Has Popeye Officially Turned Into... Dragon Ball Z?

The classic character Popeye is getting a dramatic reinvention that transforms the spinach-loving sailor into something entirely different, resembling the heroes from the "Dragon Ball Z" universe — and the change is very intentional.

Popeye is based on a strong, drink-loving local man from creator E.C. Segar's past. Debuting in the "Thimble Theatre" comic strip in 1929, the sailor gains super strength upon eating spinach. Popeye is known for his adventures with his girlfriend, Olive Oyl, and the third side of their love triangle, his nemesis, the burly Bluto. After his stories originated in the newspaper strips, Popeye gained popularity by starring in animated shorts produced by Max Fleischer. From there, the one-eyed sailor has appeared in just about every form of media, including animated series, video games, and a live-action film with Robin Williams as the titular character.

In the present day, Popeye remains a household name due to his storied history but doesn't have the same impact he once did. Now, Massive Publishing and King Features are reinventing Popeye to attract new and old readers to the character's adventures. In "Eye Lie Popeye," written and illustrated by Marcus Williams, the hero's stories get a manga twist, with the Free Comic Book Day debut issue showcasing the "Dragon Ball Z"-like adaptation. Massive Publishing's press release plays up the intentional decision to take Popeye in an unexpected, anime-inspired direction: "With the rich history of the character and this action-packed new take lifted from the pages of top-selling manga like 'One Piece' and 'Dragon Ball,' 'Eye Lie Popeye' will appeal to both traditional comic fans and younger manga readers alike."

In Massive Publishing's "Eye Lie Popeye," the character's universe gets a manga twist, with a vibrant style, over-the-top action, muscle-bound heroes, and movement on the page similar to what you'd see in the late Akira Toriyama's "Dragon Ball" franchise. It's a bold change for the world of Popeye, but it aligns more closely with the popular format of the Japanese comic book, and in the process breathes new life into the series. 

"Marcus [Williams]' manga-inspired take on Popeye was an instant hit with fans, and we are thrilled to be working with Massive to release a print edition of the miniseries for fans to read and collect," Alex Garcia, director of direct-to-consumer comics at King Features said in Massive Publishing's press release. "We love bringing Popeye's fans new lore around the character to dive into 95 years after his first debut and look forward to offering new Popeye adventures in the future."

The Popeye franchise has made significant moves to appeal to a modern audience in recent months. Besides the Free Comic Book Day story, which leads into a brand-new series from Massive Publishing and Marcus Williams, a new live-action feature film was announced. Chernin Entertainment and King Features are teaming up for the new "Popeye the Sailor Man" feature, bringing the hero back to the big screen. While few details have been revealed regarding the upcoming project — besides Michael Caleo ("Sexy Beast") penning the script — the timing of the movie announcement alongside the comic reimagining shows that the IP is far from dead.