It seems clear during this period (1939/1941) that the main artist on all the Popeye features, including Sappo, was the underappreciated Bela (Bill) Zaboly. However, if it is the case that Bud Sagendorf was Segar’s assistant since the early ’30’s, then the reported claim of Sagendorf that he drew all the activity panels starting with Wiggle Line Movie (the predecessor of Wimpy's Zoo's Who appearing in these samples) must be seriously considered.
Some of the Popeye pages look more like Doc Winner to me, but I have no source for that statement. Who drew (or wrote) the inspired Reversia sequence is up for grabs of course. The activity panel is a even one step further away and if Sagendorf claims he did it, I believe him.
Several sources (including the controversial later Popeye artist Bobbly London) indicate that Charles (“Doc”) Winner ghosted Thimble Theater during 1938 and into 1939, but that Zaboly took over sometime later in 1939, teaming up with Tom Sims doing the writing.
"Reversia is swell as long as it lasts. As a matter of fact, so is anything else."
ReplyDeleteTruth from a comic strip, the truth can be found in comic strips and comic books more often than we realize.
It seems clear during this period (1939/1941) that the main artist on all the Popeye features, including Sappo, was the underappreciated Bela (Bill) Zaboly. However, if it is the case that Bud Sagendorf was Segar’s assistant since the early ’30’s, then the reported claim of Sagendorf that he drew all the activity panels starting with Wiggle Line Movie (the predecessor of Wimpy's Zoo's Who appearing in these samples) must be seriously considered.
ReplyDeleteSome of the Popeye pages look more like Doc Winner to me, but I have no source for that statement. Who drew (or wrote) the inspired Reversia sequence is up for grabs of course. The activity panel is a even one step further away and if Sagendorf claims he did it, I believe him.
ReplyDeleteSeveral sources (including the controversial later Popeye artist Bobbly London) indicate that Charles (“Doc”) Winner ghosted Thimble Theater during 1938 and into 1939, but that Zaboly took over sometime later in 1939, teaming up with Tom Sims doing the writing.
ReplyDeleteCorrection: that's "Bobby London" of course.
ReplyDelete