pack, and it would only need one sculpt between the four of them. How simple is that?
Whether Bluto and Brutus are different characters or the same depends on the source, but I’d want a fair representation of both of them. Bluto is presented as fairly muscular, while Brutus is usually portrayed as more blubbery, which sets up the perfect opportunity to get both.
In EC Segar’s original strips, not only was J. Wellington Wimpy a recurring character, but Rough House, who owned the local grill, was as well, consistently and constantly annoyed at Wimpy’s attempts to get free food. How great would a mini-diner diorama — a dinerama? — be with Rough House included?
Wimpy’s relation to local cobbler George Geezil needs adequate representation also, so he’d make a welcome addition to the cast.
Popeye’s adventures were many. While Bluto/Brutus and the Sea Hag are his most noteworthy adversaries, he also went a handful of rounds with a gigantic caveman named Toar before Toar became Popeye’s friend on account of he couldn’t beat him up. He made several other friends on his adventuring, including ever-worrying King Blozo and his assistant Oscar.
So what I’m saying is Popeye’s world is deceptively huge, but each character inside serves a very specific role, whether relation or partner or love interest or adversary.
This new toy line could easily use the blueprint set by Mezco with increased articulation, and I’d be perfectly happy. I didn’t collect them at the time, but from what I’ve seen the representations are all spot-on. I’d welcome any and all versions of Popeye, including his traditional and his all-white uniforms, his peacoat version, and even his diving costume.
Popeye has been fortunate enough to receive some of the best comic strip writing ever. From the epic E.C. Segar beginnings to Bud sagendorf’s work to Bobby London and more recently Roger Langridge and many in between — there’s a ton of great writing behind him. And his animated shorts are still hilarious. Let’s give him a brand new toy line worthy of an icon.