"I don't know. I absolutely don't know. I'm amazed with his success. I receive letters from all parts of the world, and I'm always surprised that an Indian boy, or even a Chinese boy, writes to me and says that he loves Tintin“.- Georges Rémi, aka Hergé "I don't know. I absolutely don't know. I'm amazed with his success. I receive letters from all parts of the world, and I'm always surprised that an Indian boy, or even a Chinese boy, writes to me and says that he loves Tintin“.- Georges Rémi, aka Hergé Entrez dans le monde de tintin

Hergé and His Creation Over a hundred million books sold. Translated into over forty languages. His colleagues and admirers put it down to indefinable genius. Over a hundred million books sold. Translated into over forty languages. His colleagues and admirers put it down to indefinable genius. Hergé was an illustrator of enormous talent, influence and significance. Hergé was an illustrator of enormous talent, influence and significance. He could be described as the father of the European Bande Dessinée tradition of comic illustration, a movement little known or understood in the UK where the cartoonist is king He could be described as the father of the European Bande Dessinée tradition of comic illustration, a movement little known or understood in the UK where the cartoonist is king

. Scores of volumes in Europe can be seen in the Hergé style, attempting to follow the same artistic and commercial path.. Scores of volumes in Europe can be seen in the Hergé style, attempting to follow the same artistic and commercial path. Yet Hergé's drawing skills were not instinctive, they were painstakingly cultivated. Although highly competent, he sometimes laboured in other mediums. Yet Hergé's drawing skills were not instinctive, they were painstakingly cultivated. Although highly competent, he sometimes laboured in other mediums. Can a non-instinctive talent be described as genius? Perhaps not. Can a non-instinctive talent be described as genius? Perhaps not. His innovative experimentation with composition and structure mark him out as an artist of exceptional self-taught ability, but maybe not as an artist of genius His innovative experimentation with composition and structure mark him out as an artist of exceptional self-taught ability, but maybe not as an artist of genius

Herge: The pre-Tintin days 1907 Georges Rémi was born in Brussels, Belgium, May Georges Rémi was born in Brussels, Belgium, May The young boy begins his studies at the Collège Saint -Boniface in Brussels; he is bored to tears The young boy begins his studies at the Collège Saint -Boniface in Brussels; he is bored to tears His first drawings appear in Jamais assez, his school scouting magazine His first drawings appear in Jamais assez, his school scouting magazine From this point forward,he decided to sign his drawings with the name Hergé, from his initials "R.G." (as pronounced in French) From this point forward,he decided to sign his drawings with the name Hergé, from his initials "R.G." (as pronounced in French) Georges Rémi is hired by the newspaper Le Vingtième Siècle as an employee Georges Rémi is hired by the newspaper Le Vingtième Siècle as an employee.

1926 He creates Tutor (a precursor to Tintin), Patrol Leader of Les Hannetons in Le Boy-scout belge He creates Tutor (a precursor to Tintin), Patrol Leader of Les Hannetons in Le Boy-scout belge Georges Rémi performs his military service Georges Rémi performs his military service Tintin and Snowy "born" on January 10, in Le Petit Vingtième 1929 Tintin and Snowy "born" on January 10, in Le Petit Vingtième

Universal Appeal Every year more than 4 million copies of Tintin are sold worldwide-a figure quite staggering in itself. Every year more than 4 million copies of Tintin are sold worldwide-a figure quite staggering in itself. Herge himself described this comic strip as a piece of neopolitan cake-with one layer for very young children,one for older children and one for adults. Herge himself described this comic strip as a piece of neopolitan cake-with one layer for very young children,one for older children and one for adults. Indeed examples of such cross-age appeal can be found in “The Crab with the Golden Claw(1941)”,the adventure in which Captain Haddock is introduced for the first time. Indeed examples of such cross-age appeal can be found in “The Crab with the Golden Claw(1941)”,the adventure in which Captain Haddock is introduced for the first time. Haddock depicted as a compulsive alcoholic puts in a memorable performance especially in the desert scene wher he attempts to rip off Tintin’s head imagining him to be a bottle of wine. Haddock depicted as a compulsive alcoholic puts in a memorable performance especially in the desert scene wher he attempts to rip off Tintin’s head imagining him to be a bottle of wine.

Tintin began life in 1926 in Le Boy Scout magazine as a character called Tutor (the boy scout). Tintin began life in 1926 in Le Boy Scout magazine as a character called Tutor (the boy scout). At that time Herge was employed in the Belgian newspaper “Le Vingtieme Siecle “, which was published by Abbé Norbert Wallez, a friend of Mussolini At that time Herge was employed in the Belgian newspaper “Le Vingtieme Siecle “, 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 supplement called Le Petite Vingtiém,primarily to win over the hearts of children to the side of Belgian fascism In 1928,Wallez offered Herge the position of editorship of a new children's supplement called Le Petite Vingtiém,primarily to win over the hearts of children to the side of Belgian fascism After many unsuccessful attempts at creating a popular comic strip Herge announced After many unsuccessful attempts at creating a popular comic strip Herge announced 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 success with the readers, and his first adventure, Tintin In The Land Of The Soviets (1929), a rambling slapstick comedy in which Tintin took on the evil communists, perfectly fitted Norbert Wallace's fascist ideals. Tintin was an immediate success with the readers, and his first adventure, Tintin In The Land Of The Soviets (1929), a rambling slapstick comedy in which Tintin took on the evil communists, perfectly fitted Norbert Wallace's fascist ideals. This was followed by Tintin In The Congo (1931) and Tintin In America(1932). This was followed by Tintin In The Congo (1931) and Tintin In America(1932). They have been widely criticised for using crude racial stereotypes, sexism, and promoting animal cruelty. They have been widely criticised for using crude racial stereotypes, sexism, and promoting animal cruelty.

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

The fourth Tintin book, Cigars Of The Pharaoh (1934), was a radical departure from its predecessors. The fourth Tintin book, Cigars Of The Pharaoh (1934), was a radical departure from its predecessors. Almost overnight, Tintin had become pacy, witty, stylish and mysterious. Almost overnight, Tintin had become pacy, witty, stylish and mysterious. The book also heralded the advent of the Thompson twins,characters who were destined to provide the comic touch to the rest of the Tintin comics The book also heralded the advent of the Thompson twins,characters who were destined to provide the comic touch to the rest of the Tintin comics

The Blue Lotus (1936), followed on with this sophistication and it was also the first Tintin book to be meticulously researched. The Blue Lotus (1936), followed on with this sophistication and it was also the first Tintin book to be meticulously researched. The Blue Lotus is a satire set around the actions of the Japanese in China and the International Settlement in Shanghai turning a blind eye to it - and caused such a stir when it was published that the Japanese threatened to take the Belgian government to the International Court of Justice at the Hague, demanding that the book be banned. The Blue Lotus is a satire set around the actions of the Japanese in China and the International Settlement in Shanghai turning a blind eye to it - and caused such a stir when it was published that the Japanese threatened to take the Belgian government to the International Court of Justice at the Hague, demanding that the book be banned.

King Ottokar's Sceptre (1939), was directly inspired by the "Anschluss", Hitler's annexation of Austria in March King Ottokar's Sceptre (1939), was directly inspired by the "Anschluss", Hitler's annexation of Austria in March The book manifested his anti-Nazi convictions and was released at a time when war with Germany was only weeks away. The book manifested his anti-Nazi convictions and was released at a time when war with Germany was only weeks away.

The Land of Black Gold,had hardly began when the 2 nd world war broke out. The Land of Black Gold,had hardly began when the 2 nd world war broke out. The German villain of the story was Dr. Muller which made it clear that the book was going to target the nazis. The German villain of the story was Dr. Muller which made it clear that the book was going to target the nazis. The adventure was completed only after the war,one of the reasons why the book was never finished in its original concept. The adventure was completed only after the war,one of the reasons why the book was never finished in its original concept.

The Shooting Star (1942) is perhaps the most remarkable of all the wartime Tintin books, and is the first that gives the reader a peek into Hergé's psyche. The Shooting Star (1942) is perhaps the most remarkable of all the wartime Tintin books, and is the first that gives the reader a peek into Hergé's psyche. The story revolves around a giant meteorite, containing a valuable mineral which is sought by 2 rival expeditions. The story revolves around a giant meteorite, containing a valuable mineral which is sought by 2 rival expeditions. The race to find the meteorite becomes a rivalry between a European and an American expedition. The Americans are cast in the role of villains. The race to find the meteorite becomes a rivalry between a European and an American expedition. The Americans are cast in the role of villains.

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

Flight 714 (1968) was artistically one of his greatest achievements, and with more use of long shot and the close- up than ever before Hergé showed the cinematic ingenuity of his compositions. Flight 714 was also a return to thriller mode that delighted Hergé's readers. Flight 714 (1968) was artistically one of his greatest achievements, and with more use of long shot and the close- up than ever before Hergé showed the cinematic ingenuity of his compositions. Flight 714 was also a return to thriller mode that delighted Hergé's readers. Hergé had reached his sixtieth birthday while working on Flight 714 and now announced that he was going to enjoy his retirement, Tintin-free Hergé had reached his sixtieth birthday while working on Flight 714 and now announced that he was going to enjoy his retirement, Tintin-free

The idea of making cartoons from the adventures of Tintin wasn't new. Already, from 1959, the company Belvision had started to make seven cartoons for TV from the scenarios of Greg, the creator of "Achille Talon" The idea of making cartoons from the adventures of Tintin wasn't new. Already, from 1959, the company Belvision had started to make seven cartoons for TV from the scenarios of Greg, the creator of "Achille Talon" However, these cartoons didn't always stick to the original story. Having had good commercial success, Belvision made two full-length films for movie theatres. However, these cartoons didn't always stick to the original story. Having had good commercial success, Belvision made two full-length films for movie theatres.

For the first movie, dating back to 1969, the choice was directed towards Prisoners of the Sun. Important technical facilities were displayed and Jacques Brel wrote a song especially for this movie. For the first movie, dating back to 1969, the choice was directed towards Prisoners of the Sun. Important technical facilities were displayed and Jacques Brel wrote a song especially for this movie.Prisoners of the SunPrisoners of the Sun The content of The Seven Crystal Balls was shortened at the beginning of the movie in a quite annoying manner. In the end, the movie was rather disappointing and quite distant from Hergé's work. The content of The Seven Crystal Balls was shortened at the beginning of the movie in a quite annoying manner. In the end, the movie was rather disappointing and quite distant from Hergé's work.The Seven Crystal BallsThe Seven Crystal Balls

In 1972 the second full-length Tintin cartoon came out: Tintin et le lac aux requins (Tintin and the Lake of Sharks). In 1972 the second full-length Tintin cartoon came out: Tintin et le lac aux requins (Tintin and the Lake of Sharks). Until now, we haven't seen any more of Tintin on the big screen. Steven Spielberg did buy the rights to make a movie but it seems that he found it too hard to make one. Until now, we haven't seen any more of Tintin on the big screen. Steven Spielberg did buy the rights to make a movie but it seems that he found it too hard to make one. Recently, the companies Ellipse and Nelvana produced cartoons for TV and succeeded quite well. Recently, the companies Ellipse and Nelvana produced cartoons for TV and succeeded quite well. l.

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

The first movie, Le Mystère de la toison d'or (The Golden Fleece's Mystery), dates back to 1961 The first movie, Le Mystère de la toison d'or (The Golden Fleece's Mystery), dates back to 1961 An old friend of Captain Haddock, Temistocle Paparanic, dies and leaves him his ship "La Toison d'or". An old friend of Captain Haddock, Temistocle Paparanic, dies and leaves him his ship "La Toison d'or". Tintin along with Captain Haddock Solves the mystery related to the ship Tintin along with Captain Haddock Solves the mystery related to the ship

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

The second long footage, Tintin et les Oranges Bleues (Tintin and the Blue Oranges), was filmed in The second long footage, Tintin et les Oranges Bleues (Tintin and the Blue Oranges), was filmed in With the help of a bunch of kids Tintin and Haddock release the two scientists, Calculus and Zallamea who were sequestered by an Emir who wanted to take over the discovery. With the help of a bunch of kids Tintin and Haddock release the two scientists, Calculus and Zallamea who were sequestered by an Emir who wanted to take over the discovery.

Over the years Tintin has been a name synonymous with courage,quick wit and all that is decidedly heroic for the young and adventurous mind. The stories he has been part of serve to continuously stimulate the mind without tiring it. Over the years Tintin has been a name synonymous with courage,quick wit and all that is decidedly heroic for the young and adventurous mind. The stories he has been part of serve to continuously stimulate the mind without tiring it. Perhaps one might not care to think of him as a literary masterpiece like Sherlock Holmes or Captain Nemo but surely in terms of the meticulous attention to detail, to the expertise in creation of suspense and the manner of presentation in terms of visual and moral appeal, it is difficult to say whether Herge might not have scored over his British counterpart. Perhaps one might not care to think of him as a literary masterpiece like Sherlock Holmes or Captain Nemo but surely in terms of the meticulous attention to detail, to the expertise in creation of suspense and the manner of presentation in terms of visual and moral appeal, it is difficult to say whether Herge might not have scored over his British counterpart.

Q: What is Tintin's full name? A: Tintin is his full name. Q: What is Tintin's full name? A: Tintin is his full name. Q: What breed of dog is Snowy? A: Snowy is a fox terrier Q: What breed of dog is Snowy? A: Snowy is a fox terrier How many languages have Tintin books been translated? A: Tintin books are translated into 58 languages (latest figures) How many languages have Tintin books been translated? A: Tintin books are translated into 58 languages (latest figures) Q: What are the best selling Tintin albums? A: The albums most sold in the world (in order) are: Tintin in the Congo, Tintin in America, Cigares of the Pharaoh, The Bleu Lotus, Red Rackham's Treasure, Destination Moon and Tintin in Tibet Q: What are the best selling Tintin albums? A: The albums most sold in the world (in order) are: Tintin in the Congo, Tintin in America, Cigares of the Pharaoh, The Bleu Lotus, Red Rackham's Treasure, Destination Moon and Tintin in Tibet

: How many Tintin books did Hergé draw? A: Twenty-four. : How many Tintin books did Hergé draw? A: Twenty-four. : What's Hergé's full name? A: Hergé's real name is Georges Remi. Herge is Remi's reversed initials RG pronounced in French : What's Hergé's full name? A: Hergé's real name is Georges Remi. Herge is Remi's reversed initials RG pronounced in French Q: Which is Hergé's favourite Tintin book? A: This is debatable. Some sources say Tintin in Tibet, others say The Secret of the Unicorn Q: Which is Hergé's favourite Tintin book? A: This is debatable. Some sources say Tintin in Tibet, others say The Secret of the Unicorn : Who did the English translations of the Tintin books? A: From the 1950s onwards, Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper and Michael Turner did the translations. The pair also translated the other comic books by Hergé. : Who did the English translations of the Tintin books? A: From the 1950s onwards, Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper and Michael Turner did the translations. The pair also translated the other comic books by Hergé.

Q: Does Tintin live in Paris? A: No, he lives in Brussels. At the beginning of the Tibet adventure, Tintin receives a letter from Chang. The letter is originally addressed to 26 Labrador Street, and the city in which it lies is indicated precisely, in Chinese characters: "Belgium. City of Brussels.” Q: Does Tintin live in Paris? A: No, he lives in Brussels. At the beginning of the Tibet adventure, Tintin receives a letter from Chang. The letter is originally addressed to 26 Labrador Street, and the city in which it lies is indicated precisely, in Chinese characters: "Belgium. City of Brussels.” Q: What is Tintin and Alpha-art ? A: The correct English title is Tintin and Alph-art (not Alpha-art ). It is Tintin's last and incomplete adventure. This book has been OUT OF PRINT for some years. Q: What is Tintin and Alpha-art ? A: The correct English title is Tintin and Alph-art (not Alpha-art ). It is Tintin's last and incomplete adventure. This book has been OUT OF PRINT for some years. Q: Who wrote the story of Tintin and the Lake of Sharks ? A: Hergé's friend, French comic artist, Michel Regnier (aka Greg) did. Q: Who wrote the story of Tintin and the Lake of Sharks ? A: Hergé's friend, French comic artist, Michel Regnier (aka Greg) did.

Q: What are those funny pants worn by Tintin called? A: They are called Plus-fours/knickerbockers, once very fashionable in the 1920s and 30s; nowadays worn by some golfers. Q: What are those funny pants worn by Tintin called? A: They are called Plus-fours/knickerbockers, once very fashionable in the 1920s and 30s; nowadays worn by some golfers. Q: What are Blue Blistering Barnacles? A: It's one of the most unforgettable curses of Captain Haddock's. It's created to enhance his image as a weathered and rough mannered (nonetheless good- hearted) mariner.. "Blistering" probably serves as an intensifier, like the word, "bloody" in "bloody good Scotch!" "Barnacles" refer to some varieties of marine crustaceans that live attached to rocks, ship bottoms. Q: What are Blue Blistering Barnacles? A: It's one of the most unforgettable curses of Captain Haddock's. It's created to enhance his image as a weathered and rough mannered (nonetheless good- hearted) mariner.. "Blistering" probably serves as an intensifier, like the word, "bloody" in "bloody good Scotch!" "Barnacles" refer to some varieties of marine crustaceans that live attached to rocks, ship bottoms.

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