Tom Sims

Tom Sims was born in Ohatchee, Alabama. His father was captain of a ship named 'Leota'. Tom Sims became a comic writer, and took over the popular 'Thimble Theater' newspaper comic strip after the death of creator Elzie Segar in 1938. He took special interest the spin-off 'Popeye' strip. Many of the sea-faring details, including the name of the ship 'Leota', can be traced back to Tom Sims' youth. His scenarios were drawn by Bela Zaboly.