Barks started his professional career as an artist by supplying different humour magazines with his drawings. By today's standards - and certainly by Barks' standards - the drawings are not very good. As a matter of fact they do not even come across as very funny, but times change. Jokes that were considered hilarious twenty years ago may easily fall flat today. So please look at the few drawings selected from this period as relics of a bygone age. Still, you will be able to spot the Barks' artistic talents in most of them.

 


Calgary Eyeopener
(1930 issue)

Barks helped to make this rough adult humour magazine popular and was its driving force for 7 years.
Judge (1926 issue)

A magazine with humourous and cultural commentary. The art ranged from corny cartoon gags to elegant art nouveau vignettes.
College Humor (1925 issue)

This long-lived magazine which called itself 'The best Comedy in America' was considered to be quite distinguished.
Coo-Coo (1932)

Barks created about one-third of the gags in this magazine which turned out to be shortlived. Only one issue was ever published.
Flying and Popular Aviation (1925 issue)

Barks contributed to this 'Magazine for the Promotion of Amateur Aviation and Private Flying' during WW2.

 


'Shall I shave you close, sir?'
'Sure! Get as close as possible'
The commercial artist engages a model
'Mammy!'

First Ghost: 'What a hell of a house we picked out to haunt!'
'Oh, my, it would be fun to solve that!'
'Now do you see why they designed it this way?'

Chiropractor: 'Now, let's get this thing straight'
The Handcuff King passes on
The wife who vacations at a different resort every summer

Little Asp: 'Why don't you say something?'
Otis: 'I was just trying to find my voice.'
Asp: 'Well, you're looking in the wrong place.'
If your girl seems cold,
Don't you leave 'er,
For chills are always,
Followed by fever
Just picture me with the artist's daughter -
she's too lazy to draw a line

 
http://www.cbarks.dk/THEMAGAZINES.htm   Date 2002-10-06