Branislav Kerac

Branislav Kerac was born on September 7, 1952, in Novi Sad, Serbia. He is best known as the creator of the long-running series *Cat Claw*, a staple of European comics. Kerac’s path into the medium began in the early 1980s, and he quickly became a prolific artist and writer. In the American market, he worked under the pseudonym H.M. Baker, contributing to titles such as *The Black Pearl* and *Ghost* for Dark Horse Comics. His signature style—dynamic, detailed, and grounded in adventure—made him a natural fit for action and fantasy genres. He frequently collaborated with writers and editors on series like *Magnum Comics*, *Eks almanah*, and *YU strip*, where his work appeared across dozens of issues from 1982 to 2000. Beyond comics, Kerac was a drummer for the Serbian heavy metal band GeroMetal. His legacy is defined by his role in shaping Yugoslav and Serbian comic art, particularly through *Cat Claw*, which remains his most recognized creation. While major industry awards are not recorded in available sources, his influence endures among European readers and collectors.