In Memoriam: Comic Creator René Uilenbroek

By John Freeman on October 29, 2024

Rob van Bavel, Editor-in-chief at Eppo Stripblad, has reported the passing of Dutch comic creator René Uilenbroek, who has died after a tragic fall in his home in Breda.

*Dutch comic creator René Uilenbroek. Image: Eppo Stripblad*

Soeperman by Willem Ritstier and René Uilenbroek

Uilenbroek’s best known comic strip, “Soeperman”,about a softy superhero, first appeared in Eppo in 1986, written by Willem Ritstier. He was signing “Soeperman”albums at Stripfestival Breda on the Eppo stand just last month.

“René … had a completely original style, slapstick was the forefront,” Rob notes. “We’re going to miss René a lot, because he brought a lot of joy and humour into the world with his drawings.”

Our sympathies to family and friends at this time. No doubt many will be marking his passing at Dutch Comic Con later this month, where Eppo and its creators will have a major presence.

• Lambiek: René Uilenbroek

• Eppo Stripblad – Official Site | Facebook

About the Author
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John Freeman

John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.

He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.