– My first reaction was “am I allowed to, can I draw Donald”? It’s a bit crazy. From her bedroom in Myre in Øksnes municipality, Trine Lise Normann has equipped herself with PC screens, notebooks and a digital drawing board. Until recently it was completely OTHER things than Donald Duck that she was really doing. – I have published two comic books so far, but haven’t really drawn Donald until this year. It wasn’t something I envisioned doing. But the publisher EG(G)mont had obviously seen potential in the young illustrator from Vesterålen. – I received an email one day asking if Donald was something I would like to work with. – It’s very cool. Strange that there are no more women from before, says Trine Lise Normann. Photo: Vilde Bratland Erikstad / news Went to the “Donald School” Only a small selection of artists are allowed to draw the famous feathered crab without underpants. In Norway, there is only one officially approved draftsman from before, namely Arild Midtun. But after several months of courses in Denmark, training in Spain and several rounds of interviews, it is clear. Trine Lise Normann is approved as an official Donald cartoonist. – It has been a bit like going to school and handing in homework. – At the Donald school? – Yes, you can say I went to the Donald school. When the message came, Normann got goosebumps. Trine Lise Normann debuts as a new Donald cartoonist in this week’s magazine. Photo: Egmont – Donald is a very well-known figure, and I feel I have to do a good job. I hope I will be accepted by the Donald fans. The first story with drawings from Trine Lise will appear in this week’s Donald magazine. In the Nordics, there are no other women who draw Donald for Disney. Normann thus becomes the first in Scandinavia. – It’s very cool. Strange that there aren’t any more women from before. There are a lot of female cartoonists, especially in Norway, says Normann. Wants to find his own Donald style Now the 38-year-old trains fully from the bedroom, and tries to find his own style. Normann believes it is important to separate himself a little from the OTHER Donald cartoonists. – All Donald cartoonists have their own unique style, and something that makes Donald so interesting to readers. Since I just started drawing Donald, I’m trying to find my Donald style. Vesterålingen has previously created the cartoon “Sidequest”. Her style is inspired by Disney in the 1970s, and inspired by cartoonists Carl Barks and Daniel Branca. Donald Duck & Co Donald Duck & Co is the name of a weekly Norwegian cartoon publication with a gallery of characters from Walt Disney’s universe, especially the circle around Donald Duck and other residents of Andeby. The Donald figure is 90 years old this year (1934–2024). The anniversary is celebrated with a new Norwegian Donald character and the project Hele Norge Kvakker, where Donald stories come in different Norwegian dialects. Last updated readership of Donald Duck & Co: 214,000 The first Donald booklet in Norway was published in December 1948. The price of the first edition was 50 øre, and it was an immediate sales success. The original edition is today worth well over NOK 20,000 if it is in good condition, and is a sought-after collector’s item. The magazine has been one of Europe’s biggest commercial cartoon successes, and one of Norway’s best-selling magazines. After the 1990s, the circulation dropped a lot, and the magazine lost its position as Norway’s most popular cartoon magazine, and was overtaken by Pondus. (Egmont and Wikipedia) Turning 90 The Donald character turns 90 this year, and the anniversary is celebrated with Trine Lise Normann as the new Norwegian Donald cartoonist. – With Trine Lise on the team, we get more Norwegian strings to play on. A close dialogue with the cartoonists will make the stories and content in our magazines even better and adapted to Norwegian needs where this is natural, says Marius Horn Molaug, who is editor of Donald Duck & Co. The Donald figure is 90 years old this year (1934–2024). The anniversary is celebrated with a new Norwegian Donald character and the project Hele Norge Kvakker, where Donald stories come in different Norwegian dialects. He says that the two Norwegian cartoonists complement each other very well in terms of drawing. – Arild with all his experience and realistic style and Trine Lise with her new enthusiasm and elegantly sensitive pen. Narrow needle’s eye Becoming a new Donald cartoonist is not really possible, says Molaug. – So, impossible. There is a reason why only Arild has managed it in the past, and know that there are many who have tried. He adds: Disney has so many quality requirements, rules and guidelines that you need magical abilities to even place a little toe within Andeby’s city limits. But now the miracle has happened. It must only mean that Trine Lise is supernaturally good! We are ecstatic and very proud of her, says Molaug. How a Donald story is made But how is a Donald story actually made? It may be different than many people think. Because the cartoonists in no way make up the stories themselves. – I am sent a script from one of the many Donald authors out there. Then I read through the script and outline how the story should look. Then I get feedback and hand it in. Normann shows how the screenwriter describes her task. – It says here that you should focus on Dolly, and that she looks a little skeptical at Donald. Trine Lise Normann practices drawing the Donald car. – I think it’s a bit difficult to achieve, she says. Photo: Vilde Bratland Erikstad / news The 29-year-old has no plans to move out of either his bedroom or his home municipality anytime soon. – Isn’t it lonely being a cartoonist far north in Vesterålen? – I think it’s going very well. I enjoy sitting and drawing by myself. It is a very nice environment. Nothing can beat it, quite simply. For the record, news adds that the neighboring municipality is ANDøy! Published 15.08.2024, at 12.35 Updated 15.08.2024, at 18.53
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Trine Lise Normann is the Nordic region’s first female Donald cartoonist – news Nordland
