Noel Van Horn was born on July 6, 1968 in San Francisco as the son of William Van Horn and a Canadian mother. Inspired by his father's work as an animator when Noel was a child, he wanted to become an artist as well. Noel enjoyed the Walt Disney's Comics and Stories comic books in his childhood. In 1980, his family moved to Vancouver, Canada. After finishing school, Van Horn studied animation at the Emily Carr College of Art and Design. In 1992, Van Horn went to San Diego in the United States, where he met Byron Erickson and Bob Foster, editors of Egmont, the Danish publisher of Disney comics. Van Horn wanted to draw Bucky Bug comis, but the Egmont editors were in search for Mickey Mouse comics artists. He accepted this offer and started a 18 months long training. Van Horn was instructed t