[Chapter 1] Popeye the Astronaut Man

Now that Popeye has entered the public domain, I am writing a science-fiction story starring the sailor in an entirely new adventure. This story will be told over the next thirteen weeks exclusively available to members. If you’re not a member, now’s a great time to join.

I plan to self-publish the entire work this summer. In the meantime, here’s Chapter One: Into Davy Jones’s Locker.

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"It's lung cancer, Mr. Popeye," the doctor said solemnly. "Late stage."

Popeye's fist closed, gripping around the corncob pipe that sat in his pocket. There was a deep pang of worry. He'd been coughing lately; a persistent hacking cough which rattled deep in his chest. Finally his wife finally nagged him enough to get it checked out.

Lung cancer? Him? He'd fought sea monsters, brawled with his old rival a thousand times, and survived countless shipwrecks. And yet he was going to be felled by something he couldn't see.

"Cancer?" he croaked, the word foreign on his tongue.

"I'm so sorry," the doctor had a look of sympathy. "It's quite advanced, I'm afraid."

Popeye felt a wave of dizziness wash over him. The cheerful yellow walls appeared to be mocking him. He needed a way to calm down. He almost reached for his pipe, but then he noticed how much his hand was trembling.