Step into the funny pages! The Beat is excited to exclusively reveal that fans can join Popeye, Olive Oyl, and friends for a one-of-a-kind fan experience: The Newstalgia Lounge, a King Features experience aboard Comic-Con: The Cruise Vol. 2, which allows cruise attendees to immerse themselves in the world of comics.
King Features Syndicate, home to the most legendary comic strip characters ever inked, is inviting fans to a brand-new activation that fans can enjoy at Comic-Con: The Cruise Vol. 2. The Newstalgia Lounge promises a fully immersive trip into the golden age of the Sunday funnies — with a bold, modern twist.
Inside The Newstalgia Lounge, fans will be surrounded by vibrant art and vintage details that celebrate iconic characters like Popeye the Sailor Man, who first flexed his way into hearts in E. C. Segar‘s Thimble Theatre back in 1929; Flash Gordon, Alex Raymond‘s original intergalactic hero who blasted off in 1934; and The Phantom, the masked avenger who inspired generations of costumed crusaders when Lee Falk introduced the hero in 1936.
The lounge also salutes other beloved humor strips that shaped pop culture: Blondie and Dagwood, still serving up laughs (and towering sandwiches) since 1930; the sword-swinging epic Prince Valiant; the bumbling Viking Hägar the Horrible; and the mystical Mandrake the Magician, one of comics’ very first superheroes.
The Newstalgia Lounge is where King Features’ comic strip legends come back to life. Read the official description below:
Guests can relax with themed cocktails surrounded by vibrant artwork that celebrates generations of comic icons, including Prince Valiant, Mandrake the Magician, Hägar the Horrible, Blondie and more. Plus, fans can expect signature programming, including a Popeye competition event, exclusive themed giveaways, and a lineup of surprises designed to keep fans engaged throughout their seafaring journey. The experience also connects fans to Comics Kingdom, King Features’ digital home for the world’s most legendary comics, characters, and creators.
This fan-focused voyage onboard Comic-Con: The Cruise Vol. 2 is part of King Features’ growing push into real-world experiences — from a Popeye kids’ activation at the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2025 at Sakhir’s Bahrain International Circuit to Popeye and Olive Oyl becoming spokescharacters for Portugal’s top football club, Sport Lisboa e Benfica.
“We’re always looking for new ways to let fans live inside the worlds of our characters,” said Carla Silva, SVP & GM, Global Head of Licensing, King Features. “After the incredible energy we saw on the inaugural cruise, The Newstalgia Lounge is our next step in giving fans unforgettable, hands-on experiences that bring our timeless IP to life.”
Check out the exclusive first-look images at The Newstalgia Lounge below:
Source: Press Release
Get your tickets for Comic-Con: The Cruise Vol. 2 here! Visit comicconthecruise.com and follow #ComicConCruise on social media to keep abreast of updates!
Sounds awesome! Is the experience included as part of the cruise or is there a separate payment or registration required?
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