Rik Clément

Rik Clément started his career as a reporter for the newspaper Het Volk. He illustrated his own stories, and published his comics in magazines like Taptoe. Inspired by Hergé, he began his career in 1949 with the publication of 'Bazielken in Amerika' (text by Pol Ingier). The satiric 'Bazielken' series ran until 1950. In the magazine 't Kapoentje he published 'De Mannen van het Pleintje', 'St.Elmus' (with John Flanders), 'Jan Knap' and 'Reinhart, de Eenzame Ridder' and for De Kleine Zondagsvriend, he drew 'Seppeke'. He worked for several book publishers as an illustrator.

In 1955, for the magazine Ons Zondagsblad, he created his most famous character, 'Dees Dubbel'. In 1959, he made the realistic adventures of 'Pat Patterson' and a year later, his 'Kadijster' gags. In 1962, he created four adventures of 'De Musketiers van het Schipperskwartier'.

Clément, who always considered his comic art as a relaxed hobby for himself and his audience, used a pleasant, spontaneous drawing style that makes his work easy to read. Unfortunately, Rik Clément passed away on 19 January 2008.