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Rating:  -
This is the third volume of Fantagraphics Books series that intends to reprint the complete run of E.C. Segar's Popeye comic strip. This book reprints the black and white daily strips from June 9, 1932 to December 9, 1933 and the Sunday color strips from October 9, 1932 to November 26, 1933, plus advertising comic strips promoting the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago. Major events include the first appearances of Sweet Pea and Bluto, with this being Bluto's ONLY appearance in the strip during Segar's lifetime, although Bluto did have a long career in the cartoons. These are great comics and they are well reproduced here. The only bad thing about the book is the introduction by Donald Phelps, which is continued from Volume 2. It is boring and often incomprehensible. Skip the into and enjoy the comics.
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Most people think of Popeye as a violent sailor that is always fighting over Olive Oyl. Which is so wrong! You have to read the whole story of Popeye in these books to realize what a sweet soul Popeye really is and how much he loved kids. If you only see those old Popeye cartoons you are missing a real treat. These books have had this old lady unable to put them down. I'm waiting for the next book in the series. Can't wait to read more about Popeye and the Sea Hag!
Rating: -
Including the never-before-reprinted 1933 'Popeye, Wimpy, and Olive at the Chicago World's Fair' storyline, the third Popeye volume 'Let's You and Him Fight!' presents a winning complete reprint of Seger's Popeye strips and represents the halfway point in the Popeye saga with this volume. Mostly black and white with a few color panels make for an excellent oversized presentation of strips perfect for in-depth graphic novel or comics collection in general, and for Popeye fans in particular.
Rating: -
I've been buying these volumes for a Popeye fan each year -- 3rd gift. This is a knowledgeable and selective fan who has enjoyed these books immensely. So, for anyone who knows and loves Popeye, this is the real thing.
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Famous characters that have stood the test of time generally evolve into something much greater then their creators could have ever envisioned. Few people look back at the Siegel and Schuster days as the height of Superman or the Kane and Finger tenure helming Batman as the characters peak. Ian Fleming wrote some fine spy novels but without the films Bond would be just another fairly non-descript spy in an obscure series of books. In this respect Popeye is the rare exception to the rule because no one has ever outdone E.C. Segar. Rather than expand on Segar's wonderful, multidimensional Popeye later writers have only watered him down. Even the brilliant Fleischer cartoons failed to capture Segars magic. Segar had a much richer, livelier world for Popeye than any later incarnations. In the nearly 80 year history of Popeye THIS is the best.
If you've never read Segar's Popeye you're in for a shock. Popeye is rude, crude and often a bully. He has a soft spot for hard luck cases but his desire to help often backfires. What makes Segar so great is that he develops Popeye into a fully three dimensional character flaws and all. In one story Popeye tries to help the poor farmers of Nazilia by insisting that King Blozo give each one a doorknob sized hunk of gold. This ends up shattering the countries economy which is exactly what would happen. Segar delves into some deep philosophical issue concerning the danger of excessively helping the poor and the unfortunate fact that sometimes even the best of intentions can blow up in a persons face. After the economy is repaired King Blozo's kingship is challenged by General Bunzo from volume 2 in a general election. Popeye attempts to rig the election and Segar shows awareness for the dubious morality of Popeye's actions.
Popeye expresses his philosophy of life saying, "I don't do good deeds to get credick. I does `em on account of they oughter get done... an if ya does good deeds jus' to get yerself a swell seat in heaven yer selfish. The only reward ya should expeck for doin' right is the sort of cumfterble feelin wich ya get from doin it" That is an amazingly deep statement coming from a character in a daily comic. The above quote is expressed as an explanation as to why he is helping Wimpy to earn enough money to help his mother afford a place to live. Popeye ill conceived plan is to buy Wimpy a hamburger stand with hopes of turning a profit. When Wimpy inevitably eats his own product Popeye simply gives Wimpy five grand to pass on to his mother. To Wimpy's credit he does give the money to his mother... right before hitting her up for some cash which he proceeds to spend on burgers. Segar sets up an admirable philosophy for Popeye and then shows its flaws. Segar's Popeye is not a great man but he is a complex man with flashes of greatness. This is exactly what elevates Segar above the rest.
This book features a ton of famous firsts including the first appearances of Swee'Pea and Mr. Geezel and the single appearance of Bluto who gets the business end of Popeye's devastating "Twisker Punch". Wimpy is given a much larger role and pretty much takes center stage in the color Sunday comics. The Sundays center around Popeye, Wimpy and Roughhouse and they're at least as much fun as the dailies. Wimpy may be the most amoral character ever to exist in the funny pages. In one hilarious comic Popeye bets a man ten bucks that Wimpy wouldn't choke his own grandmother for a burger. After devising a plan to test Wimpy Popeye ends up ten dollars lighter. Finally let me state that the E.C. Segar comics are clearly a product of the depression era where a violent sailor with poor grammar could be a hero. On the other hand the Segar Popeye, who is fast approaching his 80th birthday, holds up amazingly well and feels much less dated than other decades old characters. If I could give this book six stars I would.
Finally let me close with one quick joke as an example of Segar's wonderful comedic flair....
Popeye: Nothin kin kill me Mr. Works I yam immoral
Mr. Works: You mean immortal
Popeye: I means what I means - tha's what I means
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