Bane Kerac

Branislav "Bane" Kerac, born September 7, 1952, in Novi Sad, Serbia, is best known as the creator of the long-running series *Cat Claw*. He began his comics career in the early 1980s, working across European and American markets. In the United States, he sometimes used the pseudonym H.M. Baker, contributing to titles such as *The Black Pearl* and *Ghost* for Dark Horse Comics. Kerac’s style is energetic and detailed, often blending adventure with a gritty, expressive linework that suited both superhero and fantasy genres. His most frequent collaborators include writers and editors on *Magnum*, *Seriemagasinet*, and *YU Strip*, though he also handled art, coloring, and inking on many of his own projects. Beyond comics, Kerac was a drummer for the heavy metal band GeroMetal. His career spanned from 1983 to 2020, with over 90 credited issues, including work on *Tarzan*. While he did not receive major industry awards widely recorded, his influence in Serbian and European comics remains significant, particularly through *Cat Claw*, which gained a cult following. Kerac continues to be recognized as a versatile figure who bridged European and American comic traditions.