Artist Jan draws iconic Roos Vink for twenty years

Jan Vriends is stepping down as Stripmaker der Nederlanden at the end of the year after holding the national title for three years. The Helmond-based creator plans to shift his focus to new projects, including a milestone installment for his long-running comic character Roos Vink.

The milestone for Roos Vink and magazine Tina

Vriends has completed the one-thousandth page of the Roos Vink strip, which has run in the girls’ magazine Tina for twenty years. The strip maintains a steady readership because mothers and grandmothers frequently purchase subscriptions for younger generations. Editorial instructions for the comic now require classroom diversity and limit smartphone use. Vriends recalled that Roos spent years asking for a phone in the strip as a running gag before finally receiving one, only to find herself spending all day on the device until a friend pointed out how boring it had become.

Vriends promotes literacy through comics and books

In addition to the magazine strip, Vriends illustrated children’s books about influencers Maxime and Sophie, with the final book spending nine weeks on the children’s bestseller list. Building on that success, a roman centered on Roos Vink is coming. Vriends stated that online content and comics can work together successfully to bring children to reading, arguing that comics should play a larger role in improving children’s reading comprehension.

The upcoming Helmondse Stripmakersdagen

Vriends organized the Helmondse Stripmakersdagen to create more work for comic creators, establishing an event where thirty creators present and sell their own work without publishers or traders involved. The event coincides with the arrival of Sinterklaas in Helmond. Vriends confirmed he will continue organizing the event after handing over his national title and will participate in discussions regarding his successor, whose identity remains unannounced to preserve the surprise.

Jan Vriends steps down as Stripmaker der Nederlanden?

When does Jan Vriends step down as Stripmaker der Nederlanden?

Vriends is scheduled to hand over the title to a successor at the end of the year, after holding the position for three years.

How many pages of Roos Vink has Jan Vriends drawn?

Vriends has completed the one-thousandth page of the Roos Vink comic strip, which has been published in the magazine Tina for twenty years.

What happens at the Helmondse Stripmakersdagen?

Thirty comic creators present and sell their own work directly to the public without the involvement of publishers or commercial traders.