| Eugene the Jeep | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Real name |
Eugene |
|
First appearance |
The Thimble Theatre (March 16, 1936) |
|
Original publisher |
King Features Syndicate |
|
Created by |
E. C. Segar |
Origin[]
Eugene the Jeep is a character in the Popeye comic strip. A mysterious animal with magical or supernatural abilities, the Jeep first appeared in the Thimble Theatre comic strip (March 16, 1936).
Olive is mailed the small, mysterious African animal Eugene the Jeep by her uncle Ben Zene Oyl, which eventually emerges from the crate before the eager eyes of Olive, Popeye, and Olive's parents Cole and Nana.
The ambitious Mr. Chizzelflint knows about the Jeep's "four-dimensional brain" - which can answer every question about the past, present and future - and plots to get Popeye out of the way so that Olive will sell him the animal. This involves hiring hitmen to eliminate the sailor. All these plans fail, including an attempt to get Wimpy to assassinate Popeye, as the moocher is not as easily persuaded.
Wimpy also learns of Eugene's divination powers, then proceeds to ask the Jeep about racing horses. Wimpy understands the animal's affirmative signs (bending down and pointing the tail upwards) and is able to win money on the track, rewarding his little friend with orchids (the only thing a Jeep will eat). Even as Mr. Chizzelflint offers a million dollars for the creature, Olive, with Popeye's help, realizes this makes Eugene too important and again declines. For not even Chizzelflint is fully aware of the extent of the Jeep's powers, exemplified by his ability to pass through walls. Olive is also quite fascinated by the Jeep and follows Wimpy to throw her own money into the horse races. Popeye is "disgustipated" by their actions.
Later, Popeye signs up for a prize fight against revered heavyweight champ James J. Jab. Popeye is confident about this fight, until he learns that, apparently, the Jeep has predicted that Popeye will lose against James. Popeye is absolutely devastated by it, especially since he has not lost in a fight before and thinks that this defeat will make him an embarrassment in front of all the admiring children. Somehow, James Jab's agent also hears of this, and decides to bet $1,000 on James. Things go even further south as Olive and Wimpy also decide to bet on the sailor's opponent, and even refuse to express any good will towards Popeye in fear of altering the future.
Popeye's anxiety hurts him so much ("BUT THE JEEP!! The Jeep said he'd lick me... ") that he quickly falls ill and is promptly sent to the hospital. The doctors cannot fully inspect his physical state or operate on him due to his tough skin, and decide that he needs to stay in bed for a few months.
When the fight against James Jab comes, an ambulance carries Popeye to the ring. Wimpy is the referee, as usual. Despite his physical state, Popeye still puts up quite a fight, being thrown around the ring without actually being hurt, and knocking down James with ease multiple times. However, Wimpy refuses to count down as he is still convinced the Popeye will lose. On the other hand, Olive has a change of heart as she still desperately wants Popeye to win. Eventually, Wimpy reluctantly sends off James, who gets carried away on a stretcher, while Popeye wins the fight. Olive is mad that Eugene has lied to them, but they later find out that the Jeep can be distracted by bugs, and his poses may be misinterpreted as the answer to any question.
At the end of the storyline, Popeye starts to have a feeling that his father is not dead, and hesitantly asks the Jeep about it.
Popeye learns from Eugene the Jeep that his father is confirmed to still be alive. Popeye immediately starts his search for the old man.
The sailing journey begins with Popeye ordering the Jeep to point at whichever direction Popeye's Poppa is at, while the antics of Oscar and Toar initially take center stage.
Powers & Abilities[]
Eugene the Jeep was a gift to Popeye's girlfriend Olive Oyl from her Uncle Ben who found Eugene in Africa. 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, long tail, and protruding belly. The Jeep's diet consists only of orchids.
As his language is limited to the word "jeep", Eugene primarily communicates through body language. Eugene always tells the truth, even to criminals. He possesses high intelligence, so is able to help humans such as Popeye and Olive Oyl solve complex problems. He 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 teleportation powers are said to stem from the Jeep's ability to cross into the fourth dimension.
Public Domain Appearances[]
Public Domain Comic Strip Appearances[]
- Thimble Theater Comic Strip (March 16, 1936-November 28, 1936)
Notes[]
- It was discovered that the copyright to Jeep's first appearance in the October 12, 1936 comic strip was not renewed 28 years later in 1963 and 1964.
- King Features Syndicate owns the trademark for the name Eugene The Jeep, so his name can only appear in the interior of any story.
- 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".
- 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's ability to travel anywhere has been claimed to be the source of the term "Jeep" in relation to the vehicle.
- 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).