Will

Willy Maltaite, known simply as Will, was one of the classic cartoonists responsible for the success of the weekly Spirou magazine after World War II. Encouraged by his parents, he started an art apprenticeship at the Saint-Joseph of Maredsous at a very early age. Not much later, he moved in with Jijé, who taught him the finer points of the comics profession. Along with Jijé, Morris and Franquin, he was a member of the infamous "Gang of 4", a team of artists that worked at Jijé's house. Will made his first illustrations for Dupuis publishers in Bonnes Soirées and Le Moustique. In 1947 he found his way to Spirou, a magazine also published by Dupuis.

Two years later, Will graphically took over the 'Tif et Tondu' series from its creator Fernand Dineur. Will illustrated this classical series until 1990, working with several scenarists. After some stories written by Luc Bermar, Maurice Rosy took on the writing duties. With Rosy (1955-1968), the series evolved from the jolly adventure series it was to a more mature series. Several fantasy and mystery elements were added, such as the masked criminal Monsieur Choc.

From 1968 to 1976, Will worked with Maurice Tillieux as his scenarist. 'Tif et Tondu' became a true detective series and this showed off in Will's artwork, that became more serious. After Tillieux's death in 1978, Stephen Desberg took on the writing of the series. More serious elements and social issues were added, such as nazism and an even more evil Monsieur Choc.

Will proved to be a talented painter of backgrounds, assisting such artists as Franquin ('Spirou et Fantasio'), Peyo ('Benoit Brisefer') and François Walthéry ('Natacha') on their comics. He also drew three episodes of Peyo's 'Jacky et Célestin' in Le Soir Illustré and took on the 'Éric et Artimon' series with writer Vicq.

In 1970, Will started the fairytale 'Isabelle' series alongside Yvan Delporte and Raymond Macherot. The latter was replaced by André Franquin after a couple of episodes. The 'Isabelle' series ran until 1994. In the latest stage of his career, Will created some adult comics with writer Stephen Desberg. In 'Le Jardin des Désirs' and 'La 27e Lettre', he showed his joy in drawing sensual women. Willy Maltaite died on 18 February 2000.