By Allison Watkinson
TLL Reporter
Born to License has brokered a deal between Wolfpak and King Features for a licensed collection of Popeye performance backpacks.
The limited-edition capsule collection features a variety of tactical athletic backpacks decorated with Popeye prints and collectible patches.
“At Wolfpak, we’re always pushing the boundaries of function and identity—and collaborating with an icon like Popeye was the perfect match,” said Wolfpak licensing manager, Hope Henderson. “This collection blends our tactical performance DNA with the bold, never-back-down spirit Popeye represents. It’s not just a backpack—it’s a badge of grit, character, and resilience.”
Inspired by the well-known comic book character brand, Wolfpak’s team of in-house artists and designers worked alongside King Features to develop the licensed Popeye backpacks and patches.
“Wolfpak brings unique and gritty style to their backpacks, making them an ideal partner to capture the spirit of Popeye in this brand new collection,” said King Features licensing VP, Jolie Roberts.
“As we continue to focus on broadening our Popeye-centric accessories to fans of all ages, we are excited to deliver this new line that is a perfect blend of practical gear and pop culture.”
As Wolfpak’s licensing agent, Born to License led the development of the collaborative partnership to ensure the final result aligns with Wolfpak brand aesthetic and properly leverages the cultural relevance and popularity of Popeye the Sailorman.
“It’s been such a fun journey working on the Popeye collection with Wolfpak,” said Born to License product development head, Jenna Chalkely. “The design team has done a fantastic job of staying true to the brand’s heritage while creating a range that feels fresh and relevant. From the overall direction to fabric choices and Patch designs, every detail has been thoughtfully considered,” added Chalkely. “We’re excited for fans to experience a product that truly captures the bold spirit of Popeye and there’s no better partner than Wolfpak to bring that vision to life.”
Available while supplies last, the collaborative capsule collection can be found exclusively on the Wolfpak e-commerce website beginning on June 20, 2025.
“Working with Born to License on this project has been a smooth and inspiring process,” said Henderson. “Their team brought great insight and support from start to finish, making it easy to bring our vision to life.”
Born to License is a full-service brand management and licensing agency that specializes in building programs for companies who are new to the industry.
Part of Hearst Newspapers, King Features is a global company that specializes in franchise development, character licensing, multi-media entertainment production and content distribution.
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