This article is about the character. For other meanings, see Eugene the Jeep (disambiguation).
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Eugene the Jeep is a character from E. C. Segar's Thimble Theatre comic strip who has long served as a pet and friend to Popeye and Olive Oyl. A mysterious type of animal with magical abilities, known as a Jeep, Eugene has proved an invaluable friend to those around him and always leads those around him on fantastic experiences.
Eugene is a well-recognized and beloved character and is often considered the unofficial animal mascot of the franchise. Eugene has proved to be a very popular character since his debut and is often used as a mascot for schools and other child-related organizations and events. It has even been theorized by many (including actor and U.S. Marine R. Lee Ermey) that the then-new Willys MB vehicle (eventually dubbed the Jeep) was named after this character: soldiers in World War II may have nicknamed the machine after the popular character because both shared an ability to "go anywhere".
Character history[]
Creation and development in Thimble Theatre[]
The Jeep was created by E. C. Segar for Thimble Theatre and first appeared in the storyline that began in the March 16, 1936 strip, "Eugene, the Jeep", where he was given to Olive Oyl by her uncle Ben Zene and nearly stolen by callous millionaire Chizzelflint. Weeks following his debut, Olive would relinquish ownership of Eugene, leading Popeye to subsequently adopt him. Eugene resultantly became a regular character during the late 1930s, occupying prominent roles within storylines such as "A Sock for Susan's Sake" and "Valley of the Goons". Following Segar's death in 1938, however, Eugene's role would gradually diminish; an increasingly minor player as the 1940s advanced, he would ultimately vanish entirely by 1950. A guest appearance in 1954 likewise indicated that Eugene had joined a circus full-time (alongside Toar), confirming him to no longer be a cohabiter of Popeye's. While Eugene would remain absent from the strip for decades afterwards, he would ultimately return in 1972 under Bud Sagendorf's authorship, and sustained a more regular role under Bobby London's tenure in the late 1980s.
After the end of Segar's original Thimble Theatre run, Eugene would also appear as a supporting character in the 1948 comic book series by Segar's former assistant Bud Sagendorf, where he would regularly use his abilities for comedic affect or to aid those around him. His comic book appearances would continue for decades until the title's end in 1984.
Fleischer Studios[]
As Popeye's popularity greatly grew, he would be given his own animated adaptation by Fleischer Studios. Eventually Eugene would join the cast in Popeye's animated adventures as a minor recurring character in the shorts of the late 1930s and early 1940s, although he would only appear in 3 shorts before the Fleischer Studios era ended.
Like many elements of Thimble Theatre and the Fleischer Studios era, Eugene would not return for the Famous Studios shorts.
Popeye's first TV series[]
Eugene returned to regular appearances in animation in the 1960s Popeye television series, where he was once again a prominent recurring character and portrayed as Popeye's mysterious pet who would disappear for long periods before returning just when he was needed. Several stories from Thimble Theatre that involved Eugene were also loosely adapted into the cartoon. The cartoon also implied that The Sea Hag's spells were useless against Eugene.
The All-New Popeye Hour[]
In 1978, Hanna-Barbera Productions, with King Features Syndicate, would produce a new Popeye television series, The All-New Popeye Hour. Unlike the previous show, this series had higher-quality animation and was more akin to Segar's work and Fleischer cartoons than other Popeye animations, with Popeye regularly seen as an adventurous sailor once more. Eugene would return for this cartoon usually as comic relief when using his abilities or helping the characters in situations where only his unique abilities could save them. Eugene was voiced by Don Messick in all of his appearances.
Popeye's first movie[]
In 1980, a theatrical movie called Popeye was released, featuring an original story and serving as a more faithful adaptation to Segar's Thimble Theatre. Originally, Eugene was planned to appear in the movie according to Jules Feiffer's original version of the script and would serve as Popeye's magical pet, however he would eventually be written out. However Eugene's clairvoyant abilities would live on in Swee'Pea.
Popeye and Son[]
Eugene, his wife, and the six young Jeeps ready to be fed by Popeye
In 1987, the latest animated series focusing on Popeye was produced, entitled Popeye and Son. The series was unique in the Popeye franchise for taking place later in characters' lives (a notable change considering the rarity of having well-known cartoon characters actually move on with their lives). Even Eugene himself found a mate of his own, with whom he had many children. Eugene would make semi-regular appearances in the show before its early end. He was again voiced by Don Messick.
In the first segment from Popeye and Son's eleventh episode, Orchid You Not, Eugene begins to steal large quantities of orchids for his family, which consists of his wife, two daughters, and four sons.
Revivals[]
Eugene would re-appear in IDW Publishing's revival of the Popeye comics in 2012 as a recurring character who once again aids his friends by using his numerous abilities when needed. The first issue in the series in fact focuses on him and on Castor Oyl's hope to find Eugene a mate, in order to make a fortune selling Jeep puppies.
Eugene was to appear in the animated Popeye movie to be released by Sony Pictures Animation and directed by animation legend Genndy Tartakovsky, however, the film's production was put on hold.
Biography[]
Past[]
Eugene the Jeep originally hailed from Africa before eventually coming under the ownership of a man named Ben Zene Oyl. Ben Zene would eventually mail Eugene as a gift to his niece Olive Oyl overseas.
Attributes and abilities[]
The Jeep is a yellow creature about the size of a dog who walks on his hind legs. He has a bear-like head and ears but a large nose and a long tail. The Jeep's diet consists only of orchids- which was a running joke in Eugene's first few years- as orchids were expensive at the time. The Jeep is the result of a fourth-dimensional microbe procreating with an African Hooey Hound.
As his vocabulary is limited to the word "Jeep", Eugene primarily communicates through body language. Eugene always tells the truth, and, possessing high intelligence, is able to help humans such as Popeye and Olive Oyl solve complex problems. He has precognitive powers, and also makes use of a limited form of teleportation: he can disappear from one place and reappear in another, and can walk through and on walls and ceilings. These powers are said to stem from the Jeep's ability to cross into the fourth dimension.
Gallery[]
Eugene's gallery can be viewed here
Trivia[]
- Eugene's powers are very similar to the powers of Bernice The Whiffle Hen, a near-identical character given to the Oyls by another relative of the family. Bernice was owned by Castor Oyl until her gradual phasing-out by the end of 1930. Like Eugene, Bernice can materialize in various places, can assist one in games of chance, and is a rare creature possessing seemingly supernatural qualities. In addition, the premiere stories of Bernice and Eugene both involve the animals being kidnapped for selfish reasons. Why Segar chose to repeat this storyline is unclear.
- Eugene the Jeep is the school mascot for Northeast Dubois High School in Dubois, Indiana and at South Webster High School in South Webster, Ohio (although their Jeep is red instead of yellow).
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