The Thimble Theatre starring Popeye (1931-32)
Written & Drawn by Elzie Crisler Segar
Chef’s Note: There’s probably no other hero more associated with a given food item than Popeye the Sailor Man and his super-strength-inducing spinach. I probably should have really started this whole project with him but I wanted to wait until the proper day: Happy National Spinach Day!
In the comics, Popeye originally derived his great strength from rubbing the head of Bernice the Whiffle Hen, until June 26, 1931, when spinach was first referenced as the source of Popeye’s power…. The stories were more complex, with many characters that never appeared in the cartoons. Spinach usage was rare and Bluto made only one appearance.