In this review of Eye Lie Popeye #2, Popeye faces a new adversary as he learns he’s more than what anyone could have thought of him.
Eye Lie Popeye #2
Writer: Marcus Williams
Art and Main Cover: Marcus Williams
Colors: Rodney Velchez
Variant Covers: Ludo Lullabi, Sunghan Yune, Rob Duenas
Page Count: 22 pages
Release Date: October 2, 2024
This review might contain spoilers
I’m an old fella. I grew up watching Popeye on Saturday mornings (as a New Orleans native, Popeye’s Chicken and spinach have been in my blood since birth). When I realized Massive Publishing was partnering with cartoonist Marcus Williams on a series, I jump at the chance to go back to my childhood to read one of my childhood heroes. Eye Lie Popeye #2 released this week and it took all I remembered and loved about the cartoon to the next level by introducing a new adversary to the universe while introducing a new mythos about the long-time sailor man.
Before truly understanding where things are with Eye Lie Popeye #2, it’s important to understand how we get here by looking back at issue #1. In that issue, we find that long-time Popeye nemesis the Sea Hag is on a mission to find Popeye’s missing eye as she feels it is the key to her enhancing her power beyond her typical magic. But we learn that she isn’t the only one. In fact, she’s also working for someone else.
In Eye Lie Popeye #2, things pick up with Popeye and gang cleaning up after the battle with Susie the Sea nymph in the previous issue. In Williams’ universe, however, Susie is a friend, as she is helping the gang with cleaning. At this point, Williams re-introduce fans to other familiar characters. We see Poopdeck Pappy and Whaler Joe, Pappy’s best friend and Popeye’s former caretaker. They give a nice backstory of who Popeye was as a kid growing up under Whaler Joe’s care. Williams did a decent job of provider a short history for those who might be new to the character and his world.
It’s at this point in Eye Lie Popeye #2 that Williams brings us to the most important part of this issue, if not the series. Fans are re-introduced to the widely-popular and magical Eugene the Jeep. He becomes the central focus of the issue. Thanks to a disguised Sea Hag, we see Popeye’s magical pet speak for perhaps the first time (I’m getting old and can’t remember that old cartoons). It’s truly hilarious the voice Williams gives Jeep. I read it in the voice of some scientist trying to explain the Theory of Relativity.
Jeep’s visual essay highlighted that Popeye is unlike the rest of humanity — the rest of life, in fact. This is the reason evil forces are after him (and Jeep for that matter). Williams’ theory is a completely plausible one considering the effects spinach has on Popeye and only Popeye (not counting those 1 or 2 cartoon episodes where it actually did). It also makes sense because if spinach was a secret, Popeye is useless.
Since the Sea Hag failed in her attempts to capture Popeye, her boss sends another. He appears to be one of the shadowy figures seen at the end of issue #1. Things turn out quite differently this time around. whereas in issue #1, Popeye was able to take down the possessed Susie the Sea Nymph, this was not the case with this new adversary — General Stalwart. Eye Lie Popeye #2 ends with the general — unfazed after several spinach-enhanced blows — coming at a surprised Popeye with a blow of his own.
Williams leaves several questions opened with answers awaiting us in future issues. The most important appears to be why does the Sea Hag become so willing to help by giving Bluto and Olive Oyl magical enhancements. Is she already turning on her boss? How are Popeye and Jeep (he’s not called Eugene here yet) so connected in this universe?
I cannot state how much a fan I am of Marcus Williams’ art. It is truly his bread and butter. As I mentioned in a recent podcast episode, I have followed him since Tuskegee Heirs and always get into heavy chats with him when I see him at cons. If you have not checked out his Swaptober Art Challenge, you need to check it out. You can see the influence of manga in pretty much everything he draws. I really dig his revised rendition of the Sea Hag. The assisted colors from Rodney Velchez just added to the greatness of the art.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how much I loved the credits page. Whoever came up with the idea of having the credits appear on the nutrition label of a can of Popeye’s Spinach deserve a raise. It also brought me back to my childhood.
Final Thoughts
After being a long-time fan of Marcus Williams’ art style, I have been thoroughly impressed with his skills as a writer. There are not many who can navigate both lanes as a true cartoonist. With Eye Lie Popeye #2, Williams is showing he has a steady hand at the wheel.
