ANPS comic books by Suske and Wiske
NOS Nieuws•gisteren, 22:53
A letter from the publisher of Sister and Wiske has gone down the wrong way with former comic strip cartoonists, writes the Flemish broadcaster VRT. Standaard Uitgeverij wrote in the letter that only the current author team is allowed to make drawings of the figures, which were invented by Willy Vandersteen in the 1940s.
The six former illustrators of Sister and Wiske received the letter at the beginning of this month. “One of our tasks (…) is to safeguard Willy Vandersteen’s legacy on behalf of the Vandersteen heirs and to address third parties who make unauthorized use of the copyrighted work,” was the message.
The letter further states that “all drawings of Suske and Wiske or the other figures from Vandersteen’s universe that are created and exploited or sold without the permission of Standaard Uitgeverij are illegal productions from a copyright perspective.”
Scholarships
The former cartoonists sometimes sign comic books Sister and Wiske at fairs. They also occasionally make separate drawings to please people, says cartoonist Paul Geerts to VRT. “Of course I have asked for something for that, but I did not become rich from those drawings I made.” Geerts succeeded comic strip creator Willy Vandersteen and continued his work for 30 years.
86-year-old Geerts was unpleasantly surprised by the letter from the publisher. “It is a lack of respect. What my colleagues and I have done for Vandersteen’s heritage is unimaginable. It was work day and night and we did it with great pleasure.”
Misinterpreted
The publisher says the letter has been misinterpreted. “The intention is that no more individual drawings will be made by former employees of Willy Vandersteen’s figures because there has been a kind of trade in drawings commissioned by collectors or fans for years,” says Dirk Vanlaer of Standaard Uitgeverij. the Flemish broadcaster.
Standaard Uitgeverij thinks it is a shame that so much commotion has arisen about the letter. They have been in contact with former cartoonist Geerts to clear up misunderstandings. “But perhaps the communication could have been different and better,” says Vanlaer.
2024-03-15 21:53:30
#cartoonists #longer #allowed #draw #Suske #Wiske #Lack #respect
