Willy Linthout

Willy Linthout was born in Eksaarde near Lokeren, Belgium in 1953. He was a mechanic[1] and a comics collector when he made his first comic book. Linthout had the idea of creating a comic strip whose main character would be based on the comedian Urbanus.[2] Through publisher Jef Meert, a meeting at Urbanus' house was arranged. The comedian liked Linthout's idea, as well as the drawings.[1] Linthout made the first two albums of Urbanus alone.[1] The first album, which appeared in 1983, sold 50,000 copies right away,[1] and Urbanus became one of the most popular Flemish comic strips. So far, 135 albums have appeared. The series is noted for its black comedy and satire. [3]

Linthout also collaborates on the popular Kiekeboe comic strip of Merho, and has created together with Luc Cromheecke the series Roboboy.

In 2007, after the suicide of his son,[4] he wrote and drew the graphic novel Jaren van de Olifant (Years of the Elephant), which was nominated for a number of international awards and won the Bronzen Adhemar, the most important Flemish comics award.

• Urbanus: 1983–present, 135 volumes, Standaard Uitgeverij, written by Urbanus and Linthout
• Roboboy: 2003–present, 6 volumes, Dupuis and Catullus, art by Luc Cromheecke
• Years of the Elephant, 2007, Bries (in 8 small volumes) and Meulenhoff/Manteau (in 1 184 page volume): published in English by Ponent Mon S.L.
• Het Laatste Station, 2008, 3 volumes, Standaard Uitgeverij, art by Erik Wielaert

• 2007: nominated for the Stripschapprijs Album of the Year (Dutch, literary) for The Year of the Elephant part 1[5]
• 2008: nominated for the Prix Saint-Michel for best Dutch language comic
• 2009: Bronzen Adhemar for The Year of the Elephant
• 2010: nominated for the Eisner Awards for Best U.S. Edition of International Material and Best Writer/Artist-Nonfiction[6]
• 2010: nominated for the Award for Best Dutch Language Youth Comic at the Stripschapprizes for Roboboy 6[7]
• 2010: nominated for the Award for Best Dutch Language Comic at the Prix Saint-Michel for The Year of the Elephant[8]