New Public Domain Popeye Graphic Novel From France Enters English Market in 2025

Starting in January 2025, Popeye will officially enter the public domain in the United States, opening the door for a wave of creative reinterpretations and, inevitably, a slew of attempts to capitalize on the character’s new public domain status. Among the projects already lined up is a graphic novel from ABLAZE Publishing from France, which is translating and bringing to English audiences a French reinterpretation of Popeye for the first time in early 2025.

In France, Popeye entered the public domain back in 2009 due to differing copyright laws. Since then, creators there have had more freedom to reimagine and explore the character in fresh and unconventional ways. This upcoming graphic novel, originally produced in France, is a product of that creative freedom, offering a unique perspective that blends French storytelling with the visual artistry of a multi-award-winning Brazilian illustrator. With this release, English-speaking readers will get to experience a distinctly European take on a beloved American icon, just as he becomes more widely accessible for new stories and interpretations in the U.S. market.

ABLAZE is excited to present this celebrated work by French writer Antoine Ozanam and award-winning Brazilian artist Lelis to English-speaking readers around the globe. This graphic novel offers a captivating reimagining of Popeye’s origins while delivering a rich, compelling adventure. Far from the familiar cartoon character, this version of Popeye is a rugged, world-weary figure—an unlikely hero you might encounter in any bustling port.

This is not the Popeye you’re used to. In this graphic novel, the character you thought you knew is given new depth and complexity. Beneath the tough exterior and gruff humor lies a story infused with layers of melancholy and subtle beauty. These emotions are masterfully brought to life through the vibrant, expressive watercolor artwork of Lelis and the poignant, nuanced writing of Antoine Ozanam. Together, they reimagine the iconic sailor in a way that goes beyond the familiar slapstick antics, capturing the raw humanity and emotional resonance often missing from the classic portrayals. This Popeye is more than just a rough-and-tumble hero—he’s a character with a soul, shaped by longing, love, and a sense of adventure that feels both timeless and deeply personal.

With a careful and nuanced approach, Ozanam and Lelis stay true to the essence of the iconic muscle-bound sailor while adding new layers of emotion and depth. They manage to bring a salty tear to his eye, showcasing a more human and complex side to Popeye that hasn’t been fully explored before. This version of the character feels timeless—caught between being an old soul and still retaining a youthful spark. The classic hero we recognize is now distant from his original cartoonish look, evoking a ruggedness reminiscent of a Clint Eastwood figure. Popeye is presented as a man out of time, someone who could just as easily be a thousand years old as he could be twenty, embodying an ageless spirit shaped by a lifetime of love, loss, and adventure.

In this story, the plot takes a turn when a mysterious girl with a poetic way of speaking lands a blow on Popeye’s good eye. Despite the age difference, there’s no question that Olive is his girl. Like any man smitten by love, Popeye finds himself casting aside reason and agreeing to join Olive’s brother on a dangerous quest for a legendary treasure.

This captivating Popeye graphic novel feels like an old soul drifting aimlessly, much like a message in a bottle lost on seas of watercolor. It embodies a sense of timelessness and nostalgia, capturing the essence of a character who, despite his age, navigates through a world filled with dreamy, watercolor landscapes. The novel evokes a sense of being adrift in a sea of memories and emotions, weaving a narrative that is both reflective and imaginative, much like the gentle ebb and flow of a sea-bound journey through the past.

This retelling strips away the exaggerated antics of the cartoons to reveal a more grounded, yet still deeply adventurous tale. Ozanam’s nuanced writing and Lelis’s expressive watercolor art bring an entirely new dimension to Popeye, balancing melancholy with moments of humor, beauty, and timeless adventure.