Popeye the Sailor is a cartoon fictional character created by Elzie Crisler Segar. The spinach-loving sailor, created by E.C. Segar, made his print debut in 1929 and quickly became a hit. Sailor, Tough-guy, Hero, Legend that’s Popeye. An underdog with bulging forearms, a mean uppercut and a love of canned spinach. His famous “Ja think I’m a cowboy?” line, Popeye the Sailor Man captured the hearts of millions of fans around the globe.