Peter Beekman

Peter Beekman was a Dutch comic artist and illustrator, best known for his work for national-socialist publications during World War II. In the years prior to the War, he worked as an illustrator for magazines and papers like Cricket (1936), Sport in beeld (1936), Nieuwe Haagsche Courant (1936-1937), De Telegraaf (1937-1938) and Motor (1938-1939). During the early years of the War, he was head of press matters with the Dutch national-socialist party NSB. He illustrated several books for the Volksche Uitgeverij Westland, which was under German supervision.

For the national-socialist publisher Nenasu (Nederlands Nationaal-Socialistische Uitgeverij) and newspaper Het Nationale Dagblad, he made the newspaper comic 'Hansje, Ansje en de Meeuw', in which the main character is a member of the Jeugdstorm, the Dutch equivalent of the Hitler Jugend.

Beekman also made the series 'Rare, Maar Ware Commentaren' in the NSB magazine Volk en Vaderland. This strip was continued by Cor van Deutekom from December 1942. Peter Beekman has made illustrations for the articles by pro-German journalist Max Blokzijl. He additionally drew for the monthly Ontwakend Volk, published by Nenasu, and the WA weekly De Zwarte Soldaat.

After the War, he had to justify himself for his cooperation with the Germans. He spent his final years heading the drawing studio for the printing firm Van Boekhoven in Utrecht. He also worked as editor and illustrator for the Navy magazine Stella Maris.