The hunt for the anonymous cartoonist who transformed pop culture

“And now I see I didn’t waste my life” My god that hit me so hard.

Full on made me cry. Dude was uncredited by his boss, never allowed to know how much he was loved, abused by his wife. So glad he lived to see how loved he was.

I started watching this and said “what are you saying? That’s Carl Barks.” I had no idea of his degree of anonymity for so much of his life. Thank you for sharing his story.

“That man’s name was OZAMU TEZUKA” was a crazy gut punch

Barks not only looks like Disney, but actually is the kind of person Disney tried to convince us Walt was.

It's crazy to think that a man who might have gone completely unnamed is so influential to the world of pop culture.

What a beautiful story of Carl barks life. As a 70 year old writing my first series of novels its a real inspiration. Thankyou.

In germany Barks's genius met with another one: Dr. Erika Fuchs who translated his stories into german over decades and just like Barks she also stayed widely unknown for a long time. Her work was extraordinary and creative, she coined now classic phrases for the duck's speech bubbles and teached young readers the possibilities of the german language. The duck comics got even more popular in germany then in other countries. When Barks came overseas they had a brief meeting - two elderly artists who had worked together over decades without knowing each other!

I was lucky enough to meet Carl a year or two before he died. He was giving a talk in London and only about 20 people turned up as he was still not known much outside comic fans here. He signed reproductions of his work for all of us. A lovely generous man. Rip ❤

Now I understand who Urasawa was referring to in his manga Billy Bat when we see a comic artist chained to his desk and forced to draw billy bat comics without any recognition, while Chuck Culkin (Walt Disney) was taking credit for it and getting rich

As an adolescent in the 1950s, I devoured comic books…Disney, Looney Tunes, Batman, Captain Marvel, Blackhawk, Casper…I tried them all and enjoyed most. I do remember the artistry and storytelling of Duckville, but never realized why, until now! This video was one of THE most memorable and interesting of any I’ve seen on YouTube. As a history buff (and university major) I was enthralled by this story. Truly an American success tale. I intend to further research Carl Barks and his works. Thank you.

I've known of Carl Barks since I was a kid, reading comic books at the local 7-11, in the 70s. At first I would collect the comics that had the best illustrations, not knowing that they were all by Carl Barks. When I learned of Carl Barks, I realized that all my collected comics were by him, and THEN I started a never ending journey to collect everything by him. I would re-draw many of his comics from cover-to-cover trying to obtain even a hint of his genius. Carl Barks and his works have no equal. He is the Master of sequential art & literature, bar none. I have not known of the life of Carl Barks, though. Love this short video! Thank you!!!

To be honest, I started literally crying at the end of video. It was beautiful to watch this humble man getting a recognition he deserved. Thank you for getting attention to this amazing story

Kinda inspiring hearing he didn't get his big break until 34, and then made the comic that inspired so many at 40. I always feel it's too late for me being 34 myself right now.

It really does prove how important fans can be, that the once anonymous Donald Duck comic artist is now rightfully credited as the legendary Carl Barks. The readers campaign to make his name known was such a success that people now don't even realize he was being hidden. Always give credit where it is due.

It remains funny to an animation artist like myself who's also a funnybook fan to think that Carl Barks us considered "erased" or forgotten because the work of Barks, "the good duck artist" is the gold standard in funnybook art.

30 years driving service/delivery routes with a Donald Duck stuffed toy on the dashboard looking back at me, reminding me to keep a smile on my face. I collected Disney comics pre-teen and kept them in an old briefcase. At 13 and living on a river, I would row out, drop anchor, and read Uncle Scrooge and Donald Duck comic book adventures as I listened to the water lapping up on the side of the boat. That’s love. Thank you for this story which, at 77, I’ve waited my whole life to see! Well done.

It almost brings a tear to your eye to see someone as talented as Barks work hard all his life and actually live long enough to FINALLY get his flowers. This video was phenomenal, matttt. I had no idea about the Japan connections. With me living in Tokyo, it made the video resonate that much more for me. Thank you so much for making this - you've got a new fan.

This is one of the most beautiful stories about comic books I have ever heard. How someone that could not even read or write properly became one of the most influential people in this world through his work. What an inspiration; what a legend

From years of reading Walt Disney comics that my brother and dad had bought, I knew the name and I knew his work. Shoot before you named him I was like "Isn't that Carl Barks?" But I never knew his story. I just knew that this great man named Carl Barks was revered and his stories were some of the greatest ever put to paper. I had actually been buying the collected editions to give to my brother every birthday and Christmas. I am not ashamed to say it had me tearing up in the end. I am happy Carl found his success and finally realized how much he was adored. I really wish I'd known his story before this video. For me this was just another video to listen to while I played solitaire and ignored my responsibilities for the moment and it had me in tears by the end. Happy for Carl and missing my little brother. Thank you for putting this video out. Wow.