"I don't know. I absolutely "I don't know. I absolutely don't know. I'm amazed with don't know. I'm amazed with his success. I receive letters his success. I receive letters

from all parts of the world, and from all parts of the world, and I'm always surprised that an I'm always surprised that an

Indian boy, or even a Chinese Indian boy, or even a Chinese boy, writes to me and says that boy, writes to me and says that

he loves Tintin“.-he loves Tintin“.-Georges Rémi, Georges Rémi, aka Hergéaka Hergé

Entrez dans le monde de tintin

Hergé and His CreationHergé and His Creation Over a hundred million books Over a hundred million books

sold. Translated into over forty sold. Translated into over forty languages. His colleagues and languages. His colleagues and admirers put it down to admirers put it down to indefinable genius.indefinable genius.

Hergé was an illustrator of Hergé was an illustrator of enormous talent, influence and enormous talent, influence and significance.significance.

He could be described as the He could be described as the father of the European father of the European Bande Bande DessinéeDessinée tradition of comic tradition of comic illustration, a movement little illustration, a movement little known or understood in the UK known or understood in the UK where the cartoonist is kingwhere the cartoonist is king

. Scores of volumes in Europe can . Scores of volumes in Europe can be seen in the Hergé style, be seen in the Hergé style, attempting to follow the same attempting to follow the same artistic and commercial path.artistic and commercial path.

Yet Hergé's drawing skills were Yet Hergé's drawing skills were not instinctive, they were not instinctive, they were painstakingly cultivated. Although painstakingly cultivated. Although highly competent, he sometimes highly competent, he sometimes laboured in other mediums.laboured in other mediums.

Can a non-instinctive talent be Can a non-instinctive talent be described as genius? Perhaps not.described as genius? Perhaps not.

His innovative experimentation His innovative experimentation with composition and structure with composition and structure mark him out as an artist of mark him out as an artist of exceptional self-taught ability, exceptional self-taught ability, but maybe not as an artist of but maybe not as an artist of geniusgenius

Herge: The pre-Tintin days Herge: The pre-Tintin days 19071907 Georges Rémi was born in Georges Rémi was born in

Brussels, Belgium, May 22. Brussels, Belgium, May 22. 19201920 The young boy begins his The young boy begins his

studies at the Collège Saint -Boniface studies at the Collège Saint -Boniface in Brussels; he is bored to tears .in Brussels; he is bored to tears .

1921 His first drawings appear in 1921 His first drawings appear in Jamais assez, his school scouting Jamais assez, his school scouting magazine.magazine.

19241924 From this point forward,he From this point forward,he decided to sign his drawings with the decided to sign his drawings with the name Hergé, from his initials "R.G." name Hergé, from his initials "R.G." (as pronounced in French).(as pronounced in French).

1926 Georges Rémi is hired by the 1926 Georges Rémi is hired by the newspaper Le Vingtième Siècle as an newspaper Le Vingtième Siècle as an employee .employee .

19261926 He creates Tutor (a precursor He creates Tutor (a precursor to Tintin), Patrol Leader of Les to Tintin), Patrol Leader of Les Hannetons in Le Boy-scout belge.Hannetons in Le Boy-scout belge.

19271927 Georges Rémi performs his Georges Rémi performs his military service.military service.

19291929 Tintin and Snowy "born" on Tintin and Snowy "born" on January 10, in Le Petit Vingtième January 10, in Le Petit Vingtième

Universal AppealUniversal Appeal Every year more than 4 million Every year more than 4 million

copies of Tintin are sold copies of Tintin are sold worldwide-a figure quite worldwide-a figure quite staggering in itself.staggering in itself.

Herge himself described this Herge himself described this comic strip as a piece of comic strip as a piece of neopolitan cake-with one layer for neopolitan cake-with one layer for very young children,one for older very young children,one for older children and one for adults.children and one for adults.

Indeed examples of such cross-Indeed examples of such cross-age appeal can be found in “The age appeal can be found in “The Crab with the Golden Crab with the Golden Claw(1941)”,the adventure in Claw(1941)”,the adventure in which Captain Haddock is which Captain Haddock is introduced for the first time.introduced for the first time.

Haddock depicted as a Haddock depicted as a compulsive alcoholic puts in a compulsive alcoholic puts in a memorable performance memorable performance especially in the desert scene especially in the desert scene wher he attempts to rip off wher he attempts to rip off Tintin’s head imagining him to be Tintin’s head imagining him to be a bottle of wine.a bottle of wine.

Tintin began life in 1926 in Tintin began life in 1926 in Le Boy ScoutLe Boy Scout magazine as a character called magazine as a character called Tutor (the boy scout). Tutor (the boy scout).

At that time Herge was employed in the Belgian newspaper “At that time Herge was employed in the Belgian newspaper “Le Vingtieme Le Vingtieme SiecleSiecle “, which was published by Abbé Norbert Wallez, a friend of Mussolini “, which was published by Abbé Norbert Wallez, a friend of Mussolini

In 1928,Wallez offered Herge the position of editorship of a new children's In 1928,Wallez offered Herge the position of editorship of a new children's supplement called supplement called Le Petite VingtiémLe Petite Vingtiém ,primarily to win over the hearts of ,primarily to win over the hearts of children to the side of Belgian fascismchildren to the side of Belgian fascism

After many unsuccessful attempts at creating a popular comic strip Herge After many unsuccessful attempts at creating a popular comic strip Herge announcedannounced

that the character Tutor was to be renamed as Tintin.that the character Tutor was to be renamed as Tintin.

Cover Picture of the first Tintin adventure “In the land of Soviets”

Tintin was an immediate Tintin was an immediate

success with the readers, success with the readers, and his first adventure, and his first adventure, Tintin In The Land Of The Tintin In The Land Of The SovietsSoviets (1929), a rambling (1929), a rambling slapstick comedy in which slapstick comedy in which Tintin took on the evil Tintin took on the evil communists, perfectly communists, perfectly fitted Norbert Wallace's fitted Norbert Wallace's fascist ideals. fascist ideals.

This was followed by This was followed by Tintin Tintin In The CongoIn The Congo (1931) and (1931) and Tintin In America(1932)Tintin In America(1932). .

They have been widely They have been widely criticised for using crude criticised for using crude racial stereotypes, sexism, racial stereotypes, sexism, and promoting animal and promoting animal cruelty. cruelty.

The Next PhaseThe Next Phase

In 1934, a meeting with a In 1934, a meeting with a young Chinese student, young Chinese student, Chang Chong-Chen, Chang Chong-Chen, changed Hergé's attitude changed Hergé's attitude to his work. Chang taught to his work. Chang taught Hergé about Chinese Hergé about Chinese culture, art, literature, and culture, art, literature, and drawing styles, and this drawing styles, and this helped Hergé to break helped Hergé to break away from the rather away from the rather crude racial stereotypes crude racial stereotypes that were present in his that were present in his earlier workearlier work

Chang Chong-Chen

The fourth Tintin book, The fourth Tintin book, Cigars Of The PharaohCigars Of The Pharaoh (1934), was a radical (1934), was a radical departure from its departure from its predecessors. predecessors.

Almost overnight, Tintin had Almost overnight, Tintin had become pacy, witty, stylish become pacy, witty, stylish and mysterious. and mysterious.

The book also heralded the The book also heralded the advent of the Thompson advent of the Thompson twins,characters who were twins,characters who were destined to provide the destined to provide the comic touch to the rest of comic touch to the rest of the Tintin comicsthe Tintin comics

The Blue LotusThe Blue Lotus (1936), followed on with this sophistication and it (1936), followed on with this sophistication and it

was also the first Tintin book to be meticulously researched .was also the first Tintin book to be meticulously researched . The Blue LotusThe Blue Lotus is a satire set around the actions of the Japanese in is a satire set around the actions of the Japanese in

China and the International Settlement in Shanghai turning a blind China and the International Settlement in Shanghai turning a blind eye to it - and caused such a stir when it was published that the eye to it - and caused such a stir when it was published that the Japanese threatened to take the Belgian government to the Japanese threatened to take the Belgian government to the International Court of Justice at the Hague, demanding that the International Court of Justice at the Hague, demanding that the book be banned. book be banned.

King Ottokar's SceptreKing Ottokar's Sceptre (1939), was directly (1939), was directly inspired by the inspired by the "Anschluss", Hitler's "Anschluss", Hitler's annexation of Austria in annexation of Austria in March 1939. March 1939.

The book manifested The book manifested his anti-Nazi convictions his anti-Nazi convictions and was released at a and was released at a time when war with time when war with Germany was only Germany was only weeks away.weeks away.

The Land of Black The Land of Black Gold ,had hardly began Gold ,had hardly began when the 2when the 2ndnd world war world war broke out.broke out.

The German villain of the The German villain of the story was Dr. Muller which story was Dr. Muller which made it clear that the book made it clear that the book was going to target the was going to target the nazis.nazis.

The adventure was The adventure was completed only after the completed only after the war,one of the reasons war,one of the reasons why the book was never why the book was never finished in its original finished in its original concept.concept.

The Shooting StarThe Shooting Star (1942) is perhaps the (1942) is perhaps the most remarkable of all most remarkable of all the wartime Tintin the wartime Tintin books, and is the first books, and is the first that gives the reader a that gives the reader a peek into Hergé's peek into Hergé's psyche. psyche.

The story revolves The story revolves around a giant around a giant meteorite, containing a meteorite, containing a valuable mineral which valuable mineral which is sought by 2 rival is sought by 2 rival expeditions.expeditions.

The race to find the The race to find the meteorite becomes meteorite becomes a rivalry between a a rivalry between a European and an European and an American American expedition. The expedition. The Americans are cast Americans are cast in the role of in the role of villains. villains.

This perceived anti-This perceived anti-Americanism (which can Americanism (which can also be found to some also be found to some extent in extent in The Broken EarThe Broken Ear) ) is one reason why Tintin is one reason why Tintin was never widely was never widely published in the USA until published in the USA until recent years (by Little recent years (by Little Brown). If things had been Brown). If things had been different, Hergé could have different, Hergé could have well been the bestselling well been the bestselling children's author of all children's author of all time, instead of being in time, instead of being in second place to his old second place to his old rival, Astérix the Gaul. rival, Astérix the Gaul.

Flight 714Flight 714 (1968) was (1968) was artistically one of his artistically one of his greatest achievements, and greatest achievements, and with more use of long shot with more use of long shot and the close-up than ever and the close-up than ever before Hergé showed the before Hergé showed the cinematic ingenuity of his cinematic ingenuity of his compositions. compositions. Flight 714Flight 714 was also a return to thriller was also a return to thriller mode that delighted mode that delighted Hergé's readers. Hergé's readers.

Hergé had reached his Hergé had reached his sixtieth birthday while sixtieth birthday while working on working on Flight 714Flight 714 and and now announced that he was now announced that he was going to enjoy his going to enjoy his retirement, Tintin-free retirement, Tintin-free

The idea of making The idea of making cartoons from the cartoons from the adventures of Tintin wasn't adventures of Tintin wasn't new. Already, from 1959, new. Already, from 1959, the company Belvision had the company Belvision had started to make seven started to make seven cartoons for TV from the cartoons for TV from the scenarios of Greg, the scenarios of Greg, the creator of "Achille Talon" creator of "Achille Talon"

However, these cartoons However, these cartoons didn't always stick to the didn't always stick to the original story. Having had original story. Having had good commercial success, good commercial success, Belvision made two full-Belvision made two full-length films for movie length films for movie theatres. theatres.

For the first movie, dating back to 1969, the choice was For the first movie, dating back to 1969, the choice was directed towards directed towards Prisoners of the SunPrisoners of the Sun. Important technical . Important technical facilities were displayed and Jacques Brel wrote a song facilities were displayed and Jacques Brel wrote a song especially for this movie. especially for this movie.

The content of The content of The Seven Crystal BallsThe Seven Crystal Balls was shortened at the was shortened at the beginning of the movie in a quite annoying manner. In the beginning of the movie in a quite annoying manner. In the end, the movie was rather disappointing and quite distant end, the movie was rather disappointing and quite distant from Hergé's work. from Hergé's work.

In 1972 the second full-length Tintin In 1972 the second full-length Tintin cartoon came out: cartoon came out: Tintin et le lac aux Tintin et le lac aux requinsrequins (Tintin and the Lake of Sharks). (Tintin and the Lake of Sharks).

Until now, we haven't seen any more of Until now, we haven't seen any more of Tintin on the big screen. Steven Spielberg Tintin on the big screen. Steven Spielberg did buy the rights to make a movie but it did buy the rights to make a movie but it seems that he found it too hard to make seems that he found it too hard to make one. one.

Recently, the companies Ellipse and Recently, the companies Ellipse and Nelvana produced cartoons for TV and Nelvana produced cartoons for TV and succeeded quite well. succeeded quite well.

As soon as Tintin started to become popular, after As soon as Tintin started to become popular, after the war, the idea of taking his adventures to the the war, the idea of taking his adventures to the big screen came up.big screen came up.

As soon as 1946, the company "Les Beaux films" As soon as 1946, the company "Les Beaux films" created slides from most of the already existing created slides from most of the already existing albums. In 1947 the Belgian filmmakers João B. albums. In 1947 the Belgian filmmakers João B. Michiels and Claude Misonne made the movie Michiels and Claude Misonne made the movie inspired by inspired by The Crab with the Golden ClawsThe Crab with the Golden Claws with with animated puppets picture by picture. Needless to animated puppets picture by picture. Needless to say it wasn't an incredible success.It was only by say it wasn't an incredible success.It was only by the end of the 1950's that, with the success of the end of the 1950's that, with the success of the albums, came the idea of making movies with the albums, came the idea of making movies with actors. actors.

The first movie, The first movie, Le Le Mystère de la toison Mystère de la toison d'ord'or (The Golden (The Golden Fleece's Mystery), Fleece's Mystery), dates back to 1961 dates back to 1961

An old friend of An old friend of Captain Haddock, Captain Haddock, Temistocle Paparanic, Temistocle Paparanic, dies and leaves him dies and leaves him his ship "La Toison his ship "La Toison d'or". d'or".

Tintin along with Tintin along with Captain Haddock Captain Haddock Solves the mystery Solves the mystery related to the shiprelated to the ship

A scene from Tintin et le mystère de la Toison d'or

The second long The second long footage, footage, Tintin et les Tintin et les Oranges BleuesOranges Bleues (Tintin (Tintin and the Blue Oranges), and the Blue Oranges), was filmed in 1964. was filmed in 1964.

With the help of a With the help of a bunch of kids Tintin bunch of kids Tintin and Haddock release and Haddock release the two scientists, the two scientists, Calculus and Zallamea Calculus and Zallamea who were sequestered who were sequestered by an Emir who by an Emir who wanted to take over wanted to take over the discovery. the discovery.

Over the years Tintin has been a name Over the years Tintin has been a name synonymous with courage ,quick wit and all that synonymous with courage ,quick wit and all that is decidedly heroic for the young and adventurous is decidedly heroic for the young and adventurous mind. The stories he has been part of serve to mind. The stories he has been part of serve to continuously stimulate the mind without tiring it. continuously stimulate the mind without tiring it.

Perhaps one might not care to think of him as a Perhaps one might not care to think of him as a literary masterpiece like Sherlock Holmes or literary masterpiece like Sherlock Holmes or Captain Nemo but surely in terms of the Captain Nemo but surely in terms of the meticulous attention to detail, to the expertise in meticulous attention to detail, to the expertise in creation of suspense and the manner of creation of suspense and the manner of presentation in terms of visual and moral appeal, presentation in terms of visual and moral appeal, it is difficult to say whether Herge might not have it is difficult to say whether Herge might not have scored over his British counterpart. scored over his British counterpart.

Q: What is Q: What is Tintin'sTintin's full name? full name?A: A: TintinTintin is his full name. is his full name.

Q: What breed of dog is Snowy?Q: What breed of dog is Snowy?A: Snowy is a fox terrier A: Snowy is a fox terrier

How many languages have How many languages have TintinTintin books been books been translated?translated?A: A: TintinTintin books are translated into 58 languages books are translated into 58 languages (latest figures)(latest figures)

Q: What are the best selling Q: What are the best selling TintinTintin albums? albums?A: The albums most sold in the world (in order) A: The albums most sold in the world (in order) are:are:TintinTintin in the Congo, in the Congo, TintinTintin in America, Cigares of in America, Cigares of the Pharaoh, The Bleu Lotus, Red Rackham's the Pharaoh, The Bleu Lotus, Red Rackham's Treasure, Destination Moon and Treasure, Destination Moon and TintinTintin in Tibet in Tibet

: How many : How many TintinTintin books did Hergé draw? books did Hergé draw?A: Twenty-four.A: Twenty-four.

: What's Hergé's full name? : What's Hergé's full name? A: Hergé's real name is Georges Remi. A: Hergé's real name is Georges Remi. HergeHerge is is Remi's reversed initials Remi's reversed initials RGRG pronounced in French pronounced in French

Q: Which is Hergé's favourite Q: Which is Hergé's favourite TintinTintin book? book?A: This is debatable. Some sources say A: This is debatable. Some sources say TintinTintin in in TibetTibet, others say , others say The Secret of the UnicornThe Secret of the Unicorn

: Who did the English translations of the : Who did the English translations of the TintinTintin books?books?A: From the 1950s onwards, Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper A: From the 1950s onwards, Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper and Michael Turner did the translations. The pair and Michael Turner did the translations. The pair also translated the other comic books by Hergé.also translated the other comic books by Hergé.

Q: Does Q: Does TintinTintin live in Paris? live in Paris?A: No, he lives in Brussels. At the beginning of the Tibet adventure, A: No, he lives in Brussels. At the beginning of the Tibet adventure, TintinTintin receives a letter from Chang. The letter is originally addressed receives a letter from Chang. The letter is originally addressed to 26 Labrador Street, and the city in which it lies is indicated to 26 Labrador Street, and the city in which it lies is indicated precisely, in Chinese characters: "Belgium. City of Brussels .”precisely, in Chinese characters: "Belgium. City of Brussels .”

Q: What is Q: What is TintinTintin and Alpha-art and Alpha-art??A: The correct English title is A: The correct English title is TintinTintin and Alph-art and Alph-art (not (not Alpha-artAlpha-art). It is ). It is Tintin'sTintin's last and incomplete adventure. This book has been OUT OF last and incomplete adventure. This book has been OUT OF PRINT for some years. PRINT for some years.

Q: Who wrote the story of Q: Who wrote the story of TintinTintin and the Lake of Sharks and the Lake of Sharks??A: Hergé's friend, French comic artist, Michel Regnier (aka Greg) did.A: Hergé's friend, French comic artist, Michel Regnier (aka Greg) did.

Q: What are those funny pants worn by Q: What are those funny pants worn by TintinTintin called? called?A: They are called Plus-fours/knickerbockers, once A: They are called Plus-fours/knickerbockers, once very fashionable in the 1920s and 30s; nowadays very fashionable in the 1920s and 30s; nowadays worn by some golfers.worn by some golfers.

Q: What are Q: What are Blue Blistering BarnaclesBlue Blistering Barnacles??A: It's one of the most unforgettable curses of Captain A: It's one of the most unforgettable curses of Captain Haddock's. It's created to enhance his image as a Haddock's. It's created to enhance his image as a weathered and rough mannered (nonetheless good-weathered and rough mannered (nonetheless good-hearted) mariner.. "Blistering" probably serves as an hearted) mariner.. "Blistering" probably serves as an intensifier, like the word, "bloody" in "bloody good intensifier, like the word, "bloody" in "bloody good Scotch!" "Barnacles" refer to some varieties of marine Scotch!" "Barnacles" refer to some varieties of marine crustaceans that live attached to rocks, ship bottoms. crustaceans that live attached to rocks, ship bottoms.

Q: How come Q: How come TintinTintin books all come in 62 pages? books all come in 62 pages?A: Because of shortage of paper during the war A: Because of shortage of paper during the war years, Casterman asked Hergé to adopt a strict 62-years, Casterman asked Hergé to adopt a strict 62-page format from 1942. Until, the pre-war books page format from 1942. Until, the pre-war books had been of variable length, fluctuating between had been of variable length, fluctuating between 100 and 130 pages 100 and 130 pages

Au revoir