NEW YORK -- Bobby London, the cartoonist who draws the daily 'Popeye' comic, is in hot water over his introduction of a pro-choice abortion theme in a recent series of strips.
The Queens resident has told several New York newspapers that King Features, which distributes 'Popeye' to newspapers, released him from his contract last Friday after he was told by comics editor Jay Kennedy that the controversial strips were being dropped.
Kennedy refused to speak for publication beyond issuing a terse press release saying King Features has traditionally provided cartoonists with 'the greatest leeway.'
'But it believes that storylines should be appropriate to the nature of the particular comic strip,' the statement said. 'The subject matter of some recent 'Popeye' strips was felt to be inappropriate for inclusion in what is a family, humor-based comic strip.
'Regardless of which side of the abortion controversy a cartoonist might favor, the syndicate believes that the subject is not an appropriate one for 'Popeye.''
London told the Daily News that the controversial strips did not involve pregnancy but were written around an unsolicited baby Bluto doll received in the mail by Olive Oyl, Popeye's girlfriend, and her plans to 'send the baby back to its maker.'
Two priests overhear Olive and Popeye discussing the return of the doll and think they are considering abortion, according to London. When the busybody priests intercede, Olive tells them to butt out because it's her life and she can do what she wants to do.
'I felt it was within the limits of fair play,' London was quoted as saying. 'The innocence of the characters is intact. It has no questionable visual gags. My idea has been to show these old cartoon characters coping with the modern world.'
The daily 'Popeye,' was for many years a major newspaper comic strip, the subject of movie and television cartoons, the inspiration for a musical comedy, and a favorite advertising theme for spinach, Popeye's favorite dish. It is now published by less that two dozen newspapers.
London, 42, a Disney alumnus, has been drawing the strip since 1986 for a reported $400 a week. He is best known for his 'Dirty Duck' cartoons in Playboy and National Lampoon magazines.
