BATEM

Batem, alias Luc Collin, was born on April, the 6th in Kamina (Congo). Besides studying humanities, he registered at the comic workshop of the Fine Arts Academy in Charleroi. This workshop was directed by Vittorio Leonardo, the colourist of the Journal de Spirou albums during its great years.


In 1978, he decided to become an illustrator and registered to the Saint-Luc Institute in Liège. He ended up following the comic lectures of Jean-Yves Stanicel.

Four years later, with his diploma and, above all, his talented way of drawing, he sent his drawing boards to publishers.

The Dupuis publishing house recognised him as an ersatz of the great masters (Franquin, Uderzo...). He received nevertheless the unconditional support of Raoul Cauvin who developed a serial project for him. 

A twin company of the Dupuis Publishing House had more favourable projects for him. The S.E.P.P. (Société d'Edition, de Presse et de Publicité – Advertising, press and publishing company) is specialised in the audiovisual adaptation and derived products exploitation (advertising, merchandising) of the Journal de Spirou characters. Franquin noticed Batem’s work. Even if Franquin guessed the potential of Marsupilami character, he was waiting for a sign. 

Marsu productions wants to bring Marsupilami to an international star by dedicating him a serial on his adventures and a quality merchandising. Franquin cannot undertake the work on a 44 drawing boards album on his own. He remembered a young man who seemed to have well understood the philosophy of Marsupilami.

Luc Collin was contacted by the publisher. At first incredulous, Batem soon realized that it was a real opportunity after Franquin phoned him from the South of France to confirm his decision. 

« I was really happy, but then the emotion faded and let the anguish take over… but even if my contribution consisted in helping André Franquin by erasing his drawings on boards, I was still ready… »

In 1987, the album « Marsupilami’s tail » was created in 4 months. Franquin plays one of his favourite role again: helping a young drawer developing his skills. 

Album after album a friendship develops between the teacher and the student. Batem is now known as one of the greatest drawers of humour comics of his generation.
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