Popeye comic event at mall

The vindicator

BOARDMAN — As Popeye celebrated his 80th anniversary this summer, Chris Yambar and his Youngstown-based comic company, Premium Pop, published “Popeye Picnic,” an all-new full-length comic book that featured the classic character and his cast. In the comic premium, Popeye, Bluto and Co. visit Chester, Ill., the hometown of the strip’s creator, E.C. Segar. The city holds a Popeye festival each year that draws visitors from around the world, and Yambar’s limited- edition comic book was created for the event.

On Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m., Mahoning Valley Popeye fans can purchase an autographed copy of the comic book at the AWWWmazing Place Boutique in Southern Park Mall. Yambar and Pittsburgh artist George Broderick Jr. will be at the mall shop. The event will include costume and impersonation contests, a cartoon marathon, an original comic- art display and a special appearance by the Jackson-Milton Blue Jays Marching Band, who will perform the Popeye theme song during the ceremonial cutting of the birthday cake. Admission is free to the public. The comic books will be available on a first-come first-served basis while supplies last.

“The Popeye Picnic No. 1 comic premium is ultra-rare and will be a big must-have item for Popeye collectors,” said Yambar. “The book had a very small print run and was only available as a souvenir in Chester, Ill., during the event. We were lucky to get any of the overrun at all. I’m thrilled to be able to bring some of these home and share the moment with my friends.”

Proceeds from this event will benefit the A Way With Words Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping and encouraging children cancer survivors and their families in the Mahoning Valley region.