Meaning: Carl Barks, an American cartoonist, is best known for his work with Disney, particularly his creation and development of the character Scrooge McDuck. The quote you provided offers insight into Barks' creative process and his preferences when it came to creating comic book covers.

Barks' statement reveals that he preferred creating "gag covers" over "story ones" because they were usually simpler. In the context of comic books, a gag cover typically features a humorous or exaggerated situation that may not directly relate to the plot of the story inside the comic. On the other hand, a story cover is based on an incident in the plot and requires more staging to tell a little story that is still part of the book.

Barks' preference for gag covers can be understood in the context of his artistic approach. Creating a cover based on an incident in the plot, as he mentions, required a great deal of staging. This means that the artist had to carefully plan and execute the composition of the cover to accurately depict a specific scene from the story. This process could be more time-consuming and challenging compared to creating a simpler, standalone gag cover.

Additionally, Barks notes that a cover based on an incident in the plot had to make sense on its own. This highlights the dual role of a comic book cover - it serves as a visual representation of the story inside, but it also needs to be visually compelling and coherent as a standalone piece of art. This requirement adds an extra layer of complexity to creating story covers, as they need to effectively communicate the essence of the story while also being visually appealing in their own right.

Barks' comments also shed light on the storytelling aspect of comic book covers. While the primary storytelling happens within the pages of the comic, the cover plays a crucial role in attracting readers and setting the tone for the story. A well-crafted cover can pique the reader's curiosity and provide a glimpse into the world and characters they are about to encounter.

In the context of Barks' own work, his preference for gag covers may have allowed him more creative freedom and opportunities for humor and whimsy. Given his reputation as a master storyteller and humorist, it is not surprising that he found joy in creating covers that relied on clever visual gags and comedic elements.

Overall, Carl Barks' statement provides valuable insight into the considerations and challenges involved in creating comic book covers. It also offers a glimpse into his artistic preferences and the thought process behind his creative decisions. By prioritizing simplicity and humor in his cover designs, Barks was able to leave a lasting impact on the world of comic art and storytelling.