Meeting mr. Barks ! 

It was spring – and I was reading the newspaper on the train on my way to work, as I usually did. But suddenly, something very interesting caught my eye: An article claimed that Egmont would invite Carl Barks to Denmark, or rather, on a European tour – during which Denmark would also be visited by the famous comic book creator. Could it really be true? After checking (and double-checking) the accuracy of the information, I began planning!

Planning for what? I had, of course, resolved that I WOULD meet my childhood hero and idol – and thank him profusely for all the wonderful experiences he had given me and other Donaldists. My wife was informed and let in on my plans – and almost casually and indifferently, she said: "Oh well – if you really want to – just give it a try." She probably didn't quite understand who Carl Barks actually was at that time – but later she could see what an important event it truly was. I informed my then-employer that I WOULD take vacation that week when Carl Barks was coming to Copenhagen – and that went through smoothly, of course.

Then the preparations began: I contacted Egmont's then-information manager, Lene Balleby, who was, incidentally, very sweet and kind, and explained to her how important it was for me to meet "The Master" this one (and only) time he was in Denmark. Her initial response was that many people would like that, but she would see what she could do – but wouldn't promise anything...

Some time passed, and then one day a letter arrived from Egmont: I had been invited to a reception along with a few other selected collectors, who would have the opportunity to meet Carl Barks! I was overjoyed and practically floating on air for many weeks after the letter arrived...! Imagine: ...The man I had first seen as a 9-year-old in a picture in a book (The Great Uncle Scrooge), and whom I had always wished to meet, was coming to Copenhagen, and I was going to meet him! It was almost too incredible to be true! I was 27 years old then, and hadn't dreamed of being able to meet this world-famous artist – he was, after all, in his mid-90s...

The day came when he was to arrive (it was Thursday, June 9, 1994), and I, along with thousands of other fans, welcomed him to Copenhagen. He arrived by the Oslo ferry in the morning. The most awkward thing, incidentally, was that the band on the quay played the theme song from - The Muppet Show...

The National Museum, where his famous oil paintings were exhibited, was naturally visited the following day, and I bought the poster "Vacation Time" and the exhibition catalog with Barks' oil paintings there.

But two days after – June 12 – was the one I was waiting for!

And it WAS an unforgettable day: I arrived with my invitation in hand (it served as an admission ticket) and pushed my way through the crowd of people/fans who had gathered in front of "Det Kulørte Bibliotek" (The Colorful Library): "Excuse me, I'm pushing a bit... sorry! ... but I have an important meeting at 10:30 AM..."

The exhibition was scheduled to open at 11:00 AM, and the reception started half an hour earlier, where mr. Barks would be present at a small, cozy gathering. When I arrived upstairs, he hadn't come yet, but there was a buzz and a special atmosphere that was utterly indescribable! It should be noted that "Det Kulørte Bibliotek" is an old apartment consisting of living rooms and chambers (i.e., not one large room, but several small ones). There I stood – with a video camera under my arm and a regular camera in my pocket. Where would be the strategically best place to position myself? I walked around a bit, and almost by chance, I suddenly found myself alone in a room where there was cake and small welcome drinks. In the adjacent room in front of me, there was suddenly a lot of commotion – someone was coming up the stairs...

A larger entourage entered, and I couldn't see much since I was in the back room. Damn it! Now I was standing here alone – and where everything is happening, ALL the others were there. Typical! (Who mentioned the expression: "Unlucky as Donald Duck"?)

But just as things looked darkest, the whole situation suddenly turned in my favor! Barks was presented with gifts – and everyone moved a little away from him. The gifts were handed over to the entourage by Egmont employees – and Carl walked towards the room where I was. Suddenly, I realized my incredible luck! I gathered my courage, walked towards him, extended my hand, and he shook my hand firmly. We exchanged a few words, and I managed to say that it was a great honor to meet him here in Copenhagen. Actually, I don't know if he thought I was some kind of host there – but I quickly placed a camera in the hand of an Egmont employee, who immortalized Carl Barks and myself with a click. A lasting memory of a very great experience!

Into the room where we stood, all the other guests now entered, and Carl saw for the first time his last script, "The Trojan Horse," displayed on large boards on the walls. It was the artist William van Horn who had had the honor of creating the drawings for it, and manager Bill Grandey explained to us what van Horn had done, where, and why. At one point, Barks noted that van Horn had drawn a mustache differently than he himself had originally intended – but that he liked it...

I filmed all of this on video, and my hope is that this unique recording will one day be viewable by many other Barks fans! It's almost historic to think that Barks is actually standing there commenting on and evaluating another man's drawings – based on his own script. The circle was complete! In 1943, the first story Barks drew for Walt Disney's Comics & Stories #31 had "only" his drawings – but not his own script. This would quickly change from the next issue onwards, where Barks always did both the script and drawings for his stories. However, in his very last story, it was the opposite. Here he delivered "only" the script – but someone else drew the story. And incidentally... what great honor and privilege it must have been for William van Horn!

Another funny episode happened thereafter: Barks now looked into another room where, for the occasion, tables had been set up for 3 other Disney artists. (It's terribly embarrassing – but I don't remember who. I was probably "Barks-fixated" in those days...!). The original intention was for these 3 artists to sign Donald Duck comics for visitors when the exhibition opened at 11:00 AM. But being the wonderfully nice and friendly man Carl truly was, he took a seat at one of the chairs – and sat waiting. Then he took an ink pen out of his pocket – and someone said: "Well, it looks like Mr. Barks would like to sign if anyone is interested!". You bet! Fortunately, I had brought 2 American issues in case the opportunity arose: WDC&S #140 from 1952 (the issue with Gyro Gearloose's debut appearance) and Uncle $crooge #11 (where Scrooge McDuck is ironing money). Both issues have classic Barks covers. Barks signed them both, and I thought it was brilliant of him to write on the ironing board itself on U$11.

For this session, I have video clips, among other things, of Jørgen Klubien (Disney artist), who is having a chat with Carl about having just worked for Jack Hannah and passing on greetings from him. (Jack Hannah was a co-artist on Barks' first Four Color "Donald Duck finds Pirate Gold" from 1942.) When this "signing session" was successfully over, Carl was quickly escorted from "Det Kulørte Bibliotek" and driven away with the Egmont entourage.

Afterward, the exhibition was officially opened, and lots of people/fans swarmed into the rooms. I clearly saw them all looking around! Where was he? Was he here? Maybe in the next room...? Sorry! Mr. Barks had already moved on for the European tour. And we who had been there – the lucky ones – had met him in person!

We stood almost paralyzed – staring and a little subdued – but still with a wry smile on our lips. It had succeeded! The idea and endeavor to meet the world's most famous comic book creator had succeeded completely!

We all know it; there are certain moments in life that stick with you unconditionally and evoke spontaneous joy when you think back on them. I experienced 2 of these moments in 1994; my daughter was born – and I met "The Master" Carl Barks!