I think my translation needs upgrading, but–

Godammit!
Maurice, stop torturing
our ears with
that funeral march!
Why can’t you be more positive?

In fact the trip was an actual thing, and this album Gringos Locos (2012) by writer Yann & artist Olivier Schwartz is a rare case of a comic about the lives of comic book artists.

(here they are in silhouette, contemplating their departing ocean liner)

Evidently these three Belgians, Joseph Gillain (“Jijé”), André Franquin and Maurice de Bevere (“Morris”), took this trip to America specifically to join Walt Disney Studios and make their fortunes there.

(Jijé’s the big one, Morris’ the blond,
and Franquin’s the tall slim bloke)

As it happened the expedition was a failure across most fronts, and the trio returned to Bruxelles, their hopes of making it, dashed. Little did they know at the time that they’d go on to become some of the biggest superstars of BD.

(while Franquin’s down in the dumps and Jijé’s
fussing with his family, Morris has his fun!)