Paul Geerts

Paul Geerts was born Paulus Josephus Coleta Geerts on 16 May 1937 in Flanders, Belgium. He is best known as the artist and writer who took over the beloved *Spike and Suzy* (Suske en Wiske) series from its creator, Willy Vandersteen. Geerts began his career in comics in 1972, eventually becoming the primary creative force behind the long-running adventure strip, a role he held until 2014. Over more than four decades, he was credited as artist, inker, or writer on 111 issues. His signature style maintained the clean, lively linework of the classic Flemish school while adding his own warmth and narrative clarity. Beyond *Spike and Suzy*, Geerts also contributed to related series such as *Finn & Fiffi* and the German-language *Suske und Wiske*. He collaborated closely with Vandersteen in the early years before fully steering the series himself, co-creating numerous storylines that delighted generations of readers. Geerts’s steady hand and deep understanding of the characters helped the strip remain a cornerstone of European comics long after its founding era. While specific major awards are not recorded in the available material, his legacy is firmly tied to the continued popularity of *Spike and Suzy*, a series that remains a cherished part of Flemish cultural heritage.