opeye is the undisputed star
of `The Thimble Theatre'. The strip was actually renamed in
his honor From `thimble Theatre' to `Thimble Theatre starring Popeye'. But there was a time
when Popeye was not the star. In fact there was a period of over nine years, where the comic
strip got along just fine without him. A few months after his debut, Popeye was even
dismissed from the strip, Segar apparently believing that the character's usefulness was at
an end. For more on Popeye the sailor just click on the LINK.
Olive Oyl is the only original member of the Thimble Theatre "cast" to still appear regularly in the strip. The other two, Ham Gravy and Castor Oyl were squeezed out by Popeye. Olive remained as Popeye's love interest. Her first strip appearance was in the initial Thimble Theatre strip on Friday, December 19th, 1919. For more on Olive Oyl just click on the LINK.
Wimpy made his debut as a nameless fight referee in a 1931 Sunday strip. Over a period of months his appearances became more frequent and he was given his name. Eventually he became popular enough to actually challenge Popeye's place as the star of the comic strip. For more on Wimpy just click on the LINK.
Bluto made his strip debut as just another in a long string of villians which Popeye would vanquish. As with all the others he was intended to make his appearance, take his beating then disappear forever. Bluto was saved by good timing however because as he was appearing in Segar's comic strip the Fleischers Brothers were looking for a heavy to play against Popeye in their upcoming animated films. They, not Segar, made Bluto a star. For more on Bluto just click on the LINK.
Swee'pea (or to be technically correct,
Sweetpea) Is Popeye's adopted son. He arrived in Popeye's mail in an express package
on July 24th 1933. For more on Swee'pea just click on the LINK.
P
oopdeck Pappy is Popeye's father. He was introduced to the strip allegedly after Segar
grew nostalgic for Popeye's former roughneck ways. When Popeye became popular with child
readers Segar was told to tone down Popeye's swearing, lying, gambling and drinking as it was
a bad influence. Poopdeck was the result and is worse than Popeye ever was. For more on
Poopdeck Pappy just click on the LINK.
