Suske en Wiske #372 - 'Bolhoed Bik' (2023).
Wout Schoonis is a Belgian comic artist and animator, working for Studio Vandersteen since 2007, where he was notably responsible for restyling the classic Suske and Wiske characters. Since 2023, he is the fifth lead artist of the 'Suske en Wiske' comic, following Willy Vandersteen, Paul Geerts, Marc Verhaegen and Luc Morjaeu.
Early life and education
Born in the village of Neerpelt in 1980, Wout Schoonis grew up reading Willy Vandersteen's comic series 'Suske en Wiske' during the Paul Geerts run. He also read Robbedoes/Spirou magazine, where he grew a particular liking for André Franquin's 'Gaston Lagaffe' and Roger Leloup's 'Yoko Tsuno'. He has also expressed admiration for Dave McKean, Mister Melvin and Hergé. After initially studying economics, Schoonis got his master's degree in Visual Arts from the PXL University of Applied Sciences in Hasselt (2001-2005). Later in his career, in 2015-2016, he additionally took an online course in animation from the School of Motion. During his professional life, Schoonis has lived in the northern Belgian town of Lindelhoeven, part of the municipality of Pelt.
Illustration by Wout Schoonis.
Early career
Between 2005 and 2007, Schoonis worked as desktop publisher and creator of infographics for Concentra Media, the publisher of newspapers like Gazet van Antwerpen and Het Belang van Limburg. In addition, he has been working as a freelance illustrator, often using the pen name "Nis". Through his own Studio Bluts, he has also been creating animations and motion graphics for video clips, theater productions, infomercials and advertisement, between 2012 and 2018 working together with Mister Melvin and Kim Vreys.
Studio Vandersteen
In 2007, Wout Schoonis joined the art team of Studio Vandersteen, the division of publisher Standaard Uitgeverij that produces the classic 'Suske en Wiske' comics, originally created by Willy Vandersteen. Working for lead artist Luc Morjaeu, he initially did clean-ups and inking, starting with the episode 'De Joviale Gille' (2007-2008). Later promoted to doing character art, Schoonis was largely responsible for the series' major restyling of 2017, during which the characters got a more modern look. Wiske received a blue vest, scarf and boots, while her characteristic egghead was adorned with a ponytail. Suske was restyled with a red hooded sweater, a pair of jeans and a more playful quiff. Both were aged a bit, and turned into secondary school students. The comic additionally received a more dynamic page layout. Instigated by publisher Standaard and the heirs of Willy Vandersteen, the first episode in this new style was 'De Planeetvreter' (volume #339).
In 2023, Wout Schoonis succeeded Luc Morjaeu as the new lead artist of 'Suske en Wiske', working in a steady collaboration with scriptwriter Peter van Gucht. At the time of the transition, the comic's further art team included background artist Christian Verhaeghe, colorist Sabine De Meyer and graphic designer Tom Wilequet. The first album produced under Schoonis' lead was 'De Zoevende Zusters' (2023). As the comic was no longer pre-serialized in a newspaper, like before, the publisher increased the publication rate from four to five albums a year. To secure this production, the length of the stories decreased from 46 to 38 pages (from 184 to 152 strips), starting with book #373 ('Klaartje Wakker', 2024). As a younger generation had gradually taken over, production of the 'Suske en Wiske' comic switched from analogue to digital, allowing Schoonis and his team to secure a high production rhythm of a full album in two months.
Suske en Wiske #373 - 'Klaartje Wakker' (2024).