Popeye finally adopting Swee’pea

Break out the spinach: After 71 years of serving as a surrogate father, Popeye is finally going to make it official by adopting baby Swee’pea.

The lad has been living with the famed cartoon sailor since the comic strip of July 28, 1933, when Swee’pea’s widowed mother left him on Popeye’s doorstep, afraid she couldn’t protect him from the boy’s evil uncle.

Now, in an event being coordinated with the National Council for Adoption, Popeye will adopt Swee’pea in the syndicated newspaper strip set for publication Nov. 21. “This is the most special day of me life,” the proud papa declares.

Can marriage to Olive Oyl be far behind? Don’t hold your breath.