Thursday’s San Diego Comic-Con 2019 panel for Popeye’s 90th birthday covered the grouchy cartoon sailor’s journey as an American icon, from his humble beginnings as a King Features comic strip to his first animated cartoons, his 1980s feature film, to his current iteration as a YouTube cartoon for the younger generation.

In his heyday of the ’30s to ’50s, Popeye was incredibly popular; and with his world-famous cans of spinach, many consider the sailor to be one of the the very first superheroes.

San Diego Comic-Con 2019 Popeye panel (Bob Leeper)

Throughout his career, the character has always resonated with the common man and the little guy, and many of his classic cartoons even seem timely today.

The packed panel room completed the celebration by singing the “Popeye the Sailor Man” song, a gesture I’m sure would have humiliacked the old squid.

Here’s to another 90 years, I’m sure Popeye will always remain strong to the finish.