| Toar | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Real name |
Toar |
|
First appearance |
The Thimble Theatre (February 1, 1935) |
|
Original publisher |
King Features Syndicate |
|
Created by |
E. C. Segar |
Origin[]
Toar is a character first introduced in E. C. Segar's Thimble Theatre comic strip in 1935. A massive brute thousands of years of age, he possesses eternal youth from having drunk from the "Pool of Never Die", although he could still be killed in combat. He and Popeye met and fought as enemies, but have since become close friends and allies.
Over 20,000 years ago, Toar was a simple-minded caveman who would be one of the few souls to discover the legendary "Pool of Never Die" (otherwise known as "The Fountain of Youth"). Since then, he has lived for many millennia. One day, he would be unfortunate enough to cross paths with the Sea Hag.
Toar was created by E. C. Segar, making his on-panel debut on February 1, 1935 during the Thimble Theatre storyline "The Pool of Youth". Initially depicted as the violent, brutish lackey of the Sea Hag's sister, Toar would, following a climactic confrontation with Popeye, gain an affectionate friendship with the sailor, compelling him to, at the storyline's conclusion in April, accompany Popeye home as opposed to returning to his fellow, similarly-immortal cave people.
Now cohabiting with the sailor (often to inconvenient results, given his enormous size, strength and appetite), Toar became a recurring character and a trusted friend and ally to Popeye, who he would refer to as "Poo-Poo". Despite his reformation (and resultant kindlier demeanor), however, Toar nonetheless maintained a degree of moral ambiguity, rapidly turning against Popeye on a spy's command in the 1935 storyline "You Can't Make April Showers from War Clouds".
Public Domain Appearances[]
Public Domain Comic Appearances[]
- Thimble Theater Comic Strip (February 1, 1935-1936)
Notes[]
- It was discovered that the copyright to Toar's first appearance in the February 1, 1935 comic strip was not renewed 28 years later in 1962 or 1963.