'Penny de Pony'.
Marien Verkaik was born in Rotterdam. After publishing 'Xanthos' in IF and 'Bunny' in Bunny, he made his actual professional debut with the weekly comic 'Scotty Clay' in Sjors (1968-1969). Verkaik subsequently provided advertising comics to among others radiator factory Dimplex, and made contributions to the German magazine Kaputt. Then came a period that he mostly worked as a lay-out man on magazines like the Dutch/German music magazine Popbiz, and as an illustrator of children's books.
'Scotty Clay' (Sjors #45, 9 November 1968).
In 1986, Verkaik returned to comics fulltime, drawing for the magazines of publisher Holco. He drew the title comic for Rakkerclub and also contributed to the monthly magazine De Fabeltjeskrant, based on the TV show, as well as its follow-up Tambo-Tambo. For Mariska, he illustrated four long stories with 'Angie' and her wonderhorse Silver, and for Penny he made the long-running gag series 'Penny de Pony', which was also published abroad.
'Angie'.
Verkaik additionally drew 'Happy der Hund' for the German animal's magazine Jenny. Besides comics, Verkaik has illustrated puzzels, calendars, postcards, cartoons, posters and and coloring books. Marien Verkaik passed away in Zoetermeer, on 18 November 2006.
'De Rakkersclub'.