Comments on: Happy 70th Birthday, Michael Barrier

By: Paulo Vasconcellos

Paulo Vasconcellos — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 19:19:45 +0000

Michael Barrier is the greatest Carl Barks biographer. His book “Carl Barks and the Art of the Comic Book” is a classic. This book has been a very important source of several published collections in the world dedicated to Barks’ work. Starting with the great “Carl Barks Library” published in USA.

In the brazilian version of CBL( “O melhor da Disney- As obras completas de Carl Barks “ published from 2004 to 2008) there are several references to “Carl Barks and the Art of the Comic Book”.

Happy Birthday, Michael !

By: Paul Dushkind

Paul Dushkind — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 19:09:33 +0000

I picked up Funnyworld at Comic-con in the early 1970s. It was the best fanzine in its time, and the only one I knew of devoted primarily to animation. It also had considerable wordage devoted to comic books and strips, especially undergrounds, funny animals and other humorous comics, including those of John Stanley.

At the same time, Milt Gray and Bob Clampett were attending the conventions. Milt showed reels of some of the best Warner Bros. cartoons, and warned that they weren’t being preserved. He said that it was possible that the film he was showing would eventually be the only remaining existing copy.

I gather that Funnyworld, in spite of its tiny circulation, was largely responsible for cartoon directors becoming household words, especially Chuck Jones. And I get the impression that the Warner Bros. cartoon library is being preserved archivally. I hope that I’m right. Many of the cartoons are out on DVD. It appears that Milt Gray deserves some of the credit for it. And that Mike Barrier is partly responsible for the renaissance in animation, and has had a larger influence on pop culture than one might think.

(He might lament that, because he has a low opinion of much animation today. I believe that I put less importance than he does on the distinction between higher art and literature. It would rankle him for cartoons and duck comics to be considered lowbrow.)

Like other great critics, he has brilliant insights. He can be too negative, and he does say things that make my jaw drop. But he has a keen and deep intellect; one argues with him at one’s peril.

By: Professor Widebottom

Professor Widebottom — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 13:38:42 +0000

For me, Barrier is like a high priest of animation history. His output always has the a precise and disciplined tone about it. The man takes his animation seriously, to be sure. I always appreciate his stalwart Disney scholarship, during a time when authoring a major biography equals opportunistic revisionism for too many.

Before Funnyworld, I can’t think of any publication that raised the curtain on the art of animation in the same sensory-satisfying way. For the fan who really wanted to tap directly into the creative cogs and wheels of classic animation talent, it was truly a treasure… and the grandfather venue to all THIS.

By: David Germain

David Germain — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 01:19:40 +0000

Not only is Mr. Barrier a wealth of information, he is also a very pleasant and approachable guy too. He has very graciously answered any questions I have asked of him.

Happy birthday indeed. The golden age artists are looking down on you and smiling.

By: Fernando Ventura

Fernando Ventura — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 00:06:52 +0000

The first time I read Funnyworld’s articles was about 10 years ago snooping around Waldyr Igayara’s archive. I was so much impressed with them as I am now! Happy Birthday, Michael Barrier!

By: Bill Perkins

Bill Perkins — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 18:43:07 +0000

Happy Birthday Michael. I still have all my copies of Funnyworld, not tucked away but on my book-shelve, I still re-read your articles. At the time I hung on too every word of your interview with Bob Clampett, your work led me too him, brought him too Canada and kick started my own career in animation. Many many thanks .

By: Susan Mehlburger

Susan Mehlburger — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 13:20:51 +0000

Today is your birthday and we will sing “The Song” to you! Happy Birthday Mike, hope it is a great one!

By: Dan Keeley

Dan Keeley — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 12:31:40 +0000

I see you walking to the grocery store. the library and all over town. You probably have put away a good retirement account just on saved gas. I suspect that is why you look much younger than your age!

I hope you have a very special birthday Mike.

Dan Keeley