Willy Vandersteen

Nicknamed by Hergé the Bruegel of comics, Willy Vandersteen remains, without a doubt, the most famous Flemish creator of the 9th art. Born on 15 February 1913 in Antwerp, at school he showed clear talents for writing and drawing. To earn a living, he began by practicing various jobs, including as a plasterer. One day, while leafing through an American magazine, he discovered an article entitled "Comics in Your Life," dedicated to American comics. He learned that in newspapers across the Atlantic, strips were being published every day that systematically ended with a twist designed to leave the reader breathless until the next installment. He immediately decided to propose this concept to Belgian publications. From 1939 onwards, he would learn his trade by producing countless illustrations and strips. He didn't put down his pencil again until his passing on 28 August 1990. Among his innumerable series are "Le Prince Riri," "Bessy," the famous "Bob & Bobette," of which he has written more than two hundred episodes, and De Rode Ridder (Standaard Uitgeverij) launched by Vandersteen on 5 November 1959 as a comic book adaptation of Leopold Vermeiren's popular series of novels about Johan, a noble knight. Throughout the years Vandersteen has shown his talent as a storyteller in this captivating and suspenseful medieval comic series, which continues to this day, with new scriptwriters and artists. Two episodes are now available in English for the first time through Europe Comics.