Artist Jeremy Haun, known for numerous Batman and other DC comics, was a guest for FACTS Spring 2016. He tagged along on one of FACTS’s fancy restaurant visits with the actors and artists who chose to accept the invitation. No pressure, just good fun and relaxation after a hard day of shaking hands, photoshoots and drawing commissions at the FACTS comic con in Flanders Expo.
As he got to discover Ghent at night, he crossed the Sint-Michiels bridge, a beautiful piece of architecture that shows the historical city at its finest. While he was gazing upon the moonlit Leie river flowing past medieval, 12th century structures, you could see his comic book mind spiking with creativity. You could tell that he was immediately imagining Batman brooding over the city of Ghent on top of the 13th cathedral right next to him.
“Wow, what an amazing view”, he said with emphasis. And he meant it.
Later that night, at the restaurant, he said something that almost sounded like a vow. “The next time I’m drawing Gotham, I’m going to incorporate the architecture style of Ghent into it. We don’t have this kind of medieval cities in The United States, so this is really refreshing to see.”
The next day, we ran by his cubicle in the Artist Alley to give him a little bag of ‘Neuzekes’, a candy delicacy that is typical for Ghent, as a tasty souvenir.
So who knows, the next time you read a Batman comic by this talented inker, penciller and colourist, you might spot a bit of Belgium too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpdpmoEt088
