EYE LIE POPEYE #1, by MASSIVE Publishing on 8/28/24, spins a yarn of hijinks and high action when a reporter visits Popeye to learn how he lost his eye, but the reporter wants more than a story.
Credits:
- Writer: Marcus Williams
- Artist: Marcus Williams
- Colorist: Marcus Williams
- Letterer: Marcus Williams
- Cover Artist: Marcus Williams (cover A)
- Publisher: MASSIVE Publishing
- Release Date: August 28, 2024
- Comic Rating: All Ages
- Cover Price: $4.99
- Page Count: 46
- Format: Double-Sized Issue
Covers:
Analysis of EYE LIE POPEYE #1:
First Impressions:
Well, now, Eye Lie Popeye #1 is an unexpected treat. Marcus Williams brings the seminal spinach-eating sailor to life with tall tales and taller action. That said, readers expecting a double-sized issue filled with a modern version of the classic strip will be surprised to learn this issue reads like a cross between Popeye and Dragonball-Z. Frankly, this is the mashup we didn’t know we wanted.
Plot Analysis:
Eye Lie Popeye #1 begins with a sunny day near the docks when plucky young reporter Judy P’Tooty arrives looking for Popeye. Judy was sent to write a human interest story about how Popeye lost his eye. Fortunately, every side character in Popeye’s lore is all too happy to step in to tell their version of events in exchange for notoriety.
Marcus Williams begins the comic with the classic characters in a classic scenario, engaging in classic hijinks. Longtime Popeye fans will get the same nostalgic look and feel to the characters through the art and dialog. New readers get a reasonably well-done introduction to the cast of characters that feels organic to the story.
What follows is a series of flashbacks from each character. Olive Oyl recounts how Popeye lost his eye during a fight to defend Olive from a gigantic Mer-Man. Bluto paints himself as the hero who knocked out a giant squid attacking Popeye’s ship, dislodging Popeye’s eye accidentally during the melee. Wimpy recalls having his hamburger lunch interrupted by a brawl between Popeye and Bill the Winged Chimera. In Wimpy’s version, Popeye lost his eye intercepting a laser blast aimed at Wimpy.
The flashbacks are as outlandish as any seafaring tall tale, which is a great way to acclimate new readers to the respective personalities of each character. Olive Oyl invariably paints Popeye as the hero who always saves his favorite damsel. Bluto presents himself as the hero who saves the day despite Popeye’s inadequacies. Wimpy incorporates his favorite activity, eating hamburgers, into the tale.
Judy becomes increasingly frustrated by the inconsistencies in the tall tales and endeavors to get the truth of Popeye’s eye from the man himself. Unfortunately, Judy’s determination to get the “how” lets’ slip that she’s more interested in “where” Popeye lost his eye. In other words, Judy isn’t interested in Popeye but in his eye, the Bejeweled Eye of Haggery.
The issue concludes with a disguise behind the disguise, a mastermind behind the mastermind, a helping hand from Eugene the Jeep, and a cadre of foes waiting to take their turn.
Overall, Marcus Williams delivers the goods by breathing new life into the classic comic strip characters, infusing the story with bigger ideas, and laying the groundwork for more adventures to come. If you’re not a Popeye fan, this issue just might change your mind.
Artwork and Presentation:
Of course, the appeal of a modern update to a classic comic strip relies on Marcus Williams’s (writer and artist) reverence for the source material. Does Popeye look like Popeye or a weird variant interpretation of Popeye? Thankfully, Williams nails the look and feel of the characters in their figurework, gestures, movement, and acting. There are subtle yet noticeable differences in the art style compared to the original, but nothing that would put you off.
Art Samples:
The Bigger Picture:
Historical Context:
Readers interested in a little history will be interested to know Popeye first appeared in a newspaper comic strip in 1929, which means Popeye predates the Golden Age of Comics by at least nine years. Also, the original story detailing how Popeye lost his eye and earned the nickname Popeye can be found in a series of comic strip shorts titled Popeye’s Life Story, published in March 1931.
Final Thoughts:
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EYE LIE POPEYE #1 is a fresh, entertaining take on the modern adventures of the world’s greatest spinach-eating sailor. Marcus Williams maintains the look and spirit of the original comic strip while infusing the story with fresh energy and bolder ideas that read like a Dragonball-Z script. If you’ve ever wondered what a Popeye/Dragonball mashup would look like, or if such an idea has never crossed your mind, it’s all right here, and it works.
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