Popeye: The Great Comic Book Tales of Bud Sagendorf

by Bud Sagendorf

There are three genius incarnations of Popeye - the comic strip by E.C. Segar, the animations by Max Fleischer, and unknown to many, the brilliant 1940s and 50s comic book stories by Bud Sangendorf Comics historian Craig Yoe collects and beautifully packages the best of the best of Sangendorf's thrilling and roll-on-the-floor laughing tales. See the Sea Hag, Bluto, and, of course, Olive Oyl, Wimpy, and Sweepea join Popeye in exciting adventures and brilliant comic book stories. As with the entire line of Yoe Books, the reproduction techniques employed strive to preserve the look and feel of expensive vintage comics. Painstakingly remastered, enjoy the closest possible recreation of reading these comics when first released.

Genres: Humor

176 pages, Hardcover

First published October 12, 2010

Reviews

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me, Sagendorf was the original Popeye. And simply because at the young age of about 6 or 7, his Popeye was the first that I encountered as I read through my father's vintage assortment of comic books from the 50's. I had no idea at that time of Segar's earlier incarnation, nor had I yet watched any of the Popeye cartoons.

I loved those old Dell Popeye comics, and devoured them with delight. Within a few years I had the opportunity to buy Charlton's line of comics starring Popeye, drawn by George Wildman, and I could tell the new ones (while entertaining and worth collecting) didn't hold a candle to the earlier Sagendorf comics.

While I now have perspective and experience with Segar's original zany inventiveness, I still hold an immense fondness for Sagendorf's inimitable style, so this book was a great walk down memory lane. And Editor Craig Yoe includes an appreciative essay at the beginning to showcase Sagendorf's importance not only to Popeye, but to cartooning in general.

The book contains several reprinted stories from some of the early Dell comics:

"Shame on You" (Popeye #1, Feb-Apr 1948)
"Misermites" (Popeye #9, Oct-Nov 1949)
"Witch Whistle" (Popeye #12, Apr-May 1950)
"Interplanetary Battle" (Popeye #21, Jul-Sep 1952)
"Shrink Weed" (Popeye #25, Jul-Sep 1953)
"The Happy Little Island" (Popeye #27, Jan-Mar 1954)
"Alone" (Popeye #32, Apr-Jun 1955)
"Nothing" (Popeye #34, Oct-Dec 1955)
"Spinach Soap" (Popeye #41, Jul-Sep 1957)

Highly recommended! Worth the money, this book will an item you enjoy and treasure.

Not sure if it's for you? I found another story not in this book on a blog entitled "The Big Blog of Kid's Comics" (http://www.bigblogcomics.com/2011/03/...), so let's have a look at "Ship Shape" (Popeye #23, Jan-Mar 1953).

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Growing up in the 60's and 70's I remember watching re-runs of the Max Fleischer cartoons of Popeye from the 30's and 40's but I had never read any of the comics. Originally created by Elizie Crizler Segar in 1929 Popeye stories were eventually continued after Segar's death in 1938 by Bub Sagendorf, his former assistant. Segar's comic strips had been reprinted after his death for a few years but in 1946, Bud Sagendorf's Popeye first appeared in new stories as part of Four Color comic book. Then in 1948 Popeye #1 appeared. This book reprints a selection of Bud Sagnedorf's Popeye stories including Popeye #1 from 1948 and others from 1949 - 1957. Most of the characters are here including Olive Oyl, Wimpy, Sweetpea even the Sea Hag makes an appearance trying to get revenge on Popeye but no sign on Bluto. Surprisingly Spinach was not mentioned at all in the early stories but definitely plays a role later on. I really enjoyed reading these, they were more than just the standard, get into trouble, eat the spinach and fight your way out of it (but there is still a lot of that thankfully) and memories of watching those cartoons came flooding back.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't expect everyone to like Popeye but if you don't I'm not interested in hearing about it, I'll say that much. This is a very fun collection of stories that are totally hilarious and charming and even family-friendly if you don't mind non-stop cartoon violence!! Which I don't! In fact, I prefer it!

[Kyle Burley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why am I so entertained by Popeye? Who knows, maybe I just long for the day when the most popular character in children's entertainment was an ugly, violent, one-eyed, sailor.
Anyway, these stories by cartoonist Bud Sagendof are top-notch, all ages comics.

[Lyle Blosser · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun look back at the second iteration of Popeye, this time under Bud Sagendorf.