The Disturbing History of the Beloved European Comic, Tintin

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The Adventures of Tintin, by Hergé, is one of the most popular and enduring comics (bande dessinée) artists of the 20th century. From his ligne claire art style to the mix of adventure and humor, Tintin proves enduringly popular. But his creator, Hergé, also had a disturbing personal history during World War II.

[sayanroy]

I am an Indian subscriber, I live in West Bengal, for me and for a lot of Bengalis Tintin is an essential part of our childhood, it was my introduction to comic books and I grew up reading the Tintin comics in Bengali translation.

[Nosferatu]

When the first Indiana Jones was released in France and Belgium, they likened it to Tintin. That's how much of a cultural impact these comics have on European society

[darraseric]

Hergé demanded that no other authors or artists continue the series after his death. His estate honoured that request. No new official Tintin comics by other artists have been published since his death. However a 2015 Dutch courtcase has stripped Hergé's heirs of some rights to the character.
Hergé died in 1983 and Tintin magazine was discontinued in 1988.

[PKAnane]

I loved Tintin as a kid in Ghana. I noticed the depictions of Tintin in Congo. But I will never hold Herge to moral standards he failed. We are all deeply flawed. I can't wait to introduce my kids to Tintin.. amazing stories!!!

[lmcdasc]

Here in Canada, the book and comic racks in stores and libraries always had Asterix alongside Tin Tin, and often even overshadowing Hergé's boy adventurer. Would love to see an Asterix episode some day. Thanks for the show.

[SlashBeetlejuice]

Now that you've covered Tintin, do Asterix next.

[blindcrow]

I'm a Belgian suscriber and I got to say you just made one of the best review of Tintin I've seen in a while. You have done a great job objectively pointing the early comics racism and the questionable implication of Hergé during nazi occupation, while giving deep context around it. And also by describing the work and the distinctive style of Hergé so well. Very impressive.

[mikejones]

I think it’s quite admirable that Herge went back and updated his art to eliminate racist characters. It’s also quite brave that he resisted doing propaganda for the Nazi party, which would’ve been very easy in an occupied country. I think you are over-selling the “troubling“ aspect of this. I think Herge was in a tight spot and a changing culture and ultimately showed himself to be an honorable person.

[tadpoleontheweb]

I live in Montreal, Canada and attended elementary school in French. So my earliest memories of comics were all Franco-Belgian titles like Tintin, Les Schtroumpfs (The Smurfs), Astérix, Spirou, Gaston Lagaffe and others. Unlike North American comics, European bédés (BDs aka bandes dessinées or drawn strips) were mostly self-contained stories in large hardcover albums as opposed to episodic issues, kind of like movies versus serials.

I still collect Franco-Belgian comics, partly due to nostalgia, but mostly for the visual artwork and imaginative storytelling. I’d love to see more European content on the channel aside from the American and Asian works should Chris decide to explore even more bédés. Regardless, I love the channel. Keep it coming.

[StudioPluche]

Worthy of note is that Hergé worked alone for a certain time, but soon had help redrawing published albums and making new ones. His best collaborator was one Bob De Moor, who was responsible for drawing houses, cars, planes and other objects of the kind. On the cover of Destination Moon, Hergé only drew the four characters while De Moor did everything else. In the late fifties, Hergé had an entire team of assistants helping him.

[williamblakehall]

Grew up on Tintin, so I always appreciate an American expert remembering and respecting him. I have to wonder a little if Herge had any political change of heart, because I notice that King Ottokar's Sceptre names a villain "Musstler" (not to be confused, I assume, with "Hitolini"), while in The Calculus Affair the sinister nation of Borduria identifies its politics as "Taschism." Was any of that Herge himself, I wonder, or perhaps more attributable to the British translators? This essay has been, despite the troubled history, a wonderful Sunday treat -- but first and above all, please do anything you can to take care of yourself, your schedule is honorable but you must always be your own top priority. Thank you!

[LowellLucasJr.]

Dude, keep us posted on your condition and please take your time on these videos! They are quality works but are no where near as important as your health! Please take every chance you get into getting better! We care bro!❤

[mmclaurin]

Still waiting on that sequel Spielberg. That first movie was fucking AMAZING. I got hooked on Tintin in middle school. My French teacher was Belgian, and had some collections of Tintin laying around. I was heavily into comics so I, being a massive nerd, gave them a shot. Even in a foreign language, I loved them. So she brought her entire collection and ove the course of 4 semesters, I eventually read them all.

[Udgrasil]

My favorite European comic is probably "Blacksad". Maybe the greatest Art I have ever seen in comics. Also, a fantastic and nuance detective anthology series with an extremely likable protagonist, in a very unique setting.

[RickReasonnz]

The only comics I ever read as a kid were Asterix and Tintin books. Loved em all.

[ThePongzilla]

I was introduced to TinTin from the cartoon show. Tintin in Tibet is probably my favorite of the comics. The Peter Jackson movie is really good and fun. I remember showing it to friends of my who had never heard of TinTin and they really enjoyed it for the adventure.

[clarasundqvist]

As a Swede, good on your grandma for introducing you to Tintin! the comics are extremely popular here, there's a shop in Stockholm that's completely dedicated to Tintin (featuring other Belgian artworks too) and the Science Fiction Bookstore (a must see for all nerds visiting Stockholm) also contain a large collection of Tintin statuettes and books. Very good video too!

[MarcelGomesPan]

I am Swedish and also read Tintin.
Funny thing, i actually didn’t know a haddock was a fish until in my 30’s.
To me it was simoly the name of the captain.

In Sweden Snowy ( the dog ) retains his original name, Milou.

Though i was a superhero freak, French and Belgian comics was a part of my childhood.
Asterix being another obvious one as well as the mentioned Spirou, Iznogoud etc. 🇸🇪

[daniellof]

Oh, this is just perfect timing. I work with the comic book festival here in stockholm, and last week. This year's theme was Belgium comics and the massive impact it has on the Swedish comic market, especially Tintin. Meeting the Belgium ambassador, he spoke as he remembered Tintin coming in magazine form.

[bahmat]

Despite the author's past, I will forever be grateful to Tintin comics for helping me learn and become fluent in English at a time when we always thought that the only way to learn was through diligent study and boring textbooks. Still read them today in my 40s.