BATEM

Batem © Le Monde de la BD

Batem, whose real name is Luc Collin, is a Belgian comic book artist, born in Congo (then Belgian).
Trained, first, during his high school studies at the Academy of Fine Arts of Châtelet, then at the Saint-Luc Institute of Liège (which saw most of the Belgian cartoonists pass through its walls), he then landed at the SEPP, an audiovisual studio that manages the adaptations and merchandising of the main large comic book series, after being rejected by Dupuis.
In 1987, Franquin who had to develop albums specifically dedicated to Marsupilami, called him. His work on the Marsu derivatives did not go unnoticed! Quickly, Batem became the main cartoonist of the little creature, even more so after Franquin's death, ten years later. He will perfectly integrate into Franquin's world but also develop the Palombie (the imaginary country from which the creature with the long tail comes) in a very creative way.
Besides this monument of BD, Batem is interested in motorcycles (Jack Sélère and Sam Speed) and creates many political cartoons for the Belgian press.
Having first been able to blend into the footsteps of a giant before finding his own expression, Batem has become one of the most sought-after illustrators of his generation.