Herge lives...

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Well, not quite. But it's an interesting read nonetheless.

― Vic F (Vic Fluro), Sunday, 30 April 2006 22:57 (twenty years ago)

Hmmm. I was quite excited to read a 'new' Tintin (as I understand it, Herge had the script written up to the point where he's about to be turned into a statue) but I don't think this would've been his last masterpiece, somehow.

― chap who would dare to be a nerd, not a geek (chap), Sunday, 30 April 2006 23:47 (twenty years ago)

I mean, I'm sure the script would've gone through loads of revisions to make the jokes funnier and so forth, but the basic story's just not particularly interesting.

― chap who would dare to be a nerd, not a geek (chap), Sunday, 30 April 2006 23:50 (twenty years ago)

Yeah, even 'finished' it seemed kind of unfinished. And the violence of the ending seemed really out of place considering the character's history.

― Austin Still (Austin, Still), Monday, 1 May 2006 00:02 (twenty years ago)

Where should I start w/ Tintin? Anywhere?

― c(''c) (Leee), Monday, 1 May 2006 00:11 (twenty years ago)

Definitely start, it's wonderful. The two parter Seven Crystal Balls/Prisoners of the Sun gives you a pretty good intro to the world, and contains both the basic kinds of Tintin story (mystery/exotic adventure).

― chap who would dare to be a stone cold thug (chap), Monday, 1 May 2006 00:22 (twenty years ago)

Pretty much. You might want to avoid some of the earliest, most racist stuff, which basically means "America" "Congo" and "Blue Lotus." Probably "Land of the Soviets" too, but I've never read that one.

My favorites would be the two-volume adventures "Secret of the Unicorn" and "Red Rackham's Treasure", "Destination Moon" and "Explorers on the Moon", or "The Seven Crystal Balls" and "Prisoners of the Sun."

xpost and agreement.

― Austin Still (Austin, Still), Monday, 1 May 2006 00:24 (twenty years ago)

There's lots of fake Tintin abouts the internet.

The Blue Lotus certainly fits into the "early, racist stuff" box, but, um, it's still really really good.

In fact, all the books are worth reading, preferably in order (even Tintin in the Congo, and the Soviets). And the last few panels of "Tintin and the Picaros" is maybe the most perfect ending to a comic book series ever.

― Chuck_Tatum (Chuck_Tatum), Monday, 1 May 2006 00:37 (twenty years ago)

From wikipedia

In the November 2004 issue of Mad magazine, an installment of the magazine's semi-regular "Graphic Novel Reviews" had a one-page excerpt of the parody Tintin in Fallujah, allegedly the first new Tintin book in almost 30 years. Snowy receives massive injuries from a car bomb, Captain Haddock has his hands chopped off for drinking in violation of Muslim law, and the Thompson Twins are shown naked atop a human pyramid of prisoners in Abu Ghraib, spouting typical dialogue: "Tintin! What a pleasure to see you! We're stuck in this sweating mound of naked man-flesh!" "To be precise: man-flesh gives us pleasure!"

If anyone has scans of this, I'd love to see them. I have scans of Tintin in Thailand, which I can provide on request.

― Austin Still (Austin, Still), Monday, 1 May 2006 00:38 (twenty years ago)

Oh yeah - I don't mean to knock the Blue Lotus as a good read - just don't want to give a newcomer the idea that it's typical of the series.

― Austin Still (Austin, Still), Monday, 1 May 2006 00:39 (twenty years ago)

So is Tintin going to get some from from the weird nerdy cult girl?

― chap who would dare to be a nerd, not a geek (chap), Monday, 1 May 2006 00:50 (twenty years ago)

Man, everyone knows art school chicks are HOTT! And crazy.

― Austin Still (Austin, Still), Monday, 1 May 2006 01:01 (twenty years ago)

Maybe she'll want some FMM action with the Captain.

― chap who would dare to be a nerd, not a geek (chap), Monday, 1 May 2006 01:03 (twenty years ago)

That's not what's meant by "The Crabs with the Golden Claws"!

― Austin Still (Austin, Still), Monday, 1 May 2006 01:06 (twenty years ago)

King Ottakar's Sceptre might get a look in.

― chap who would dare to be a nerd, not a geek (chap), Monday, 1 May 2006 01:11 (twenty years ago)

LOLZ@ MAD

― JW (ex machina), Monday, 1 May 2006 01:15 (twenty years ago)

This bloke does a pretty damn impressive imitation of Herge:

http://www.unknowntintin.cjb.net/

― chap who would dare to be a nerd, not a geek (chap), Monday, 1 May 2006 12:47 (twenty years ago)

Shit, didn't link to the right page. Enter the site and click on 'Voice of the Lagoon'.

― chap who would dare to be a nerd, not a geek (chap), Monday, 1 May 2006 12:48 (twenty years ago)

I just realized the other day that the British publisher still offers Tintin in the Land of the Soviets, which I've never read but always wanted cos the cover is so great. Anyone want to trade for a US edn of any of the titles? Or the hardcover bind-ups?

― Laurel (Laurel), Monday, 1 May 2006 13:36 (twenty years ago)

That's a good site, joe, except for the goddamn talking pop-up ad.

― Austin Still (Austin, Still), Monday, 1 May 2006 14:06 (twenty years ago)

Re: "You might want to avoid some of the earliest, most racist stuff, which basically means "America" "Congo" and "Blue Lotus." Probably "Land of the Soviets" too, but I've never read that one."

I've read that UK edition of Land Of The Soviets that Laurel mentions and, well, it's great if you hate Commies, but otherwise it's a bit of a grotesque, rambling, offensive mess. I'd say leave it, Congo and America until last, and even then read them more out of historical interest than for pleasure.

I'd say Austin is on the monet recommending "..."Secret of the Unicorn" and "Red Rackham's Treasure", "Destination Moon" and "Explorers on the Moon", or "The Seven Crystal Balls" and "Prisoners of the Sun."...".

I think The Castafiore Emerald is the best Tintin story, but it's lack of travel and of violence makes it an atypical story for a newcomer to Tintin.

― David Simpson (David Simpson), Tuesday, 2 May 2006 14:59 (twenty years ago)

Yeah, Castifiore Emerald and Tintin in Tibet are probably his most accomplished works, but both are best viewed within the context of the series as a whole.

― chap who would dare to be a nerd, not a geek (chap), Tuesday, 2 May 2006 15:21 (twenty years ago)

http://www.evilspacerobot.com/comics/jonnycrossbones/

another interesting herge homage/doppelganger.

― Amadeo (Amadeo G.), Tuesday, 2 May 2006 17:10 (twenty years ago)

wow, that's awesome! is it online only?

― Huk-L (Huk-L), Tuesday, 2 May 2006 17:17 (twenty years ago)

That is lovely stuff. A worthy follower in the footsteps of Herge. I especially like the fact that the main character's bizarre appearance is never explained or commented on - it adds a little touch of magic realism...

― Vic F (Vic Fluro), Tuesday, 2 May 2006 18:11 (twenty years ago)

Loving Jonny Crossbones. Heavily indebted to old Georges, but with a real distinct style of its own.

― chap who would dare to be a nerd, not a geek (chap), Tuesday, 2 May 2006 19:54 (twenty years ago)

as long as i know, it's only available online...

― Amadeo (Amadeo G.), Wednesday, 3 May 2006 04:07 (twenty years ago)

I haven't read the "Alph-Art" yet, but I don't think Hergé ever finished the script, so if there's an ending to it, it must've been added by someone else.

― Tuomas (Tuomas), Wednesday, 3 May 2006 05:42 (twenty years ago)

For those of you interested in the "Hergé style, it's called ligne claire, and there's a whole school of (mostly Belgian and French) comic artists in that style: Edgar P. Jacobs (he was an assistant of Hergé, and his Blake and Mortimer series should appeal to any Tintin fan), Bob de Moor, Joost Swarte, Roger Leloup, etc. The influence of ligne claire can also be seen in contemporary artists like Dupuy & Berberian (their Monsieur Jean is an urban slice-of-life comic done it that style, it's really great), maybe even Jason.

― Tuomas (Tuomas), Wednesday, 3 May 2006 07:54 (twenty years ago)

I've been a fan of Rainbow Orchid, which is linked off that wiki, for some years now. I think the first small press edition came out 4 years ago?

― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Wednesday, 3 May 2006 08:29 (twenty years ago)

Oh yeah, another great comic done in that style is Rocco Vargas by Daniel Torres.

― Tuomas (Tuomas), Wednesday, 3 May 2006 09:17 (twenty years ago)

I haven't read the "Alph-Art" yet, but I don't think Hergé ever finished the script, so if there's an ending to it, it must've been added by someone else.

The ending isn't actually much worse than the rest of it - even the Herge penned sections are pretty lacklustre.

his Blake and Mortimer series should appeal to any Tintin fan

The one B&M I've read, The Secret of the Swordfish trilogy, is like the most rascist thing ever! Jacobs REALLY didn't like the Chinese. Puts Herge's naive pro-colonialism in perspective.

― chap who would dare to be a nerd, not a geek (chap), Wednesday, 3 May 2006 10:42 (twenty years ago)

I really want to read some Blake Et Mortimer.

NB not because it's racist. Honest!

― Tom (Groke), Wednesday, 3 May 2006 10:43 (twenty years ago)

Okay, I haven't read the one you mention Chap, but The Yellow 'M', S.O.S. Meteors, and the Time Trap are all great old school sci-fi fun! They're a bit too fast-paced and wordy to compare to the best Tintin stories, but worth a read anyway.

― Tuomas (Tuomas), Wednesday, 3 May 2006 10:51 (twenty years ago)

That Johnny Crossbones link is making me SO HAPPY.

― Laurel (Laurel), Wednesday, 3 May 2006 15:16 (twenty years ago)

Rocco Vargas is GREAT. I always had the impression that Blake And Mortimer were boring and wordy, though.

― Amadeo (Amadeo G.), Wednesday, 3 May 2006 15:18 (twenty years ago)

That Johnny Crossbones link is making me SO HAPPY.

Yeah, but the story's unfinished. :( I love how the heroine's body doesn't look like a supermodel's, though it's kinda sad that it would be something that sticks out.

― Tuomas (Tuomas), Wednesday, 3 May 2006 15:29 (twenty years ago)

Why are you always so obsessed with every woman's body, Tuomas? [insert winky emoticon]

― Huk-L (Huk-L), Wednesday, 3 May 2006 15:35 (twenty years ago)

bah there is nothing boring abt blake and mortimer:

http://lebrunf9.free.fr/collection/3d/jacobs/marque_jaune_dessin.jpg

― Ward Fowler (Ward Fowler), Wednesday, 3 May 2006 15:43 (twenty years ago)

Hey, I'm a women's studies minor-soon-to-become-major!

Anyway, don't you think it is a bit sad that women with average bodies rare enough in comics you actually notice when someone draws them that way?

― Tuomas (Tuomas), Wednesday, 3 May 2006 15:46 (twenty years ago)

(x-post)

Kinda like the previous thread with all the male superhero butts: the exception from the norm makes you see the norm more clearly.

― Tuomas (Tuomas), Wednesday, 3 May 2006 15:47 (twenty years ago)

I agree with Tuomas - it is nice to see a hot full figured girl in a comic.

― chap who would dare to be a nerd, not a geek (chap), Wednesday, 3 May 2006 16:42 (twenty years ago)

I've got a fair few of the Blake and Mortimers in English if anyone wants a swap or borrow. They are extraordinarily racist (to the point that I wouldn't read them on the tube), but they're quite ripping -- sort of like LITG minus the satire. The drawing style is clearly indebted to Herge, but the dialogue is very wordy.

― Chuck_Tatum (Chuck_Tatum), Friday, 5 May 2006 09:30 (twenty years ago)

Oh, if only they were sexist instead of racist then Tuomas wouldn't be pimpin' them.

― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Friday, 5 May 2006 09:38 (twenty years ago)

To be frank I haven't read Blake & Mortimer in years, and I can't recall any particular racism in the three stories I mentioned, but it could be I was too young to get it then. Anyway, you gotta put these things into a perspective; racism in Tintin or Blake & Mortimer stories over 50 years old isn't the same as racism in comics of today, though both are objectionable of course. Similarly, I can still appreciate old Hollywood comedies even though there's a lot of sexism (and racism) in them, because I can put it into context. And I can appreciate some the sexist comics of today too despite their sexism, if it isn't too blatant. It's always a question of whether or not the objectionable content in a comic/movie/book is to disturbing for me too appreciate it for it's other merits. (Sometimes this can be quite a difficult issue; for example, I do appreciate Dark Knight Returns for it's artistic worth, but I simply can't get past it's politics to really like it.)

― Tuomas (Tuomas), Friday, 5 May 2006 11:45 (twenty years ago)

Isn't it the case that in "The Shooting Star", Tintin's basically commanding a German boat against some evil rich Brazillian Jew? I'm Jewish, but I still think it's more amusing than harmful, and B&P's sort of the same.

― Chuck_Tatum (Chuck_Tatum), Friday, 5 May 2006 12:22 (twenty years ago)

(sorry, meant "B&M")

― Chuck_Tatum (Chuck_Tatum), Friday, 5 May 2006 12:25 (twenty years ago)

According to Harry Thompson's great biog of Herge (which does tend to let him off the hook a teensy bit), he chose a Jewish name by mistake for the villain of The Shooting Star - apparently it was supposed to be plea for European unity after the war, with the metorite as a metaphor for WWII, rather than an anti-semetic statement.

― chap who would dare to be a nerd, not a geek (chap), Friday, 5 May 2006 12:54 (twenty years ago)

Haha, I've read that story too but I'm not sure I believe it!

I think Herge orginally called him, er, "Blumenstein", but changed it to what he thought would be a less Jewish name for the future editions, "Bohlwinkel". Which of course is also a Jewish name. Not that the name matters, anyway, seeing as he's visually such a stereotype. (Have you seen his nose?).

I still think the book's aces, though.

― Chuck_Tatum (Chuck_Tatum), Friday, 5 May 2006 13:04 (twenty years ago)

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