Bob Palin of Ocean Comics explains Popeye's appeal

Cartoon favourites Popeye and Olive Oyl are finally to tie the knot, in celebration of the sailor's 70th birthday celebrations. The story will bring back Olive's first boyfriend Ham Gravy who tries to steal Olive from Popeye. In the meantime Popeye's violent rival Bluto will try to buy up the world's spinach supply.

Popeye has boosted spinach sales in America

The story will be released next month in a special comic book by Ocean Comics Company, based in Rhode Island. Owner Bob Palin had to get permission from Popeye's trademark holders, King Features Syndicate, but said it was worth the effort.

"Popeye is one of the best-known characters in the world," he said. "I thought something should be done in 1999 to celebrate him and what better than to finally let him marry Olive Oyl?"

Popeye has been chasing Olive Oyl ever since their first kiss in 1929. Until then Olive was just the sister of his friend Caster Oyl, but one day Olive mistook Popeye for Julius J Herringbone and kissed him on the chin. The sailor fell in love.

The new comic book will bring back old favourites like hamburger munching J Wellington Wimpy and baby Swee' Pea. Popeye's bald head is a familiar sight to his fans, but this Popeye will have a full head of red hair - just like the original newspaper strip.

The spinach-munching hero made his first public appearance on 17 January, 1929 in Elzie Segar's Thimble Theatre, an American newspaper strip already 10 years old. He was only intended for one issue but was so popular he became the star.

The first animated Popeye cartoon was made by Fleischer studios in 1932. In 1980, Popeye, played by Robin Williams, hit the big screen in Robert Altman's film adaptation. Shelley Duvall played Olive Oyl.

Spinach success

With cartoons still showing on satellite television Popeye's popularity shows no sign of waning.

It must be good news for spinach growers who credited the sailor with a 33% increase in spinach consumption in the United States thanks to his trademark song: "I'm strong to the finish 'cause I eats me spinach I'm Popeye the Sailor Man."

Crystal City, Texas has its own tribute to Popeye

Popeye also is credited with having rescued the spinach industry in the 1930s. Popeye's influence on America's eating habits was so strong that in 1937 US spinach growers in Crystal City,Texas, put up a statue in his honour.

Popeye-branded spinach remains a strong seller in America and he has his own brand of fresh spinach and salads.

Today's market is full of novelty brands but Popeye was one of the earliest characters to break into the business. Well before the arrival of the Teletubbies, Popeye's face was appearing on items from themed hot-water bottles to light switch covers. Early wind-up toys and puzzles can now fetch high price tags in antique shops and auctions.