Jommeke #251 - 'Schattenjagers in Bokrijk' (2010).
Gerd Van Loock is one of the lead artists of 'Jommeke', the classic Flemish comic book series created by Jef Nys. Active for the series since 1984, he started out as an assistant, and eventually became an allround author, writing and drawing his own installments in the series. Since the death of Jef Nys in 2009, both Gerd Van Loock and Philippe Delzenne have been the main creators of the comic. With over 40 years of continuous service, Van Loock is the longest-serving 'Jommeke' co-worker.
Early life
Born in 1961, Gerd Van Loock got his first artistic training in Fine Arts and Animation at the Antwerp Art Humaniora and also tried out "Free Graphics" at this school, but without success. He later studied at the Sint-Lucas School of Arts in Ghent, and then pursued Animation at the University of Ghent, but dropped out of all these studies. Although he isn't an avid comics collector, he has named as his favorite comic series René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo's 'Astérix', Marc Sleen's 'Nero', Hergé's 'Tintin', Jean Van Hamme and William Vance's 'XIII', Hermann's 'Jeremiah' and 'Les Tours de Bois-Maury' and Van Hamme and Rosinski's 'Thorgal'. Interviewed by Tom Vets (Gazet van Antwerpen, 31 July 2025), Van Loock said that as a child he also enjoyed reading Jef Nys' 'Jommeke', having vivid memories of the albums 'Het Verkeerde Land', 'Het Hemelhuis' and 'Paradijseiland'. Later in life, his interest shifted in reading non-fiction, history books and biographies.
Jommeke #143 - 'Va Kwak en Moe Boemel' (1990), first story written and drawn by Gerd Van Loock.
Jommeke
In 1984, the 23 years-old Gerd Van Loock joined the Antwerp studio of Jef Nys, where the 'Jommeke' comics were produced. He was brought in as a replacement for background artist and inker Philippe Delzenne, who left to explore other career opportunities. When Delzenne announced his departure, he personally introduced Van Loock, who also lived in the town of 's-Gravenwezel and was a friend of his sister. During his sollicitation, Nys asked Van Loock to draw a hippopotamus and crocodile in a boat, as well as a hand clutching an object, to check out his graphic insight and skills.
Initially hired as an apprentice, the first story Van Loock contributed to was 'De Schat van Angkor' (1984). In the following years, he penciled and inked backgrounds, working mostly with the main Nys co-worker Hugo De Sterk. He then became a staff artist, before turning freelance. The first story that he scripted himself was 'Het Yacochacabeeldje' (1988), drawn by De Sterk. Around 1989, Van Loock's workload changed, as the newspaper Het Volk restyled its juvenile supplement 't Kapoentje into De Jommekeskrant, a title with Nys' signature character as its mascot. Since the supplement required the production of original comic stories in addition to the regular 'Jommeke' serials in Het Volk itself, Van Loock was promoted to doing full art duties. For De Jommekeskrant, Van Loock created two weekly comic pages and additional illustrations, with the first story that he wrote and drew all on his own being 'Va Kwak en Moe Boemel'.
Jommeke #232 - 'Duel in Venetië' (2006).
Jef Nys soon became very pleased with Van Loock's work. Interviewed by Tom Bouden for Brabant Strip Magazine in 2003, he named him the co-worker "who matches my style the closest." During the 1990s, Van Loock also drew two stories scripted by Jan Ruysbergh ('De Snoezige Dino's', 'De Pruik van Anatool'), but he has mainly written his own stories. For his scripts, Van Loock takes inspiration from the news of the day or one of the older episodes, while he likes to alternate between travel stories, treasure hunts and slapstick humor. His stories are characterized by their compact dialogues and cinematic direction of the scenes.
Two lead artists
During the 21st century, Gerd Van Loock's role in the 'Jommeke' team increased even more. By 2002, Hugo De Sterk retired and Philippe Delzenne had returned to the 'Jommeke' team, while another Nys co-worker, Luc Morjaeu, left in 2005 to join Studio Vandersteen. From then on, Van Loock and Delzenne became the comic's main artists, each writing and drawing their own stories. Since the death of Jef Nys in 2009, both artists were credited in the 'Jommeke' books for the first time. Over the years, the team has been enhanced with the new artists Dieter Steenhaut, Kristof Fagard and Steve Van Bael, with Van Loock training the latter. Additional scriptwriters have been Marc Legendre, Kristof Berte and the duo Willy Linthout & Ann Smet.
Jommeke #293 - 'Balletkoorts' (2019).
Creating about two albums a year (and Delzenne three), Van Loock has named the two scoundrels Kwak and Boemel his favorite characters. In 'De Rondekoning' (2015), he gave the real-life sport journalists Michel Wuyts and TV producer Wouter Vandenhaute guest roles. The album 'Balletkoorts' (2019) received some media attention because it revolved around Jommeke becoming a ballet dancer, a topic still controversial among certain readers. In 2025, Van Loock also drew the special homage album to celebrate the 70th anniversary of 'Jommeke': 'Trammelant in Het Verkeerde Land'. The story is an official sequel to one of his favorite 'Jommeke' albums, 'Het Verkeerde Land', and also featured an appearance of the evil knight Balfadoer, a character from another Jef Nys series, 'Langteen en Schommelbuik'. As an extra tribute, Van Loock painted the cover with poster paint, like Jef Nys used to do.
Recognition
On 24 July 2012, Gerd Van Loock and Philippe Delzenne were both awarded the "Gouden Potlood" ("Golden Pencil") award for their work on 'Jommeke' during the Comics Festival of Middelkerke, Belgium.
Jommeke #327 - 'Trammelant In Het Verkeerde Land' (2025).