King Features Builds Popeye’s Muscle in China

King Features Syndicate, a unit of Hearst, along with Medialink, its agent in Hong Kong, is expanding the licensing program for Popeye the Sailor Man with artist-designed collectible toys and leisurewear.

Fools Paradise, a toy company based in Hong Kong, is releasing a Popeye figurine collection. The line includes characters from the comic series including Popeye, Olive Oyl and Bluto. Additional artist-designed figures include a line from Luaiso Lopez, a toy designer from Spain. Lopez’s original pieces merge Popeye and his friends’ classic looks with zombie-inspired elements. Another artist contributing is Eric So, a multimedia artist from Hong Kong who uses a simple and clean design of Popeye with protruding ears standing in a boxing position.

Additionally, Ningbo Gukoo Ecommerce Company Limited created a leisurewear clothing collection that includes Popeye-inspired t-shirts and shorts. The collection is available at Gukoo online and retail shops.

“China continues to be a prominent and influential market for Popeye,” says Carla Silva, vice president and general manager, global head, licensing, King Features. “And we are excited by the new opportunities that our agent, Medialink, has secured for the brand, bringing new collectibles and apparel to fans in the Asian market.”