I’d like to start off by apologizing for my horrendous ignoring of this blog, whether or not you cared or noticed.
This summer, I got away with only doing an art show for my project, when I originally intended to write a full-fleged paper, almost a book with all the information I know I have. I had about 20 prints from Hergé’s work, a miniature paper for each, and talked with a couple of advisor-like people. While everybody seemed to be impressed, I felt like such a slacker.
I’d really like to keep this blog more, but I’m just so busy with school, etc. I will certainly continue trying; I’d really like to continue studying Tintin more deeply. And you can certainly expect a review of the Tintin movie from me. I of course went the day it came out. (The theater was very disappointing. I realize it was a Wednesday, yes, and Waverly is not an extremely large town, but still. There were four people in the theater. One was me. The other was my mom, who I dragged along because she refuses to read the comic books and, well, what’s a life without Tintin?)
Expect more and better from me soon. Admist my War and Peace reading, my researching for German, and my holiday celebrating, I’ll find some time for Tintin.
tolove-a-wildthing asked: This is the most fantastic project I've ever heard of. Hats off!
Thanks!
Inspirations
Hergé
Tintin in the Congo pg. 1 panel 1-3
The first person that ever influenced Tintin was Norbert Wallez, for whom Hergé worked atLe Vingtième Siècle,where Tintin would be born. It was Wallez that arranged the job for Hergé that would start Tintin, and it was under Wallez’s suggestion that Hergé started the veritably worst Tintin album, Tintin in the Congo. Hergé himself had wanted to send Tintin to America.
Hergé’s research before The Blue Lotus was inaccurate and mostly based on political opinions favored by the Catholic newspaper he worked for. First sent to the Soviet Union, this Tintin points out the follies of Communism to its young readers. In the Congo, Tintin promoted Belgium’s colony and mission work in the area, not to mention the disgusting manner with which Tintin treated the Congolese. The above panels contain one of the most personally frightening examples of racism in Tintin in the Congo. Comparing the atrocity of Tintin’s actions toward the Congolese with the judgement of King Solomon is incredibly dense and falsely altruistic.
Later, Hergé would be embarrassed by the racial stereotypes he subdued to, and apologize through comments inThe Blue Lotus.
Sorry for this being in black and white. I couldn’t get the scanner to work too well.
The Art of the Comic
Hergé
The Broken Ear pg. 1 panel 1-3
Comic books are often considered unserious and easy to read, yet in actuality they can be some of the most important things to be read. They often have an exciting or interesting plot line, while still containing a serious theme. Comics are easier to read than pages of thickly-packed small text, and allow those who don’t like to read to exercise critical thinking. Besides all this, comic books contain stunning artwork, and should be considered “real” art, a concept that Roy Lichtenstein played with in his renditions of comic book-style paintings.
Hergé’s the Adventures of Tintin are an excellent example of a comic book that holds such quality. The artwork is inexplicable to someone who has never seen it, and Andy Warhol, the famous pop artist, was a great admirer of Hergé’s work. Tintin’s adventures are filled with exciting plot lines and interesting characters, pulling readers into a believable fantasy world, wanting to explain the philosophy of Tintin for themselves.
The ideas other people (of course) think of! I don’t really see Tintin as a smoker, but hey—whatever you want. It’s still really interesting.
The mustache looks so bad, it’s funny.
caldicot asked: So, how do you feel about the Tintin film coming out? Personally I was excited for it until I saw the trailer. I found the trailer pretty disappointing.
Thanks for the question! It’s the only blogging I seem to be able to get done right now.
Yes, I’m thrilled for the movie. Much of it is indeed my love for Tintin. I can’t not go. I think I’m going to be partially disappointed. The animation is a little funky (excuse my poor language choice) compared to the albums. Jamie Bell sounds a little girly. I’m not entirely sure what albums they’re doing, and how badly they’re going to mess with the story. Yet the trailer seems to indicate that the feel of the film will be fairly true to Tintin. I watched the first season of the animated series. They were fairly good: they were drawn beautifully, and the stories were good. But the change in format didn’t equal out very well. The animations were lacking energy, and nothing was quite as exciting as when you pulled out your comic book and laid on the couch. I think it’s a hard thing to replicate, but hopefully this new film will do a little better.
Either way, I’m thrilled. I can’t wait. It’s probable that I’ll be at least a little disappointed, but I love Tintin too much to not to be intrigued.
Do you still plan on going?
encoresaperlipopette asked: doesn't tintin also get drunk in land of the soviets?
Way to point that out! You’re right, of course, but for a few reasons it’s beside (my) point.
In Land of the Soviets and Congo, Tintin’s character isn’t fully developed. He’s later excessively angelic and refuses to touch drink. By the time of The Broken Ear, and especially for those looking back to the album, one finds it a little strange. Also, as I’m sure you know, LOS and C are not the most popular albums, and are actually fairly difficult to find, so for Tintin fans who haven’t read them or haven’t heard of them, mentioning The Broken Ear is more logical.
However, thanks so much for pointing this out. I’d completely forgotten, and I don’t like sounding like an idiot.
leviafan:
This shouldn’t be as amusing as it is. Oh well.
No. No it shouldn’t.
