From 1938, Strobl worked as an animator on Fantasia, Dumbo, and Pinocchio before he left the studio to fight in World War II.

He continued animating after the war, but soon moved to comics. In 1947 he started working for Western primarily illustrating Disney comics, but also other characters, such as Bugs Bunny and Woody Woodpecker. During his career, Strobl probably drew the most Disney comic pages of any artist.

Strobl attended Cleveland School of Art (1933-1937) with Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, who Siegel approached at one point to assist in the development of the concept that became Superman. Strobl felt his art style was ill suited for such a serious character.