Mark Retera Dirk Jan as Batman

Mark Retera was born in Eindhoven and studied at the Catholic University of Nijmegen. He started his career in 1985 in the small-press magazine Lekker Prakken with the series 'Aksieburo Ket', which ran until 1989. He started his most famous comic, 'DirkJan', in several student magazines, before it was published in the comics magazine Sjosji and eventually several newspapers. His character, the nerdy DirkJan, lives in a world that is filled with strange creatures. His short gags guaranteed wacky, unexpected punchlines. His clear, simple graphic style aids the humorous effect.

Retera names Gary Larson as one of his big influences. Apart from his 'DirkJan' series, he has drawn many caricatures for magazine Panorama, and also cooperates on the VARA television series 'Cafe de Wereld', which is features in shows like VARA Laat and De Wereld Draait Door. Mark is a member of Studio Iris in Nijmegen and the related band, Studio Iris Huisband (a.k.a. The Sexfuckers). In 2001, Mark Retera won the prestigious Dirk Wiarda Prize for his series 'DirkJan'.

On November 22, 2001, an exposition of the work of Mark Retera opened in Galerie Lambiek. Mark Retera was awarded the Stripschapprijs in 2004.

source: www.lambiek.net