Tintin Forums

Hi everybody! Awesome forum.

I apologize if you've discussed these topics before, but I might as well ask.

1) I believe I read somewhere that Herge's inspiration for Thompson and Thomson (Dupont et Dupond) was his father and his uncle, both twins, and their matching bowler hats. Does anybody know any more on this?

On that same token, what are the differences between Thompson and Thomson besides their moustaches? I think Thomson (flared moustache) tends to be a little sillier, a little funnier even, and Thompson ("serious" moustache) is a bit more stodgy and likely to try to rein Thomson in.

May I say I love it when Herge takes care to position their walking-sticks exactly the same, or when they have the same black-eye. I do find that never gets old!, and I find myself striving to notice details like that when I do my re-readings.

2) Herge has been praised for his "ligne-claire" style, and we all know the man was a masterful artist. But sometimes he eschewed background detail completely. e.g. in THE BROKEN EAR, in the English version, on pp. 54-56, when Tintin is among the Arumbayas for the first time, there is NO background detail whatsoever in some panels! I've noticed that in other spots too, but most definitely there. What gives?

3) I haven't read all the books -- perhaps only about 75% -- but I've definitely noticed an international flavor in the names for people Herge uses. That is all well and good, but do you suspect a reason for Greek-sounding names like Philippus (the Prophet), Decimus (Phostle), Aristides (Silk), and heaven knows I'm neglecting a few.....

4) Here is one that I always come back to. We all know Signora Castafiore is quite the international chanteuse, but WHY is it that she always sings just the one song? And it's always the same few verses! How come she is never asked to sing anything other than the Jewel Song from Faust? (BTW she is one of my favorite characters.) Even in THE CASTAFIORE EMERALD, when she is being interviewed for TV at Marlinspike, the producers suggest she sing. Okay, what to sing? Why not the Jewel Song from Faust? Oh! A splendid choice! ... You see? :P

5) This is more a quirk of the translation than anything Herge might have done, but I notice a lot of the same recurring phrases, most notably "take prisoner" or words to that effect. "That's torn it!" is another. These stand out to me because someone of my nationality (American) and generation (born 1983) would never think to use those terms. It's very interesting. I think the two translators did a fantastic job.

It may sound as though some of these things bother me, but I'm actually very fond of the quirks of the characters. The fact that Signora Castafiore only sings one song really ADDS to the work, I think. :)

Sorry if I'm rehashing things that have been done to death. Discuss away! I eagerly await your insights...

Now, over the years, Herge may have perfected his drawings and colours. If you read from King Ottokars Sceptre, you first realised that Tintin's face has became more ovalish than roundish. The first time Captain Haddock appeared, he was too big and his face was to white. When he appeared in The Shooting Star, his face was redesigned, keeping his beard intact. He's more fitter and it kept that way from then.