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Carl Barks, unimpressive to TvTropers?

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Richie Since: Sep, 2009
#1: Dec 25th 2011 at 3:02:37 PM

I realize a single mention of the man on "Seinfeld" Is Unfunny is not indicative of the majority's opinion, but I quote:

"[Carl Barks' stories] aren't really that different from those not very high quality same-old-same-old stories the average Duck artist produces easily and constantly..."

I respect this troper's opinion, of course I do, but I can't help thinking this could reflect how many modern Duck readers think, pushing aside Barks' work while thinking the world of Don Rosa's. I admire Rosa's stories a great deal too, but I find it sad how little Barks seems to be regarded here on Tv Tropes. Wiki Magic is needed but badly.

Off the top of my head, Only A Poor Old Man, A Christmas For Shacktown, Letter to Santa, Race to the South Seas, Luck of the North, The Golden Helmet, and Ancient Persia are timeless classics, extremely high-quality comics, capable of delighting readers old and new alike. That's just a minuscule fraction of the man's work, took me seconds to think about, and I'm not even getting into the ten-pagers, which usually get dismissed as lesser fare when in fact there's a goldmine to be found in those.

For those of you who may be interested, Fantagraphics has just released the first book in a series of thirty volumes devoted to Carl Barks' Duck work. It contains 200 pages worth of Donald Duck stories, with an Uncle Scrooge volume coming up next June. Check it out. Less than 17 bucks at Amazon, if you wanna give it a go.

I don't wanna come across as someone trying to force his love for a certain author's work on people's minds. It's perfectly fine if you guys don't care for this fellow's work. But I extend you an invitation to look further, to give this man a shot, to explore everything he has to offer. He became one of the most revered names, not only in Disney comics, but in comics period, for a reason. You may end up pleasantly surprised.

Thank you for your attention, and may you have happy holidays and an amazing new year.

edited 25th Dec '11 3:15:53 PM by Richie

Gray64 Since: Dec, 1969
#2: Dec 25th 2011 at 4:36:22 PM

I would respectfully disagree with the critical trope; Barks's Duck stories are sharp and inventive, beautifully paced, and his Ducks are more sharply portrayed; there's a distinct edge of the anti-establishment to them, and Donald is much, much more anti-social in a Barks story than in pretty much anyone elses.

3of4 Just a harmless giant from a foreign land. from Five Seconds in the Future. Since: Jan, 2010 Relationship Status: GAR for Archer
Just a harmless giant from a foreign land.
#3: Dec 27th 2011 at 6:45:20 AM

There's a reason that trope is flagged as Your Mileage May Vary.

Also, given the fact that pretty everyone can edit you may assume that this is not a generally held opinion.

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harkko Since: Apr, 2010
#4: Dec 30th 2011 at 4:57:51 AM

I personally think many tropers use Seinfeld is Unfunny page just to justify their own opinions. I can still be entertained by many Carl Barks stories but good thing if I can even finish one page reading new Donald Duck stories.

edited 30th Dec '11 4:59:53 AM by harkko

TheEvilDrBolty Since: Dec, 2009 Relationship Status: I'd need a PowerPoint presentation
#5: Dec 30th 2011 at 10:33:22 AM

Really? TV Tropes got me to read Barks. I see praise for him all over the site.

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