Key Collector Comics
Popeye
View Key Issues

Creation & Design

Popeye was created by Elzie Crisler Segar and first appeared in the comic strip 'Thimble Theatre' in 1929. He was designed as a tough sailor with a distinctive appearance, including his squinty eye and anchor tattoos.

Early Years

Initially introduced as a minor character, Popeye quickly gained popularity and became the main character of the strip. His love for Olive Oyl and his battles with Bluto became central themes.

Character Development

Over the decades, Popeye has evolved from a comic strip character to a cultural icon, known for his catchphrases and his love for spinach, which symbolizes strength and resilience.

Cultural Reception

Popeye has been well-received by audiences, becoming a beloved character in American pop culture. His unique personality and humorous adventures have made him a staple in comic history.

Character Details

Real Name:
Popeye the Sailor Man
First Appearance:
King Comics #1
Aliases:
Popeye, Olive Oyl's boyfriend, Sailor Man
Species:
Human
Gender:
Male
Affiliations:
Olive Oyl, Swee'Pea, Wimpy, Bluto
Abilities:
Superhuman strength, Expert sailor, Combat skills
Equipment:
Spinach
Weight:
180lbs
Height:
5' 3"
Eye Color:
blue
Hair Color:
black

Clicking on the eBay link and making a purchase may result in this site earning a commission from the eBay Partner Network.

King Comics #1
David McKay ⋅ 1936
View Details
King Comics #1
 
Low
$3k
Mid
$10k
High
$30k

Key Facts

1st appearance of Popeye in standard comics - reprinted newspaper comic strips

1st appearance of Flash Gordon in standard comics - reprinted newspaper comic strips

1st appearance of Mandrake the Magician

1st appearance of Brick Bradford

Four Color #113
Dell ⋅ 1946
View Details
Four Color #113
 
Low
$25
Mid
$90
High
$275

Key Facts

First original stories featuring Popeye created for the comic book format, previous publications were collected newspaper strips

Popeye #1
Dell ⋅ 1948
View Details
Popeye #1
 
Low
$120
Mid
$400
High
$1.2k

Key Facts

First ongoing solo-titled Popeye series in standard comic format

Previous issues with Popeye headlining the title fell within a series like Feature Book, King Comics and Four Color

Popeye #66
Dell ⋅ 1962
View Details
Popeye #66
 
Low
$10
Mid
$30
High
$100

Key Facts

Gold Key/Western begins publishing Popeye

Tile changes from 'Popeye' to 'Popeye the Sailor'

Popeye #92
Dell ⋅ 1967
View Details
Popeye #92
 
Low
$4
Mid
$12
High
$40

Key Facts

Final issue with interior art and story by long-time Popeye creator Bud Sagendorf

The Popeye title continued with issue #94, published by Charlton Comics with interior art by George Wildman - issue number #93 was never published and issue #95 was the final consecutive Bud Sagendorf cover

Popeye #158
Whitman ⋅ 1980
View Details
Popeye #158
 
Low
$30
Mid
$90
High
$300

Key Facts

Scarce Whitman edition, distributed in multi-packs

Whitman logo in upper left corner

Popeye #159
Whitman ⋅ 1980
View Details
Popeye #159
 
Low
$10
Mid
$30
High
$100

Key Facts

Scarce Whitman edition, distributed in multi-packs

Whitman logo in upper left corner

Wedding of Popeye and Olive, The #1
Ocean Comics ⋅ 1999
View Details
Wedding of Popeye and Olive, The #1
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$3

Key Facts

Marriage of Popeye and Olive Oyl

Popeye #1
IDW ⋅ 2012
View Details  ⋅  View Variants (3)
Popeye #1
 
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$25

Key Facts

IDW begins publishing Popeye with the first original story in over 30 years

Cover art inspired by Action Comics #1 (1938)

Popeye #6
1:10 ⋅ IDW ⋅ 2012
View Details
Popeye #6
 
Low
$3
Mid
$9
High
$30

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Dan Parent

Popeye #8
1:10 ⋅ IDW ⋅ 2012
View Details
Popeye #8
 
Low
$5
Mid
$15
High
$55

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Shawn Dickinson

Popeye #10
1:10 ⋅ IDW ⋅ 2013
View Details
Popeye #10
 
Low
$4
Mid
$12
High
$45

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Craig Yoe

Popeye #11
1:10 ⋅ IDW ⋅ 2013
View Details
Popeye #11
 
Low
$0
Mid
$0
High
$0

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Mitch O'Connell

Very scarce with only one known graded copy registered to the censuses

Value unknown

Popeye #12
1:10 ⋅ IDW ⋅ 2013
View Details
Popeye #12
 
Low
$3
Mid
$9
High
$35

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Dave Sim, creator of Cerebus

Popeye Classic Comics #41
1:10 ⋅ IDW ⋅ 2015
View Details
Popeye Classic Comics #41
 
Low
$10
Mid
$30
High
$100

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Kelley Jones

Popeye Classic Comics #47
1:10 ⋅ IDW ⋅ 2016
View Details
Popeye Classic Comics #47
 
Low
$8
Mid
$20
High
$80

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Bill Brewer

Popeye Classic Comics #55
1:10 ⋅ IDW ⋅ 2017
View Details
Popeye Classic Comics #55
 
Low
$5
Mid
$15
High
$50

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Sarah Rose

Popeye Classic Comics #61
1:10 ⋅ IDW ⋅ 2017
View Details
Popeye Classic Comics #61
 
Low
$4
Mid
$12
High
$45

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Sander Ettema

Popeye Classic Comics #65
1:10 ⋅ IDW ⋅ 2017
View Details
Popeye Classic Comics #65
 
Low
$25
Mid
$80
High
$240

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Len Danovich

Adjust Your Filters To See More Comics!

By default Key Collector searches for Standard Cover Key Issues.

Adjust the "Variants" and/or "Non-Key Issues" search filters above for additional content:

  • Variant Covers ([[totalVariants]])
  • Non-Key Issues ([[totalNonKeys]])

At Key Collector, our primary focus is on unearthing those rare Standard Cover Key Issues for you. However, the world of comic collectibles is vast and varied. We want to make sure you have the tools to explore it all!