I was doing research on racism in the media: particularly cartoons. I recalled several from my childhood and Popeye being one of them – the cartoons did not portray the Japanese in a good light during WW II.
So I dug in and learned more about this comic strip than I ever wanted to know.
The strip was originally called “Thimble Theater” and centered on Olive Oyl and her boyfriend (not Popeye). Popeye was introduced as a “throwaway character” to be used in maybe a dozen strips. The public liked him so much, that he stole the show. Olive Oyl’s ex, “got the boot” – he disappeared without a trace.
I was doing research on racism in the media: particularly cartoons. I recalled several from my childhood and Popeye being one of them – the cartoons did not portray the Japanese in a good light during WW II.
So I dug in and learned more about this comic strip than I ever wanted to know.
The strip was originally called “Thimble Theater” and centered on Olive Oyl and her boyfriend (not Popeye). Popeye was introduced as a “throwaway character” to be used in maybe a dozen strips. The public liked him so much, that he stole the show. Olive Oyl’s ex, “got the boot” – he disappeared without a trace.