|
Movies •Books •Music •Food •Tv Shows •Technology •Politics •Video Games •Parenting •Fashion •Green Living •more >

Lunch » Tags » Comic Books » Reviews » POPEYE: Issue # 21 (1941)

POPEYE: Issue # 21 (1941)

1 rating: 4.0
Comic Book issue from Dell Comics

        POPEYE (1941) (#1-65) (DELL) #21 - Large Image            Select Cover Image to See Fullsize Version      Publisher: Dell Publishing Title: POPEYE (1941) (#1-65) … see full wiki

1 review about POPEYE: Issue # 21 (1941)
Showing 1-1 of 1
Sort by:

Popeye Battles Jetoe The Martian While I Do My Laundry!!

  • Feb 7, 2011
Rating:
+4
A few weeks ago, I was going through my garage and I’ve decided to look into some boxes of old comic books I kept on the shelf. I found a box labeled “Dell Comics” (or otherwise known as “Gold Key” comics) and “Walt Disney” so I opened it up, expecting to find a nice stock of old Donald Duck and Junior Woodchucks comics from the 70’s that I could just give away. To my surprise I found quite a few copies of “Popeye” comics from the late 40’s and early 50’s. I was happy since it brought forth fun memories when I was a kid (please keep in mind that I am not that old, one of my parents' probably owned this issue) reading about our spinach-munching sailor. Popeye is one of the most recognizable figures in pop-culture; in America and around the world.

I picked up “Popeye” # 21 to read and wait while I was doing my laundry. The Gold Key series were mostly scripted by Bill Pearson and illustrated by George Wildman. I thought it would be cool to give this to a friend’s nephew, but I looked it up and a fine-very fine edition of this comic book is now valued at  $85-100! Not bad for a comic with an original 10 cent cover price right? But I am not an investor, but I now have second thoughts whether I want to keep it or not. This comic book takes on a different take on our pipe-tooting sailor. There is no stereotypical Popeye-Brutus rivalry, and while it has the classic characters, Wimpy, Olive and Swee’Pea; it introduces a new villain and puts Popeye as a different person. Oh course, no Popeye story would be complete without the power-giving characteristics of spinach.

                      

Popeye is the undefeated champion boxer of the world. I think this may be a take on the exploits of Joe Louis and Rocky Marciano, who in their undefeated days had issues trying to find an opponent. Popeye needs to get in the ring to make a living; no fight, no payday, no food in the table. It was that easy, boxing is not the money-making sport it is today, before, fighters actually had to fight for a living and they cannot choose who they want to fight. Popeye needs to find an opponent or he can’t pay the rent, and he will starve. So to help him out, Wimpy (who has his own radio station) sends out a wide radio broadcast to issue a challenge to anyone in the planet who may be willing to get in the ring with the champ and make a small fortune for himself. 

          

Unfortunately, no one is willing to fight Popeye given his reputation. Well, no one in the planet earth that is. From the planet Mars, come forth the champion fighter of his race. A short, goofy-looking, shape-shifting powerhouse called “Jetoe”. He has arrived on Earth to take on the challenge since Wimpy’s radio broadcast was so powerful that it even reached Earth’s neighboring planet. Jetoe is such a powerhouse and he displays his powers and skills to intimidate our favorite sailor. Jetoe intends to defeat Popeye and prove that he is the greatest fighter in the galaxy. Wimpy and Popeye are in a tight spot, and they fear that not even spinach can bring victory. Can Popeye prevail against this martian?

I guess this is a comic book not for mature readers and I loved every minute of it. It gave me such a sense of nostalgia from my childhood that I didn’t care if the story was silly, predictable and maybe even outrageous; it made it part of its charm. The gags can be predictable and it all takes its focus on Jetoe’s shape-changing abilities. Jetoe can change his size, shape and he can look like anyone and anything. Imagine fighting someone whose strength increases when he increases his size, and who can have a hammer-like knockout punch. I laughed when Jetoe took the form of a certain someone to spy on Popeye, and it took a certain ‘test’ to find out the truth. Of course, Olive Oyl and Swee’Pea had their moments in the jokes and they were all part to develop the respect between Popeye and Jetoe.

Of course, the comic had its share of plot missteps. I wondered as to why and how things didn’t and why they weren’t and then I realized it was all part of the Popeye formula. He never eats the energy giving weed until the last scene, and it was to be expected that Jetoe would have the upper hand in their boxing match. Jetoe uses his size-changing, shape-shifting skills to beat our favorite sailor senseless. It is pretty violent, but it was silly violent meant for kids. Not my cup of tea these days, but I laughed myself silly reading this old comic. “Splat!,  ZOKK!, BAM! POW!”…are classic comic sound effects that made me smile as a kid and it serves to make me smile once again.

As expected, Popeye would win the day and there is an expected twist. It is a sort of a commentary as to the misuse of powers and its abuse. Popeye # 21 is real fun. I am real happy that I managed to relive a part of my childhood once again, since I have read a little too much of darker more mature comic books.

Thank you for the read. Time for my fabric softener (maybe I'll do a review on "Goofy" while I am drying).... LOL!

       Now this is one I want to see: Hulk Vs. Popeye!


　
　
　
　
Popeye Battles Jetoe The Martian While I Do My Laundry!! Popeye Battles Jetoe The Martian While I Do My Laundry!!

What did you think of this review?

Helpful
15
Thought-Provoking
15
Fun to Read
15
Well-Organized
15
Post a Comment
February 12, 2011
I remember Rick on Pawn Stars mentioning comics once saying that the golden age of comics were the best "before they ruined them" when talking about Superman. If this is a sign of those times I could see his point. No antiheroes or gratuitous violence or ongoing and unending stories, just fun and not taking themselves too seriously. I love Popeye but never read the comics outside of a couple of Whitman comics I got when I was a kid. Thank you.
 
February 11, 2011
Spinach is great in soup! But Popeye is still a dupe. LOL! I do like the idea of big, green Hulk taking on Popeye.
February 12, 2011
I put spinach, a little lettuce and a lot of Beets with balsamic cream vinegar!
 
February 10, 2011
Undefeated champ indeed, excellent review WP. Been a long time since I have read or seen anything Popeye related.
 
February 10, 2011
Excellent review! This sounds like such a fun comic! I used to watch this cartoon show all the time with my father, little sister, and older brother. Oh the memories this brings back! I love it! I say keep it at least for nostalgia's sake. :)
 
1
What's your opinion on POPEYE: Issue # 21 (1941)?
rate
1 rating: +4.0
You have exceeded the maximum length.
Photos
POPEYE: Issue # 21(1969)
Details
Related Topics
9216F91D3C1C8AE5F076D481F5CD964

A Graphic Novel

Johnny The Homicidal Maniac: Director's Cut

A book by Jhonen Vasquez

Watchmen

A 12-part comic book series written by Alan Moore and illust …

rate more like 'POPEYE: Issue # 21 (1941)'
First to Review

"Popeye Battles Jetoe The Martian While I Do My Laundry!!"
© 2013 Lunch.com, LLC All Rights Reserved
Lunch.com - Relevant reviews by real people.
()
This is you!
Ranked #
Last login
Member since
reviews
comments
ratings
questions
compliments
lists